It makes sense that one of the world’s friendliest cities would go easy on your wallet.
Dublin, Ireland was named Planet Earth’s third-friendliest city last year by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, edging out spots like Savannah, Georgia, Bruges, Belgium and even another Irish city, Galway.
Meanwhile, Dublin took home the #8 spot on the 2017 Travel Hacker list for wallet-friendly flights. The Fair City boasts fair prices, with flights that are 7 percent lower than median airfare for international flights. Those that book four months in advance tend to snag the best deals on airfare, with February, May, September, October and November representing the months with the lowest median airfare prices from the U.S. and Canada.
Once you’ve landed in Ireland’s capital city, it’s time to put the money you saved to good use. Check out our list of where to eat, drink and dance in Dublin (and yes, the drinking will help with the dancing):
Eat
How about a modern twist on classic Irish dishes? If that tickles your fancy, look no further than Delahunt, located at 39 Camden Street Lower. This restaurant and bar takes an old-fashioned approach to food, focusing on tried-and-true Irish cuisine that incorporates fresh seasonal ingredients from small local providers. Think “Portlandia” by way of Victorian Europe. What’s more, the original Delahunt, located in the same space, was name checked by James Joyce in “Ulysses.” Now that’s an eatery with history.
Of course, if you brought a furry friend with you, or just miss your pooch dearly, Pupp may be the place for you. In addition to a delicious brunch menu, this café also features a menu for your four-legged pal. You can stock up on everything from collars to costumes for your own pup while you sip your coffee and Fido relaxes with some herbal dog tea.
Drink
Next it’s time to focus on a diet of the liquid variety. First, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better pint of Guinness Draught anywhere in the world, what with it being brewed down the street and all. Help yourself to some stout at the Guinness Storehouse, which is connected to St. James’s Gate Brewery, founded by the beverage’s namesake Arthur Guinness in 1759.
Next you might want to stop by The Temple Bar, a haven for out-of-towners seeking a warm welcome, a cold glass of beer and some advice about what to see and do in the city. As an added bonus, this watering hole won Irish Music Pub of the Year 10 years in a row thanks to its daily traditional Irish music sessions.
Then it’s time to wander over to The Bleeding Horse for a shot of history (and possibly something stronger). This pub dates back to the 17th century, and has been mentioned in literary classics from multiple Irish authors (including, you guessed it, our friend James Joyce – he really got around, apparently).
“Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and start your own pub crawl.”
Once you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to wipe the “Dublin tourist” stamp off your forehead and live like a local. Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and start your own pub crawl. There’s no shortage of public houses across the city.
Dance
It’s time to kick the craic up from good to mighty to savage. Fortunately, Dublin offers a wide variety of tunes to get your blood pumping, from traditional Irish music to dance club beats to live rock ‘n’ roll.
If you’re in search of a trad seisiún, or Irish traditional music session, check out The Stag’s Head, a Victorian-era pub dripping in history and awards (it won both Best Pub in Ireland and Best Traditional Pub in 2016).
If you’re in the mood to dance a more contemporary jig, you’ll find no better venue than Whelan’s, a Dublin institution for emerging artists and established rock stars alike (everyone from Nick Cave to Ed Sheeran have shared its stage).
Feel like you’ve barely scratched Dublin’s surface? You have. But don’t worry, you can wake up and try again tomorrow. Just be sure to tell your waiter in the morning you need The Cure. They’ll know how to put you right in time for more fun in Dublin.
