Dublin Holiday Guide

Several UK airports put on daily flights to Dublin Airport, which take about an hour from London or Scotland and not much more than half that from northern England. The Irish carrier Ryanair regularly puts on good-value flights to the city, though if you have the time, it is well worth taking the ferry over from Liverpool or Holyhead.

Once you're there, Dublin is such a size that it is best explored on foot or on bicycle, though the extensive bus system, trains and Luas trams should ensure an easy and efficient passage around the city.

Dublin has a few beaches of note, some of which hold Blue Flag status. The beaches at Balbriggan, where seals can sometimes be spotted, and Donabate, which is home to some impressive sand dunes and rock pools, are two such beaches.

The beaches at Killiney and Seapoint, to the south of the city, also come recommended; the latter enjoys some excellent Irish Sea waves popular with surfers.

There are plenty of attractions to suit everyone's taste in Ireland's capital city, especially those who like their culture. The city is dotted with impressive buildings both old and new, and is home to a number of museums and galleries. Though the recently constructed Spire on O'Connell Street divides opinion, it is an imposing sight and can be seen from most parts of the city. More traditional structures in the city include the Dublin Castle and the two cathedrals, Christ Church and St Patrick's.

Dublin is also home to the National Gallery and the National Museum of Ireland, both of which contain many historical works of art and artefacts. Fans of more contemporary pieces, meanwhile, should head to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The Guinness Museum and the Old Jameson distillery are also popular draws, not least due to the locally made wares you can sample there.

Ireland's natural beauty and friendly charm should mean that, whichever direction you take out of Dublin, you're sure to be charmed. An excellent place to start is Wicklow, south of Dublin. Due to its gorgeous scenery and hills, the county is known as "the garden of Ireland", and is an excellent area for hiking. North of the city, the megalithic tombs in Meath also provide some fascinating views.

Southern cities such as Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford are well worth exploring, as is the beautiful scenery in Cork, while Ireland's west coast offers some spectacular scenery that has to be seen to be believed. Heading north, the stunning Bluestack Mountains in County Donegal are considered by many to be Ireland's natural jewel in the crown.

Whatever your culinary taste, there are plenty of places to eat in Dublin - though many restaurants are admittedly quite expensive. If you fancy a spot of lunch but are unsure what you're in the mood for, a good place to start is the Epicurean Food Hall, a lively venue which houses shops and stalls selling cuisine and wines from all over the world.

Elsewhere, L'Gueuleton, with its extensive menu and competitive prices, is a popular draw, while the area around Parnell Street contains a multitude of Asian and Chinese restaurants. Slightly further afield, a trip to Johnnie Fox's pub in the Dublin Mountains is recommended. This pub, about a 30-minute drive from the city, can lay claim to being the highest in Ireland, and puts on an excellent menu, including colcannon soup, an Irish delicacy.

Not surprisingly in a country renowned for its impossibly friendly people and its love of the "craic", Dublin is known for its vibrant nightlife. With its numerous pubs, bars and clubs, the city's famous Temple Bar area is an obvious place to start, though any watering hole you try in the city will likely do the trick.
For a more traditional taste of the local nightlife, head to pubs such as O'Shea's or O'Donoghue's, where Irish music can often be heard. And if you're not with a large crowd, head to Dawson Lounge, a cosy pub which is said to be the smallest in Ireland. It is a general rule of thumb; however, that any pub you see with an Irish name will offer you efficient service, a great atmosphere and Guinness that tastes better than in any other country.

There is a healthy mixture of outlets in Dublin selling a wide variety of items that make ideal gifts or souvenirs. Grafton Street, and Henry Street and Talbot Street, are the main areas, while shopping centres such as the Jervis and the Ilac punctuate the city.
The cosmopolitan range of goods at the Moore Street Mall is worth checking out; if you're looking for some authentic Irish goods while on holiday there, however, pick up some Aran sweaters in the Donegal Shop, which is located in Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, or some gorgeous Irish glassware, which can be found in many shops all over the city.

There are plenty of attractions for holiday goers in Dublin that the whole family will enjoy, not least Dublin Zoo, where all manner of exotic creatures can be seen. Prices for family tickets start from a very reasonable €43.50
Kids will also love taking a Viking Splash tour, a journey around the city on an amphibious craft which at points takes to the waters of the Liffey. And fittingly, in the birthplace of Bram Stoker - the author of Dracula - the city also hosts a tour on a "Ghost Bus", which takes in Dublin's spookier spots.