Are you planning your next city trip and looking for a new destination? Look no further, because we have the perfect destination for your next city trip: Dublin!
Dublin is one of the most charming cities in Europe. The city is perfect for a city trip for many different reasons. You can get there in no time due to the very short flight, the locals are always up for a party, and you’ll feel right at home in the Irish pubs. You can also enjoy shopping in Dublin and you shouldn’t miss the Guinness breweries. A city trip to Dublin is fun for young and old alike. The friendliness, activities, and welcoming locals will ensure you and your companions have a great time.
Traveling alone? Dublin is also a fantastic destination for a solo city trip. Just step into an Irish pub and you’ll make new friends right away. The Irish people will embrace you and make sure you have a great evening. Curious about this vibrant European destination? Read on quickly.
Dublin on the map
If you want a city trip within Europe without spending much time traveling, Dublin is a great destination. Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland and is the Irish city closest to the Netherlands. The city of Dublin is also the capital of the country of Ireland. Additionally, Dublin is located in the province of Leinster, an Irish province that offers the perfect combination of city and nature. The city currently has just under a million inhabitants and is visited by both local and international tourists.
Origin of the name Dublin
Dublin was founded over 1000 years ago by the Vikings. They named the city ‘Dubh Linn’ which meant black water. However, the local Irish also referred to the city of Dublin as ‘Baile Átha Cliath’. Baile means city, Átha means a place by the river, and Cliath is the reed you can find by a river. Both names refer to a place by the water. To this day, the older Irish population refers to Dublin as B’l’acliath, a shortening of Baile Átha Cliath.
Cost of a city trip to Dublin
Flight to Dublin
You can fly to Dublin from the Netherlands from three locations. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Airport, and Eindhoven Airport all offer daily flights to Dublin. The average flight time from the Netherlands to Dublin is 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can book a one-way ticket with a budget airline for as little as €20. So, there’s no reason not to go. If you book well in advance with a budget airline like Ryan Air, you can get a round trip for under €50.
Accommodations in Dublin
Life in Dublin is not expensive, but accommodation is not always cheap. An average night in a hotel in Dublin costs about €120 per night. If you want to spend less, you can opt for a stay in a hostel. Another tip is to book accommodation through Airbnb. This way, you can book a room in a property or an entire property, often at a much cheaper rate than a hotel room.
Food and drink in Dublin
Dublin is currently one of the most expensive European destinations. Dining out is therefore not very cheap. It remains affordable, but it’s not as cheap as it was a few years ago. Still, you can score delicious meals at much more accessible prices. Eating in the pubs is not only very cozy but often very affordable. Many pubs have daily ‘specials’ that you can enjoy for prices starting at €5.
Drinking in the pubs is not much more expensive than in the Netherlands. You can get an average draft beer for as little as €2.50.
Transport in Dublin
Dublin is a city where you can do a lot on foot. In the city center, you can visit many attractions on foot. Dublin also has a very extensive bus network. These buses run routes to, from, and through the center of Dublin. If you want to visit attractions just outside the center, this is also no problem. A single journey costs around €2.
If you plan to travel a lot by bus, it’s best to get a public transport card. In Dublin, this is the Leap Card. You can purchase this at the airport but also at many different sales points in the city. The concept is the same as in the Netherlands. You travel either on credit or via a bundle. You have a day bundle, a three-day bundle, or a week bundle. If you choose such a bundle, you can travel unlimited within the term of your bundle for a fixed rate. A three-day bundle currently costs €19.50. This allows you unlimited use of any bus and train.
Attractions in Dublin
When you think of Dublin, you think of pubs and breweries. You should definitely visit these. Even if you don’t like drinking beer, it’s very interesting to learn more about the history of the brewing process.
We will list some activities and Dublin attractions that you absolutely must not miss during your Dublin city trip:
- The Guinness Brewery
- Trinity College Library
- Jameson Distillery
- Henry Street and Grafton Street
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- O’Connell Street
- Dublin Castle
- Charlottes Quay – Docklands
- River Liffey – Samuel Beckett Bridge
Cycling in Dublin
Dublin is one of the safest cities in Europe for cycling. There are many bike paths, and it’s a very accessible city to explore by bike. If you want to get to know the city quickly during your Dublin city trip, taking a bike tour is highly recommended.
The Dublin Highlights Tour is a very fun activity where you explore the entire city within 2.5 hours. You cycle with a guide past more than 10 attractions and learn everything you need to know about the Irish capital in a short time. This way, you’ll know right away which places you want to visit later on your own and which places you might want to skip. Then enjoy a delicious meal in one of the top restaurants in Dublin