Dublin

Dublin is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland situated at the head of Dublin Bay. Known for the Guinness beer and its welcoming pub culture, Dublin is also the largest port in the Republic of Ireland. On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places, local delicacies, and ferries to Dublin and book your tickets easily and quickly!

The impressive Spire of Dublin in O'Connell Street

Vacation in Dublin

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is home to the world-known Guinness beer, the popular poet and playwright Oscar Wilde and of course Saint Patrick, the country’s patron saint. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated every March across the country decorating the whole island in vibrant colors.

The city boasts medieval castles, ancient churches, colorful shops, and verdant parks. It’s a mix of heritage and modern attractions and historic charm with verdant parks and lakes. 

Tip: except for St Patrick’s day which is a 5-day national celebration, the best time to visit Dublin is from June to August as the weather is warm and sunny, ideal for long walks by the river Liffey.

How to get to Dublin

You can travel to Dublin by plane or ferry. The Dublin Airport is the largest airport in the Republic of Ireland and one of the busiest airports in Europe. It connects Dublin to several destinations with domestic and international flights.

It is located approximately 10km north of Dublin’s city center and you can take a taxi, bus or train from Dublin Airport to central locations such as O'Connell Street.

Alternatively, you can reach Dublin by ferry. There are ferry crossings connecting Dublin to the UK and France. Traveling by ferry may take longer but you can embark your vehicle.

Also, you can book a cabin for a comfortable trip while enjoying the fascinating crossing and the breathtaking views from the ferry’s dock. Therefore, if you're planning to travel by ferry you can find more information about ferry routes and schedules to Dublin below.

What to do in Dublin

Dublin is a charming capital with many attractions, countless museums, and entertainment options. From a long walk by the beautiful river Liffey flowing through the center of the city to the colorful Temple Bar area, Dublin reflects its eventful history and rich culture.

Visit the medieval Dublin Castle, the city’s oldest cathedral (Christ Church Cathedral), or St. Patrick’s Cathedral to get a feeling of the eventful and long history of the city. For a deep dive into the past, go to Trinity College and enter the Old Library which is also known as the Long Room. 

The library dating back to the 18th century with over 200,000 books is awe-inspiring and transfers you into the magical world of books. Bookworm or not, you will love the displays of the rich holdings and the oak bookcases of the library.

Before leaving Dublin you should visit the seven-floor building of the Guinness Storehouse and get a flawless pint of Guinness with your selfie printed on it! Cool, right? 

The famous Temple Bar Pub in Dublin

Sightseeing in Dublin

Dublin is a small capital with a fascinating history that goes back to the 9th century with the first Viking settlements. Medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals turn the city into a living history museum while the wide, verdant parks around the center of Dublin are great for bike rides and long walks. 

Here you can find a list of the top sightseeing in Dublin: 

• The Dublin Castle, an imposing medieval fortress
• The St.Stephen's Green Park, located in the heart of Dublin
• The St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191
• The Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture
• The National Gallery of the Republic of Ireland, with popular masterpieces of Monet, Van Gogh, Vermeer and others
• Grafton Street, Dublin’s principal shopping street
• O'Connell Street, the main route of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade 
• The Old Library, with the impressive Long Room Library in Trinity College
• The Spire of Dublin also known as the Monument of Light
• The Irish Whiskey Museum, with 4 different rooms representing a different period in Irish history
• The Guinness Storehouse, featuring the history of Guinness beer (including an interactive exhibit)

The awe-inspiring Long Room at the Library of Trinity College 

Nightlife in Dublin

Dublin has a buzzing nightlife balancing between century-old pubs and modern party scenes. The Temple Bar neighborhood boasts atmospheric pubs and taverns to enjoy the world-famous Guinness beer.

Therefore, you can go bar hopping in the center of Dublin or go dancing on one of the multiple dance floors in the city. From beer gardens to nightclubs, Dublin has something for every taste. As the sun sets on the Liffey river pubs, late bars and nightclubs fill with people ready to party!

