Dublin – The perfect weekend guide

Going back to Dublin last weekend was worth it. After I studied there last year, I decided that it would be the perfect place for a short trip to have some fun. But what can you expect from Dublin? What should you visit and where are the best places to eat?

Accommodation:

Dublin has one big problem; it’s housing prices. When I studied there, I had to pay 800 euro per month for a small room of 6 square meters. It’s just crazy, and for this reason, the prices for any Hotel or Hostel accommodation are also very high. For this trip, we stayed in a Hostel called Abraham Hostel where we paid 34 Euros per night for a bed in a dorm with eight beds. It was the cheapest option we could get. Another good hostel is the Generator Hostel, it’s a little bit more expensive, but the rooms and cleanness are also better.

How to get around?

The best way to get around in Dublin is by bike. Several years ago, the city of Dublin introduced Dublin Bikes. It means you have bike stations everywhere around the town where you can pick a bike and place it on another station somewhere in the city. It will cost you only five euro for a three-day pass, and you can use it as much as you want. Download the app “Dublin bikes” to see on which station bikes are available, or free parking slots, and you’re good to go. Alternatively, you can get around with the bus or the brand new tram called Luas, but prices are high (2.8 Euros for one ride), and you won’t see as much as with a bike.

Best sightseeing places in Dublin:

Trinity College: One of the highlights is undoubtedly the College. Trinity College was built in 1592 and is the best university in Ireland and one of the best in Europe. It’s located in the middle of the city, and the buildings are just amazing. The architecture is fascinating, and your mouth drops open while entering the wooden door of the main entrance. While being on the campus, you must visit the old library and the book of Kells. It’s the most impressing library I ever saw. However, I would recommend going early in the morning, or a little bit later, elsewhere you’ll need to wait in a long queue.

O’Connell Bridge and the Spire: From Trinity College, you can walk to the O’Connell Bridge where you can catch a beautiful view of the river, especially at night. The Spire is a metal construction build in 2003 in the middle of O’Connell Street and a popular meeting point for students and tourists.

Phoenix Park: This Park counts as one of the biggest parks located in a city worldwide. The Phoenix Park has a surrounding wall of 11 km and a surface of 8 square kilometers. Entering the park, you’ll find a beautiful garden with flowers and grass that’s always perfectly cut. In addition to that, there are some fallow deer’s running free in the park. And if that’s not enough, you can visit the Dublin Zoo which located in the middle of the park. 

Best activities in Dublin:

Guinness storehouse: An absolute must for all beer lovers! A tour will cost you about 20 Euros (18.5 Euros for Students). Unfortunately, it isn’t a guided tour. Instead, you are free to discover everything for yourself. You can touch, smell, taste and see how Guinness is produced and from where the ingredients are coming. In the end, you are invited to have a glass of Guinness in a Sky bar with a stunning view over Dublin.

Whiskey Tasting: Other than Guinness, Ireland is famous for its whiskey. There are several places where you can take part in a whiskey tasting. Most of the distilleries have their own program. I personally went to the Irish Whiskey Museum, which is located just across the Trinity College main gate. After getting an inside about the history and the process of manufacturing whiskey, you’ll get the chance to learn how to taste whiskey like professional.  

Howth: If you have an extra day in Dublin I would recommend doing the Howth Cliff Walk. With a bus from the city center, Howth is reachable in about 50 minutes. In the harbor, where you’ll end up with the bus you can find the best Fish & Chips in Dublin – the fish is fresh from the sea and just delicious. With a full stomach, you can walk up the hill until you reach the Cliff Walk. Only, in the beginning, you have a fantastic view over the harbor and the sea. From there you can hike around the little island and return to the bus station. When I went to Howth, I rented a bike in the city center, and I did all the way there with the bike. I needed to drive 75 km in total, but that was worth it. The road is alongside the cost and the sea with beautiful views over the city and nature.

And the most important part FOOD:

There are some things in life you can’t miss – one of them is to eat a cake from the Queen of Tarts in Dublin. In general, I don’t like sweet things that much, but I’m an absolute fan of this bakery. They have two stores, and on most days, you have to prepare yourself to wait at least 20 minutes to get a table.

As I mentioned before the Fish & Chips in Dublin especially in Howth is very good. And for Breakfast, you must try the traditional Irish breakfast. After a long night out, it is just the best hangover recovery breakfast you’ll find.

Although it’s a little bit expensive, Dublin is totally worth visiting for at least two days.

 

If you ever consider visiting Dublin don’t hesitate to contact me I’m sure I can help you out.

 All photos were taken with my Camera DSC HX-60