The river Liffey flows on its banks, Guinness beer in its glasses and the Irish harp in its ears.
Welcome to Dublin!
Dublin is a small romantic city designated by UNESCO as the “City of Literature”. Cobbled streets and Victorian bridges lead you to medieval temples. Celtic symbols, Gaelic (Celtic Irish) inscriptions and Viking castles take you on an epic fairy tale. The city where Wilde and Beckett wrote their first books is sure to enchant you.
But just like its host, the river Liffey has two banks, so Dublin has two sides.
Dublin is a small dynamic city, dubbed the “City of Fun” by alcohol lovers. Historical pubs, distilleries and dance music compose a festive setting. On St. Patrick’s Day, the feast reaches its peak and visitors come from all over the world to participate in this frantic fiesta that sweeps away the whole city. The place where Guinness and Jameson made their first drinks is sure to cheer you up.
Strong as the Vikings, witty as a novel and methystic as the whiskey, this city undoubtedly has a temperament and invites you to discover it.
Dublin Itinerary
Dublin loves the culture. You?
We start with a walk to the city emblem, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Saint-Patrick is the protector of Ireland and arrived in the city when young, after being kidnapped by Irish pirates. It is a medieval temple, the largest in the country, with imposing statues and elaborated stained glass representations. This is the inspiration and the grave of some important figures such as Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels.
Next to the temple is the city’s other landmark building, Dublin Castle, built by the Vikings and served as their headquarters, prison and treasury. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden that you can freely enjoy and photograph. Legend has it that the castle, like other Irish buildings, is haunted.
The next stop is the impressive Dublinia castle, where we will get initiated into Viking culture. Children and adults transform into Norman warriors, wearing helmets and armour and reviving daily life. In the end, we climb the 90 steps of the tower to admire the view of the city.
Dublin loves the fun. You?
We continue walking to the south bank and reach the city’s heart, the famous Temple Bar district. There we find alleys built of stone, small vintage boutiques and countless preserved wooden pubs decorated with colourful flags. The cheerful Irish music fills the atmosphere, and the beer the glasses. The celebration here is everyday life and starts early. Choose a pub, either the eponymous historic Temple Bar or another and the moment with live musicians of local Trad folk-country music on the stage.
The river Liffey divides the city into the historic south bank and the modern north bank. From Temple Bar, we cross the north bank of the river crossing the most famous and elaborate bridge in Dublin, Ha’Penny, which means half a penny, as much as it used to cost to cross the bridge. It leads us to Liffey Street and O’Connell Street, with Georgian-era buildings and modern shops with expensive brands.
We cross the O’Connell Bridge and find ourselves again on the picturesque south bank. Only a step away, there is the busy pedestrian Grafton Street, ideal for walking and buying souvenirs, where we enjoy street musicians, flower stalls and traditional Irish pastry shops. It is a perfect opportunity for a famous Irish Coffee.
Or for a Guinness. Guinness is a native of Dublin and is black as the city that gave birth to her since Dublin means “Black Swamp” in Irish.
It all started in 1770 when Arthur Guinness rented the distillery for the next 9,000 years and made the first black porter beer, now famous all over the planet. Nowadays, in the same place operates the Guinness Storehouse, where we discover its secrets.
Just before the sunset, we go up to the rooftop bar with a panoramic view of the city, which changes while the sun goes down.The Liffey gets dressed up, and, in the background, Temple Bar winks at us.
Plan a trip to Dublin
Everything you need to know before your travel.
Dublin is on the east bank of Ireland, where the river Liffey flows into the Irish Sea.
Dublin was created by the coexistence of Celts and Vikings but developed in the Middle Ages.
Ireland in the past belonged to Great Britain, but now most of it is independent, and Dublin is the capital.
Language : English. HELLO = HELLO / THANK YOU = THANK YOU
Population : 1.450.000
Currency : Euro
Climate : oceanic – mild, humid and changeable with abundant rainfall. The annual temperature ranges from 5 to 15 degrees, often changing within a day.
National Day : 17 March. Death day of St Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland.
Emergency number : 112 police and medical
Chargers : charger type G same as in Great Britain
Dublin has a reputation as an expensive city, which can be seen even in hotel prices. Book your stay as soon as possible for more variety and, hopefully, better prices.