Food in Dublin

Being surrounded by sea, Dublin has many delicious traditional dishes based on fresh seafood. Therefore, if you have an appetite for a fishy feast read below to find some of the most finger-licking local delicacies you should try during your stay in Dublin:

• colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage)
• seafood chowder (a creamy soup with smoked salmon, prawns, haddock and shellfish, potatoes and vegetables)
• beef and Guinness pie (beef stew with vegetables and herbs topped with puff pastry)
• boxty (potato pancake made with raw and cooked potatoes, flour and milk)
• coddle (broth made with sausages, bacon and potatoes)
• soda bread (flour, baking soda, salt and soured milk)
• barmbrack (fruited bread)

The traditional Irish dish colcannon with mashed potatoes and cabbage

Tips

Here are 4 tips for your stay in Dublin: 

1. It is better to plan your trip well in advance as Dublin can be pricy. Especially, during the summer months or St. Patrick’s celebration week.
2. If you are visiting Dublin from September to April, you should know that the weather can be rainy and windy so it’s better to also take an umbrella and some heavy clothes when packing.
3. You should bring a universal travel adapter with you as the plugin in Dublin is the same as in the UK. 
4. The Republic of Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle for its verdant rolling hills and picturesque countryside. Therefore, if you have some time you can rent a car and go on a road trip to explore the Dingle Peninsula located on the west coast of the country. 

Useful information about Dublin 

Dublin is a lively city with a spectacularly rich history and sightseeing offering many tourist services.

Related to accommodation in Dublin, you can find many options depending on your style and budget. If you want to go sightseeing, the best area to stay is near the Trinity College or Temple Bar neighborhood. However, if you’re looking for a more quiet and laid-back area, Portobello offers a good connection to the city's sightseeing and relaxing vibes.

As for hospitals, there are several options in the center of Dublin and the suburbs in case of emergency.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Dublin

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Dublin: 

• Dublin Port Authority: +35318876000
• Dublin Police Department: +35316660000
• Dublin public transport network: +35318798300
• Dublin Hospital: +35318032000
• Dublin Airport: +35319441111
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Dublin

Dublin is a great city for walking and If the weather is nice, you can take a long walk parallel to the river Liffey. The city center is fairly compact. However, if you don't want to walk, Dublin has a very efficient public transportation network.

Therefore, you can get around the city easily by public bus, tram, and rail services (in case you want to explore some places outside the city).

When you arrive in Dublin, you can hop on a bus to get a first overview of the city and familiarize yourself with it. Alternatively, you can rent a bike and explore the city center on two wheels.

Tip: unless you’re planning to live outside the capital or taking a road trip in the Republic of Ireland, we wouldn’t suggest you rent a car as finding parking in central busy locations can be challenging and very expensive.

Ports in Dublin

The port of Dublin (Calafort Átha Cliath) is an important economic center and the busiest port on the island of Ireland. It is about a 20-minute drive by car to the city center of Dublin and many bustling areas such as the Temple Bar.

Also, near the Dublin port, you can find restaurants, hotels, parks, and museums. There are many board ferries, cruise ships, and yachts that operate from the port of Dublin, carrying passengers to and from the UK (Liverpool, Holyhead, Douglas) and France (Cherbourg).

Dublin ferry: schedules and tickets

You can reach Dublin by ferry from the UK and France. The companies that operate the connections are Stena Line, Irish Ferries, and P&O Ferries. Here you can find more information on the ferry connections to Dublin:

• Holyhead (Wales)-Dublin ferry: the ferry crossing between Holyhead and Dublin is operated by Stena Line and Irish Ferries with up to 10 daily crossings all year round. The crossings can last about 3.5 hours. 
• Liverpool-Dublin ferry: there are 2 daily ferry connections between Liverpool and Dublin. The ferry trip is operated by P&O Ferries and it takes about 8 hours.
• Cherbourg-Dublin ferry: there are 3 weekly crossings connecting the port of Cherbourg in France to the port of Dublin operated by Irish Ferries. The ferry trip lasts about 19 hours.

Occasionally, there are ferry connections from Douglas (Isle of Man) to Dublin lasting about 4.5 hours.

The city of Dublin in the sunset

Where to book ferry tickets to Dublin online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all available ferry routes to and from Dublin on our Map of ferries, compare prices, and departure times and book your ferry tickets to Dublin online at the same price with ferry companies.