Dublin
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Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland and sits on the rocky island’s mid-eastern coast along River Liffey. It is known for being a city where literary creativity is highly valued; writing in all forms—prose, poetry, playwriting, and song writing—are celebrated. Additionally, it’s the perfect place for an introduction to Irish history, culture, and craic. (Craic, pronounced ‘crack,’ is Irish slang for a good time or having fun, and there’s no shortage of it in Dublin!) Regardless of how long you’re in this calm and historic city, you’ll be pleased by the friendly locals as well as how easily you can navigate its criss-crossing streets.
Travel tip #1: Dublin is much more expensive than you may think. As of 2023, a pint of Guinness is usually 7-8 EUR and a standard pub meal costs about 20 EUR. Budget higher than you would in other European countries, like Greece or Portugal.
Places of Interest
Dublin Castle: Dating to the 13th century as a Viking settlement, this castle was chosen for its position at the highest point of central Dublin and currently serves as a government complex. There is a small entrance fee to walk through the castle itself, but walking around on castle grounds is free of charge.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral: Founded in 1191 as a Roman Catholic cathedral, this stunning space is within the outskirts of the City Center in the historic Liberties district. Saint Patrick’s is one of the most visited sites in Ireland and one of the few buildings left from the medieval era. It is famous for its choir, which is the oldest in the country, who perform here daily during weekdays throughout the majority of the year.
Grafton Street: This is the main shopping area in the City Center where popular stores and shops can be found as well as street performers and musicians. Many people use Grafton Street as a meeting point and make their way around town from there.
Temple Bar: Temple Bar is a neighborhood in Dublin and serves as a main attraction for tourists. The cobblestone streets come alive at night, with live music and more filling the busy alleys. Restaurants and bars are typically more expensive in this area of Dublin.
Trinity College Library: Trinity College is one of the seven “ancient” universities of the English-speaking world, others include Cambridge, Oxford, and St. Andrews; it is now the only one in the European Union. The university’s library is world famous, with the main chamber of the Old Library, the Long Room, is nearly 65 meters in length, is home to the famous manuscripts of the Book of Kells, and is filled with more than 200,000 of its oldest books.
Saint Stephen’s Green: This green space is a popular meeting point for many and also serves as a lovely place to enjoy a sunny day in town. There are plenty of benches and grassy sitting areas to enjoy some time outside with friends and family.
Phoenix Park: Twice as big as New York City‘s Central Park, Phoenix Park is a lovely green space where all are welcome. Events, festivals, and other celebrations are frequently held here. This is a great place to go for a walk or bike ride on a nice day, especially to find the deer that roam freely in the park.
Grand Canal Square: A space within Dublin’s Docklands, Grand Canal Square features restaurants, shops, and the Grand Canal Theatre. The large red posts are a landmark and a great place for photos. You’ll find people skating, sitting, chatting, and relaxing near here.
Dublin Gardens: Located adjacent to Dublin Castle and next to the Chester Beatty Museum, this quiet manicured green space is a great spot to escape the city streets. It’s secluded location is perfect to read a book while surrounded by pretty blooms during warmer months.
Guinness Storehouse: One of the most popular tours in Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse is a must-visit. The multi-story building is dedicated to all things Guinness and serves as a the gateway to the Guinness brewing production process. On a clear day, the Gravity Bar is a cool place to see Dublin from above. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance online prior to your visit.
National Museum of Archeology: This museum is in the City Center, and it is easy to access on foot from Grafton Street or Saint Stephen’s Green. The highlight of the National Museum of Archeology are the bog people: incredibly well-preserved human bodies that were found in peat bogs.
EPIC Irish Emigration Museum: EPIC is my personal favorite museum in Dublin because it is highly interactive and informative. Here, you’ll learn about Ireland’s deep history of emigration, what it entails, and how emigration has impacted the nation. Budget 2 hours for the museum if you want to read most of the placards and partake in activities.
National Leprechaun Museum: A very small museum that highlights Ireland’s famed leprechauns and the country’s rich folklore. Although a bit pricey for the experience, it is a nice way to be introduced to Irish storytelling.
