I have visited Ireland at least once a year of my 27 years and in more recent years, I have opted to fly in through Dublin because the flights are significantly cheaper and way more frequent than to Shannon. As a result, I tend to have a day or two in Dublin on either end of my trip to see friends, family, and the wonderful city of Dublin!
I had all my Dublin recommendations in various Notes on my phone for the longest time. Since we're getting married in Ireland in May 2024, I thought it was as good a time as ever to compile all my recommendations and some other people's recommendations (thank you Kenzie, Shannon and Greg) into one Local-ish Guide to Dublin for our guests traveling to Ireland.
Dublin is Ireland's capital and largest city on the island's east coast. The River Liffey (or the Sniffy Liffey as my Auntie Sandy calls it) runs right through the center of the city dividing it into Northside and Southside, and out to Dublin Bay which feeds into the Irish Sea. Dublin, which translates to "black pool" in Irish, was founded just south of the Liffey by the Vikings in 841. Ever since Dublin has endured a turbulent history but has prevailed and been shaped into the 21st-century city it is today.
At the very end of this document is an overview of language(s), currency, climate, live weather, the best time to visit, public transportation, what to pack, and of course, travel tips!
As always, I'm happy to help you plan a custom itinerary for your trip to Dublin or the rest of Ireland! Just reach out to me directly (:
All recommendations are listed in alphabetical order per category.
Where To Stay
I always recommend staying somewhere central or near the city centre while visiting Dublin. Since the city is so walkable, staying in one of these central areas means you can maximize your time without the hassle of figuring out buses, trams or taxis.
I would recommend staying in Grafton Street/ St. Stephen's Green, The Liberties, Merrion Square, and The Docklands.
I would be hesitant to stay in Temple Bar mainly because it's super busy with lots of touristy pubs. I would not stay near O'Connell Street as it can get a bit dodgy after dark.
If you're looking for something quieter and more remote, I would recommend getting out of Dublin! There are so many great places to visit around Ireland but I have several luxury hotel recommendations and a full guide to West Clare both linked below.
There is SO much to do in Dublin so I'm sure my list of recommendations below doesn't even begin to scrape the surface. A healthy mix of go-to tourist spots and local hidden gems. If I've missed anything - please let me know!
The Book of Kells is a manuscript and Celtic Gospel book in Latin containing the four Gospels of the New Testament dating back to the 9th century. I'd say it's definitely worth a visit if you're into old books and the library is also beautiful and it's nice to walk through Trinity's campus. If not, you'll probably just think it's an old book.
If you should know one thing about me it's that I'm going to go for a swim in the ocean regardless of the temperature! The Forty Foot is an iconic swimming spot just outside of Dublin.
A tad touristy but a good activity for a rainy day! I love the advertising floor with all the old Guinness ads and of course, the sky bar at the end with panoramic views of Dublin!
One of the older bridges that connect Northside and Southside. It used to cost half a penny to cross the bridge which gave it its name today! Right after you cross the bridge going south is Merchant's Arch into Temple Bar.
If you can get over the fact that the workers want you to arrrghh like Vikings when you're stopped in traffic and wear Viking Helmets, it's honestly a great way to see Dublin by land and water without walking the legs off of you! The pick-up is right by St. Stephen's Green at the top of Grafton Street.
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Where To Eat
Ireland was not typically known for its food but I do think the Dublin food scene has come a long way since and offers lots of eclectic restaurants! In writing this I realized that I have not dined out at that many restaurants in Dublin as I'm always being hosted by my family! It's very uncharacteristic of me so I enlisted the help of my cousin's girlfriend Kenzie, a Dublin native, to supplement a lot of the food and drink recommendations! Thank you, Kenzie!
I've also added in a few Somebody Feed Phil recommendations as Alex and I love watching this quirky little Netflix show called Somebody Feed Phil where Phil Rosenthal embarks on an eating tour around the world. When I watched his Dublin episode I was so happy to see my #1 recommendation of Brother Hubbard stamped with his seal of approval! If you want to get excited about Dublin, give that a watch - season 2, episode 2.
This is actually the French language school in Dubin but they have a large cafe with lots of tables, couches, etc. Perfect to work from or grab a cheap bite to eat!
The iconic Bewleys Cafe is a Dublin landmark and also. Ireland's leading coffee and tea company. It was closed for renovation for a while but finally has reopened! Located right on Grafton Street.
Unreal breakfast/brunch spot! The queue to get a table is strategically lined up against cases of baked goods that look to die for! I've only ever been to this location but they do have others dotted around the city that I'm sure are just as good!
