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- More Things To Do in Dublin, Ireland On a Long Layover With AerLingus
Utilizing a long layover is one of the best traveler hacks out there. With AerLingus offering most flights with a stopover in Dublin, if you're going to stop there anyway, you might as well leave the airport and get some exploring in. Dublin is a relatively small city, and with even just one day, you can tick a few things off of your Irish bucket list. Here are 10 recommended things to do on a long layover in Dublin with AerLingus.
UPDATE: 2023/05/12 13:37 EST BY KHYATI DAND
More Things To Do in Dublin, Ireland On a Long Layover With AerLingus
It can be very hard to kill time on long layovers but that's not something travelers flying to Dublin have to worry about. With the entire city at one's disposal, long layovers in Dublin are an excellent way to explore the Irish capital. This list was updated to include more things that travelers can do on stopovers in Dublin when flying with AerLingus.
14 See The Book Of Kells At The Trinity College Library
The Library of Trinity College in Dublin is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland and nothing will make time fly by quicker than the dark aisles of its 16th-century reading halls. The library has over 7,000,000 volumes of books on its shelves but if there's one thing that visitors must see, it's the Book of Kells -- the four Latin Gospel manuscripts dating back to the 9th century. No matter the time of the year, the library always has at least one volume on display for the public to see.
13 Catch A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Flights can get pretty darn tiring. Oftentimes, there's very little energy left for anything exciting on a layover, let alone exploring an entirely new city. In that case, hop-on hop-off bus tours offer visitors an excellent means through which to see Dublin without much physical exertion on their part. Simply catch an open-top double-decker bus, grab a seat in a corner, and watch Dublin's top attractions pass by as you listen to audio guides for context.
12 Get A Taste Of Irish Food
What better way to spend a layover in Dublin than to eat your way through the Irish capital? Food blogger Ketty Quigley's Delicious Dublin Tours take visitors on a three-hour walking trip around the city with stops at plenty of famous eateries in between. As local experts tell tales of Dublin's food history, visitors will not only taste the best of local Irish food, but they will also learn of its past and present. These tours operate regardless of the weather in the notoriously temperamental capital.
11 Hop Onto A Viking Splash Tour
Long layovers in Dublin are one thing if you're alone or in the company of a fellow adult, but finding entertainment can be a far more tedious task when traveling with kids. A Viking Splash Tour is an excellent adrenaline-filled activity -- and an incredibly unique one at that -- for both adults and kids to take part in when in Dublin. The tours take place on a restored World War II amphibious vehicle that functions much like a bus on the roads but transforms into a boat as it mightily glides into the Grand Canal Dock, splashing passengers on board with the cold waters of the canal.
10 Drink At Temple Bar
What visit to Ireland is complete without a proper pint of Guinness? Head to the place that does it best, and arguably the most famous bar in not only Dublin but all of Ireland: Temple Bar Pub. Not to be confused with the neighborhood that is called Temple Bar, Temple Bar Pub is an infamous landmark pub with the traditional bright red exterior, welcoming you in to have a pint or two.
9 Dublin Castle
Despite popular belief, there's a lot more to do in Dublin than just drinking. Ireland is home to several castles, and Dublin Castle is one of the finest. Having been built in the thirteen century, Dublin Castle has since served as home to English and British administration. In 1922, Dublin Castle was given to the Irish government, where it now serves as a popular tourist hotspot. For an entry fee of about 8 euros, you can head inside and see the collection of art, as well as take in the majestic red velour and gold-plated interior.
8 Chester Beatty
Within the confines of Dublin Castle is what Lonely Planet has described as one of the best museums in Europe: Chester Beatty. Also known as Chester Beatty Library, this museum is home to the collections of Sir Chester Alfred Beatty, a philanthropist and mining magnate who was given the title "King of Copper" due to his fortune. The collections at Chester Beatty include but are not limited to Arabic treatises on religion, Western manuscripts, pieces from Persian poets, and even Japanese art.
7 Shop At George's Street Arcade
Looking to get a little shopping in on your long layover in Dublin? George's Street Arcade is one of the best places in the city of Dublin to do so. Centrally located close to other major tourist spots, George's Street Arcade has shops ranging from Brazilian-made fashion at Carnaval to Mystic Ireland Crystals. There are also plenty of eateries on site, like the top-rated vegan burgers at Flip Burgers and proper wine and cheese at Loose Canon.
6 Take A Guinness Brewery Tour
Photo by Tavis Beck on Unsplash
Back to booze because, hey, it is Ireland, after all. Aside from Irish whiskey, the most popular alcoholic beverage in Ireland is Guinness. The Irish take their Guinness seriously. There's a craft behind pouring each one which amplifies the overall taste. If you're curious to know the art behind this extremely popular beer, head to the Guinness Brewery for a tour.
5 Visit Jameson Distillery
If you're more into whiskey, or better yet, if you want to add a second boozy adventure to your layover in Dublin, the Jameson Distillery is a great addition to your activities. Learn the history behind one of the most popular Irish whiskeys in the world. Created in 1780 by John Jameson, the long-standing tradition behind making Jameson can now be experienced as a tourist. The tour options range from a simple visit to cocktail classes.
4 See Local Music At Whelan's
Who doesn't love a good Irish folk band? While you are bound to find live music at pretty much any pub in the city, Whelan's is one of the best. You can check out their calendar on their website to see who's playing, and it's recommended to book a table in advance since this place quickly fills up. Enjoy a beverage while listening to some classical local Irish music.
3 Drink High Tea On A Vintage Bus
Are you less interested in whiskey and stouts and more interested in feeling posh with a cup of tea in hand? There are many tours to book in Ireland, but one of the more unique experiences in Dublin offered on GetYourGuide is a high-tea tour while riding on a vintage bus. Priced at about $50 per person, a high-tea tour in Dublin is a fun way to experience the city from a double-decker bus that's been refurbished to be its fanciest self. The tour comes with food options, including those that are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly.
2 Cross Ha'Penny Bridge
The Ha'Penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge located in central Dublin. It was built in May 1816 over the River Liffey and remains a popular tourist attraction to this date. Its central location is close to the popular Temple Bar neighborhood, and the best part about ticking Ha'Penny Bridge off of your bucket list during a short layover is that it's only going to take a few minutes to see it.
1 Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to quickly explore any city while learning a bit about its history is by taking a free walking tour. Explore Dublin by foot, see plenty of major tourist hot spots, and learn the history through a local tour guide, all for zero cost. The tour is offered several times a day, meaning it's likely you can fit it into your Dublin layover regardless of what time you land.