As a newbie to Ireland, the first stop on my month long trip was of course, Dublin. I ended up spending quite some time in and around the beautiful city on the River Liffey and have compiled some tips and ideas on how to navigate it easily. Of course, this is all based on personal experience and there are far more places online to find guides to the city, but what I can say about my time spent in Dublin: it was easy to do as a first time solo traveler and 19 year old millennial.
To Sleep and Stay:
I stayed in around the Trinity College neighborhood area of Dublin and it was magical. It is close to all of the action being so centrally located and it provides easy access to Trinity College itself, which is a beautiful campus home to the Book of Kells. From South Fredrick Street I could walk to Grafton Street (one of the most popular shopping districts), Merrion Square (beautiful park) and the waterfront Quay district.
$$$ While I wouldn't recommend this hotel for budget travelers, The Trinity Lodge was the perfect mix of old time charm and luxury accommodation. The best part about it was that it is walking distance from all the best parts of south Dublin.
$-$$$ Another option is AirBnB. I tried this out the second time I was visiting the city for two nights and found it to be a great option for student travelers or those on a budget. You can easily find well priced apartments that cut down on the cost of living because most are equipped houses with kitchens and bedrooms where you can prepare your own meals and share space with friends. I split the cost of the two bedroom apartment with 6 other friends and we all had a great time spending our mornings in the apartment and days out on the town. Just be wary of timing -- book well enough in advance that you don't get charged higher prices because of last minute booking!
To Do:
There is so much to do in Dublin, like any other great city, so here are just a few of my favorite places and things to see and do. If you are based in the Trinity College area then the whole city is yours to explore. Start by strolling through Merrion Square park on a sunny morning and take time to lounge in the grass or get some of the much needed sun rays while sitting on a park bench. You're going to want to walk over to Grafton Street, even if you aren't one for big crowds. The major pedestrian shopping center is open enough that you don't feel too claustrophobic and short enough to be seen and done in a quick stop. PRO TIP: Don't get caught up in the glitz and glamour of the fancy stores as almost every shop on this street is high priced. Gaze, but don't spend if you're looking to stay on a budget because you're wallet can easily go right out the window if you're not careful. A must see is Christ Church Cathedral which exhibits some beautiful gothic style architecture. Stop and sit in the grass on the lawn outside, or take time to attend a mass in this sacred, special place. For any fans of the HBO series "The Tudors" definitely check out Dublin Castle where some chapel scenes were filmed for the show. The castle offers affordable tours that lead through years and layers of history dating back to the Vikings! Lastly, PLEASE take advantage of the FREE admission to the National Galleries of Ireland that are in Dublin. I checked out the National Gallery of Art and with my free ticket I got to see pieces by Vermeer, Monet and Picasso. It was every art history major's dream.
To Eat:
Perhaps the most important part, where to eat. It is easy to eat well in this city, that is for sure. For delicious and healthy grub to satisfy any true veggie lover you have to try Cornucopia right off of the main Grafton Street shopping area. It is fresh, loaded with colorful options and everything is vegetarian or vegan! Needless to say, I went back as many times as I could during my time in Dublin. For a quick on the go meal try KC Peaches which has many locations around the city. Their fixed price boxes allow you to fill to the top with goodness, buffet style. For a more expensive, last-night-in-Dublin kind of meal try Toscana City Center Italian restaurant. The service is great and you have to try the Bruschetta.
Overall, the best thing about Dublin is that it is doable as a young traveler and is most fun experienced with friends. Take this as a note to add to your bucket list!
