Dublin is a friendly mix of heritage and hedonism that will not disappoint—so say our friends at Lonely Planet. Whether you’re ready to party like the Irish at Temple Bar, visit the Guinness Museum or take a dip in the ever-cold River Liffey, Dublin is a small capital city with a big heart.
Checking in
Just south of the canal on a quiet cul-de-sac, we reach our destination… The posh and polished Dylan Hotel. Decently far from the traffic mayhem of central Dublin, it’s a boutique pied à terre. Worth footnoting: This hidden gem is within a healthy walking distance of the major sites and shopping streets. Clearly a clever conversion of one of Dublin’s many historic buildings, there’s a casual-chic meets uptown-smart vibe from the lobby to the modern suites and rooms.
The Dylan’s an easy place do some work or just kick back. The al fresco garden and terrace dining areas off the main eatery complement the old meets new theme. Bold and contemporary red and green décor adds a modern upmarket twist, and nice touches include valet service, an open breakfast menu that’s accompanied by a modest buffet and, absolutely essential, 24-hour room service. After all, who doesn’t need a cup of Irish tea after trotting back from a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral or a jet-lag snack at 3 am.
Follow the river
You can expect to find many of Dublin’s top attractions on the bank of the river. Flowing through the centre of town and dividing Dublin in two, the River Liffey is the waterway around which the city first grew and developed, and it remains at the heart of city life. It originates in the Wicklow Mountains and flows through Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin, before finally emptying into the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay.
Most walking tours of the city pass over the river via the pedestrianized Ha’penny Bridge, moving between Temple Bar on the south side of the city and O’Connell Street on the north. Hop-on/hop-off sightseeing buses also pass over the Liffey via O’Connell Bridge.
Getting out on the river for a leisurely cruise, a trip on an amphibious vehicle or a kayaking excursion is fun for first- timers. And it’s good to note that wheelchair-accessible boat cruises are offered, and many of the paths that run alongside the river’s edge are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
