So you have your bags packed and ready to fly off to Dublin, well that’s great. You’re in luck because you found the perfect blog to help you with what to do. Ireland is home to many cities that offer something for everyone. With that said, Dublin is the capital of Ireland and provides plenty of opportunities for you to immerse yourself in Irish culture and connect with the locals. Below are the top things that should be on every list when visiting Dublin.
The Guinness Storehouse
You may be thinking that the Guinness Storehouse is not the most original thing to do. However, it’s definitely worth a visit. First of all, the building is incredible. It’s full of vintage old Guinness advertisements, and they will teach you how to pour a pint of Guinness properly. Once you have finished your tour of Guinness Storehouse, you can head up to the Gravity Bar, where you can take in amazing views of the city. At this point, the Gravity Bar becomes the perfect place to plan your next move.
Temple Bar
As any Dubliner will tell you, a pint of Guinness is only as good as the tab as where it came from. Therefore, choose your pubs wisely. A lot of Dublin’s historical and legendary pubs are located in a centralized area, called Temple Bar. This place has plenty of character, tons of live music, and it’s the perfect place to wet your whistle.
Wake Dock
You can wash off that pub hangover by hopping in the water at Wake Dock. This is Ireland’s first cable wakeboarding park. If you’re not into wakeboarding, that still doesn’t act as an excuse to miss out on this place. You can still enjoy the water while you’re reading a book. This is also a great place to grab a bite to eat and make friends with the locals. If you like, you can dabble in a game of darts while enjoying Ireland’s infamous fish and chips.
Dury Street
This is the perfect place to warm up with a coffee at Kaph, which is on Dury Street. Dury Street is the center of Dublin’s creative quarter. So, if you’re looking to tap into some creative inspiration, then this is the place to be. You can look at the beautiful artwork while sipping on your coffee or talk with local artists and musicians. Furthermore, Dury Street is a great place to enjoy live music and get a taste of Ireland’s musical scene.
Irish design
All over the country, a new generation of designers is putting a modern twist on Irish classics. This all comes together in the capital at places like the Irish Design Shop and Indigo & Cloth. Irish food is also having a rebirth. Don’t think about corn beef and cabbage. Try out some of the lunch spots in Dublin, such as Brother Hubbard or Fumbally. These spots are a great place to hang out, and they have a creative and cozy feel to each of them. For local cheeses and other fresh food, check out the specialty food shops that include Fallon and Byrne.
Trinity College
This college is a must-see for anyone who is visiting Dublin. The campus is home to the Long Room, which you might recognize from Harry Potter. It’s also home to Ireland’s national treasure, the Book of Kells. The lines can be tedious at times, so make sure to head over early or book your tour in advance. While you visit Trinity College, you will feel a sense of appreciation of the arts and the rich history within the walls of Trinity College. Another reason to visit this campus is the stunning architecture. From the moment you step on this surreal campus, you will be in awe of the beautiful buildings, especially the library, which reflects Ireland’s long history.
Library Pub Crawl
Ireland has produced a vast amount of famous literary authors and writers dating back to the Book of Kells. For this reason, Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature. Now you may never read the notoriously challenging Ulysses by Dublin writer James Joyce. However, you can still go on a pub crawl of all the places that James Joyce wrote about. There’s nothing like enjoying a Guinness in a place that a gifted writer included in his writing.
Take a Bike Ride
If you want a healthier way to see the city, then hop on a bicycle and start peddling. When you go on a bike ride, it allows you to see all the sites such as the castle, River Liffey, and the Grand Canal. A bike ride also gives you the luxury to go at whatever pace you feel most comfortable at. Riding a bike will also give you a fresh perspective on Dublin. It will allow you to see things differently and notice things you would have missed otherwise if you were in a car.
Make Some New Friends
The locals are fun, welcoming, and full of stories. It’s never hard to strike up a chat with a local in the area or at a pub. Furthermore, if you find yourself chatting with a local, they may end up telling you about a hotspot that only the locals know about. Even if you travel with friends, there’s always room for more. Connecting with the locals is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of Ireland and get a genuine sense of what Dublin is really about.
In Summary
No matter where you go in Dublin, there will be plenty of things to keep you entertained. It may come as a surprise, but the best part of your trip may be the locals themselves. The people of Ireland have such a great and positive outlook on life that you won’t be able to stop the warmness they will bring into your life.
Once your trip is done, the only thing that will be left is ever-lasting memories. Dublin is a vibrant city that will create timeless moments and memories once it’s all said and done. Lastly, don’t forget to include your trip with whale watching. Make sure your Ireland vacation includes lot’s of fun things to do in Dublin.
