7 Days in Dublin: A Food, Beverage and Cultural Guide to a Week in the Capital of Ireland

Day hike

Ride the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train in the morning to the small village of Howth just 30 minutes north of Dublin's city center and hike the boundary of the breathtakingly beautiful peninsula.

Consider stopping at Beshoff Bros for a lunch of fish and chips before the two-hour jaunt.

Visit Kilmainham Gaol to bolster your trip to the Guinness Storehouse:

At this point, it is well-known that any trip to Dublin should be accompanied by a stop at the Guinness Storehouse; it's truly worth it and not just a tourist hotspot.

However, a brisk 20-minute walk west of the St. James Gate Brewery is Kilmainham Gaol. This prison turned museum harbors huge historical significance as it was the jail that housed the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, many of whom were executed on the property.

Stroll through Phoenix Park:

Go on a promenade and relax in Phoenix Park. Twice the size of Central Park in New York and the largest enclosed city park in all of Europe, this is a relaxing place to spend your morning with a novel from one of Ireland's great authors, such as Brendan Behan or James Joyce.

If time allows, you can stop by Dublin Zoo which is conveniently located within the parks grounds.

Intake the Iconography of the culturally rich cathedrals in the city center:

Initially a Catholic church from 1191 A.D. until 1540 A.D., St. Patrick's is now the main cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

A seven-minute stroll north is the even older (~1030 A.D.) Christ Church Cathedral, which is claimed as the seat of the archbishop of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland.

Take in one of the best views of Dublin from atop Bray Head:

A picturesque 45-minute prance south on the DART is the summer resort and beach town of Bray.

If able, make sure to hike to the top of Bray Head for possibly the best view of the skyline of Dublin.

Wander the grounds of Trinity College Dublin:

The college's library is an important destination as it houses one of the country's greatest treasures; The Book of Kells, an illuminated (small illustrations and flourishes) Gospel manuscript dating to the 800s A.D.

That said, don't forget to pop in for a pint at Pavilion Bar (The Pav), a bar and restaurant situated adjacent to a large activities field habitually inhabited by students of the university.

Stroll St. Stephen's Green:

Just at the south end of Dublin's most famous shopping district, Grafton Street, sits St. Stephen's Green.

Re-planned and re-opened in 1880, this public park was famously a battleground occupied by the Irish rebels of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Personal Pub Crawl:

Check below for a thorough list of the most proper pubs to imbibe a pint while in Dublin.

The premier pubs of Dublin:

The Brazen Head - Billed as Ireland's oldest pub, the first drinks were served here in 1198.

Mulligan's - An understated pub that was once frequented by James Joyce, possibly Ireland's most treasured writer.

Toner's Pub - Open since 1734, this pub boasts one of the best beer gardens in Dublin.

Blackbird - More modern than most pubs worth visiting in Dublin, board games and video game machines at this establishment make for a great night out.

The Hairy Lemon - A funky pub with underrated food that was also famously used as a filming location of the popular Irish film, The Commitments.

The Stag's Head - Another historical pub, this is the place for a pint off-the-beaten path AKA close but not too close to the tourist hotspot of Temple Bar.

Cassidy's - In heart of the city, just of the River Liffey sits this gem of a punk bar. Come for a more edgy energy than found in most other imbibing spots in downtown Dublin."

The Long Hall - As standard as an Irish pub as one will come across, but don't take that as an insult, it surely isn't, because who wouldn't want to be in a standard Irish pub in the middle of Dublin.

Grogan's - An artist's favorite, this traditional pub was frequented by great 20th centuries writers like Flann O'Brien and Patrick Kavanagh.

The Ha'Penny Bridge Inn - A small pub situated on the River Liffey across from the famous landmark, the pedestrian-only Ha'Penny Bridge, hosting open mic comedy nights and maybe the best toasties in Dublin.