Welcome to Dublin, a city that's as intimate as a village and as friendly as an Irish pub. Framed by mountains, centered on a river, and edged by a beautiful bay, the city's streets and alleys are filled with vibrant art and historic buildings, hip cafés, and traditional "old man pubs," as Dubliners call them. Walk the streets and you'll feel the energy of over 1,000 years of history, as echoes of the Vikings mix with buzzing boutiques, cobbled streets reverberate with the sounds of buskers, and 18th-century parks play host to festivals, film, and food markets.
Dublin is a resoundingly social place, packed with culture, creativity, and craic (fun). You'll see it in the busy pubs, in the rolling nightlife scene, in the music, and in the chat. But this ancient gem basks in natural beauty, too. Head out beyond the city, and the UNESCO Biosphere of Dublin Bay opens up with coastal walks, little villages, wide sea views, and rugged mountain backdrops. Take to the Dublin mountains for a hike; go rock-climbing in Dalkey Quarry; walk the cliff path at Howth; or join the Dublin hardcore who sea-swim whatever the weather. There's an adventure around every corner.
