In the grand scheme of things, 12 hours in any city will never be enough time. To experience the true culture, to try the most delectable foods or find the best café with the richest cup of coffee will realistically take you years. However, if you find yourself with a long layover or like me fancy a spontaneous day trip to a new city, this 12-hour guide will save you aimlessly wandering Dublin’s historic streets and will help maximise your time.
How to get there?
A flight from Birmingham will take around 1 hour and there are two main airlines that will take you there. Ryan Air is the more affordable option averaging £30 for a same-day return flight. To make the most of your day, they offer flights from as early as 5:50am to make it into the city for sunrise and an inbound flight as late as 9pm. Aer Lingus is the second airline and the Irish flag carrier. To get times like these you’re looking at prices upwards of £190 for a same-day return.
I travelled with Ryan Air and found out the hard way about checking in online. It is mandatory you check in online with this airline otherwise you’ll be charged a fine costing more than the ticket itself!
What to do?
There is a common alcohol theme to my next few points but since Dublin is naturally renowned for its historic pubs, visiting these places gives you an insight into Irish history and culture.
If you’re going to get sucked into any tourist traps in Dublin, let it be Temple Bar. I visited at Christmas time and the building from the outside was incredible. Every brick was covered in lights or decorations which meant everyone on the street was craning their necks trying to take it all in. The cobbled streets surrounding it made this area feel almost Parisian but as you step into the bar, you’re hit with this spirited Irish energy. There is live music all day everyday so you won’t be sat still in your chair for too long- if you get one! As a tourist hotspot, you can expect it to be crowded any day of the week which also means it is more expensive but can you say you’ve been to Dublin without going to Temple Bar?
Whilst in Dublin, one must also go to the Guiness Storehouse. As someone who would never even think to order a Guiness at a pub, I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I did a self-guided tour and it was super interesting to learn about the ingredients that go into it, the process of how it is made and the history of the Guiness family. At the end of the tour, you can head up to the gravity bar where you get 360-degree views of Dublin which was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland and the 5th oldest pub in the world. Dating back to the 1600s, you can be sure to get an authentic Irish experience. There is a variety of food and drink to choose from which can be enjoyed in their cosy, cobbled courtyard area.
Since I live in the middle of the UK, I was eager to get to the sea. Dublin Bay Beach is a vast, peaceful beach. Even though Dublin doesn’t have that dirty, crowded, city feel to it, it is still worth getting out of the centre to the coast to absorb the sea air.
Another relaxing place to visit is St Stephen’s Green Park. This is a great spot to do some people watching or read a book. I sat here with a delicious donut I picked up from Grafton Street which unsurprisingly attracted many seagulls to my bench.
Where to eat?
After getting up at 3am to catch a 6am flight, it wasn’t until mid-morning when I could get myself a proper breakfast.
I would definitely recommend Brother Hubbard if you want a fresh, filling breakfast. Steering clear from the classics, you can guarantee a combination of breakfast foods you’ve never tried before. One of the most creative breakfasts I’ve ever had was The Basic Plus. It might just look like scrambled eggs on toast to the naked eye but it was topped with bacon, sage braised leeks and slow-roast vine tomatoes on homemade sourdough with real Irish butter. This place has won when it comes to breakfast foods.
Meandering through the city and strolling in and out of shops soon works up an appetite. If you find yourself in Grafton Street looking for a pit stop or caffeine boost, you should check out Bewley’s Café. They offer a range of toasted sandwiches or if you’re looking for something a little sweeter, their afternoon tea will satisfy your sugar cravings. Not only is the food delicious but the building itself is a natural attraction for art enthusiasts. The architecture is vibrant and creative showcasing tall stained-glass windows.
As mentioned above, Temple Bar is well worth a visit. You can enjoy a gourmet pizza, charcuterie board or seafood sandwich whilst listening to some live music with a Guiness in hand of course! I tried the ‘Hot Roast Beef Roll’ and it did not disappoint. It is a very popular place so if you’re prepared to pay tourist prices then I would say it is definitely worth it and unlike any other ‘pub grub’ you would’ve tried before.
Transport
Once you arrive in the airport, there are a few options to get into the city centre. The Dublin express departs from outside Terminal 1 and 2 and you can book your tickets online or pay at the terminal bus stops. A return is about €10. It’s roughly a 30-minute ride into the city and they operate between the hours of 04:05 and 00:35. The average fare for a taxi from the airport is between €25-€30 depending on the time of day. Alternatively, you can drive into the city which will take around 30 minutes. In my opinion, getting the bus is the easiest solution since it’s cheap, there are bus lanes throughout the city which makes it quicker in rush hour and you don’t have to worry about parking.