Dublin: 7 things you wish you knew before visiting

Surprisingly, Dublin does not often sound like a travel destination, although it combines culture and entertainment at more affordable prices than other well-known destinations. Let’s start with the basics: a city built by the Vikings, Dublin is a small capital for the usual data, which makes every corner of it accessible on foot or by bike. Since its founders did not expect it to have a population of 1,300,000 inhabitants, most of the roads are paved, and there is a lot of traffic.

It has a total of 11 bridges that connect the banks of the River Liffey, which crosses the city, and you have easy access to the sea from almost everywhere. With their low houses and colourful doors and windows, their characteristic architecture will immediately catch your eye. Some of the city’s most famous landmarks are the Cathedral of Christ, the first church in Dublin founded in 1038 and the Cathedral of St. Patrick, patron saint of Dublin.

Also, it is worth visiting the Guinness Storehouse, the old brewery of the favourite Irish beer that now functions as a museum, where you can watch and participate in the stages of brewing! In the end, it is worth enjoying authentic Guinness on the top floor of the storehouse, where the Gravity bar is located, which offers panoramic views of Dublin. However, keep in mind that since it is one of the most popular places in the city, the queues for tourist seasons can be long, so choose morning or noon.

You can also explore medieval Dublin if you visit Dublin Castle, which was built on the site of a 13th century Viking camp and realistically depicts life in that dark age. Finally, in Dublin, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, Phoenix Park, which has ​​about 7,000 acres, hosts fields, zoos, and the National Botanic Garden, and is open 24 hours a day!

But beyond all that you can find in any travel guide, there are some basic things that no one tells you before you travel to this beautiful place and you should know! Let’s see what these are:

1) The weather will probably be bad. Dublin is cloudy and rainy most of the time, so take your raincoat with you. Within five minutes, the sunshine can turn into a flood.

2) Be sure to go on free city tours. Like many other European cities, Dublin offers a free city tour, at the end of which you have fun. If you want to learn about the history of a place, and you are bored of all these guides who just feel like a prerecorded tape, then this tour is for you! All the volunteer guides really like what they do and are not afraid to show it, using caustic humour towards their own story.

3) Most museums in the city are free. Unlike almost the rest of the world, in Dublin, you can explore museums and galleries seven days a week without paying a single euro (you must see the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum in the Temple Bar area, where the price ticket is totally worth your money).

4) Yes, ok, go to the Temple Bar, but don’t just only go there. The Temple Bar is an entire area that is allowed to have only places related to art (museums, galleries) and tourism (bar and hostel). This makes the whole place extremely beautiful and worth the visit. In the middle there is the well-known brewery of the same name, which everyone wants to see when they go to Dublin. However, it is not recommended as a place to experience the real Irish experience. The locals do not prefer it, as it is now more of a tourist spectacle than a brewery. Be sure to visit the oldest pub in the country “The Brazen Head”, founded in 1168.

5) The night entertainment does not last until the morning. Since the Irish start drinking in the morning, the breweries close at 11.30 pm. on weekdays, while on weekends at 2:30 a.m. The best bars are Blackbird, Porterhouse, The Bernard Shaw and O ’Donoghue’s.

6) The Irish are incredibly friendly and open with everyone. The Irish are the perfect companion on any outing, so do not be afraid to plan a trip to Ireland even on your own, as you will immediately find company! However, do not start a historical or political discussion with them because they are susceptible to both of these issues.

7) Go out of town. It may sound a little strange, but it is probably the most critical piece of advice we can give you! Excursions are organized daily to remote areas of Ireland, which is the country’s living history! The most famous example is the Moher Rocks, one of Ireland’s most spectacular landmarks, which rises 230 meters above the Atlantic Ocean and is 8 km long. Of course, you can hire a modern car for a small fee, to easily visit all the great areas of Ireland. Trust Enjoy Travel, which has a branch in Dublin, where you can pick up your vehicle from there that will take you safely and comfortably to any destination you want.