Dublin in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Travelling to Ireland and stopping in Dublin for 1 day? You have a long stopover in Dublin and don't want to miss the chance to visit the Irish capital? Dublin is a city brimming with attractions, although it is possible to see the essential in just one day. Monuments, gastronomy, incredible urban environments... All of this will occupy us from morning to night and I'm going to show it to you as a proposal in chronological sequence. Come on!

A spectacular place to start the day. It is not a very long street (barely 500 metres) but it has a great urban life. Its pavements are very wide, making it perfect for strolling. There, on its numerous terraces, you can recharge your batteries with a good breakfast. Once you've finished, head towards the River Liffey.

O'Connell Street has several charms and curiosities. Almost all are related to Ireland's turbulent history and independence from the UK. The most interesting are the following:

• Spire Monument: at 120 metres, this is one of the largest urban sculptures in Europe.
• Central Post Office: a very emblematic place of Irish identity and history. It was here that the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed in 1916.
• Monuments to the heroes of independence: sculptures dedicated to the great men who were the architects of Irish independence. The ones dedicated to Charles Parnell, James Larkin and Sir John Gray stand out.

By the way, hiring a guided tour of Dublin can be a good way to get to know all these emblematic places. In just 1 hour and 15 minutes, and without having to worry about finding directions.

Facts and Figures

If you prefer to visit this part of the city at a different time of day, keep an eye on shop opening times. Perhaps one of your objectives is to window shop, go into the shops and even do some shopping. Opening hours in Dublin can be quite different from what we are used to in Spain. So, take good note:

• Small and medium-sized shops: They are often open from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 and 18:00 hours. On Thursdays, depending on the shop, they may extend their opening hours.
• Department stores: Department stores open at a similar time to the rest of the shops but close a little later, around 20:00 or 21:00.

A few minutes' leisurely stroll down O'Donnell Street will take you to the O'Donnell Bridge. Built in the late 18th century, this is one of the most interesting bridges in the city.

It is made of granite and has a very striking peculiarity: the O'Connell Bridge is wider than it is long. Once you've enjoyed the view of the river, cross it and head down D'Olier Street. In a few minutes it will take you to one of the city's must-see sights: Trinity College.

Fancy a different view of the River Liffey? Book a 45 minute sightseeing cruise around Dublin for a new perspective on the city's sights.

Useful facts

and tips

If you are tempted by the idea of following this itinerary, here are just a few tips to help you make the most of it. Above all because of the cold and the humidity (more intense the closer you are to the river). Here is some advice on how to do it:

• October to January: The rainiestmonths. If you visit Dublin at this time, take a mackintosh or hooded jacket with you.
• November, December and January: The coldest months. Temperatures in Dublin in the winter can drop to as low as 5 degrees Celsius. Warm clothing is a must if you don't want to freeze in the cold and damp of the river.

Founded in the 16th century, it is Ireland's oldest university and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. But probably the best thing is inside. Trinity College is home to the famous Book of Kells, one of the most famous medieval manuscripts for its illustrations and artistic wealth.

Its library will ring a bell. No wonder, given that Harry Potter's Hogwarts School was inspired by it. In fact, it may be one of the most famous libraries in the world for the beauty of its space, and above all for the thousands of books it holds! No more and no less than 200,000 books.

Interesting facts

Trinity College opening hours and prices are as follows:

• From May to September: Open from Monday to Saturday between 08:30 and 17:00. Sunday opening hours are 09:30 to 17:00.
• From October to April: Open from Monday to Saturday between 09:30 and 17:00 hours and on Sundays between 12:00 and 17:00 hours.
• Prices: You can buy a ticket from €12.

Maybe it's time to think about a bite to eat. There are plenty of places to do this in Dublin, but I'm going to recommend one because of its proximity to Trinity College, the interesting itinerary that will take you there, and most importantly, the opportunity it will give you to have a good stew cooked in Guinness beer. The restaurant is the famous Landmarks.

Take South George's Street and you will arrive at the restaurant. On your itinerary you will pass the famous Molly Malone sculpture, one of the emblems of traditional Irish culture and musical folklore. The Landmarks is a pleasure for the palate but also for the eyes, especially because of the late 19th century building in which it is located.

Yes, I know, what I am going to tell you now will take you a few hours, but if you are a fan of Guinness beer you should know that in Dublin you have the possibility to do an Irish beer tour with entrance to the Guinness Storehouse!

Interesting details and prices

• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 23:30, Fridays and Saturdays from 15:00 to 00:30 and Sundays from 12:30 to 23:00.
• Prices: You can have one of their stews from €12.

Just a 5 minute walk from Landmarks is St Stephen's Green, one of Dublin's finest parks. A 9 hectare green expanse with about 3.5 km of paths and 19th century style. Its most interesting places are the following:

• The memorial to James Joyce: Undoubtedly the most relevant Irish author in history.
• Yeats Memorial: Another of Ireland's literary greats, especially in the lyric genre.
• The lake: The best place to sit for a while and enjoy a meal with great views. It is located in the centre of the park.

