Destinations: Dublin Travel Guide & Flights

Dublin
Dublin
Dublin

Dublin combines history, multiculturalism and glorious architecture.

And that’s just a fraction of what makes it an irresistible city break destination. If you’re tempted to fly from London City to Dublin for a taste of Irish craic, read on for a snapshot of what this charismatic city can offer.

Flying to Dublin from London City 

Flying direct to Dublin (DUB) from London City Airport (LCY) lands you around 8 miles (13km) from the Irish capital. It’s very easy to get around thanks to various public transport options.  

 

Pick up a Leap Visitor Card which covers travel on Luas trams – whose lines connect the city’s suburbs with its central areas and hotspots – as well as the bus and local train network. Or hire a bike to explore!

There can be several direct BA flights between London City Airport and Dublin Airport each week, so whatever your travel plans, here's what you need to know about getting there. 

Key Stats

Language

English

Time Difference

0 hr ahead of GMT

Currency

Euro

Dublin Travel Guide

Dublin’s reputation goes before it as a welcoming hub packed with history, architecture, friendly vibes and all the ingredients for a good time. Our Dublin travel guide highlights the essential sights to see, the city’s vibrant nightlife, food and drink scene, plus events worth checking out.

Essential Sights

Dublin City Centre

City centre:for top tourist attractions 

Dublin’s centre is concentrated around the O’Connell Bridge on both sides of the River Liffey. Here’s where you find many of the city’s bars, clubs and restaurants, and popular attractions including Trinity College to the south and the rather unique Leprechaun Museum to the north.  

Temple Bar in Dublin

Temple Bar:for traditional Dublin

Bustling Temple Bar on the south of the Liffey is probably the most famous neighbourhood in Dublin. Head here for live folk music in pubs and traditional Irish food. It’s no surprise these charming cobbled pedestrian streets are among the most photographed in the city.  

Dublin Old City

The Old City:for history

Stroll about to see remnants of the city’s original 13th century walls around Cook Street and Dublin Castle, built in 1204. The impressive Christ Church Cathedral sits on the original site of a Viking church – worth a visit to admire its impressive interior and (if you fancy) the curious mummified rat and cat in the crypt.  

Dublin

Fitzwilliam Square and around:for Georgian architecture

Dublin’s Georgian heritage lines the streets around Fitzwilliam Square, Baggot Street and Merrion Square. This area, towards the south of the city centre, is home to many offices for lawyers and estate agents, but well worth a wander for its colourful front doors and historic architecture.  

Trinity College

Trinity College

South of the river, the beautiful Trinity College was established in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is one of Dublin’s finest attractions. Its Old Library houses the precious Book of Kells dating from 800AD, and the stunning barrel-vaulted Long Room which could easily have served as a Harry Potter set. 

The National Museum Dublin

Stoneybatter: for eating, drinking and entertainment 

Dublin has seen its share of gentrification, and the Stoneybatter area experienced a major revamp. Just ten minutes’ walk northwest of the centre, you find genteel red-brick buildings hosting art spaces and yoga venues. Head to Smithfield Square for traditional pubs alongside modern bars and cafés or explore enormous Phoenix Park.  

Kilmainham Gaol 

Kilmainham Gaol 

Built in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol became a symbol of the Irish struggle for independence and an icon of oppression and martyrdom. It held revolutionaries captured during the 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence. Visit the exhibition galleries or take a guided tour to understand its disturbing history. 

Guinness Brewery Door

Guinness Brewery and Storehouse 

Think Dublin and you probably think Guinness! Arthur Guinness founded the legendary brewery here in 1759. You can visit the Storehouse on St James’s Gate for a self-guided introduction to the brewing process and savour a glass of the black stuff with a view over the city.  

The National Museum Dublin

The National Museum 

Uncover the changing faces of Dublin over the centuries at this must-see museum. Look out for prehistoric gold discovered in peat fields and enjoy revealing ancient exhibits – it’s a great way to chart the country’s history from the Viking age.  

Dublin

Newman House 

Step inside one of Dublin’s finest Georgian houses to admire its beautiful Baroque stuccowork and Rococo plaster – and get a real feel for how people lived during the city’s heyday. 

Nightlife

Nights out in Dublin are all about the craic (Irish for ‘a good time’), which you’ll find in abundance throughout the city. One of the best Irish traditions is live music after dark in traditional pubs, where locals and visitors alike can be found dancing until the early hours.  

For a great weekend atmosphere check out The Norseman, the oldest pub in Temple Bar, and visit the Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub) to hear some of the best live music in the city. 

When you’re after something less traditional, there are plenty of other options. Most of the city’s nightclubs and bars are in the centre, west of O’Connell Bridge on the south side of the River Liffey. If you don’t want the night to end, but don’t fancy full-on clubbing, late bars offer a fun middle ground. See in the early hours on the dancefloor in Whelan’s Pub, a venue famous for live gigs and DJs as well as a lively, welcoming pub.  

Food & Drink

Traditional Irish cuisine is all warming stews and hearty dumplings, but Dublin offers plenty of European flavours too and there’s way more to the drinking scene than Guinness.  

Irish stew

Traditional Food

Traditional Irish cuisine stems from a focus on simple, hearty food made with fresh ingredients sourced locally. Try a traditional family dinner of Irish stew or boiled bacon and cabbage, or gorge on potato pancakes known as boxty. Ireland is also the home of soda bread and some of the finest black pudding in the world. 

Naturally, Dublin has plenty of traditional pubs where you can get your teeth into some of these popular dishes. Take a wander around the Temple Bar area and you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Irish seafood

Seafood

Ireland straddles the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, so the island offers a fabulous abundance of seafood. You can eat excellent shellfish all over Dublin and its surroundings, anywhere from food trucks to harbour cafes to upmarket restaurants.  

Guinness

Guinness and Irish Whiskey

You can’t come to Ireland without at least trying a pint of Guinness, either at the Guinness Brewery and Storehouse or any one of the hundreds of pubs across the city. Of course, there’s plenty to drink beyond beer, but if you’re keen to stay traditional, treat yourself to a tour and Irish Whiskey tasting session straight from the source at the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street. 

Events

St Patrick's Day in Dublin

St. Patrick's DayMarch

On St Patrick’s Day (17th March), Ireland’s famous annual party celebrates the country’s patron saint who spread the word about Christianity and supposedly chased all the island’s snakes into the sea. Dublin goes all out with a huge street parade featuring theatre, marching bands and extravagant costumes, as well as city-wide events marking Irish heritage, art and culture. Remember to take something green to wear! 

Dublin International Literature Festival

International Literature Festival Dublin May

Each May the world’s top literary figures come to Dublin for a fortnight of readings, debates and lectures. Past events have seen talks on how to get published, as well as readings by leading authors, poets and playwrights including Will Self, Colm Tóibín and Ruby Wax.  

Dublin Fringe Festival

Dublin Fringe Festival September

Since 1995 this city-wide party has seen performers showcase dance, theatre and music in a huge variety of venues.  

In fact, Dublin plays host to all kinds of festivals, including the Dublin International Film Festival (Feb/Mar), the Festival of Curiosity’s celebration of science, arts, design and technology every October, and the quirky Bram Stoker Festival (Oct) for fans of all things gothic. 

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