A stroll through the sprawling, shamrock-green quads of Trinity College, or a wander through the atmospheric halls of the university library, shelves heaving with old tomes. A late night spent propping up the bar at a dark, wood-paneled pub with a pint of Guinness, as traditional Celtic music is played in the corner through to the early hours. A morning spent browsing Francis Bacon’s studio or Louis le Brocquy drawings at the Hugh Lane Gallery, before a hearty lunch of beef and Guinness pie at one of the city’s classic restaurants. These might sound like clichés, but they’re also quintessential Dublin experiences—and ones you probably should undertake, especially if it’s your first visit to the Irish capital.

The best hotels in Dublin at a glance:

The best all-rounder: The Shelbourne

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