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Are you about to visit Dublin? Well, if so (or even if you’re just considering visiting Ireland’s charming capital city), you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty to see and do. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Dublin, squeezing in some of the best sights, sounds and tastes the city has to offer…
How to get around
Like most old cities, Dublin is pretty compact, which means there’s a great deal to explore and enjoy on foot. But Dublin is best seen (especially over the course of a couple of days) if you make full use of the excellent public transport on offer. Buy yourself a pass for the Hop-on Hop-Off Tour Bus, making the most of the on-board commentary (where you’ll learn lots about the city) and hop on and off the service all around the city as many times as you like. The two-day ticket is well worth the money and will ensure you can access all the things you want to experience while you’re in Dublin.
Where to eat
There are plenty of delicious dining options in Dublin, from places serving traditional food such as Trocadero (with belly-warming dinners including beet-cured salmon and sticky date pudding), to those who are experimenting with Irish cuisine with a French twist, such as Chapter One. Make the most of having 48 hours to spend in a coastal city by sampling some of the finest fish and seafood in Ireland: Cavistons is famous for its food, and if you’re lucky enough to grab one of their limited number of tables, you’re bound to enjoy a mouth-watering fish supper. Or, the Winding Stair is an excellent restaurant if you really want to sink your teeth into traditional Irish dishes and you’ll enjoy beautiful views across the river too.
Where to stay
If you’ve booked your hotel through a provider like Travel Republic, you’ll have already chosen a lovely place to stay. But if you’re still at the stage of looking around, narrow your search for accommodation depending on what your priorities are. You can get highly rated hotel rooms in the centre of Dublin, just a short walk away from all the tourist attractions, bars and restaurants, as well as more affordable options that are a little further out from the centre but located along good transport links.
What to do
Don’t be afraid of doing the ‘typical tourist’ things while you’re in Dublin – after all, they’re popular for a reason! For example, Kilmainham Gaol is well worth exploring with its permanent exhibitions featuring leftover belongings from the jail’s inhabitants, and you’ll hear about the trials and tribulations of the prisoners and the crimes they committed to earn themselves the title of inmates. The ‘last words’ exhibition (displaying the last letters and personal belongings of the 14 executed leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916) is fascinating too.
Also, the Guinness Storehouse is worth getting around to see, and you’ll enjoy a complementary pint in the Gravity Bar if you book onto a tour. Be sure to pull up a stool somewhere in the Temple Bar – the atmosphere in this part of the city is buzzing and popular with locals and tourists alike.
Finish your stay with a trip to Trinity College (the library is on a par with the beautiful libraries at Oxford and Cambridge), or pay a visit to Dublin City Gallery (home to a world-class collection of art) and St Patrick’s Cathedral (Ireland’s largest church). If you’re interested in art and architecture, you’re bound to be impressed.
So, are you looking forward to spending 48 hours in Dublin now that your mind is buzzing with suggestions?
I so want to go to Dublin someday and bring my kids. Sounds fantastic and thanks for the planning tips!