During more stressful times, one thing that relaxes me is thinking about future travel. I stayed in Dublin🇮🇪 for five days with two friends and my little brother (16). Here are my suggestions to travel to Dublin which is the capital of Ireland and has lots of attractions. It includes transportation, bar & restaurant, and main highlights to go. hope you will enjoy them! However, I’ve discovered that Dublin is more than pubs, it has a fascinating history and is surrounded by nature.
✳️Transport
The EU is easily accessible because you need only your ID card, don’t worry if a border policeman says otherwise -it happened to me. The airport isn’t far from the center and Ireland also has its own air company, Aer Lingus. Check if they have sales.
💳 Transport pass
Online or at the airport, you can buy the Leap Card, a convenient transport pass. There are different types, be careful. Both the center and suburb are well-connected. For example, if you want to do a day trip to Howth you can reach it by bus -as I’ve done- or by train, the DART. On every bus, you can charge your phone in a USB socket!
✳️ Food and drinks
Dublin is famous for the Guinness beer, but give also a try to other beers and alcohol such as whiskeys! 🍴Irish food is based mainly on meat and fish. Some traditional dishes are the Irish Stew, Seafood Chowder, and their generous breakfast. For lunch, almost every restaurant is closed, but you can still find some international restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains.
🍻The Brazen Head: The oldest pub in Dublin, they serve traditional food and Irish beer (we loved Kilkenny beer)
🐟 King Sitric Seafood Bar: It offers yummy and fresh fish in Howth port.
🍩 Offbeat Donut Co: There are a lot of lovely donuts and even one vegan option, my advice is to buy one and eat it in a park, you will not regret it!
🍗 Nando’s Dublin: Chicken chain restaurant with tasty plant-based options. Ask for tap water, you will save money.
For better food advice, ask locals, some of them also have a list of favorite restaurants.
✳️Places to visit in Dublin
- Visit the city center, in particular, Temple Bar, the Trinity College Library, St.Patrick, and the St. Christ Cathedrals.
- Spend an afternoon in Phoenix Park and look for fallow deer.
- Go to Howth, there are seals in the port and amazing walks.
- Learn how Guinness beer is made and drink a pint in the Guinness Storehouse.
Other information when you look around
- Notice that almost every museum/church/clothing store closes at 5 p.m.
- Remember to book tours or other activities, in particular the Guinness Storehouse.
- In pubs, underage (18) can’t stay after 10 p.m., even if with an adult, and in many pubs you must be at least 21 years old.
- Some national museums are gratis, the others have student discounts.
✳️Accommodation
I’ve stayed in Dublin One Hotel and I really recommend it. It’s twenty-minute from the center and, when I looked, it was cheaper than hotels and hostels. In addition, it’s clean and comfortable and it has delicious breakfast/brunch options, even vegan, so book the breakfast too.
✳️Safety
I felt pretty safe during the day and people are very kind, if you need anything ask them! In the evening you have to be more careful because there are plenty of drunk people, stay on busy streets and check around you.
To sum up, I really enjoyed Dublin and I hope to return to Ireland soon!
👩 Valentina Gianotti(@Valentina Gianotti) is from Italy. She loves art, travel, and animals. Now, she expects what’s next on her journey. Do you want to follow up on her next trip? Then find her in the NomadHer community. She is waiting for women travelers to share their travel stories and inspiration right now! You can connect to her through the NomadHer community now!
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