Dublin is the capital of the Emerald Isle, has some of the best pubs in Europe, and is where Guinness was invented. It has many claims to fame and is a must-see for many travelers who want to see more of Europe. But like any city, there are some things you should know before you go! Here are the best travel tips we can give to people there for the first time and what to know the things to do in Dublin.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay in Dublin?
Your trip will get off to a good start if you are well-prepared and book all of your accommodations well before you arrive. There are a lot of hotels, hostels, and B&Bs in the Temple District, which is one of the most popular places to stay. This is a good bet to be close to the main things to do in Dublin. All of the major sights are close by, and you can easily walk to everything else you might want to see.
Be Aware That Dublin Is More Expensive Than You’d Expect
When you go to Dublin for the first time, you may be surprised by how expensive the city is. Be sure to plan for a trip that will cost more than you might have thought, from the cost of a place to stay to going out to eat. Traditional tourist spots and museums are average cost-wise, so not all things to do in Dublin are expensive. Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day is especially fun, with lots of offers to take advantage of!
You Must Visit Trinity College Library – Things to Do in Dublin
The Trinity College Library is without a doubt one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Dublin, it’s this place. The library is part of the beautiful Trinity College University building. It has wooden shelves filled with books from floor to ceiling and a lot of marble busts.
It’s one of the great literary sights of Dublin. Under the library is a small display of the Book of Kells, which is one of the most important religious manuscripts from the Middle Ages that has survived. Make sure to get there early in the day instead of late, so you don’t have to wait in lines for too long.
When Is The Ideal Time To Visit Dublin?
If you can choose when to go to Dublin, go during the European shoulder season. From the colourful leaves in the fall to the beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, you won’t be disappointed (in the spring or in the summer).
This way, everything will still be open, and you might even be able to find cheaper hotel rooms and flights. I especially recommend planning your trip for when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the spring. This way, you can see the best of Dublin’s cherry blossoms.
Plan Tours Ahead Of Time
If you want to go on a tour with other people, you will need to book this ahead of time. Dublin’s tours are some of the best things to do in Dublin. There are simple bus tours with commentary, to more unique tours such as the Magellan motorbike tours to see more than just Dublin itself. There’s a lot to see in Dublin, but you’ll also want to leave the city to see Ireland’s beautiful countryside.
Most Dublin day trips leave from the same place, which is just across the street from the main entrance to Trinity College.
Explore The River Liffey On Both Sides – Things to Do In Dublin
A lot of historic Dublin is on both sides of the River Liffey, so you’ll probably cross it at least a few times while you’re there. Make sure that at least one of the times you cross, you use the Ha’Penny bridge.
This pedestrian bridge was built in the early 1800s and is called the “Liffey Bridge.” It was built so that people could safely get from one side of Dublin to the other. Before this, seven ferries crossed the River Liffey every day, taking people from one side to the other.
Use A Visitor Card To Get The Most Out Of Public Transportation
Also, while we’re talking about public transportation, there’s one card that most people who come to the city don’t know about. If you plan to hop on and off public transportation, the Leap Visitor Card is a great investment, especially since most buses only take cash and not checks. It’s a great way to see all the things to do in Dublin cost-effectively.
Take A Bus Ride To Belfast
Northern Ireland’s capital is Belfast, which is worth seeing on your own time. You can take the M1 bus from Dublin to Belfast, which is a lot simpler than you may think. It only takes two hours to drive there, and a one-way ticket costs 20 euros. There other options too if you fancy exploring other cities.
The Early Bird Gets The Worm
Like many other cities, Dublin is quiet first thing in the morning. Early can mean different things in different places, and in Dublin, early is around 8 a.m. By noon, lines will go down the block and around the corner for things that didn’t have any then. The Book of Kells, the Temple Bar area, and Stephen’s Green are all part of this.
Dublin’s Café Scene Is Great
Prepare to be surprised by how many cafés and coffee shops there are in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. One of many relaxing things to do in Dublin. There are a lot of cozy places to read a good book, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a great cup of coffee. Find some tucked away in bookstores, while others are in high-end restaurants or hotels. You can see the top 10 cafes on Tripadvisor.
You Must Go To The Guinness Storehouse
Lastly, the most popular tourist spot in the Republic of Ireland is very touristy, but in a good way. The Guinness Storehouse experience is a must-see while you’re in Dublin. It’s one of the best things to do in Dublin. It gives you a chance to learn all about the history of Ireland’s most famous drink, Guinness.
With the price of your ticket, you’ll even get a free pint. Visitors should plan to spend at least three or four hours inside “the largest pint glass in the world” to get the most out of the experience.
As you can see, there is a lot of things to do in Dublin. Have you ever been before? We’d love to hear some more must-sees and top tips in the comments.
Main Image – Photo by Lukas Kloeppel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-walking-on-street-2416653/
You can see more of what I’m loving, and what I’m doing, over on my Instagram.
