If you’re looking for friendly people, delicious food, good beer, and you enjoy cobblestone streets then Dublin, Ireland is the place for you! Exploring Ireland’s capital city is a must when visiting this beautiful country! Below are 10 places to see and do while in this amazing city!
Trinity College
Trinity College was founded in 1592 and is the oldest university in Ireland. It is internationally known as one of the world’s leading research-intensive colleges. The campus is 47 acres and located in the center of Dublin. It’s a must visit to see the historic buildings, especially it’s library as it contains a collection of manuscripts, the Book of Kells being the most famous.
Guinness Storehouse
Go on a journey at the Guinness Storehouse to learn how the well-known Guinness beer began and how it is brewed today. The storehouse has captivating and interactive exhibits as your make your way up to the top of the storehouse. Be sure to stop and learn how to pour a perfect Guinness, they even give you a certificate so you can have bragging rights when you return home. Then enjoy your free beer in the gravity bar that has floor to ceiling glass windows and 360 degree views that overlooks all of Dublin.
Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Let me start off by saying I am no means a whisky fan, but nevertheless I greatly enjoyed my time at the Jameson Distillery and I recommend a visit while in Dublin. This location on Bow St. is where John Jameson founded his distillery in 1780. The distillery has different tours, but I recommend the Bow Street Experience. You get a fully guided tour, a whiskey tasting, and a complimentary drink at JJ’s bar after your tour. You’ll learn about the high quality ingredients they use, the triple distillation process, along with getting to try some whiskey!
Botanical Gardens
The gardens are a little bit outside of the city, but it is a beautiful place to go explore, walk around, and bring a picnic! This place is huge and you could spend a whole day wandering through looking at all the gorgeous flowers and plants. The gardens have ponds and gorgeous greenhouses. You forget that you are even in a city!
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle was built in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement. It served for centuries as the headquarters of English and then British administration in Ireland. Following Ireland’s independence, the castle was handed over to the new Irish government. The Dublin Castle is now a government building and a tourist attraction. I did not buy tickets for a tour, but I’m assuming it’s beautiful and impeccable inside.
Temple Bar
Be sure to visit the world famous Temple Bar! This place has a fun vibe with a variety of different rooms and seating areas. They often have live music or a dj making it a great place for a night out on the town!
Brazen Head Pub
Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland and definitely worth a visit when in Dublin! Dating back to 1198, the Brazen Pub gives you a sense history along with a traditional Irish experience. Known for its food and drinks, be sure to make a stop here before leaving Dublin.
The Spire
It looks like a giant needle sticking out of Dublin that’s 120 meters high! This monument is in the middle of O’Connel street which is a major street in the city so you can’t miss it!
Ha’Penny Bridge
Ha’Penny Bridge was Dublin’s first pedestrian bridge that was opened in 1816 and remained the only pedestrian bridge until 1999. This well-known bridge was built because back in the day the only way to cross the Liffey River was by boat or risk sharing the road with horse-drawn carriages so they decided to build a footbridge! Although crossing the bridge required a toll of a half pence fee….which is why the bridge’s nickname is Ha’Penny! The bridges official name is Liffey Bridge and luckily this bridge is now free!
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green is a public park in Dublin that is full of greenery, ponds, and flowers. This is another great spot to grab a book and pack a picnic to enjoy a beautiful day in the park.
After you adventure through Dublin, I suggest exploring the rest of Ireland! And if you don’t want to attempt to drive those winding and narrow roads (I don’t blame you, I didn’t!) then I highly recommend the Shamrocker 7-Day All Ireland Rocker Tour. If you decide against taking a tour, but are going to travel around Ireland, click here for affordable accommodation options.
