DublinIreland · Ferry Destinations

All About Dublin

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is an unconventional destination with a one-city-fits-all type of persona. Divided by River Liffey into two parts, it provides the ardent traveler with incredible insight into Irish history, culture, and lifestyle. Taking a ferry to Dublin is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

A city with a golden heart, the friendliness of the locals, makes exploring Dublin all the more affable. The architecturally diverse neighborhoods, parks, museums, historic sites, and an exciting culinary scene further highlight Dublin’s compelling charisma, resulting in its ever-growing reputation as a top capital of the world.
 

Routes and Ferries to Dublin

With ferry connections from England, Wales, Isle of Man, and France aplenty, reaching Dublin by boat is an inspiring endeavor, promising a picturesque start to your Irish holiday. Four companies presently manage the routes that bring travelers from Liverpool, Douglas, Holyhead, and Cherbourg to the capital city. Irish Ferries’ vessels sail from Holyhead, reaching Dublin in just over 3 hours. Among their fleet is the Ulysses, deemed the ‘largest car ferry in the world’ with a capacity to carry 2000 passengers and over 1300 vehicles.

Stena Line has two boats covering the Holyhead to Dublin ferry route, bookable through Ferryscanner. Flexi tickets for this trip cost €32.50 one way for an adult on-foot passenger. In addition to the above, Steam Packet Company has one sailing a week from the Isle of Man, while Irish Ferries have three from Cherbourg.

Liverpool to Dublin is the other popular route, operated by P&O Ferries. However, the company only allows car passengers on their boats. Since Dublin is quickly becoming a favorite cruise ship stop, several tourists prefer to visit the city via the 100+ leisure ships that dock here every year.

Overseas tourists can quickly fly to Dublin Airport, situated 10 km from the city center. The airport has two busy terminals catering to several European flights as well as direct continental ones from North America and the Middle East.
 

Ports

Dublin Port has a 300-year-old legacy intertwined with the city’s transformation over centuries. Presently, it is the main port of Ireland, with 1.9 million passengers arriving every year. While a large harbor with seven terminals, Dublin Port is only 2.5 km from the city, making it an ideal entry point into the country. Ferry passengers who land at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5, can take the Luas, Bus #53, or the express shuttle to reach the town center. Self-drivers should take the Dublin Tunnel that connects to the motorway leading to different parts of Ireland.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour, located 12 km south of Dublin, is only a 20-minute train from the city. While the odd cruise ship or ferry might come here, the port is mainly used by yacht clubs and private boats. The promenade around the harbor is popular with the locals who come here for a gentle stroll and to appreciate the remarkable views. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Dublin.
 

Best Beaches

The best beaches in Dublin are found on both sides of the port, situated in the center of the horse-shoe shaped Dublin Bay. While the weather in the region can be unpredictable with limited sunshine, the beaches are exclusive, displaying an inherent Irish charm.

Dollymount Strand

Cross over the Dollymount Wooden Bridge to Bull Island, walk past the Royal Dublin Golf Club, and you are at the start of the 5 km long Dollymount Strand. Great views of the bay, wide-open spaces to run around with your dog, and clean surroundings create a much-loved tranquil environment around the beach. An unhurried spot, it has managed to stay off the tourist radar so far. After your walk, stop by Happy Out, a tiny food stall selling hot coffee and warm toasties.

Forty Foot

Situated in the south corner of Dublin Bay is Forty Foot, a legendary swimming point and promontory that attracts eccentric travelers from afar every year. It is believed that jumping into the cold water of the Irish Sea here has tremendous health benefits. Popular 365 days a year, locals especially come here in the hundreds on Christmas Day for what is now a world-famous event. After your must-do dip at Forty Foot, don’t forget to visit the James Joyce Tower and Museum, situated inside a Martello where Joyce spent a few days back in 1904.

Portmarnock Beach

There are several reasons you need to set aside a day for Portmarnock Beach. Just 30 minutes from the city, the beach is easily reachable by public transport and has even been awarded the Blue Flag. The sand here is so delicate that it is usually referred to as Velvet Beach. Moreover, the 8 km stretch is perfect for walking, playing, and swimming. On the not too sunny days, you can sit on the grassy dunes and have a picnic with the family.

Sandymount Strand

With two mentions in Ulysses, Sandymount Strand is undoubtedly one of Dublin’s most iconic beaches and a famous sightseeing halt among Joyceans. With a 40-minute bus connection from the center, plan your visit during low tide, so you can walk for miles on the beach. Offering scenic walking trails, photography enthusiasts often come here to capture the Poolbeg Generation Station in the distance. Along the coast, you’ll find a Martello Tower and relics of a century-old swimming bath.

