Dublin Holidays & City Breaks

Dublin Holidays & City Breaks

Deals from £181 per person

Charming, charismatic and picturesque, Dublin is a place that will welcome you with open arms. This unique capital city combines centuries of history and literature with a young population and contemporary entertainment. Come and walk the enchanting cobbled streets and join the locals for some legendary fun, or craic, as the Irish say.

Spend your time visiting iconic sights and immersing yourself in the rich culture before rounding off your day with a pint of Guinness in a cosy pub. Whether you’re planning a family adventure, couples’ getaway or stag weekend, there’s something for everyone here. And one thing’s for sure: whatever you get up to on your Dublin city break, you’re sure to return feeling relaxed, refreshed and inspired.

Things to do

Dublin holidays mean discovering the city’s deep‐rooted history, listening to old tales from friendly locals and sampling the best Irish beer. The Dublin of today is modern and active: take your family to the zoo, enjoy a fun night out in Temple Bar or try your hand at Irish dancing. The city is located right on the east coast, so trips to the nearby cliffs and beaches are only a short bus ride away.

Vibrant literary history

Ireland’s capital has a celebrated literary past and a history filled with rebels and revolutionaries. Famous wordsmiths such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and William Butler Yeats all inhabited the city at one point. Take a stroll down one of Dublin’s canals and discover heritage plaques dedicated to these famous names. Or pay a visit to the Dublin Writers Museum, where you can learn all about the city’s historic literary traditions up until the 1970s.

Art

Although predominantly known as a city encompassed by a rich history, Dublin is also home to a thriving contemporary art scene. From smaller galleries built into Georgian houses to large, cutting‐edge spaces, Dublin’s art venues reflect some of the best modern-day works. Iconic locations such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery reflect the visual arts scene, so they’re well worth visiting.  

Castles, cathedrals and historic buildings

Those with interest in architecture will enjoy discovering some of the city’s finest buildings and historic structures. From Dublin Castle, one of the most important buildings in Irish history, to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, tour these picturesque sites to soak in the city’s history. Fans of Harry Potter can take a trip to Trinity College Library and witness the inspiration behind the ‘Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’.

Nature

Dublin city breaks mean enjoying glorious green open spaces where you can have a picnic, feed the ducks, or relax with a good book. Set across 1,750 acres of recreational space, Phoenix Park is Europe’s largest enclosed park and a great place to take a walk. Famous for its deer population, it’s also the home of Dublin Zoo, where visitors can witness the wildlife, including elephants, penguins and much more.

Pubs, clubs, and live music

One of Dublin’s most notable features is its vibrant nightlife. Boasting a youthful atmosphere, you can be sure of a great night out in the city and become surrounded by merriment in spots like Harcourt Street and Camden Street. Whether you end up cutting shapes in an underground club or get stuck into some sean-nós dancing in a traditional Irish pub, you’re sure to have a great time. And wherever the night takes you, you’ll be greeted by cheap alcohol, chatty locals, and outstanding live music around every corner.

Besides its rich history and lush green landscape, Dublin is also renowned for its pubs. If you’re feeling thirsty after a long day of exploration, dip into one of the famous haunts across the city and experience lines of tap in a comfortable, cosy setting.

Famous pubs to enjoy a pint and some craic include O’Donoghues, The Dawson Lounge, and The Palace Bar. A second home for many Dubliners, O’Donoghues pub stands on a historical site in the city and boasts a rich heritage. Head here to sample the best of Dublin’s live music scene with events featuring Irish musicians hosted seven nights a week.

If clubs are more your thing, throw on your dancing shoes and boogie the night away in Opium Club on Wexford Street. A versatile venue spanning three floors, dance to nu‐disco and ambient techno likes until the early hours.

And if you’re lucky enough to be in town for St. Patrick’s Day (otherwise known as Paddy’s Day) on the 17th of March each year, you’re in for a real treat. During this time, Dublin comes alive for the biggest party of the year to give locals and visitors a truly memorable experience.

The ‘Black Stuff’ and Irish cuisine

Dutifully supplying both the Paddy’s Day festivities and the masses of wood-panelled pubs is the iconic ‘Black Stuff’ – Ireland’s national drink, Guinness. Here in Dublin, you can sip the best pint of Guinness and visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about this beverage’s history and how it’s brewed. Discover seven floors packed full of exciting interactive activities before stopping to enjoy a well‐earned pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.

If you aren’t partial to the Black Stuff, you can always indulge in a fine glass of premiere Irish whiskey instead. One of Europe’s earliest distilled alcoholic beverages, Irish whiskey is exceptionally smooth and boasts an illustrious history. Today, Irish whiskey sales are growing, as are the whiskey brands available, and there are more distilleries open in Ireland now than there have been since the 19th century. Be sure to team your drink of choice with a steaming bowl of Irish stew and authentic soda bread.

Some of the best brands of Irish whiskey include Teeling, Jameson, and Bushmills. For an enjoyable day out, head to Teeling Whiskey Distillery in the heart of Dublin City, where you can experience a tour of the site from a knowledgeable guide and quench your thirst with a selection of tasting options.

More City Breaks

We also have travel guides available for City Breaks destinations, including: Budapest | Monte Carlo | New York | Reyjavik

 

Map of Dublin

world_map
20 ℃

Best time to visit: During the summer for warmer days.

