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Dublin is a vibrant city with a rich history, lively nightlife, and vibrant culture. It's the perfect destination for travelers who want to explore the city and experience Ireland's unique culture. From visiting historical sites to exploring the city's pubs and markets, there are plenty of things to do in Dublin.

Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a more extended vacation, our Dublin travel guide has all the information you need to plan the perfect trip. Read on to find out what to do, where to stay, and the best foods in Dublin.

History 

The Viking raids of the 8th and 9th centuries are the first recorded history of Dublin. 1169 was the start of 700 years under Norman rule. King of Leinster, Mac Murrough, was assisted by Strongbow to take over Dublin. Strongbow, the Earl of Pembroke, became King of Leinster after the death of Mac Murrough. He defeated the Vikings and the High King in Ireland to take control of the city.

Dublin was destroyed by fire in 1190. However, the city increased and reached 8,000 people by the end of the 13th century. The town prospered as a trading center despite being attacked by the Scots in 1317. From the 14th century to the 18th century, Dublin became, for a while, the second-largest city in the British Empire.

A boom in the economy christened the "Celtic Tiger," has seen massive growth and development in Dublin. Thanks to the boom years, Dublin is now the biggest conurbation of Ireland. Approximately 1.2m people live in Dublin's greater Dublin region, which is 28% of the entire population.

Many new ethnicities were brought to the city by the boom. This created an international feel in the north of the town. As a result, although Ireland has had some difficult months in the past, it is now more vibrant than ever.

Best Time to Visit 

The city has many festivals in winter to compensate for the cold weather. For example, the New Year's Festival is held at the beginning of each year, the Dublin International Film Festival in February, and St. Patrick's Day Festival in March.

Tourists are more likely to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than the locals. But you'll still see many people enjoying the revelry in the Temple Bar area of Dublin. In addition, many festivals can keep you busy in the late spring and early summer.

Autumn is also a beautiful time when leaves change colors throughout the city and its parks. Moreover, every November, Dublin Book Festival hosts renowned authors.

Things to Do and Places to Visit

These are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Dublin.

Temple Bar 

Tourists travel from around the globe to enjoy a drink in the Temple Bar, one of Dublin's most famous bars. Although the bar's history dates back to the 1300s, it is still trendy due to its red exterior and central location in Dublin. Also, this is the most popular bar for young tourists and some locals.

Grafton Street 

A short stroll south of Trinity College will take you to Grafton Street. It is Dublin's most popular shopping area. It's hard to miss the Molly Malone statue at the end of the street.

This diverse stretch is buzzing with activity every day. It's a hub for buskers. There have been impromptu performances by many famous musicians, such as Bono of U2. Apart from the buskers, there are many boutiques and department stores. It's worth a little detour to Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. It has trendy restaurants and designer shops.

St. Stephens Green 

Bewley's Oriental Cafe is a great place to eat. A short walk to the top of Grafton St will take you to Fusilier's Arch, the primary way to get into St. Stephen's Green. While "the Green," known locally, is surrounded by Georgian buildings, many of which were destroyed during redevelopments.

The park, which covers 22 acres, is a Dublin landmark. It is also an oasis for calm and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. You can take a break from the city and relax on the grass. Moreover, lush flower beds border the lawn.

The park also features an ornate fountain in its center. There is also a bridge that crosses a duck pond and a playground for children. Interestingly, the park was also the site of bitter combat during the 1916 Uprising.

Guinness Storehouse 

The Guinness Storehouse is one of Ireland's most visited tourist attractions. The interior was designed to look just like a Guinness pint and is the largest in the world.

You can get a ticket to Guinness Factory and take a guided tour through seven floors of Irish beer history. They will teach you everything about the Guinness family and how the famous stout beer was made.

Old Jameson Distillery 

This is another historical gem, just outside Smithfield Square. This was the original location where Jameson whiskey was produced and distilled until it was shut down in the 1970s.

They will take you on a tour of the old distillery, showing you the history and the process of making the whiskey. You will also receive a Whiskey Taster Certificate at the end of your tour. 

The Spire 

The Spire towers are approximately 120m above the ground. It is one of the most easily spotted monuments. The structure is entirely made of stainless steel. On sunny days, the sun gently lights up the monument's exterior, lighting it up for everyone to see. To act as a beacon in the night sky, the structure's tip gets lit by an external light source.

Culture and Customs 

The Irish are very friendly, so get out and meet them. The official currency of Dublin is the euro (EUR). However, the exchange rate between the US and Euro fluctuates frequently, so check the current rate before traveling. Also, most restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.

Tipping is not a part of Irish culture. And some restaurants may add a 10 to 15% service charge to your bill. This is why you shouldn't tip. Although taxi drivers don't expect tips when transporting passengers, many tips them by rounding up the bill to the nearest euro and leaving 5% if they are kind. Again, however, tipping is not something you should worry about.

What to Eat

These are some of the best and most tasty foods to eat in Dublin. There is a lot of food and drinks, but you should not miss the famous afternoon tea. With 2 Michelin Stars, the restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is a top pick for foodies. 

