The capital of Ireland is one of those rare places that has come into its own as a modern, thriving, European city without losing its old Irish charm. Home to Guinness Beer, the trendy Temple Bar district, a twelfth century castle, there are too many things to do and see in Dublin for just one trip.
Things to See and Do
Situated in the heart of Dublin, the Temple Bar district is an old part of the city that has been beautifully restored while still retaining its original cobblestone streets. The lively, Irish flavor of this neighborhood should be experienced by all visitors to Dublin and can be easily explored on foot. Just one visit won’t do justice to the dozens of authentic Irish pubs, interesting shops, theaters, and cornucopia of dining options found in the Temple Bar district of Dublin.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle is a great place to learn about the history of Dublin while walking through its old stone halls. Guided tours are given that detail why the castle shows different types of architecture and tell some of the stories associated with this series of connected buildings that have been used for everything from housing royals to keeping prisoners locked away. The place is actually still used by the Irish government and is closed during inaugurations.
Although the Dublin Castle acts as a museum of sorts, the place to go for exhibits related to Irish history is at the appropriately named National Museum of Ireland. Artifacts are shown that span much of Ireland’s history, including three thousand year old jewelry from the Bronze Age, gold and silver metalwork from the Iron Age, and a large number of pieces from medieval times.
Guinness Storehouse
To see how one of the modern day treasures of Ireland is made, visitors to Dublin need to take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. The tour not only goes through the brewing process of Guinness Beer, but also gives every possible fact and figure related to this dark-colored drink while visiting four different floors in a building shaped like a pint glass! The tour ends with views of Dublin from the fourth floor of the building accompanied by a complimentary taste of the famous brew.
One of the less frequently visited places in Dublin is Phoenix Park. This expanse of green grass and woodlands is so huge that two herds of deer roam through the park despite the fact that it is completely enclosed by the city. The presidential palace is found here and can be visited on free, one hour tours with tickets obtained from the visitor center. In general, though, this is a peaceful oasis to go for fresh air, watch local Dubliners practice Irish sports, and take a break from the noise of the city.
Dublin Hotels
As befits a major city, there are around 300 options for accommodation in Dublin, Ireland. Despite so many choices, aside from staying in youth hostels, budget travelers will still have a hard time finding a hotel that matches their wallet because Dublin is one of the more expensive cities to visit in Europe. Nevertheless, one possible option for budget travelers is the Mercer Court Hotel ($50-$82). Moderately priced hotels are more common and include the Croke Park Hotel ($96-$172), while tourists looking for luxury may find it at the Fitzwilliam Hotel ($173-$488).
Visit the Destination Dublin, Ireland Group Page
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Dublin, Ireland.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/honster)
