Visiting
Dublin on a budget? We’ve got you! There are plenty of activities in the city that will make your wallet as happy as you are. From cheap meals to free tours, you can capture all of the city’s charms without breaking the bank!
Morning: Start off your day with some fresh air and a stroll around the city with
Yellow Umbrella Tours. These free tours of the north and south sides of Dublin highlight some of the most famous sights, such as
Trinity College, Temple Bar,
Dublin Castle, and St Patrick's Cathedral. If guided tours aren't your thing, wander further afield to
Dollymount Strand Beach for a long, refreshing walk, well away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After your walk, grab a coffee and pastry from one of Dublin's many coffee shops, and enjoy it at one of the beautiful city parks, such as
St Stephen's Green,
Merrion Square, or even the
Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed park within any capital city in Europe.
Lunch: Feasting out doesn’t cost the earth, with numerous cheap yet tasteful places to fuel up around the city. Stop in at the
Old Mill Restaurant and sample some traditional Irish cuisine from its
10-euro lunch menu. Or grab a meal for well under €20 at eateries such as the
Camden Rotisserie,
Mad Egg or
Sano Pizza!
Afternoon: If you fancy yourself as a bit of a history buff, you’ve come to the right place. Check out any of the
National Museums of Ireland – they’re all free admission. For art lovers, the
National Gallery of Ireland and the
Irish Museum of Modern Art have permanent exhibitions free for viewing; and there are more free treats at the
Hugh Lane Gallery.
Challenge yourself to see how many public monuments you can find – from the famous Spire to the Trinity College sphere, and all the statues in between. Or as you’re in a UNESCO City of Literature, maybe plan your afternoon by finding the
Talking Statues – 10 of Dublin's most famous statues have been given the gift of the gab, telling tales from the likenesses of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw.
Evening: End the day with an early bird meal at some of the city’s best restaurants – this means you eat earlier than traditional seating hours (usually up to 6.30pm), but the reduced prices are too good to miss. Check out
Ely Wine Bar’s two-course meal for €27;
Salamanca’s three tapas per person for just €18; or
Opium on Dublin's Camden Street, which offers up any two courses from its á la carte menu for €22.95. Afterwards, take a stroll along Grafton Street and listen to the street performers singing away.
If you’d prefer entertainment with your dinner, step inside a lively pub, such as
O’Donoghues on Merrion Row or
The Brazen Head on Usher’s Quay, and enjoy traditional music sessions and delicious pub food. Probably the perfect way to end your day in Dublin city!