Alex and I came here on our first trip to Ireland together in 2019. Part of the restaurant is in a train tunnel and you can hear when it goes by! Great Italian food 😊
This restaurant is a hidden gem! It's upstairs at my uncle's local pub but has really good food! You can put your name in and have a drink downstairs and then walk up when you get a text.
Dublin has SO many fun pubs and cocktail bars scattered in every corner of the city. Pub culture is a huge in Ireland as it serves as a casual atmosphere with hearty food, Irish sports and traditional (trad) music.
Temple Bar is often described as a "must-visit" in Dublin. This neighborhood just south of the River Liffey is known for its lively atmosphere and traditional music! While they're certainly a lot of fun, they are far from authentic Irish pubs so just keep that in mind!
In addition to Guinness, my favorite beer in Ireland is Hop House. We also love to play the game called "split the G" with pints of Guinness where in your first sip you have to get the black of the pint directly in line with the line in the middle of the G.
A special shout out to Shannon and Greg who kept a very detailed record of their favorite pints around Ireland including a number of these pub recommendations below.
Depending on what the rates are like when you visit and what you're looking to buy, Dublin can be great for shopping!
My favorite area to shop is Grafton Street and the little side streets that jut off of it. On Grafton Street, there's Brown Thomas, Dune, Lululemon, Marks & Spencers, & Other Stories, The White Company and lots more. Usually, there's live music on the street and a great atmosphere.
US tourists in Ireland qualify for tax-free shopping and tax refunds on purchases over €75! I have the Horizon card but there are a few options out there. Just inquire when you're paying for something and they'll usually give you an application. Be sure to save your receipts and turn them in at the airport! You may need to bring your passport with you when making the purchase as well.
If you're looking to bring home a little slice of Ireland with you, I recommend an Aran sweater which is the iconic Irish fisherman sweater that lasts a lifetime!
Powerscourt is a high-end boutique shopping centre that was a Georgian townhouse that once belonged to Richard Wingfield 3rd Viscount Powerscourt. Definitely worth a stroll through but they also have various restaurants inside as well!
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Overview
Language(s): Everyone speaks English—whether you’ll be able to make out any English from a thick accent is another thing! All road signs are in English with the Gaelic translation underneath.
Currency: Euro (€/EUR). A lot of places accept major credit cards but most places do not accept American Express. I always recommend taking out some cash to have just in case!
Climate: The climate is mild and humid with abundant rainfall (emphasis on the rainfall). The temperature is pretty much the same year-round hovering around 40°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C) in the winter months and 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C). It can get warm in Ireland but just remember that homes and hotels aren't necessarily built for a hotter climate and often don't have air conditioning.
Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit are tied in with the weather and I honestly don't know when the best time to visit is because I have been pleasantly surprised by the weather when I anticipated it to be at its worst but also expected semi-decent weather and have been served 6-weeks of straight rain. So take it all with a pinch of salt. Generally, March through May and September through November have the best weather weather. The summer months are also nice but they will be crowded and more expensive.
Public Transportation: Dublin is fairly very easy to navigate as a visitor - both on foot and by public transit. Dublin public transportation includes the bus, Luas (tram) and DART (train) and commuter rail. You can pay by coins (Euros) or Leap card. You can buy a Leap Visitor Card online, at the airport or various vending machines around the city. Ubers are becoming increasingly more popular but the app Free Now is also used to hail taxis!
Travel Tips: My favorite perk of flying through Dublin to the U.S. is that you pre-clear customs and immigration at Dublin airport so you’ll land back in as a domestic flight completely bypassing the long customs lines stateside.
Packing Tips: Layers, layers layers, and a trusted raincoat with a hood. I always run cold so I like to pack base cotton layers and warmer cashmere or wool layers. And thick socks!
If you have any other questions about visiting Dublin or the rest of Ireland, please feel free to reach out! I love working with individuals directly to plan a custom itinerary that matches their expectations for their trip.
✈️ a 20-something-year-old third culture kid always plotting her next trip
🛂 32 countries, 35 states & counting
🤍a lover of tasty foods, slow travel & a nice cuppa tea
I was born in London to an Irish (🇮🇪) but American-born (🇺🇲) mother and an English (🇬🇧) but Singaporean-born (🇸🇬) father. I lived in the UK, the US, and Hong Kong all by the time I was 13. My first flight was at 2 weeks old and I've been on the go ever since. I frequently travel around North America, Europe, and South East Asia but truly no place is off limits! I'm based in Chicago with my fiance and 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel!
I've always loved documenting my travels with photos and videos, and sharing my recommendations and tips for traveling. From visiting varioius friends and family around the world, I have a local's insight to many great places. I can offer custom itineraries, city guides, food guides, travel consultations, and more! DM me on Instagram (@maevecutts) or email me (💌 maeve.cutts@gmail.com) to set up your consultation today!
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