Ireland: 5 Highlights & More Tips

When people think of Ireland, most probably envision lush green pastures, grazing cows, and the rugged Atlantic coastline – a picture often painted by popular ads.
In this post, we want to show you that the Emerald Isle has so much more to offer.
Plus, we’ll reveal the must-visit spots for a first or short stay to give you a well-rounded impression of Ireland.

1. EXPLORING DUBLIN

Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is relatively small compared to other European capitals, with a population of about one million.
The city lies right by the water and is divided by the river Liffey, which separates the traditionally working-class neighborhoods in the north from the wealthier areas in the south.

The Irish are famous for their friendliness and love of small talk – you can walk through the streets and start a conversation with anyone.
Often, it feels like chatting with an old friend, delving into topics that go beyond the usual weather talk.

GETTING AROUND DUBLIN

Dublin’s center can be comfortably explored on foot within a few hours. But to venture into the suburbs, consider public transport, a bike, or a rental car.
For frequent travel within the city, look into one of the many discounted transit passes.

For a weekend trip, the Freedom Ticket is perfect. For about $45, you get 72 hours of access to regular buses and convenient hop-on-hop-off buses – starting from the airport.
This deal is especially economical as the airport transfer alone costs around $10 for a round trip.
It’s best to buy the ticket online in advance, then exchange it at the airport for the original ticket so you can start using it immediately without searching for a ticket counter.

Our Tip: If you’re arriving late at night, consider carefully whether to activate the Freedom Ticket immediately, as the 72-hour period begins upon first use.

Explore Dublin by bike in good weather. Like other major cities, Dublin offers an affordable bike rental system with many stations where you can pick up a bike and drop it off at another station.

‍How the bike rental works: Register directly at the bike station, where you can choose either a 3-day or annual ticket.
Payment is made by credit card, with a security deposit held in case the bike isn’t returned within 24 hours.
After returning the bike, the final cost, based on usage duration, is charged along with other fees.

‍Important Note: Be mindful of Ireland’s left-hand driving rule!

Another option is the LUAS (Dublin’s light rail). However, note that it has only two lines and doesn’t cover every point in the city.
It mainly serves to bring people from the suburbs into the city center, where they continue by bus or on foot since parking is scarce throughout Dublin.

2. DUBLIN’S ATTRACTIONS

TRINITY COLLEGE

Trinity College is located in the heart of Dublin. If your Hop-On-Hop-Off-Bus stops here, get off to explore this magical spot!

The campus is especially enchanting in the evening when most students have left. Inside and out, it feels like stepping into a Harry Potter film.

The Long Room in the old library was our personal highlight. Take your time to soak in the ambiance of this unique room, with its antique shelves and thousands of books – a truly one-of-a-kind experience, enhanced by a touch of Harry Potter magic.

A student-led tour (despite the $34 price) is worth it. Not only can you see the legendary 1,200-year-old Book of Kells, but you’ll also hear fascinating anecdotes from students’ own experiences.

THE GUINNESS BREWERY

The huge Guinness Brewery, located right in central Dublin, impresses with its beautiful brick façade. But the heart of the experience is inside the building.
There, you can take a guided tour through the beer’s “sacred halls”. Not only will you learn about the ingredients needed to brew Guinness, but you’ll also find out why the beer is so dark. Finally, you’ll get a chance to learn the proper way to pour a Guinness, followed by a tasting in the on-site Guinness Bar.

‍Tip: Buy your ticketonline in advance to secure your desired tour time.

THE MONUMENT OF LIGHT

The Monument of Light (known to locals as “The Spire”) stands where the Nelson’s Pillar once was before it was destroyed by the IRA in 1966.
It’s located in the heart of the city; walk down the main shopping street, and you’ll come right to it. Snap a photo from a distance to capture the entire monument.

Next door is the beautiful old General Post Office, which doesn’t look like a post office at first glance.

SHOPPING IN DUBLIN

Shopping in Dublin is fantastic, with two main shopping streets and several large malls located in the city center.
‍Henry Street begins at the Monument of Light, where you’ll find popular clothing stores like Mango and H&M.
The charming Grafton Street starts near Trinity College and ends at St. Stephen’s Green. Here, you’ll find a mix of smaller boutiques, large fashion stores, and a luxury department store.
If you’re there around Christmas, don’t miss the festive window displays at Brown Thomas.
At the end of Grafton Street, you’ll find the St. Stephens Green Shopping-Center – worth a look for its beautiful glass and metal architecture.

ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN PARK

Dublin, like all of Ireland, is full of green spaces and parks. At the end of Grafton Street, you’ll find St. Stephen’s Green Park, with lakes, fountains, flower beds, and wide lawns – perfect for a break. At lunchtime, it’s a favorite spot for locals from nearby offices to relax and enjoy their lunch.

Another park worth visiting is Phoenix Park, not only Dublin’s largest but also one of Europe’s largest inner-city parks.

DUBLIN’S GRAND CANAL

The Grand Canal (Irish: Chanail Mhór) is a 130-kilometer canal with 52 locks stretching from Dublin to the Shannon River.
It’s ideal for a relaxing stroll or bike ride through Dublin’s green spaces. On a nice day, you can walk along the banks and enjoy a cold pint.

Pub Tip: The Barge is a perfect spot to relax by the water with a freshly poured Guinness – an ideal place to enjoy the relaxed Grand Canal atmosphere.

PUBS & PINTS

No trip to Ireland is complete without a visit to the pubs for a pint! The Temple Bar district is famous for its Irish pubs where you can enjoy your drink with traditional music.
Although this area is touristy and slightly pricier, it’s still worth a visit. Aim to go in the afternoon, when the streets are lively but not yet crowded with tourists, as they will be in the evening.

For a more authentic experience, head to The Celt pub to drink a reasonably priced beer with locals and enjoy live Irish music in a relaxed atmosphere.
Pubs generally close around 1 am, so they tend to fill up early.

DUBLIN’S DOORS

Dublin’s colorful doors, mostly in Georgian style from the 18th and 19th centuries, are a delight to see.
Ask locals about their meaning, and you’ll hear different stories – you can decide which ones to believe!

You’ll find these charming doors on streets like Merrion Square, Leeson Street, Lower Gardiner Street, and Summerhill Street.

OUR SUNSET TIP

For a stunning sunset photo, head to the Poolbeg Lighthouse Pier. From here, you’ll have a fantastic view of the harbor and lighthouse.
It’s still a hidden gem among locals, as public transport doesn’t reach it, so there are fewer tourists.

The best way to get to the lighthouse is by car, as it’s a long walk from the city. There’s a quiet beach behind the harbor, ideal for a peaceful walk – but only at low tide.

2. THE HOWTH PENINSULA

The Howth Peninsula is about 20 kilometers north of Dublin. You can reach it in about 15 minutes by car or around 25 minutes by DART train.
If the weather cooperates, we highly recommend a trip there. The charming coastal town of Howth, with its small harbor, is one of Dublin’s most popular day-trip destinations.

In Howth, you have many options: enjoy fresh fish in one of the many restaurants, relax in a pub, stroll along the harbor pier, or take the approximately 8-kilometer Howth Cliff Walk, which leads to Baily Lighthouse.
The views along the walk and at the lighthouse are breathtaking, offering spectacular panoramic coastal views.

GOOD WEATHER TIP

Take one of the tourist boats from Howth Harbor to the small, uninhabited island of Ireland’s Eye.
This beautiful island lies north of Howth and offers stunning views of Dublin and the vast sea. The trip takes about 10 minutes, and boats depart every 30 minutes.

We recommend visiting Ireland’s Eye only in good weather, as there are no shelters on the island.
We spent about 1.5 hours on the island, enjoying the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

3. THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS

The Wicklow Mountains, also known as Ireland’s “Garden”, are a national park south of Dublin, ideal for numerous hikes amid breathtaking nature.
One of the most famous trails is the Wicklow Way, one of Ireland’s oldest and most beautiful hiking trails.
Spanning around 130 kilometers, it runs from Marlay Park on the outskirts of Dublin to Clonegal in County Carlow, passing through the picturesque Wicklow Mountains.

If you’re spending more time in the Wicklow Mountains, you should definitely visit the 121-meter-high Powerscourt Waterfall on the Dargle River near Enniskerry.

If you’ve seen the movie P.S. I Love You, you might remember the scene where Holly and Gerry meet for the first time – filmed on the Sally Gap Drive in the Wicklow Mountains, another highlight in this stunning landscape.

A lake full of Guinness – that’s Lake Lough Tay in the Wicklow Mountains. With a bit of imagination, the lake, with its dark waters and bright sandy beach, resembles a freshly poured glass of Guinness. For this reason, it’s also called "The Guinness Lake". The white sandy beach represents the frothy head on the black beer.

Fittingly, the land surrounding the lake belongs to the Guinness family, making the nickname even more appropriate.
Although the area is private property, you can enjoy stunning views of this unique lake from nearby vantage points.

