Dublin vacations bring the best of Irish culture, art, dining, and history to travelers. When many people think Dublin travel, Irish music, pubs, and Guinness come to mind, but there is much more to the city than these pleasures. A Dublin Ireland vacation will be full of museums, shopping, partying, and maybe even golf. The Irish capital has a reputation for being an expensive city, but with a little planning, it is possible for your trip to be affordable. If you’re traveling on a budget, accommodation is the most significant decision you can make. Whether you’re looking for a luxury getaway or a budget trip, the charm of the Irish will leave its impression on you.

There are plenty of opportunities for indulgent trips to Dublin. Luxurious five-star hotels, spas, shopping, and gourmet restaurants will all tempt you into spending. However, affordable Dublin vacations are a possibility. Affordable accommodation choices include bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, hostels, and even vacation rentals. Highlights of choosing these types of accommodation include getting to know local neighborhoods you might not have otherwise discovered, common inclusion of complimentary breakfast, and the chance to get to know the local owners of these hotels. To the surprise of many travelers, affordable choices in the center of the city do exist, especially if you’re willing to walk just fifteen or twenty minutes to most major attractions.

Dublin travel will also include a little history. Top attractions for history lovers include the Kilmainham Gaol, where you will learn about the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, the treatment of prisoners over the past two centuries, and how events such as the potato famine affected the jail. If literature is your interest, a Dublin Ireland vacation should include a trip to the Dublin Writers Museum or the James Joyce Centre. Trinity College has the Book of Kells on display, and purchasing a ticket also gets you a visit to the spectacular long room library. Art fanatics will have a difficult time choosing where to begin exploring Dublin. Many free museums including the National Gallery of Ireland and IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) offer impressive collections.

Dublin Map

It’s also virtually certain that Dublin vacations will include a bit of fun and entertainment. Pick up tickets for a match at Croke Park stadium, or a performance at the Abbey Theatre. If you’re looking for an entertaining tour, head for the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery. The Temple Bar district is a neighborhood known for street performers, outdoor markets, and nightlife, and if you are planning Dublin travel to party, the pubs and clubs never fail to impress. Many pubs offer live music on the weekends and locals are known to be welcoming and friendly.

Whatever else you do, a Dublin Ireland vacation is sure to include music. Whether you opt for tickets for the National Concert Hall or see what is on at the Olympia Theatre, music is central to culture in Dublin. If you feel like a splurge, there are many restaurants and wine bars that will show you the more sophisticated side of the city. Whether you decide to enjoy a picnic in St Stephen’s Green or do some shopping along Grafton Street, a Dublin vacation will leave you wanting to return to Ireland to explore what else the island has on offer.