Killiney Strand

An appealing stretch made up of pebbles and sand, Killiney Strand is a fun place to walk and enjoy the region’s arresting natural beauty. The beach does get windy, but it is an excellent spot for swimming, collecting multi-colored stones, and fishing during the summer. Among the four Blue Flag beaches in Dublin, it is much loved by the locals. Offbeat seekers should head to the north, where the beach extends into White Rock Beach. This quiet hidden gem gets its name from the white rocks that emerge from the sea during low tide.
 

Neighborhoods

Irrespective of whether a particular neighborhood in Dublin is sleepy, residential, touristy, or vibrant, there is an omnipresent sense of community that runs through every street of the city. That is why to discover the essence of Dublin, it’s necessary to sightsee around town and also mingle with its warm-hearted residents, who tend to be as eccentric and amusing as the city itself.

City Center

Dublin’s city center covers a large area on both the north and south of River Liffey, between O’Connell Street and Grafton Street. Here, you’ll find everything imaginable, from high-street brands along Henry Street to the more rustic open market of Moore Street. Besides shopping, tourists often visit the center to step inside the 13th-century Dublin Castle, check out Trinity College, visit the National Leprechaun or National Wax Museum, and people-watch while sipping on a glass of Guinness at any of the pubs and restaurants. If visiting Dublin for the first time, the city center is an excellent place to book a hotel.

Temple Bar

You cannot claim to have been to Dublin without spending a few hours, at the very least, in the Temple Bar neighborhood. Famous for its pub culture, including the legendary bar of the same name, the area truly livens up in the evening. Undoubtedly loud and touristy, the architecture and cobblestone streets of Temple Bar still have a quaint Irish appeal that makes it an essential stopover. Situated in the south of River Liffey, Temple Bar isn’t devoid of culture, best appreciated by visiting the Irish Photography Center, the Temple Bar Book Market, and the many art galleries in the region.

Smithfield

Smithfield is where everyone goes when they want to avoid the craziness associated with Temple Bar yet have a fun time visiting pubs. Smithfield Square is the heart of the neighborhood, with activities galore throughout the year. Live events and festivals like the Pride Parade and Cauldron of Smithfield occur in and around the square, home also to the famous Lighthouse Cinema. A must-visit resto-bar in Smithfield is the videogame themed spot, Token.

Stoneybatter

For a capital city to be considered trendy, it needs to have a neighborhood with a hipster bohemian vibe. In the case of Dublin, that honor goes to Stoneybatter. Once featured in a Spice Girls hit song, the neighborhood today is a kaleidoscope of the old, the new, and the idiosyncratic. Not to be missed, you’ll find Ireland’s smallest press, The Lilliput Press here, alongside Europe’s largest indoor garden, Phoenix Park.  Then there is Manor Street with its string of vintage shops and boutiques. As for gourmands, Stoneybatter is brimming with craft breweries, Instagram-worthy cafes such as Love Supreme, and the very best of restaurants like Grano and Ramen Kitchen.

Ranelagh

In contrast to the city’s livelier neighborhoods, Ranelagh is a quiet district with affluent residents. However, that doesn’t take away from its individuality, which shines through the large street-art murals and vintage red-brick houses dotted around. The village market held from Thursday to Sunday every week is another crowd puller. The bars in Ranelagh, such as SMYTHS, are ideal for lovers of live music, who can enjoy a drink and a listen in a tunefully atmospheric setting.
 

Transportation Around Dublin

Dublin’s public transport system is phenomenal, offering tourists several economical ways to travel within the city and explore its suburbs. Both the bus and Luas tram are ideal for point-to-point movement from one sightseeing spot to another. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) metro works particularly well when you want to head out along the Irish coast searching for charming villages and towns.

To save money in Dublin, pick up the Leap Visitor Card that allows unlimited travel on various transports and can be topped up as required. Available as a one, three, or seven-day ticket, and it’s handy and convenient to use. The DoDublin Card, on the other hand, costs €35 and is valid for 72 hours. It includes the use of all buses, Airlink airport transfer, rides on HopOnHopOff tourist buses, and entry to the Little Museum.

Taxis are commonly found across the city; however, it’s cheaper to hire a car for an extended stay in Dublin. Several major car rental agencies have offices in the city, and there are a few that also provide motorbikes on lease.

Lastly, Dublin is relatively bicycle-friendly, with separate lanes for riders. Weather permitting, it’s nice to hire a cycle for the day. If not confident enough to ride on your own, join one of the city’s many bicycle sightseeing tours.