What to Do in Dublin: Pubs, Breweries, and much more!

thereseholland
Aug 28, 2015
5 min read

Dublin is Ireland’s bustling capital, famous for its attractions related to beer and whiskey. But did you know there’s loads of other things to check out besides breweries and pubs? Dublin is full of history, beauty, and more! Here I’ll give you some tips to optimise your beer and whiskey drinking, as well as some sight-seeing tips for this fun Irish city!

This and much, much more in Dublin!

Navigating The City Center:

Temple Bar. Contrary to the name, Temple Bar is an area in Dublin, not necessarily a specific bar. There is a bar called Temple Bar, but that particular establishment is not the reason for the name of the area. Rather, Temple Bar is an area in the dead center of Dublin, where there are plenty of places to get rowdy.

Head here for a night out, but be prepared. Temple Bar is kind of a tourist trap. Drinks will be especially expensive in this area, and you'll see loads of other tourists.

Understanding this part of Dublin can help you navigate the city center, though. It really is in the dead center of the city. Check on a map how far your hotel or hostel is from here, to know how far you are from the various attractions in Dublin.

Getting around Dublin is easy. Most things are in walking distance, but there's also a city bus that's not too expensive, and day passes are available.

So, here are some great things to do and see in Dublin...

Let's start with some classics.

1. Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse.

This is an amazing brewery tour, and the storehouse is huge. You’ll learn loads about beer and how Guinness is made. It’s all very beautiful and modern.

PROTIP: Book online to skip purchasing lines that can be long. There’s a student discount as well.

Blissfully enjoying a beer I thought I hated.

Each entry ticket to the storehouse gets you a free pint! Hold on to your ticket, and redeem it at the top of the storehouse (on the 7th floor), at Gravity Bar, for awesome views of the city. Alternatively, you can redeem it on the 6th floor, and learn how to artisanally pour a Guinness. Drink a little, and bring the rest with you to the 7th floor to still enjoy Gravity Bar’s views!

There are a few restaurants and bars on the upper floors, where you can try other kinds of Guinness, if this dark brew is not for you.

Or you could switch to whiskey..

2. Check out the Jameson Distillery

Like beer, whiskey is a famous Irish drink worth trying when you visit Ireland’s capital. This is a beautiful distillery, with lots to learn about whiskey. It’s definitely a plug to get you to buy some whiskey, as they let you sample their brand alongside some competitors. In the shop, you can buy expensive whiskeys only available in Ireland.

The distillery is also close to the Guinness Storehouse, if you want to get all your drinking-related attractions in one day.

Now let's switch to activities for when you're sober...

3. Explore Trinity College.

This is a beautiful school in the heart of Dublin. Worth having a walk around, as it's considered a must-see of the city.

Here’ you can see some ancient texts in the college library. There’s an entry fee and a long line to see these things—worth skipping if you need to be time-conscious.

PROTIP: Trinity College also has rooms available for the night that are quite cheap. Worth looking into and comparing with hostel prices when planning your trip, and you’ll easily see one of the city’s attractions!

4. Visit a park.

There are loads of parks and squares in Dublin to have a walk around.

Idea: grab a sandwich at a cafe somewhere and enjoy it in Saint Stephen's Green, Marrion Square Park, Phoenix Park, or any of the other green areas of Dublin. The parks are a beautiful break from a mostly industrial city.

Don't miss the Oscar Wilde statue in Marrion Square Park or the Duke of Wellington’s monument in Phoenix Park if you head to either of those places!

5. Learn something in some free museums.

Dublin’s National History Museum, National Gallery, National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology are all free museums to learn something when you’re not drunk!

The National Museum of Ireland has some great Celtic art. It can be amazing to see the artwork of the time, and marvel at the intricate designs done so many years ago. When you're there, ask for the Cross of Cong or Ardagh Chalice to save time. These are in the same room, and are great examples of classic Celtic art that you can head straight towards.

6. Take a look at St Patrick's Cathedral.

It’s the largest church in Ireland!

7. Visit an old prison.

Kilmainham Gaol is a prison museum where many of Ireland's political prisoners were incarcerated, tortured and executed. This is a unique attraction to see while staying in Dublin.

8. Take a look at Dublin Castle.

This 13th century castle is a historical site in the city center.

9. Grab a drink!

The Brazen Head claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub. Now that’s a nice place for a Guinness!

Anywhere in Dublin is a great place for a pint or some whiskey, though!

10. Take a day trip outside the city.

This one might be at the end of the list, but it's one of the most important tips here.

Some of Ireland’s most amazing attractions lie outside the city. These epic landscapes are a must see when visiting Ireland, and they're easily accessible from Dublin.

Here are a few suggestions so you can see why I call Ireland a place of fairytale-like beauty:

Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs deserve their fame. They shoot out of the sea with epic beauty.
Aran Islands. Just a short ferry ride off the Irish mainland, you can see some tiny islands with amazing beauty, tiny towns, and people who speak Irish Gaelic as their first language. Inishmore (the largest of the Aran islands) was my favorite part of Ireland.
Connemara. This is a rural county in Western Ireland. There are unreal hills and valleys. The Kylemore Abbey & gardens are a beautiful sight as well, appearing much like a castle
Dingle peninsula. A gorgeous, lush, green peninsula.
Cliffs of Kerry. Beautiful cliffs, closer to Dublin that the Cliffs of Moher and therefore more easily accessible and time-effective.
Killarney National Park. Beautiful scenery to make you feel like you are in a fantasy movie.