Dublin City Guide: Exploring the City in 48 Hours

Here it is, the long-awaited Dublin City Guide!
Note: This post is sponsored by Delta, all opinions are my own.

If you haven’t picked up on my not-so-subtle hints, I recently fell in love with Dublin, Ireland.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a fan of cooler temps, or maybe it’s because the city boasts a bustling little city centre, or maybe it’s simply because Dublin is a beautiful Irish city with so much to do. So much so, in fact, that one weekend is certainly not enough.

But, if you do only have a weekend to explore the city, I’ve got the list for you. I recently ventured over to Dublin with Delta. They launched a Boston to Dublin (direct!) route which makes getting there easy breezy. Really, the toughest parts of the trip were narrowing down which clothes I wanted to bring with me and where we wanted to eat while we were there!

We cozied up on our flights to and from Dublin with ridiculously delicious food, an extensive movie list, and sensational views from the sky. With my fear of flying in check, we enjoyed our smooth flight across the pond and back. Oh yeah, and did I mention that we were in Delta’s lie-flat seats? Yes, that means we were watching movies and flying over the Atlantic as if we were in the comfort of our own bed – albeit one with much better views. Once we arrived in Dublin, I shared a quick post on Instagram asking for some local favorites and oh golly did my friends (both “in real life” and my Instagram friends!) deliver. A few of these new favorite spots came from recommendations, while others we simply stumbled upon during our time in Dublin.

Dublin City Guide

Like I said, Dublin’s full to the brim with things to do, places to go, and neighborhoods to explore. I shared my list of favorite cafés and some super Instagrammable spots, and now I’m even more excited to share a full Dublin City Guide with you!

Where to eat

Hatch & Sons: This spot was so good that when we returned to Dublin for just one evening, it was the only thing on our list. Do yourself a huge favor and get one of the Hatch & Sons sandwiches. Trust me!

Camden Exchange: We grabbed a bite to eat at Camden Exchange after visiting its sister bar, Ruin Bar (or at least, what appears to be its sister bar). Their wings were out of this world. Crossing my fingers that they still have their wings on the menu next time we visit!

Brother Hubbard North: Now this is the spot for breakfast. The menu at Brother Hubbard North may seem a bit eclectic, but oh boy was it delicious. We’d suggest the avocado toast (when would I not suggest the avocado toast?) with a Coffee Cooler Special on the side. It may sound bizarre, but it’s quite delicious and refreshing all in one. Plus….coffee!

The Bull & Castle: The Bull & Castle kept coming up when we were on the search for tasty food in Dublin. While we sadly didn’t get the chance to dine there, it comes highly recommended!

Where to sip

L Mulligan Whiskey Shop: While yes, L Mulligan Whiskey Shop is technically a shop, it’s an exquisite one. It started pouring out of the blue, as it tends to do quite frequently in Dublin, though we were lucky enough to be standing right in front of L Mulligan Whiskey Shop. To escape the rain, and experience a whiskey shop right in the heart of Dublin, we ran in. We were enamored by the walls of beautifully bottled whiskeys and spent about 20 minutes perusing the small shop. If you’re traveling minimally, they have teeny tiny bottles of whiskey, which you can grab for a fun little evening. Plus, they do tastings!

Ruin Bar: The vibe immediately pulled us in at Ruin Bar. In fact, we left our hotel planning to walk back towards Dublin’s city centre and ended up passing by Ruin Bar. We walked by after taking a quick peek in, then turned right back around and grabbed two seats at the bar. They’ve got a healthy list of beers on tap, plus some tasty bar bites – a win-win if there ever was one.

The Long Hall: This spot was a total Irish classic. The Long Hall is one of Dublin’s oldest and most-loved pubs. We settled in late one evening before last call for a Guinness. We repeatedly heard that The Long Hall served the best pour of Guinness in town. To be quite honest, I’m still not sure what that means – but, hey – it was a great little spot and I’d highly recommend it. Especially on a chilly night!

Pichet: If it’s a romantic late night cocktail you’re on the search for, Pichet is the place for you. It’s a small restaurant and cocktail bar, and has a dreamy little vibe about it. Just walk by and you’ll see what we’re talking about!

Also, Camden Exchange could fit in this portion of the list, as well. Perhaps even more so than the food section. They’re known for their creative, infused cocktails and they did not disappoint. Oh boy, did they really not disappoint.

Where to sleep

Clayton Hotel: We stayed at the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, which while it might not be the most flashy spot, it was in an ideal location. It’s situated right on the river and conveniently quite close to an Airlink stop. If you’re flying into the Dublin airport, the Airlink bus is your best bet for affordable transportation to the city. It’s $12 per person (roundtrip!) and drops you off just over a small bridge from the Clayton Hotel.

The Dean: If you’re looking for more of a boutique/modern stay, try The Dean. From the photos alone, it looks like a pretty sweet spot. It has some swanky dining options, and moderately sized rooms. The Dean is also situated quite close to St. Stephen’s Green – one of my favorite Dublin Instagram-worthy spots!

Where to shop

Kilkenny: If you’re looking for some traditional souvenirs to bring home for yourself, or your family and friends who are most likely going to request a little Irish surprise, Kilkenny is your spot. It’s near Trinity College – so, set aside a few minutes to peek in if you’re exploring the campus. The shop has various collections of clothes, homewares, jewelry, and more.

Irish Design Shop: The Irish Design Shop was the sweetest little storefront in Dublin’s city centre. We just had to stop in, even though our suitcases were already plump with clothing and shoes (oops). Here, you’ll find unique gifts – or perhaps even a little something-something for you to take home from Dublin!

Now that you know some of my favorite spots for a weekend in Dublin, I’d love to hear what’s up next on your summer travel list.

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*Please note, Delta is not affiliated with any of the businesses featured here.