Exploring the Homeland: Dublin Favorites
Given my Irish heritage, Dublin has always been at the top of the bucket list. If you're including it on your next European escapade, I would highly recommend starting here. Not only was it one of the cheapest transatlantic flights available, but it also provided such an easy transition into the rest of Europe. The people couldn't be nicer, and almost everything was accessibly by foot. That coupled with the breathtaking beauty of the Emerald Isle made for a fantastic start to the trip!
Here's the video from our first stop! (All my Dublin recommendations + details are listed below):
WHERE WE STAYED:
Forget the hotels. If you go to Dublin, you HAVE to stay with Susan. She was by far our favorite Airbnb host of the trip. Her place was charming, immaculate, and perfectly located. Susan gave us tons of local recommendations and convinced us to go on a day trip to Howth (see below), which was one of our favorite parts of the entire trip. Oh, and she ALSO cooked us homemade breakfast every morning on her Irish stove... we're still dreaming about those eggs and sourdough toast!
FOOD YOU SHOULD TRY:
Meet Me In The Morning - Coziest coffee, brunch, and lunch spot named after Bob Dylan song. Unpretentious atmosphere with super genuine staff. Excellent way to start the day!
Bunsen Burger - Simple + delicious. The only thing on the menu is a burger and fries and they do them damn well.
The Bakehouse - Cutest eatery for baked goods and sandwiches. They have everything you'll want for a tasty brunch or a quick afternoon snack.
Beshoff Bros - Go to the one in Howth for lunch if you take the 1/2 day trip. Don't forget to get the lemon to squeeze on top! It's fresh and delicious, and steps from the sea.
Blazing Salads - Local vegetarian deli that specializes in healthy, wholesome foods. Prepared fresh every morning with seasonal ingredients. Would recommend even if you're not vegetarian!
DON'T LEAVE DUBLIN WITHOUT...
A tour of the Guinness Storehouse - Worth all the hype!
A 1/2 day trip to Howth (small fishing town right outside of Dublin) - Take a morning DART train from Connolly (~30 min) and wear your gym shoes to hike up the cliff path. Finish with an iced tea and some fish & chips for lunch. You won't regret it - the views are spectacular!
A visit to Trinity College/The Book of Kells
A walk through St. Stephen's Green
Foley's Bar- A little biased because of the name... but seriously such a fun spot! Grab a pint and enjoy the music. Right next to St. Stephen's Green and away from the craziness of Temple Bar.
*These are just a few of our favorites from Dublin. If we had more time, we would have ventured out to Phoenix Park and Kilmainham Gaol (Dublin Jail) or the Cliffs of Moher. But next time (yes... already planning our return) we want to stay in Ireland for a week and rent a car to explore the rest of the country. Lastly, I highly recommend buying a LEAP card for all your public transportation needs. It's basically an unlimited public transportation pass for visitors. You can use it on the airport shuttles, buses, the DART, and more.
Who's booking their next trip to Ireland?