This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Dublin.
Dublin, Ireland -- as the capital and largest city in beautiful Ireland -- has a lot to offer visitors. For international visitors, Dublin may conjure up images of leprechauns and Guinness -- and if that’s the case, then you won’t be disappointed. Even though Dublin has much more to it than this, you are still able to indulge in Irish stereotypes while in the city. The National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland is based in Dublin. Here you can explore Irish folklore and mythology to your heart’s content.
Dublin is a well-known and well-establish tourist destination. It's known for its lively pubs and night-life and wide array of museums and tourist attractions. The city also serves the main entry point to Ireland and has connections to the widest array of regions in rest of the country of any Irish city.
Hostels in Dublin are plentiful, though during peak travel times it can be hard to find beds (Easter, St. Patrick's, and some of the summer). Check out the quality and size of the dorm of your Dublin hostel. There are places that clearly market themselves as party-hostels; these will be fun if you want to really hit the town. If your content with meeting some locals on your own, and a more low-key night out at the pub, check that the dorm isn't huge as many in the city are, since with so many people here to go out, its likely that someone will be a drunken mess and wake you up stumbling in.
Location-wise, its notable that central Dublin is walkable; Dublin is big but mostly suburbs. Most hostels are located in the center and most areas are equally decent. Public transportation is not as thorough as in many European cities of the same size, but the bus network is very good, especially to the airport. Dublin Bus routes 16A and 41 are a bit slower than other routes, but the cheapest options into town at €2 a ride. The city has 24 postal codes, with the lowest ones being at the center. This can help you figure out if a place is central or not.
If a tasty tipple is more your style, you need to get your mouth around a pint of Guinness. While obviously, you could just head down to most pubs and get an authentic drop, you should also venture over to the Guinness Storehouse -- this brewery will give you a tour, teaching you all about the brewing process of the iconic drink. If you want to check off a few more breweries and bars while in town, worth a go are the John Jameson Distillery, Brannigan’s Bar, and The Porterhouse Brewing Company.
The Dublin Region’s natural scenery is simply breathtaking, and to not thoroughly explore it while visiting the area would be a fool’s move. Within close proximity to Dublin there are a number of places to consider. Take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher for a view you won’t believe. You could also take a tour of Blarney Castle and Cork, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, or Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Some of the area has been used to film the addictively popular TV series "Game Of Thrones", so if you’re a fan, there’s even more reason to explore the surrounds. You can even take a tour that specifically takes you to all the filming locations if that’s something you’re interested in.
In Dublin, there are also a number of museums and monuments, which tell the story of the city’s rich past. These include the Irish Whiskey Museum, The Famine Sculpture, the monument to Oscar Wilde, and the Dublin Writers Museum.
There are many Dublin, Ireland hostels available at a range of price points. However, as Dublin is a popular tourist destination and on some occasions it can get really busy, booking a Dublin Region, Ireland hostel in advance is recommended, particularly if you’re on a budget are aiming to secure the cheapest hostel price possible.
Written by local enthusiast for Dublin hostels
Carl
