[Irish Week] 48 Hours in Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath), Ireland

Last Post for Irish Week!!

Quick news before heading to the last post of this Irish week...
I just heard Galway city has been nominated as 2020 European Capital of Culture and I couldn't be happier for such a well deserved accomplishment! 
Go Galway!

If you're planning a weekend getaway in the Irish capital (or anywhere else in Ireland) let me give you the key tip: you've to keep in mind that (regardless of the season) the weather there changes quite often from sunny to windy to rainy ecc ecc...and, even if Dublin is dryier than most of Irish west coast's cities, an umbrella would be more an hindrance than a proper help. Only one piece of clothing will be your most valuable alley: the raincoat!

After saying so, let's get to business: here are my top things to see and where to eat in Dublin! 
I would have loved to share my personal photos while there, but I'm not a great photograper, so I'll pass this time....but I'm learing! - The only who's mine it the one inside Old Library - 

Phoenix Park: is the biggest city park in the EU; 1½ times bigger than Central Park in New York and 3 times bigger than the entire principality of Monaco. 
There you can visit the Dublin zoo or just take a walk throught the park, it's massive!
When I was there I took a break at "Tea Room", a simple and petite bar just near the zoo entrance. The food and beverage are really good and aren't overly expensive, but the most attractive thing about this place is its interior design: so cute, it reminds me of the cartoon scenes in "Mary Poppins".

Trinity College and the Old Library: you CAN'T leave Dublin without seeing its famous university. It is worth a visit, even just for the externals: the campus and the park inside the walls can easily compete with the American ones. If you're a bookworm, then you should definitely visit the Old Library: it has an impressive collections of books (one of the largest in the EU). It's breath taking, but unfortunately the second floor is closed to tourists.

Another tip for bookworms: Free Wee Library

Temple Bar: is probably the best known area of Dublin, with all the pubs and bars. During daytime it may looks like a touristic place (and maybe you're right), but the nightlife there is on a whole other level: there are live bands and all sorts of events, it is really a funny place where to spend the evening.
"Brick Alley" cafè in Temple bar --- highly reccomended!

St.Patrick Cathedral: another place you can't leave Dublin without seeing is the Cathedral named after Ireland's patron saint. The gothic church is pretty impressive from the outside already, but the inside is no less...Even if Ireland is mainly a Catholic country, St.Patrick Cathedral is actually a Protestant church.

St Stephen's Green is a beautiful park in Dublin and, even if MUCH smaller than Phoenix park, it's worth a visit. During summertime, concerts and other sorts of pubic gatherings happpen in there and the surrroundings make you forget you're in a city.

A few tips...

If you opt to have all your meal outside your hotel/hostel here a few places where to go:

Breakfast at "Kylemore" (not expensive at all) or "Anne's Backery". These are both in Shop Street.

Lunch at Panem, for a quick sandwich or an easy lunch.

Dublin Sightseeing buses are extremly handy and you can jump on and off it as many times as you'll like. I don't know if I was lucky or all tour guides are alike, anyway mine were interesting and funny.

Dublin is well served from and to the airport, with buses leaving from various stops in the city centre and out every 15/20 minutes. From the city centre to the airport it's 30/40 minutes by bus.


Here other travel bloggers tips on what to do in Dublin - 

A quick guide to Dublin - world of Wonderlust 
How to spend a week in Dublin - That Backpacker
A rainy Dublin travel diary - Perhaps Bananas
10 Terrific places you MUST experience in Dublin - Hand Luggage Only

This is it...Irish Week is over and I hope you liked the idea as much as I liked Ireland!
Slán leat!

Song Of The Day : Paradise by Coldplay

Photo credits: walksireland.com, travel.sygic.com, blog.volagratis.com & q-park.ie