Once you have recharged your batteries, you can set off to continue your exploration of Dublin. More specifically Dublin Castle, 15 minutes away. And, on the way, you can see St. Patrick's Cathedral, in Gothic style and one of the key places in Irish history.

Useful information

opening times and admission

If you have decided to visit, admission to St Stephens Green is completely free. The opening times are as follows:

• Monday to Saturday: Open between 07:00 and sunset.
• Sundays and public holidays: Open from 07:30 hours to sunset.

Regarding St. Patrick's Cathedral, these are the facts you need to know:

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00. On Saturdays and Sundays opening hours vary depending on religious services and special liturgical events.
• Entrance fee: You can enter the Cathedral from €7.

Another of the city's landmark monuments. Above all for its historical significance, although it is also of great artistic quality. Dublin Castle was built at the end of the 12th century, although today the most medieval thing we can see is its tower. The rest has been eclectically rebuilt due to a fire in the 17th century.

The historical interest is absolute because it sums up centuries and centuries of Irish history within its walls. From the seat of the Viking settlement on the island to the residence of Irish royalty, Dublin Castle has, over the centuries, incorporated each of these uses, becoming a living testimony to the history of the country.

But don't just look at it from the outside. Its interior is a treasure trove of great artistic wealth. There are several rooms, although the most interesting are the following:

• The Rellano de las Hachas de Guerra (Battle Axe Cellar).
• Throne Room
• James Connolly Hall
• King and Queen's Room

Interesting facts

If you've already decided it's going to be one of the stops on your 1 day Dublin itinerary, here's what to look out for:

• Opening hours: 09:45 to 16:45.
• Duration of visit: A leisurely 45 minute walk will give you a good view.
• Price: Tickets are available from €7.

For many people the Guinness Storehouse is the real Dublin Cathedral. It is not very centrally located but to get there you have several options:

• Once you have left Dublin Castle walk 200 metres to Lord Edward Street and take the 40 bus. Five minutes later get off at James Street and the Guinness Storehouse is just 500 metres away.
• Book a private guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse which includes an expert guide and tasting of various beers.

This seven-storey building is **Dublin'**s most visited landmark. Inside you can discover the following:

• The process of brewing Guinness beer.
• The history of the company from the 18th century to the present day.
• Examples of old and modern advertising for the brand
• The history of the Guinness Book of Records
• Interactive tour where you will learn how to pour (and drink) a good pint

Interesting facts

• Duration of tour: Approximately 90 minutes.
• Timetables: 09:00 to 17:00 in spring, autumn and winter and 09:00 to 19:00 in summer.
• Prices: from 20 €.

In the city centre, more specifically on the riverside, is one of Dublin's most vibrant areas: Temple Bar. A place to immerse yourself in the life of the city through its internationally famous Irish pubs. But that's not all, you can also visit:

• Art galleries.
• Craft shops.
• The Food Market.
• The Book Market.

Hungry after a busy day? Perhaps booking a 4 course dinner of authentic Irish food while enjoying an Irish cabaret show at Taylors Three Rock in Dublin sounds appetising, doesn't it?

Interesting facts

and tips

If you are planning to visit the Food Market for a bite to eat, I advise you to check the opening times. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your experience:

• Opening day: Every Saturday.
• Opening hours: From 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Prices: There's a bit of everything, but street food is available from €3.
• Most of the food is take away.

Once you've had dinner, what better way to end the day than with a stroll along the riverside. Dublin has many bridges, so a good way to see them is to walk around at night.

Many of them are illuminated, as are the buildings that overlook the riverbanks, so I can't think of a better accompaniment to a last stroll around Dublin before heading back to your hotel. Options? Stroll along the riverbank.

My recommendation is to try and see the Samuel Beckett Bridge, another of Dublin's tributes to Irish writers. It was designed by a Spaniard, Santiago Calatrava.

Interesting facts

and tips

• Length of walk: Approximately 30 minutes to Samuel Beckett Bridge.
• Direction: Walk out to the river from Temple Bar and head east.

The Dublin All-Inclusive Pass is a sightseeing pass which, when purchased, allows free entry to 80 of Dublin's most popular attractions. The most important are the following:

• Guinness Storehouse
• Dublin Zoo
• Dublinia
• Dublin Castle
• Rock and Roll Museum
• Malahide Castle

The cost of this card is from €72 for adults and free for children under 12. It's a good way to save money, as it also gives you access to the Big Bus.

Definitely a great option, although it's worth calculating if it's worth it when you're only in town for 1 day: select the attractions you know you're going to visit, do your own calculations and buy your All-Inclusive Dublin Pass if you think it's cost-effective.