Dublin is a wonderful city to visit but with so much on offer it can be hard to pin down the things you must do before you leave, especially if you are short on time or on a tight budget. Here's a list of things I totally recommend doing and top tips to make the most of your stay in Dublin.
1) Go to the focal points
You literally can't miss The Spire whilst you are in Dublin (it looks like a gigantic needle or spike). It sits right in the heart of O'Connell Street, it measures 121 metres tall which in person just seems to go on forever and ever and it lights up at night time too.
The Spire isn't to everyones taste (just ask the locals) but next to it stands the General Post Office which is a fantastic historical building in a Greek style and in my opinion is much nicer to look at.
Top tip: The Spire makes for a fantastic meeting point whether with friends or family as you literally can not miss it.
2) Visit the Guinness Storehouse
Even if you don't like Guinness, you must visit the brewery for a unique experience that is iconic to Dublin. Tickets at the Guinness Storehouse include a complementary pint of Guinness for adults which you make yourself at the Guinness Academy and you even get a certificate (plus a photo if you pay) to keep as a memento.
The Gravity Bar on the 7th floor gives amazing 360 degree views of Dublin. Totally worth going just for the view! Included with the ticket, you get to walk around the museum-style experience and explore their brewing story which basically shows how Guinness is made and an archive of their advertising over the years. It's actually very interesting for all ages. Don't forget to visit the Guinness shop for the perfect souvenirs and gifts to remember your trip.
Top tip: Check the weather before you go. Visit on a day that has clear skies so you can maximise those 360 views! Cheaper tickets are available if you go early.
3) Drink in a traditional Irish pub
Cliché but worth doing and it's an excuse to drink more Guinness. You will find Irish pubs all over Dublin and some have been around for years and have a great history and charm to them. Many play Irish music or have live music late at night which is great way to celebrate a night in Dublin.
Top tip: Make the most of your experience by visiting when there is a Gaelic Football match being shown. Very strange at first but highly entertaining after a while! Just ask a local if you're unsure what's going on.
3) Meet Ed Sheeran on Grafton Street
Okay, so your not really going to meet Ed Sheeran unless you just happen to bump into him on the off chance but there is a reason why he wrote about Grafton Street in his song 'Galway Girl'. This shopping area is bustling with action with plenty of bars, musicians and street performers to keep you occupied. If you like a lively atmosphere, this is the place to head.
Top tip: Grafton Street gets very busy so if you don't like crowds, avoid on weekends or try and visit really early.
4) See Leprechauns
Yes, really! If you've always been fascinated by the idea of leprechauns and fancy doing something a bit different to the usual tourist attractions, why not visit The National Leprechaun Museum. I haven't personally visited the museum myself but I've heard good things and think kids and adults young at heart would absolutely love it.
Top tip: If you don't want to pay to see a Leprechaun, wander around the main busy shopping streets as you may see someone in fancy dress and if you ask nicely, you may even get a photo.
5) Walk along the River Liffey
This was one of my favourite things to do in Dublin as walking along the river was so peaceful and there was so much greenery everywhere. Best of all, it's totally free! You can walk across the bridges to get to the other side of the river easily.Top tip: Make your trip more fancy if you wish by booking a scenic tour along the River Liffey.
6) Plan for a rainy day and do what the locals do
Let's be honest, Ireland isn't exactly known for its amazing weather. Expect it to rain at least once (maybe more) on your trip which is exactly what happened when I visited and the rain was so heavy we got soaked and ran back to the hotel because we didn't know where else to go. We failed to check the weather (rookie error) and it rained heavy all day long.
Thankfully, our hotel was right next door to the Savoy Cinema on O'Connell Street so for that day we became like the locals and saw a film we actually wanted to see instead. May not sound super exciting but rather than wasting a day due to rain, we were productive, had a fun day and felt like locals. Alternatively, locate the nearest shopping centre to where you are staying so you can stay dry whatever the weather.
Top tip: Have a back up plan and bring a waterproof jacket and umbrella, just in case you get caught in a heavy shower!
Hope these tips are helpful if you are planning to stay in Dublin. Do you have any tips to share? Would you like to visit Dublin? If you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment in the box below.
Suzanne x
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