Dublin Holidays & City Breaks

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 – including a fantastic choice of Dublin hotels. 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 you can see tigers, sloths, 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

Wherever you're headed, we've got a city guide for your next trip, including: Budapest | Monte Carlo | New York | Reyjavik