Dublin, the lively capital of Ireland, perfectly bridges its fierce Viking past with a buzzing, youthful energy. Nestled on the east coast along the River Liffey, Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature famous for its world-class brewing heritage, beautiful Georgian architecture, and incredibly friendly locals. Here is your ultimate guide to Dublin!

1. The Landmarks You Can’t Miss

• Trinity College & The Book of Kells: Walk through the peaceful cobblestone campus to visit the breathtaking 18th-century Long Room library. Here, you can view the Book of Kells, a stunningly illustrated manuscript hand-written by monks around the year 800 AD.
• The Guinness Storehouse: Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. Explore a massive, seven-story interactive brewery exhibition shaped like a giant pint glass, ending with a complimentary drink at the top-floor Gravity Bar for a 360-degree view of the city skyline.

2. Dublin Fun Facts

• The Origin of Dracula: The famous vampire story wasn’t written by a Romanian, but by a Dubliner! Author Bram Stoker was born in Dublin in 1847, and local history suggests his dark tales were inspired by Irish folklore and the city’s old cemeteries.
• A City of Green Spaces: Dublin has more green square meters per citizen than any other European capital. It is home to Phoenix Park, which is one of the largest enclosed public parks in Europe and features a massive wild herd of fallow deer.

3. The Food Scene

• Dublin Coddle: The city’s ultimate signature dish. It is a hearty, rustic working-class stew made by layering thick-cut Irish sausages, rashers (bacon), chunky potatoes, and sliced onions, slow-simmered together in a light broth.
• A Pint of Stout: You cannot visit Dublin without trying a fresh pint of Guinness or Murphy’s straight from the tap. Bartenders take the “two-part pour” very seriously, taking exactly 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint with a thick, creamy head.

4. Practical Travel Tips

• Explore Beyond Temple Bar: While the historic Temple Bar district is famous for its live music and bright red pubs, it is also highly commercialized and expensive. For a more authentic night out, head to the pubs around Georges Street or Camden Street.
• Use Leap Cards for Transit: Dublin is a very walkable city, but if you want to use the Luas (tram) or the DART coastal train, buy a Leap Card at any convenience store to save significantly on your transport fares.