If you’re visiting Dublin, Ireland, here are five must-do’s and must-see’s while you’re in the city to get the most of what this vibrant Irish city has to offer.
Go for a Historic Walking Tour of Dublin
Put on by history graduates of Trinity College in Dublin, this incredible two-hour walking tour of Dublin will take you through popular city attractions while giving you an informative, detailed historical account of the attractions and their significance in Irish history. The tour visits sites like Trinity College to the Old Parliament House, Temple Bar, City Hall, Dublin Castle, Wood Quay, and Christ Church Cathedral. Admission is 12 EUR for adults, 10 EUR for students, and discounts when you show a Rick Steves’ travel guide.
Raise a pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse
It goes without saying that a visit to Dublin isn’t complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Aside from being one of the biggest exports of Dublin, the storehouse attractions millions of visitors per year. From the Guinness-making process to a lesson on “how to pour the perfect pint,” this is the place to learn everything and anything you’ve ever wanted to know about Guinness. At the end of your tour, be sure to head to the Gravity Bar, the highest bar in Dublin, for a complimentary pint of the best Guinness you’ll ever taste.
Admission is 15 EUR for regular admission but when you book your ticket in advance, you’ll receive 10% off your admission ticket (13.50 EUR) and you can skip to the front of the line to enter the storehouse. When you’ve finished your tour of the storehouse, take a walk around the factory, the old St. James’ gate, and the many other historic buildings owned by Guinness.
Take in the Dubliners at a local Dublin spot
The Dubliners, written by James Joyce, is a set of short stories set in Dublin. They say that if Dublin was ever burned or sacked, it could be rebuilt by re-reading the works of James Joyce. From neighbourhoods to streets, local pubs, cultural mannerisms, and a history of Dublin’s dark past you’ll appreciate the Dubliners so much more while you’re in Dublin.
For a spot to take in the Dubliners, try Bewleys café on Grafton Street, a hang-out spot for the likes of U2 and James Joyce; the grassy quad of Trinity College; or a local specialty: Butlers Chocolate Café, for incredible coffee and hot chocolates that come with a complimentary specialty chocolate of your choice.
Go for a day tour in the countryside
There are many different options and many different companies catering to those looking for a day-tour of the city. If you’re visiting Dublin, getting away from the city is a treat. There are two popular options: first, a tour through Wicklow, a drive through lush, green mountains, waterfalls, sheep, lakes as dark as Guinness, and the town of Glendalough with medieval ruins; and the megalithic Bru na Boinne tombs in Newgrange.
Pub crawling
Pubs are definitely a big part of local culture in Dublin. From lunchtime to midday, after-work drinks, dinner, or after-dinner drinks, it’s in the pubs where you can really meet locals and appreciate the city’s vibrant culture. In the evenings, many pubs also offer traditional Irish music/dancing and dishes like beef or steak pies, fish ‘n chips, and more. Consider a tour like the Literary Pub Crawl, which takes visitors on a tour of pubs with a literary spin featuring famous Irish writers like Jonathan Swift or Oscar Wilde.
The Brazen Head is nearly 1,000 years old (established in 1198), and is recognized as the oldest pub in Dublin, just a 10-minute walk from the Guinness Storehouse. Pubs in the Temple Bar, O’Connell Street, or Grafton Street areas are usually pricier but equally frequented by locals and visitors. Pints can be found cheaper outside the city center.