Outdoor Activities In or Near Dublin
- Howth Cliff Walk (click here for more information)
- Killinney Hill
- Dún Laoghaire
- Ticknock Fairy Hike
- Poolbeg Lighthouse
- Glendalough (click here for more information)
- ZipIt Forest Adventures
Travel tip #2: Dublin is divided by River Liffey into North and South; you’ll even pick up on accent differences between locals depending on which side of Dublin they’re from! North Dublin neighborhood zip codes include odd numbers (D1, D3, etc.) while South Dublin has even numbered zip codes. Most places that are of interest to visitors are found within South Dublin.
Food & Drink
Coffee & Cafes
- Brother Hubbard
- Bear Market
- Cloud Picker
- One Kinda Folk
- Panem
- Kaph
- Honey Truffle Cafe
- Bread 41
- The Cake Cafe
- Shoe Lane Coffee
- Tea Garden
Pubs, Bars, & Clubs
- Cassidy’s
- Porterhouse
- The Church
- Mulligan and Haines
- Confession Box
- The Blindpig Speakeasy
- Brewdog Outpost
- P. Mac’s
- Brazen Head
- The Hairy Lemon
- Flannery’s
- Ryan’s
- Devitt’s
- The Crafty Fox
- The Globe
- The Workman
- The George
- Pantibar
Restaurants & Eateries
- Beshoff’s: fish and chips
- White Rabbit: Asian street food
- Arisu: Korean barbecue
- The Ramen Bar: ramen featuring handmade noodles
- Aobaba: Vietnamese restaurant, cash only
- Opium: Asian fusion
- Hang Dai: modern Chinese dishes and Asian fusion
- El Grito: Mexican cuisine such as street tacos
- Er Buchetto: Italian deli/ sandwich shop
- Nana’s Tea: bubble tea
- The Ivy: European fare
- Oh! My Street Food: Asian street food, noodles, and bubble tea
- High Tea: The Shelbourne Hotel (make a reservation in advance, especially during high season) or try a unique experience via Vintage Tea Tours (click here for more information)
Travel tip #3: Pub fare is definitely a must-try while in Dublin. Many pubs open around noon and serve food until 9 pm. Drinks, however, continue to be served into the wee hours of the night. If you’re looking to eat, I recommend grabbing a table closer to 7:30 pm to ensure you can eat a hearty meal before a night out. Steak sandwiches, burgers, chips (fries), and fish & chips are all great options at nearly any pub.
Transportation & Accommodation
Getting around Dublin is relatively easy. Most people rely on the bus system, LUAS, and DART to connect them to different parts of Dublin and the surrounding area. The easiest way to use these systems is by purchasing a LEAP Card. LEAP Cards can be purchased at most convenience stores and can be loaded in stores or via the LEAP Card App. I recommend using a LEAP Card rather than cash because it makes the public transportation payment process simple for tourists. Walking is sometimes faster than taking public transportation within the City Center, but can prove to be cumbersome in inclement weather. Taxis can be hailed throughout the day and night, but using the app FreeNow is most commonly used. If you hail a cab or take one to or from Dublin Airport, be sure to have cash on hand as many taxi drivers prefer cash. Different buses run to and from the airport if you do not wish to pay the cab fare.
Accommodation can be quite expensive in Dublin, especially if you are staying in a central area. Ranelagh and the Docklands have nice hotels, such as The Devlin and The Mayson, that tend to be a little less expensive than places located in town yet are close to public transportation lines. For tourists, it is usually better to stay in South Dublin rather than North Dublin and no further west than the Liberties. It is best to book accommodation in advance because space is limited in the city.
Travel tip #4: All roads lead to Dublin. While this may sound like an old tale, the nation’s roadways are designed in a circular route with the main roads leading to Dublin. This is convenient if you’re traveling to and from the capital, yet it can be inconvenient if traveling between places like West Cork and central Ireland, for example.
Climate
Dublin has mild temperatures throughout the year and sees plenty of rainfall during all seasons. Spring is the nicest season, as days are cool and calm. Summers are comfortable and mostly sunny while the winters are long, very cold, and wet. It is windy and cloudy year round. Fall typically has the most rainfall of any season. It is common to experience all four seasons in one day in Dublin and other parts of Ireland, with a combination of sun, wind, and rain all occurring within minutes of each other. Layers are highly recommended, as are a good pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
Travel tip #5: Hiking and outdoor activities can be challenging to plan ahead for due to Ireland’s notorious weather patterns. Always pack a rain jacket and something that is wind proof, especially if you’re planning on hiking a peak, regardless of the season.