Dublin's most delightful experiences

Dublin is a city that wears everything on its sleeve, from its fascinating and rich history to its brilliant personality. It’s easy to fall for the charming, crazy and laid-back Irish capital—one that is a harmonious blend of Victorian pubs, elegant Georgian town houses and glittering modern buildings.

On a summer’s evening, when the bustling crowds have gone for the day, there’s hardly a more delightful place in Dublin than the grounds of Ireland’s most prestigious university. The college campus is a masterpiece of classical and contemporary buildings interspersed with elegant gardens that are perfect for a lazy stroll.

If you’re looking for a castle in the traditional sense, Dublin Castle isn’t it. The stronghold of British power in Ireland for 700 years, it is more of an 18th century mix-n-match palace than a medieval castle.

Many a wild night has been had within the cobbled precincts of Temple Bar, Dublin's most visited neighbourhood. A maze of streets and alleys, the charming destination is not all about beer and parties – you can also browse for vintage clothes, check out the latest art installations and even watch outdoor movies.

The most popular stop in Dublin is the beer-lover’s Disneyland, a homage to the country’s most famous export and the city’s most recognisable symbol. The Guinness Storehouse is a high-tech museum that tells the story of Guinness, Dublin’s iconic dark beer.

Dublin and Guinness are so inextricably linked that it’s hard to imagine a trip to the city without sampling the national brew. Whether you join an organized pub-crawl to indulge in a drinking tour of your favourite haunts or simply follow the locals to the nearest pub, there’s no better way to experience Dublin.

From flipping through the first editions of Joyce at the Dublin Writers Museum to climbing a gigantic chair in the Alice in Wonderland-style room at the National Leprechaun Museum—museum hopping in Dublin is like opening one big treasure chest after another.

Slip on your trainers and head to one of the largest city parks in Europe—Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The park is the best spot to join locals while they jog, cycle and go about their daily lives. You could also spend the day strolling around the Dublin Zoo, which is home to the lion that roars at the start of MGM films.

A long standing Dublin landmark, the Ha’Penny Bridge is the oldest pedestrian crossing over the River Liffey. Officially known as Liffey Bridge, Ha’Penny acquired its nickname from the half-penny toll levied on all users of the bridge up until 1919.

St Patrick’s Day is the ultimate celebration of all things Irish, so what better place to join the revelry than Dublin. For five days, the city is taken over with festivities including street theatre, live music events, an enormous street carnival and flowing beer to keep the crowds entertained.

Dublin is all about exploring the streets with a pint of Guinness in hand. A treasure trove of great architecture and even greater adventures, Dublin is a colossally entertaining city, all the more astonishing considering its intimate size.