A long (Winter) Weekend in Dublin
Good to know before you go:
Book tickets ahead of your trip if you want to tour any of the mentioned places e.g. Trinity Library and Guiness Storehouse.
If a student is part of the travel group, don't forget to bring the student ID to get discounts.
Consider purchasing the Visitor Leap Card (72hrs costs 16€). It can be bought at the airport or online. I recommend using busses instead of taxis to save money and they are easy to use. The Card includes unlimited travel on all public busses.
Accomodation
We decided to stay at the Bonnington Dublin which is just 16 minutes away from the airport and can be easily reached by bus.
It also has a great connection to the city center.
The area "Whitehall" is very safe and busses from/into the city run until late at night and regularly.
The hotel pool and sauna is great to relax in after a long day of exploring the city.
Day 1:
Flying into Dublin and checking in at the hotel.
EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum
After arriving in Dublin and checking in at the hotel, you can take the bus into the city and head to "EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum". It is very interactive and lots of fun for kids. You get paper passports and go through the museum learning about the history and collecting stamps for your passports.
Prices range from 11€ for kids (6-12 years), 14,50€ for teenagers (13-17 years) up to 22€ for adults (over 18). There are family passes and student discounts available.
Opening times are daily from 10am to 6:45pm.
Christmas Lights
Since you are visiting in December, there are numerous very beautiful christmas light displays. During christmas time the city feels magical and the best time is at night.
In front of the EPIC Museum, there is a beautifully lit triumphal arch.
To take pictures and watch the light show on the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Sean O'Casey Bridge in front of the EPIC Museum is the best spot.
Next up is the Custom House which is also lit up in Christmas colors. Best view to take a picture of is from the the other side of the river.
This can be followed by the Millenium Bridge and ...
... a stop at the Templar Bar which is decorated with christmas lights and christmas trees even on the outside.
Temple Bar can be very busy during the (pre-)holiday season but it's definitely worth a visit. If you can't get a table, there are multiple other pubs closeby. Best way to end the first day, is definitely at a pub enjoying a guiness.
Day 2:
We are starting the day off where we finished off day 1 - in the Temple District. I would recommend walking bythe Temple Bar which looks just as pretty in daylight and moving on to Love Lane.
Temple Bar District
Trinity College
Just a 10 minute walk away are Trinity College and the Library which are the next stops off the day.
To visit the world famous Trinity Library and see the Book of Kells, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance.
Prices range from 10€ for children (6-12 years) up to 18,50€ for a standard ticket (over 13 years). There are student discounts and family prices.
Opening times are in the winter from 12pm to 4:30pm. In the summer it has longer opening times.
Don't forget to walk around Trinity College Campus after visiting the Library.
Nandos
If you're hungry, you can walk towards the famous restaurant "Nandos" at St. Andrews Street for a typical Irish dinner experience.
And stop by Molly Malone on the way.
Grafton Street
Afterwards, walk along Grafton Street and stop for a little shopping spree. The windows are beautifully decorated for Christmas and are worth stopping by in the evening again.
You can stop by Butlers Chocolate Cafe at the end of Graffton Street and grab the famous hot chocolate before heading into St. Stephens Green.
St. Stephens Green
You can have a look at St Stephens Green shopping center which also is decorated for christmas ...
and then afterwards head to the park for some time away from the hussle of the city. The park is only open until dusk which is approx. 6pm in winter.
Christmas Lights
I recommend strolling down Grafton Street by night again and getting into the christmas spirit.
Dinner Recommendation
Zizzi's is a italien Restaurant for Pizza, Calzone and Pasta.
Day 3:
Phoenix Park
Day 3 we are heading towards Phoenix Park. If you're lucky you can spot the freely roaming deer. Look for crowds of people and close by woods.
At the entrance near the Criminal Courts of Justice, you can also rent bikes. Head along Chesterfield Avenue passing by the Wellington Monument and Dublin Zoo towards the Phoenix Monument.
We found deer near the woods by the Phoenix Cricket Club.
If you're biking, you can head all the way to Farmleigh House & Estates. It's just a 15 minute bike ride from the main entrance.
If you're not biking, it's a 1hr and 10 minute walk from the main entrance to Farmleigh House.
Farmleigh House is open 10am - 6pm. The tours cost from 4€ (12-17 years) to 8€ for adults. Student and family discounts are available. Tours take 50 minutes.
Or you can take a 25 minute walk from the main entrance of Phoenix Park to the Irish National War Museum Park.
Guiness Storehouse
Next stop if the Guiness Storehouse. Don't miss out on stopping by the famous Guiness Brewery Gate which is along Sugar House Lane.
Grab tickets a few days ahead to grab a tour of the storehouse and find out how it is made. During winter it also turns into a winter village with foodtrucks, artists and more.
Opening times are 10am-5pm and tours start from 26€.
A great distillery close by is Roe & Co Distillery.
To grab something to eat, you can head to Arthurs Jazz & Blue Pub or Proof Urban Italian which has delicious pizza and the prettiest interior.
Christ Church Cathedral
20 minutes away from the Guiness Storehouse or 13 minutes away from Proof Urban is Christ Church Cathedral you can check out. Another cathedral close by is St. Patricks Cathedral which is also very beautiful but I would recommend only doing one or the other. Both have gardens right outside which are free to visit.
Opening hours vary daily:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-7pm
Tuesday and Thurdsay: 9:30am-6:30pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-3pm
Prices for a self-guided audio tour (approx. 1 hour) range from 3,50€ (under 12 years) to 10,50€ for adults (over 12 years). Student and Family tickets are available.
Opening hours vary daily:
Monday through Friday: 9:30am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 9am-10:30am, 1pm-2:30pm, 4:30pm-6pm
Prices range from 3,50€ (6-12 years) to 9,00€ (over 12 years). Student discounts are available.
Dublin Castle
Just a short walk away is Dublin Castle with its Christmas market. Dublin castle is 4 minutes away by foot from Christ Church Cathedral or 12 minutes from St. Patricks Cathedral.
Opening times are from 9.45am-5:45pm.
Prices range from 4€ (12-17 years) to 8€ for adults. Student discounts and family passes are available.
Also don't miss out on visiting the Dubh Linn Garden next to it.
City Hall
Around the corner from Dublin Castle is the City Hall.
If you're up to walk some more, you can head over the river towards Henry Street with the shopping center "Arnotts" which also has a pretty Christmas display.
Dinner Recommendation
There are lots of great restaurants and pubs in this area. One of them is "Branningans".
Have a great time in Dublin!
I hope you will have an amazing trip, take lots of pictures and come home with numerous beautiful new memories!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
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