4. THE CITY OF GALWAY

About 200 kilometers from Dublin and a 2.5-hour drive away, Galway is a charming, quintessentially Irish small city.
With its many narrow streets, pubs on every corner, cozy restaurants, and numerous street musicians, the city has a unique vibe.

The Latin Quarter is the cultural heart of Galway. The area is bustling day and night, and you can’t miss this lively district.
We decided to stop in Galway for half a day on our way to the Cliffs of Moher.

If you’re considering staying longer, go for it! Galway is a perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts, with wonderful day trips possible along the Atlantic coast, both north and south.

5. THE CLIFFS OF MOHER

What would a guide to Ireland be without mentioning the famous Cliffs of Moher? This breathtaking natural wonder is located on Ireland’s southwest coast near the charming town of Doolin. The cliffs rise almost 214 meters straight out of the Atlantic and stretch for about eight kilometers.

While not the tallest cliffs in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are among the most famous and popular sights. The stunning views while walking along the cliffs are unforgettable.
You could spend hours there, watching the waves crashing against the rocks.

From Dublin, there are almost daily day trips to these cliffs, about 270 kilometers away. The drive takes around 2.5 hours by car.
There’s a parking lot on-site that costs $10 per person, which includes the entrance fee. Other parking options are limited unless you’re willing to walk several kilometers.
To save money, consider dropping off passengers first and then parking alone.

Our Tip: The best time to visit the Cliffs of Moher is in the evening, just before sunset.
Depending on the weather, you might experience a breathtaking sunset over the cliffs, often without the crowds. Check sunset times in advance.

6. BEST TIME TO VISIT IRELAND

Fact: Ireland is a fairly rainy island, and summer temperatures rarely exceed 25°C, remaining pleasantly mild.
Coastal areas often experience strong winds, and the air is generally very humid. But don’t worry – it’s not constantly rainy, and it doesn’t rain continuously.

From May to September, there is comparatively little rain, and temperatures are very comfortable.
During our visit in early July, it didn’t rain at all. Snow is rare in Ireland, and winter temperatures average between 2 and 8°C.

The key takeaway: No matter the season, always bring an umbrella, a rain jacket, and closed shoes!

7. GETTING TO IRELAND

Flying is by far the easiest and quickest way to reach Ireland. Direct flights to Dublin are available from many major international airports.
Alternatively, you can fly to cities like Cork or Belfast, although these flights are often more expensive and less frequent than those to Dublin.
For comparing flights, skyscanner.com is a great resource.

Our Tip: If you’re heading to Dublin and want an affordable way into the city, take bus number 747, which departs right outside the airport.
For about $6, it takes you to the city center in around 25 minutes. Buying a round-trip ticket costs only $10.
The bus stops at several points, so remember to press the stop button to ensure it doesn’t pass your stop.

Another option for travelers coming from Europe is to take a ferry from France. The ferry ports in Roscoff and Cherbourg are among the most convenient choices for reaching Ireland.
Ferries usually depart in the evening and take about 20 hours to reach Ireland.

8. CURRENCY & PRICES

Ireland uses the Euro. However, cross into Northern Ireland, and you’ll need British Pounds. If you’re out of cash, don’t worry; credit cards are widely accepted throughout Ireland.

Prices in Ireland are generally comparable to those in many European countries. However, due to transport and import costs, there’s often a small surcharge on various items.
This means groceries or restaurant meals may cost slightly more than in other countries. Cigarettes, in particular, are significantly more expensive in Ireland.

9. GENERAL TIPS & INFO FOR IRELAND

• Time: Ireland operates on Western European Time (WET), which is one hour behind Central European Time (CET). For example, when it’s 12 pm in Italy, it’s 11 am in Ireland.
• Electricity & Adapters: Ireland uses British-style plug types (Type G), so a travel adapter may be necessary depending on your country's plug standard.
  The voltage is 220 volts, which is compatible with many regions worldwide.
• Left-Hand Traffic: Ireland drives on the left, with car steering wheels on the right. For renting a car, you must be at least 21. We booked our rental car through rentalcars.com.
• Safety: Although Ireland is beautiful and the Irish are warm-hearted, there’s a relatively high crime rate. While gang-related violence can occur, tourists generally have no reason to worry. Avoid certain areas at night, and you’ll likely stay safe. Interestingly, the Irish police, known as the Gardaí, are unarmed, which is rare in Europe.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• The best Travel Guides for Dublin
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Dublin

‍

Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.