Dublin Travel Guide – Tourist attractions and useful tips

Getting to know Dublin

Dublin is Ireland’s capital and main city and it is situated in the province of Leinster, at the mouth of the Liffey River. The city can be divided into more sectors, such as the Medieval Quarter, the oldest part of the city, the Antique Quarter, represented by Francis Street, an area full of stores with antique objects, jewels, clothes and other souvenirs, and the Cultural Quarter, where tourist will find music venues, restaurants and boutiques. It is also a great place to visit in March if you’re interested in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and festivities. Plan your trip to Dublin to suit your style! Here are some of the things you can do and see there:

What you can do for free in Dublin

Visit Phoenix Park
This is Europe’s largest inner-city park. You can even plan a whole day to spend only here. Walk around the park and enjoy the beauty of nature! The best part: this park is home to a lot of deer, so there’s a high chance you’ll encounter some of these cute creatures here.
Visit North Bull Island
You can reach the UNESCO reserve of North Bull Island with a short bus ride. 180 of bird species live there, and the whole place is a delight for any nature lover.
Walk along the Grand Canal
Observing the locals and their day-to-day life is best done with a journey along the Grand Canal. You can start in a calm, cozy place, such as Portobello Rd, and make your way towards the busy, vibrant Grand Canal Quay.

Top spots to visit

Grafton Street
This is Dublin’s best shopping location. This is also a very vibrant side of Dublin; street performances from all sorts of musicians are a regular thing here. Explore the diverse shops and boutiques and buy yourself some great souvenirs!
The National Gallery of Ireland
A must-see if you visit Dublin, the National Gallery of Ireland hosts numerous exhibits, featuring both Irish and European works of art. The Gallery is spread on four levels, which means there are plenty of fascinating things to see there.
Dublin Castle
The 700 years of British rule were also the time when the Dublin Castle was the site of central administration. It is currently a fantastic tourist attraction in the city, with more museum that visitors can explore.

Hidden spots to visit

Kilmainham Gaol
A very important place in Irish history, this jail can now be visited by those interested in the events that occured in Ireland between 1796-1924. This place alone does a great job at showing the struggles for Irish independence.
National Leprechaun Museum
Leprechauns are a big thing in Irish folklore. This museum is mostly based on storytelling and information, more than actual exhibitions and artefacts, but it is a great way to delve into this type of magic, specific to Dublin and Ireland altogether.
The Hungry Tree
A very interesting sight: a bench installed next to a big tree is being “eaten” by said tree. This particular spot is located within the grounds of Ireland’s oldest school of law. It seems like a great place to take some great photos.

Restaurants

Enjoy the European and Irish cuisine in some of the best restaurants in Dublin! Try out the fantastic meals in Glovers Alley, Mulberry Garden, Bloom Brasserie, Lemon and Duke Bar, Beanhive; there are plenty of great restaurants in Dublin, suited for all budgets.

Recommended time for visiting

Dublin is known for the numerous rainy days, and there is truly no dry season here. If you want to take part in the most representative festivities for Irish culture, the St. Patrick’s Day parade, you should visit Dublin in March. April and May are also good for a trip to this city, since the weather starts to get warmer and the crowds are not very big yet. October is still warm and not very crowded, while the summer is probably the best time weather-wise, but the crowds are bigger and the prices higher.