Seafood Soup 

Seafood chowder, or Irish seafood soup, is made with smoked salmon, haddock and cod, white fish, and shellfish. The seafood is then cooked in cream-infused soup with potatoes, carrots, and celery. They also add fresh parsley.

Seafood chowder is a French classic that can include a variety of seafood and shellfish. It's a typical dish in Dublin restaurants. They often serve it with soda and bread.

Guinness Pie 

Beef and Guinness Pie combines all the ingredients from the classic Guinness stew with a pastry. The traditional filling is meat bits, redcurrant jelly, and stock. Add mustard powder, thyme, or bay leaf for an extra touch.

This hearty meal is perfect for cold winter days. You can also enjoy it with Guinness. You'll be able to taste the Irish dry stout flavor as you bite into the crust. You can drizzle any remaining gravy on top of it.

Boxty Pancakes 

This Irish potato pancake is a traditional dish made from mashed potatoes, flour, and fresh milk. After the batter has been mixed, it's slow-cooked until it turns golden brown. Boxty is delicious with butter or sugar. You can also serve it with an Irish breakfast of eggs, bacon, and sausage.

Roasted Gammon 

The Irish winter favorite roast gammon is a slow-cooked, juicy delicacy. Gammon, similar to ham, is a piece of cured pork.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, supermarkets begin stocking ready-to-cook gammons. Local families often glaze the leg with honey and mustard. This takes a long time but adds a unique flavor. Moreover, many local Dublin pubs serve gammon throughout each year.

Irish stew 

Irish stew is a traditional national dish dating back to the 19th century. Food was scarce back then, so people would make a hearty stew with whatever ingredients they had. The original Irish stew contained mutton, onions, and potatoes. They later included lamb and root veggies like turnips, carrots, and parsnips.

They added herbs like parsley and thyme to the stock for extra flavor. Modern variations include large chunks of beef that have been bone-in and cooked over an open fire for hours until tender.

Colcannon 

Colcannon is the Irish version of the traditional working-class dish bubble and squeak. Locally, the dish includes mashed potatoes, kale, onions, and milk with cream. Many Irish chefs create a depression in the center of the dish and add melted butter to it.

St Patrick's Day is a popular day to enjoy this dish. It's a great way to fill your stomach before you go heavy. Also, the bright green color of the kale adds to the celebration theme.

Where to Stay 

These are some of the best areas to stay in Dublin. All the boutique hotels around the city centre are in Georgian townhouses. Enjoy Michelin-starred dining options, rooftop bars, steam rooms, Nespresso machines and much more.

Portobello 

Portobello is an excellent choice if you prefer to stay in a quiet area. Besides, it is famous for its tranquil canals and abundance of cafes and bistros. It's also close to the city. So close that you can walk into it.

You can also find pubs and restaurants on Harcourt Street and Camden Street nearby. There is also easy access to the LUAS Green Line. Portobello is an ideal area to stay in in Dublin. It's central but not too far from all the noise and bustle.

Stoneybatter 

Stoneybatter is nestled against the southeast corner of Phoenix Park. As such, it is one of Dublin's most popular hipster hangouts. Although it is a short walk to the city center, you may want to stay a while due to the high-quality bars and restaurants. Moreover, the LUAS Red Line is a great way to get into the city center. It takes only 15 minutes to walk across the river to Phoenix Park and the Guinness Storehouse.

Harold's Cross 

Harold's Cross is an excellent option if you're looking for a quieter, more charming slice of neighborhood life. It has beautiful parks, fine pubs, and a relaxed village feel. It's not as touristy or expensive as the city center.

The Dublin bus service is good at Harold's Cross Road. It's also easy to walk to Ranelagh and Rathmines. Although the bus is the most economical way to get into the city, a taxi fare split can be a great (and faster) alternative if you have more than one person.

Phibsborough 

Phibsborough was just voted "world's coolest neighborhood" by Time Out magazine. Besides, the Dublin Northside has several cafes, restaurants, and pubs to explore. Moreover, Parnell Square's museums and galleries are just a few steps away. The LUAS Green Line will take you to the center of the city. Phibsborough is a great place to stay in Dublin if you love great food. 

How to Get Around 

It is easy to get around Dublin and the rest of the area. DART trains connect the city with the charming villages and towns scattered around the countryside and the waterfront. You can also travel anywhere in the city by light rail or bus and rent bicycles to enjoy a more relaxed experience. Moreover, Aer Lingus, Ireland's national airline, offers direct flights from Dublin to many cities in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

The DART connects Dublin with surrounding towns and cities. Two lines serve 67 stations on the city's Luas light rail system. You can purchase tickets at any stop. In addition, there are 120 routes on the Dublin Bus and 18-night routes. These routes connect all parts of Dublin. Taxis and cabs are also available throughout Dublin. Besides, they are efficient and fast. Uber is also available in Dublin.

How to Stay Safe 

Dublin is relatively safe, particularly in the city's center and the surrounding attractions. However, even at night, it can be hazardous. Therefore, visitors should be cautious about pick-pocketing, car thefts, and other minor crimes. Also, be aware that the Temple Bar is a popular area because of the many drunken revelers leaving the bars and clubs. The city of Dublin also has a significant heroin problem. Visitors should be aware of street beggars, suspicious activities, and paraphernalia in alleyways.