The weather in Dublin is usually cold, with a lot of humidity and wind. Don’t forget your umbrella.
About the pubs, under Irish law, pubs serve alcohol Monday-Thursday 10.30-23.30, Friday-Saturday 10.30-00.30, and Sundays 12.30-23.00. Offers on alcohol prices, “happy hours”, are prohibited.
Also, children up to 15 years old can enter inside or stay at the outdoor area of a store serving alcohol from May to September until 22.00 and the rest of the months until 21.00. The stay of minors over 15 years old is allowed if there is also some food on the table.
“The Dubliners” James Joyce’s short stories collection reflects the society at the turn of the century.
”Rocky Road to Dublin” The Dubliners
Even two days would be enough to tour the city and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, but if you want to enjoy the pubs and distilleries without haste, then the ideal would be three days.
If you have more time, you can take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher to admire the beautiful wild landscape of the Atlantic Ocean.
From March to September to avoid the bad weather and enjoy the city comfortably. The ideal period is from March 15 to 19 to live the experience of St. Patrick’s Day.
By plane to Dublin Airport (DUB). The distance to the city from the airport is about 30 minutes, and there are many access options, either the Dublin Express bus, for 7 euros, or the standard buses, which cost 2.60.
Just make sure you have coins because you can buy a ticket from the driver, but they don’t give change. If you want to pay by card, buy your ticket from the cafeteria next to the station’s entrance.
Another option is the taxi that costs about 30 euros to the city centre.
Perfect location somewhere on the south bank, close to the Temple Bar district. Strategic point to start your day and the best to end it.
Famous Personalities
Dublin gave birth to many famous writers, such as Oscar Wilde and Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett.
It is also the birthplace of U2 singer, Cranberries singer, guitarist Rory Gallagher and famous actors such as Colin Farrell.
Special Events in Dublin
On the 17th of March is the biggest event of Dublin, honouring the day of the death of the patron saint, Saint Patrick.
On St. Patrick’s Day there are a lot of events of traditional music and dances, and visitors come from all over the world to participate in this frantic fiesta that sweeps away the whole city.
They form an endless parade disguised as green goblins with orange beards, dancing and singing with a beer in their hand.
TOP 10 list of Dublin
- 1. Listen to Trad music in a pub at Temple Bar.
- 2. Cross Ha'penny Bridge.
- 3. Drink a Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse.
- 4. Take a photo at Dublin Castle.
- 5. Try the Irish Coffee.
- 6. Admire Liffey at night.
- 7. Catch a Leprechaun and make a wish.
- 8. Join a guided tour of the ''dark Dublin".
- 9. Eat a traditional recipe. Any.
- 10. Stay sober before your return flight.
What to see & what to do in Dublin
Sightseeing, monuments and activities in Dublin.
It is a medieval church, the largest in the country, having a world-famous choir. The interior of the building is like a museum, with imposing statues and elaborate stained glass representations. The entrance costs 9 euros, and you can visit the catacombs and admire the view from the bell tower. This cathedral is the inspiration and grave of some important figures, such as Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels.
The largest university in Ireland, it attracts students from all over Europe. It has impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and a rich awe-inspiring library. There is also the ancient Book of Kells, Ireland’s national treasure. It is a religious book, excellently calligraphed and illustrated with Christian and Celtic symbols. The dining room of the student club is also open to the public, offering cooked food even to visitors. The entrance starts from 18 euros.
Constructed by the Vikings and served as their headquarters, prison and treasury. After that, it turned into a palace, the government building of Britain and now Ireland. Surrounded by a gorgeous garden that we can enjoy and photograph, legend has it that the castle, like other Irish buildings, is haunted.
Ireland’s capital sets an example as the cultural heritage is accessible to all. Most of the city’s museums, such as the Archaeological, natural history and national gallery, have free entrance.
An interactive museum that presents elements of everyday Viking life and allows children and adults to transform into Norman warriors, wearing a helmet and armour. In the end, you can climb 90 steps and admire the view of the city from the castle tower. Cost 15 euros, the last entrance at 16.00′.
