Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Dublin, Ireland! It’s a fantastic city with so many things to see in Dublin Ireland. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Dublin vacation.
Hate #1: Dublin Weather
Sometimes you get lucky with warm days and sunny skies, but generally, the weather in Dublin is gray and rainy. When you are planning a trip to Dublin, you should be prepared for rain at any time of the year. Much like London or Seattle, the weather is moderate year-round, so while you won’t have hot summers, you also won’t have freezing cold winters.
Hate #2: Prices in Dublin
Ireland is expensive and since Dublin is the largest city in Ireland, prices are at a premium. It’s possible to find budget accommodation in Dublin, but eating out in Dublin is expensive and many Dublin attractions are also expensive. Luckily, flights to Dublin are usually pretty cheap so you can save money getting to and from Dublin.
How To Cut Costs While You Travel
Hate #3: Dublin Restaurants
Irish food just isn’t that great. Since Dublin gets so many tourists, the food is even worse than in other parts of Ireland. So, not only is eating out in Dublin expensive, it’s not the best culinary experience. Irish food can be filling and hearty and some items like Shephard’s Pie, are pretty good, but Dublin is not a foodie destination.
Hate #4: Dublin Party Scene
If you’re coming to Dublin for nightlife, you’re going to love it. But, if you’re traveling with your family, it’s one of the things you won’t like about Dublin. Dublin is a party city, so on the weekends, you’ll see a lot of locals and tourists getting drunk and rowdy. The area around Temple Bar especially can be a bit rowdy.
Hate #5: Driving in Dublin
Driving in Dublin is insane. I always recommend renting a car to explore the Irish countryside, but I do not recommend driving around Dublin. Leave your car at the hotel and take a taxi or bus to get around Dublin. Parking is impossible and expensive, and the roads are very confusing unless you live there. If you can, try to stay in a central location where you can just walk to the best Dublin attractions.
Love #1: People of Dublin
People in Dublin, and everywhere in Ireland, are so great. They are super friendly and helpful and they also have a great sense of humor and don’t take themselves too seriously like some other European cultures. Irish culture is one of the best cultures to experience while traveling.
Love #2: Dublin Nightlife
Whether it’s a love or hate depends on your travel style, but if you like to go out and enjoy live music and good Irish beer, then you will love the Dublin nightlife. It’s really a fun city with a ton of interesting nightlife, from smaller pubs to nightclubs. In fact, one of the most famous Dublin attractions is Temple Bar, a famous pub in a neighborhood lined with busy pubs. Though expect to see quite a fair share of other tourists at Temple Bar if you do go there.
Love #3: Safety in Dublin
Crime in Dublin is pretty low so you don’t have to worry too much about your safety as you travel around Dublin. There aren’t lots of pickpockets or muggings, which is a relief compared to some other European capital cities. It is a city with over one million people, so always use your common sense and be alert, but Dublin is one of the safer capital cities in Europe, for tourists.
Love #4: Sights in Dublin
There are a ton of cool things to see in Dublin. From historic churches like Christchurch or St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells. One of my favorite things to do in Ireland is to tour the Guinness Storehouse. There’s the Dublin Castle, the Jameson Distillery, Phoenix Park and so much more. Then there are the day trips from Dublin: the Wicklow Mountains and Cliffs of Moher are two of the more popular ones.
Love #5: Atmosphere in Dublin
Dublin is a chill, laidback city. The residents all seem pretty happy and this translates to a great atmosphere for visitors. Having friendly, helpful residents helps with the nice atmosphere of Dublin and is a reason travelers love Dublin so much.
Dublin is really fantastic, and for a city of over one million people, it’s such a friendly, laid-back town and a great place to kick off your Ireland vacation. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Dublin. Want more tips for planning a Dublin vacation? Check out these other blog posts: