Don’t miss it

An audio tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Following the tour, enjoy a pint of Guinness [complimentary of your admission ticket] and panoramic city views in the top floor bar, Gravity Bar. The bar is indoors, so it can be enjoyed no matter the weather.

If you enjoy distilleries and breweries, I’d also recommend touring the Jameson Distillery. Sláinte!

Pretty cool

There are many fantastic museums, beautiful churches and gorgeous parks in Dublin. One of my favorite days started with a stroll through Trinity College, then wandered through the exhibits in the National History Museum and then ended the day with a walk through St Stephen’s Green.

Dublin is a very walkable city — we never needed to use public transportation to get around.

Must try food/drink

Listen to traditional Irish music, munch on fish and chips and sip a pint of Guinness at Brazenhead, famed as Ireland’s oldest bar and restaurant.

In addition to fish and chips and Guinness, be sure to try Irish coffee, soda bread and Irish stew.

Here’s a hint 

• I was told by a lovely Irish man that locals rarely drink Guinness, nor do Irish ladies drink out of pint glasses. Don’t let it stop you, you are in Ireland after all!

• Walking tours are a great way to get your bearings of a city. I highly recommend participating in a tips-based walking tour on your first day in Dublin. Ask your guide for restaurant recommendations and any other local must-do attractions.

• If you are traveling with kiddos, you may enjoy an afternoon at the Dublin Zoo, which is located in Phoenix Park. The park is gorgeous [and massive]. If the weather is nice, head out there for a picnic. You can even rent bikes and scooters.  Phoenix Park is a short walk from the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery, so I recommend planning these for the same day.

• Plan a day of hiking in Howth Cliffs. You’ll need to take public transportation from the city, which should only take 30 minutes. The Howth Cliff Walk has absolutely incredible views. Plus, it’s nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and take in Ireland’s beautiful nature.

Wish I had more time for

An evening out in the Temple Bar area. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is filled with pubs, restaurants and boutiques. You can listen to the lively folk music by simply wandering through the cobbled stone streets. This area is the perfect place for an evening out!

Accommodations

We spent three nights in the Four Courts Hostel. It was in the perfect location and the facilities were pretty clean. Even better, the staff was extremely friendly and eager to recommend activities and restaurants in the city.

Next stop 

Rented a car and drove to Galway, Ireland. We made several stops in small towns along the way, such as Athlone, for a pint a Guinness at Sean’s Bar, who also claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland.

Do you have other suggestions for Dublin? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Looking for more capital cities to visit in Europe? These five less-traveled capital cities are worth exploring.

Next Up: Follow the adventure to Galway, Ireland.

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