As the capital and largest city of Ireland, Dublin with its many tourist attractions and sights has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. With just under 500,000 inhabitants, the city is one of Europe’s smaller capitals, which has certainly contributed to its role as one of the most intimate and pleasant cities on the continent. Here you can experience a rich culture and history, where you naturally end the evening by drinking beer with the locals at a really brown, Irish pub.
Every year, more than 6 million tourists visit Ireland, with Dublin as the main destination. Dublin can offer everything from sights such as historic castles to natural attractions. The city has many well-preserved memories from the Middle Ages, and is an eldorado for those interested in culture. The unstable climate, which is compared by many to Bergen, makes Dublin better suited for adventure travel than for sunbathers on the beach.
Recommended hotels in Dublin
- The Marker Hotel-Do you prefer to stay stately when you are on a city break? Take a look at The Marker Hotel. With five stars in the margin, you can expect a high standard and first-class service here. The hotel has an elegant and modern façade that gives you a clue as to what to expect inside. Here it is modern design and stylish lines that apply. In addition to two bars and two restaurants, The Marker can also offer its guests a bath in an indoor swimming pool or full-service spa. Also take a look at the beautiful roof terrace with its own bar!
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin- Centrally located in the center of Dublin, yet in a quiet area. If you want to stay close to most things, you should take a closer look at this hotel. Consistently good feedback from previous guests.
- Maldron Hotel Kevin Street– Nice and relatively new four star hotel in Dublin city center. With a 3-minute walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a 12-minute walk from Grafton Street, you are centrally located to most things.
Travel to Dublin
According to Abbreviation Finder, Dublin has emerged as a popular destination for Norwegians who want to get away for a long weekend . Several airlines take you directly to the capital from Oslo Airport, and the flight takes just over two hours. The climate in Dublin can in many ways be compared to Norway, so it is recommended that you take the trip over the summer. If you are not so concerned about temperatures, then autumn can be a great time to experience the Irish capital.
The euro is the official currency in Ireland. One euro corresponds to just over nine Norwegian kroner, and the price level is similar to most other capitals. Eating and drinking will be cheaper than in Norway, but shopping prices do not appear to be particularly reasonable. The Irish people are known for their drinking habits, and consequently one can experience a lot of commotion in the evenings in the streets. This rarely affects tourists, and most Irish are not modest when it comes to chatting. The drinking water can also be safely drunk from the tap, in what is one of Europe’s cleaner capitals.
Hotels and restaurants in Dublin
The most visited tourist hotels are centrally located in Dublin, in close proximity to most tourist attractions. The standard and location cost, and therefore one must expect to pay up against Norwegian prices for accommodation in the nicer hotels. In any case, the city center is so compact that most sights can be reached from walking distance, even if you settle a little more undisturbed and off-center.
The Irish people are probably better known for their beer and drinking habits than dishes. But they can still serve very good food, and we recommend that you stop by a typical Irish eatery where they serve both local beer and food. Guinness is known as the Irish beer, and if you do not like dark beer, then you should really just steer clear when you are in Dublin.
Attractions in Dublin
Dublin is a city with a long history, well-preserved memories and a rich cultural life. A typical Dublin holiday would like to consist of sightseeing and attractions during the day, while ending the day with a good meal and then a visit to one of the many pubs in the evening. A trip to Dublin is also not complete without experiencing the famous Irish live music in one of the city’s many bars.
Bar visits and live music in Dublin
If you are first in Dublin, a visit to one of the many bars is a matter of course. Here you can experience fantastic live music, singing, river dancing and a good atmosphere well into the evening. There are a number of different pubs to choose from, but one of the highest scoring pubs on Tripadvisor is “The Confession Box”. This is a small and intimate pub with extremely nice staff and a pleasant atmosphere. The pub is located just off the classic tourist trail and here you will find singing bartenders and talented local musicians. Other high-scoring venues are The Cobblestone, Mulligan’s and The Merry Plowboy Irish Music Pub. If you choose to visit one of these bars, you are guaranteed to get a taste of the real Irish atmosphere.
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is an old prison built in 1796 and is considered one of the most important monuments to the Irish independence struggle. It served as a prison for 140 years, and during those years a number of the leaders of the Irish independence struggle were placed in this prison. During the Irish Civil War, which lasted from 1922 to 1923, several IRA members were executed here. The prison was closed in 1924 and today serves as a museum. If you are interested in history, this prison is well worth a visit. Here you can, with the help of a guide, get an insight into the Irish history and events that shaped the country. The tickets are relatively cheap and the guides are skilled. NB! This is a very popular tourist attraction in Dublin, while there is not room for so many visitors per day.
Temple Bar area
Bars, live music, singing and a good atmosphere are perhaps some of the first things many people think of when they think of Dublin and Ireland. In that sense, a visit to Temple Bar and the surrounding area is a must for any tourist visiting Dublin. Temple Bar is not just a single bar, but an area of Dublin on the south side of the River Liffey. Here you will find a bustling life around the clock, with a variety of bars, live music and Guinness galore. The area is considered by many to be a small tourist trap, with many tourists and slightly higher prices than elsewhere in Dublin, but at the same time a place with a good atmosphere that you should definitely stop by when you are in Dublin.
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green is a parkland just south of the central part of Dublin. The park is known for being green all year round and it is among the highest ranked tourist attractions in Dublin. If you want to unwind after a visit to Temple Bar, this is the perfect area to do so. Here you will find large oak trees, a pond and many beautiful footpaths and green areas to stroll around.
Visit to whiskey distillery
Irish whiskey may not be as well known as the whiskey they make in Scotland, but it is not far away. In Dublin you can stop by the distilleries of world-famous names such as Jameson and Teeling. The Jameson Distillery is located on Bow Street in Smithfield Village. Here you can join a guided tour, or just relax with a whiskey at the bar. Well worth a visit if you like that kind.
St. Patricks-katedralen
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in Dublin, and the best-preserved memory of Ireland’s Middle Ages. It was built sometime between 1220 and 1260, and is today the national church in the country. It is also the largest cathedral in Ireland, and you can learn a lot about its history by visiting here.
Guinness Brewery
Perhaps Ireland’s biggest tourist attraction is the beer Guinness. In the very heart of St. James’ Street is the brewery and warehouse of Guinness, as it has done since 1759. A visit here will teach you everything you need to know about the world-famous beer, while on the top floor you can enjoy a 360-degree views of Dublin while enjoying a free Guinness.
The Dublin Zoo
In Dublin, they have recreated the natural habitats of exotic animals from around the world. This means that you can experience African animals such as giraffes, zebras, ostriches and rhinos, as well as a separate Asian section with elephants, gorillas and monkeys. A visit to Dublin Zoo cannot be compared to a typical European zoo, because here you will find truly unique animals!
The botanical garden
A very popular tourist attraction in Dublin, is the national botanical garden which extends over 19.5 hectares of land. The very extensive garden contains a varied selection of plants, ponds and of course an abundance of wildlife.
National Gallery of Ireland
Art and culture enthusiasts will need to set aside time to visit the National Gallery of Ireland, located in central Dublin. It houses over 2,500 famous paintings and more than 10,000 other works of art. Well-known artists such as Caravaggio, Picasso and Van Gogh have several of their works of art exhibited here.
