City trip Dublin: the best activities
EuropeDublin is the capital of Ireland and a fantastic city for a city break. During the day, you can enjoy the vibrant city and the surrounding nature. In the evening, you can dance to live music in a pub. This blog post will tell you exactly what you can do in Dublin.
Things to do in Dublin
Walk along the cliffs
The Cliffs of Moher
From Dublin, you can take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are among the highest in Europe and stretch for approximately eight kilometers. They are one of the most visited attractions in Ireland. By bus (one change and two 6- to 9-minute walks) from Dublin, it takes about 5.5 hours to get there. You can also book a tour with an English guide, which includes access to the visitor center.
The cliffs of Howth
Slightly closer to Dublin and quieter than Moher are the cliffs of Howth. The cliffs are just as impressive. You can even spot several seals here most days. Howth is a thirty-minute direct train ride from Dublin. Several walking trails of varying difficulty are available, clearly signposted in Howth. At the end of the walk, you can enjoy delicious fish and chips in the fishing village.
Enjoy the view with a Guinness in your hand
An absolute must-do during a city break in Dublin is drinking Guinness. The best way to do this is at the Guinness brewery itself: the Guinness Storehouse. A guided tour takes you through the seven floors of this historic brewery. Each floor focuses on a different theme, from ingredients and the brewing process to admiring the most iconic advertisements. The highlight of the tour is literally on the top floor: drinking Guinness. In the Gravity Bar, you'll have panoramic views of the city. The beer is included in your ticket, making it a great way to end the tour.
Listen to live music in the Temple Bar District
Dublin boasts many charming bars and pubs, where live music is regularly played. The most famous street lined with bars is located around the famous Temple Bar. Temple Bar, on the corner of Temple Street, is primarily known for its wide selection (450!) of different whiskeys (Irish spelling). Join the locals (and tourists) and dance to the live music with a beer or whiskey in hand in one of the pubs. It's also worth strolling through the narrow streets at the beginning of the day.
Visit the hungry tree
In King's Inns Park, you'll find a remarkable tree. This tree is about eighty years old and has, in the meantime, "swallowed" an iron bench. Note: the park is closed on weekends. So, you'll have to visit this tree on a weekday if you want to admire it up close.
Visit Saint Stephen's Green Park
This park, located in the center of Dublin, is perfect for a picnic. On a sunny day, pick up sandwiches and a coffee to-go from a local bakery and find a spot in the park. After your picnic, stroll through the 450 by 550-meter park. Be sure to visit the scented garden and the artificial waterfall.
After visiting Saint Stephen's Park, head towards the Georgian Quarter to admire the beautiful 18th-century houses. This neighborhood is famous for its colorful front doors, which you'll find everywhere. You'll find almost every color of the rainbow here. Why the colored doors became a tradition is unknown; several stories circulate. You can also find many colored front doors in Fitzwilliam Square and Merrion Square.
Explore the city's highlights by bus
A fun way to explore the city's highlights is with the green hop-on-hop-off bus. This way, you'll see a large part of the city at once, and the information about all the highlights is entertaining. The buses can go all the way to Phoenix Park (and then return to the city center). You can, of course, hop off and on again along the way, for example, at Dublin Castle or Trinity Library.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is located in the center of Dublin. The castle features a mix of different architectural styles. Some parts of the castle are open to visitors, and can be booked with or without a tour.
The Trinity Library
One of Dublin's most popular buildings is Trinity Library. This library inspired J.K. Roling's Hogwarts (Harry Potter) and is therefore worth a visit in itself. The famous Book of Kells is also on display here. The Book of Kells is considered a masterpiece of Western calligraphy and was written around the year 800.
Food and drink
Tips for nice restaurants and bars:
Fallon & Byrne wine
At the bottom of this wine cellar you can order delicious drinks platters and pasta.
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Tang
Tang is available for lunch in various locations throughout Dublin, including Abbey Street. You can order yogurt bowls, avocado toast, and egg dishes, among other things.
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The Oak aan Temple Bar street
This cozy Irish pub regularly features live music. You're guaranteed a fun evening!
View on Google MapsA city trip to Dublin combines the coziness of a city with beautiful nature!
Useful information
Official language: Irish and English
Currency: Euro
Area: 117.8 km²
Best time to travel: The most sunshine and least rain can be found between May and September.