45 minutes

Dublin Airport (DUB) is approximately 10km north of the city centre.

Dublin is best for...

Literature buffs: Crawl from pub to pub and watch professional actors perform from the works of Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.

Beer drinkers: Tour the Guinness Storehouse, have a free pint, and take in the panoramic view.

Families: Take the kids to the western side of town for the nature trails of Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo.

Fast facts for Dublin

Language: The language spoken in Dublin is English.

Currency: The currency used in Dublin is the Euro (EUR).

Local time: The local time in Dublin is the same as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Dublin Airport (DUB) is approximately 10km north of the city centre.

Flight time from UK: 45 minutes.

Tourist information: Visit Dublin is full of insider tips to help you make the most of your minibreak.

Getting around Dublin

By foot: The city centre's compact size makes it one of Europe's most pedestrian-friendly.

By bus or tram: The public transport system in Dublin is dependable and affordable.

By bicycle: The 'Dublinbikes' scheme offers 450 bicycles for hire from 40 locations across the city. The first 30 minutes is free.

By Uber: Uber is operating in Dublin, which means you can reserve a vehicle up to 30 minutes in advance of your journey.

By taxi: You'll find taxi ranks dotted around the city,or if you prefer you can use apps like Lynk and Free to book one in advance. 

Events in Dublin

St Patrick's Festival: Every spring, Dublin becomes a sea of green and a focus of fun thanks to the St Patrick's Day celebrations. As well as the famous parade and other shenanigans on the day itself (17th March), there's plenty more to do during the city's four-day festival.

Dublin Fringe Festival: One of Ireland’s largest performing arts festivals, this popular event includes music, dance, street theatre, puppetry, visual arts and comedy. The festival takes place every September.

Dublin Theatre Festival: Established in 1957, the Dublin Theatre Festival is the oldest dedicated theatre festival in Europe. It takes place from the end of September until mid-October.

Oktoberfest: Celebrate a little bit of Germany in Dublin, when authentic Bavarian beer, Oktoberfest barstaff and German markets take over the city.

Dublin safety and security

Visa / health: Before your holiday to Dublin, check the UK foreign office advice for Ireland for recommendations and advice on visas, health and other up-to-date travel information.

Dublin weather

Temperature: Highs of 20 (°C) in summer and lows of 5 (°C) in winter.

Best time to visit: During the summer for warmer days.

Dublin doesn’t have dramatic fluctuations in temperature during the year, but there’s always a chance of rain.

Best hotels in Dublin

Places similar to Dublin to visit

FAQs
FAQs
1. How do I get to and from the airport?

There are a number of options for those travelling to Dublin centre from the airport, and vice versa. 

Bus: There are over 1,000 buses and coaches running to and from the airport daily, with routes connecting you to just about every corner of the city. We always advise that you check with the bus company for the most up-to-date timetables as well as making sure you know where your closest pick-up stop is. Single fares start from €7.

Taxi: You’ll find taxis directly outside Terminal 1 & 2, which typically cost around  €25 to €30 to reach the centre (traffic, number of passengers and time dependant). When you need to make your way back to the airport, there’s plenty of taxi ranks dotted around the city. 

Car hire: If you want to explore beyond Dublin’s centre, you can always hire a car. And with plenty of onsite options, you can pick your vehicle up from the airport.

Uber: Uber is a great way to get from the airport to the city. With the tap of a button, use the app to reserve a vehicle up to 30 minutes in advance of your journey.

 

2. What’s Dublin like to visit?

Dublin will certainly live up to all of your expectations as a fun, vibrant city, from its live music to its atmospheric bars. Although you can’t count on the weather here! One day you could be wearing a t-shirt, and the next you may need to pop on your raincoat.

All in all, the Irish capital is a great option for short weekend breaks. Or if you want to extend your stay, there’s plenty going on outside the city whether you want to wander the charming coastal town of Howth or experience nearby trails like Greystones Cliff Walk.

3. Is Dublin friendly?

Yes. Dublin is often ranked among the world’s friendliest cities, and for good reason too. Celebrated for its warm hospitality and good sense of humour, don’t be surprised if the locals strike up a conversation with you at the bar.

4. When is the best time to visit Dublin?

If you want to catch Dublin’s best weather June to August is a great time to visit, while low season (November to February) is ideal for those wanting to escape the crowds with quieter pubs and museums. Prefer to experience the magic of the St Patrick's Day parade? You should hit the city on the 17th of March.

5. Is Dublin a cheap city to visit?

No, Dublin is expensive! But that doesn’t mean you can’t stick to a budget. Skip the fancy restaurants and head for a tasty food truck instead. Or hunt down some of the city’s best free things to do, from the National Gallery of Ireland to Phoenix Park (Europe’s largest urban park). Not only is this natural attraction home to the President's official residence, but it’s also a must-visit for spotting wild deer.

6. What is Dublin best known for?

Dublin is best known for Guinness. That’s right, you can’t come to the Irish capital without trying ‘the Black Stuff’. And yes, there’s even an art to pouring it, known as the two-part pour! For the ultimate tasting experience, head to Guinness Storehouse, where you’ll learn all about the history of this iconic stout.