In translation, it is called Half a Penny, equivalent to the cost to cross it, in 1816. Now the crossing is free, and the bridge leads you to Liffey Street and O’Connell Street with Georgian-era buildings and modern shops with expensive brands.
Dublin has been named by the UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ as it gave birth to many famous writers and poets such as Oscar Wilde, whose house functions as a museum, or Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett, who in his honour built the bridge by Calatrava to Dublin port, representing the Irish harp.
Historic district. Stone-built alleys, small vintage boutiques and countless preserved wooden pubs adorned with colourful flags. The cheerful Irish Trad music fills the atmosphere, and the beer the glasses. The celebration here is everyday life and starts early. There are plenty of beers to try, not omitting, of course, the famous Irish whiskey. Choose a pub, either the historic Temple Bar or another and have a drink enjoying life on stage with the musicians of local folk dance – country music.
Dublin respects nature. Many well-kept parks throughout the city, while within a short distance is Phoenix Park, one of the largest parks in Europe. Originally a hunting zone for kings, access is now open to the public. Here is where is located the wonderful Dublin Zoo. Beautifully organized, a good representation of natural habitats for beautiful, rare animals from Antarctica, Africa and Asia. Worth the visit, both for families and for a romantic walk. The entrance for adults is 19 euros. Drones are not allowed in the park.
This is the Museum of Guinness, where visitors discover the secrets of beer production and distribution from then until today. Get ready to join a tasting, enjoy live music and finally admire panoramic views of the city from the rooftop bar. Tickets start from 26 euros, and the last entrance is at 17.00.
The Irish Whiskey Museum (written with an E to distinguish it from Scotch) or, more specifically, the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, which has been operating since 1780 and you will learn the secrets of John Jameson. The last entrance is at 17.30, and tickets start at 25 euros. The price varies depending on what tour you choose: Guided tour, tasting or even whiskey-based cocktail lessons.
Dublin Gastronomy
What to eat in Dublin
Recipes
The pubs in Ireland are also restaurants where you can taste traditional recipes such as Irish Beef Stew, Irish soda bread or Shepherd Pie “shepherd’s pie”. Another Irish love is soups, mussels and salmon in various versions.
Irish cuisine is rich and emphasizes desserts. Try an Irish cream. Whatever your choice, don’t leave Ireland without having a genuine Irish Coffee!
Restaurants
Try Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head, which serves food in a lovely setting until 21.00′.
If you prefer something more international in taste at ‘Cirillo’s Italian restaurant’, you will find handmade pasta and delicious pizza with authentic Italian ingredients. It is a small restaurant, so better to make a reservation.
The perfect choice for meat lovers is F.X. Steakhouse. It offers the ultimate combination of taste, quality, and decoration.
What to buy from Dublin
Souvenirs and shopping in Dublin
The Irish Harp – a Celtic symbol and national emblem, starred the Irish flag before being replaced by the modern tricolour.
Irish Clover, the emblem of St. Patrick, symbolizes the Holy Trinity.
Mischievous Irish fairies, professional shoemakers who love gold and keep it inside a sac at the end of the rainbow. If you imprison them, they will make your wish come true.
White sheep, black sheep, the sheep is a symbol of Ireland because, according to their saying, there are more sheep than people on Irish soil.
There is a wide variety of objects with the Guinness harp, a symbol which is reversed to the national harp so that it could get copyrighted as the trademark of this beer. The prettiest accessories and the complete collection of them are in the store within the Guinness Storehouse.
First-class wool is an element of the local economy and offers a wide variety of sweaters, scarves, and caps.
Travel Essentials
What to pack for Dublin
Isothermal, waterproof – windproof clothing. Umbrella & paracetamol for the hangover
From Dublin with love x
”I must admit that Ireland was not in my immediate plans. But when proposed as a destination, I immediately agreed. Dublin turned out to be very picturesque and beautiful, and I will remember it always with joy because I visited it with the best company. My sister Christina, my brother-in-law Dimitris (who takes all the credit as it was his idea) and my nephews George and Faye made this trip one of the most enjoyable experiences. I thank them very much and looking forward to meeting them again in another city!”
Dublin Photo Gallery
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