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Trinity College: The oldest university in Ireland and one of the most important seats of learning in the world, Trinity College is an impressive architectural complex of historic buildings and monuments. Founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I of England, its graduates include some of the legends of world literature, such as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. A visit to the imposing Old Library at its centre to admire the famous Book of Kells, a stunning illuminated religious manuscript of the 9th century, is a must.Address: College Green Dublin 2, www.tcd.ie

National Gallery of Ireland: This wonderful museum in elegant Merrion Square was founded in 1854 and houses an impressive collection with 2,500 paintings and other objects. Here you can take a tour through Irish art until the first half of the 20th century, the highlight being the work of Jack B. Yeats, younger brother of the famous Irish poet. Other fine works that are housed in the Gallery include pieces by Rembrandt and his circle, the Spanish school (from El Greco to Goya and Picasso), and the Italian Renaissance, represented by Titian, Tintoretto and Caravaggio (“The Taking of Christ”). Address: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, www.nationalgallery.ie

National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology): The country’s most important museum was founded in 1890 and has been a guardian of Irish history from the prehistoric period until today. In the Treasury you can admire one of the most beautiful collections of gold objects from the Bronze and Iron Ages in the world, as well as unique examples of Celtic and medieval art made from precious metals, such as the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch.Address: Kildare Street, Dublin 2, www.museum.ie/Archaeology

St Patrick’s Cathedral: The largest cathedral in Ireland is dedicated to St Patrick, the country’s patron saint. It was built between 1191 and 1270, next to the sacred spring where St Patrick is said to have baptised Celtic converts in the 5th century. In its southwest side is the tomb of the famous author Jonathan Swift (and that of his partner), who was the cathedral’s dean for over 30 years. Address: Saint Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

Dublin Writers’ Museum: The unparalleled literary history of Dublin and its famous authors is told within a historic Georgian mansion of the 18th century. The museum’s rich collection includes busts and portraits, original letters, manuscripts, first editions, rare photographs, typewriters and the personal belongings of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw and others.Address: 18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, www.writersmuseum.com

Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum: The largest and oldest prison in Ireland (built between 1792-1795 and in operation until 1924) is today a living museum to the memory of the country’s political history and the resistance to British rule. This is where the leaders of the historic Easter Rising of 1916 were executed. Address: Inchicore Road Dublin 8, www.heritageireland.ie/en/kilmainhamgaol

Old Jameson Distillery: The Irish were the first to produce uisce beatha (“water of life”), which was later to become famous throughout the world as whiskey. Discover everything there is to know about the history and distilling of Irish whiskey in this fantastic museum housed in the facilities of the Old Jameson Distillery (1791 - 1966). Address: Bow Street, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7 www.jamesonwhiskey.com

Guinness Storehouse: The legend of the world’s most famous stout begins in Dublin, with the opening of the Guinness Brewery by Arthur Guinness in 1759. The brewery’s storerooms have today been transformed into an impressive interactive museum – in the shape of a giant pint glass – which offers a unique tour through the history and brewing process of this iconic drink. The visit ends with a sample of the perfect pint in the museum’s Gravity Bar, with a panoramic view over the city. Address: St James's Gate, Dublin 8, www.guinness-storehouse.com

Dublin Castle: The historic heart of the city beats in the grand castle of Dublin. Built in 1204 as a Norman fortress, it was for centuries the centre of British royal power in Ireland. The internationally renowned Chester Beatty Library is housed in the Clock Tower, one of the world’s most important museums, with over 20,000 rare pieces of art from the Middle and Far East.Address: Dame Street, Dublin 2, www.dublincastle.ie

Phoenix Park: The largest enclosed urban park in the world was opened to the public in 1745 and covers 707 hectares of remarkable wild nature, with landscaped gardens, lakes, cricket and polo grounds, wonderful 18th-century mansions, and even a herd of deer. Here you can find the residences of the President of Ireland and the American ambassador, as well as the Dublin Zoo (1881). Take a stroll along its footpaths and then enjoy a cup of hot tea in the Victorian Tea Rooms. Address: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, www.phoenixpark.ie

In Dublin you will discover unique “Made in Ireland” creations by fine craftsmen and young Irish designers. The country has a long tradition in woollen knitwear (Aran jumpers), Celtic-inspired jewellery (Claddagh rings), crystal pieces (from Waterford), white porcelain pieces, ceramics and Irish escutcheons. The best things can be found in the specialist shops of Nassau Street as well as at the select Saturday Cow’s Lane Designer Mart (in the Temple Bar area). 

On the long commercial Grafton Street you will find the most expensive boutiques in the city with international and Irish brands, as well as the historic Irish department store Brown Thomas. Wander around the surrounding streets with their cute little shops containing all kinds of designer clothes, handicrafts and gifts. Take a stop at the super-elegant Stephen’s Green shopping centre, a veritable shopping mecca with wonderful interior decoration. Step inside the Powerscourt Centre, a stunning Georgian building with chic boutiques selling fashion, antiques and works of art.  

Continue your antique and arts safari in the antiques quarter (Dublin’s version of Portobello Road on Francis Street). Explore the alternative markets of Temple Bar (the kingdom of second-hand goods, vintage and kitsch), visit the Saturday Ha’penny Flea Market (Lower Liffey Street) for wonderful vintage discoveries, from clothes to vinyl records and retro furniture and books, and George’s Street Arcade, Dublin’s oldest shopping centre (1881) with its typical Victorian architecture and amazing second-hand clothes.  

The foodies’ paradise continues to be the Temple Bar Food Market on Saturdays, where top Irish artisans bring the most delicious organic delicacies and display them on their stalls

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Dublin’s food scene is comprised of a special fusion of ethnic cuisine, traditional Irish flavours and more sophisticated restaurants with modern Irish and international cuisine. Come for lunch to the classic café-restaurants and atmospheric pubs on the south bank of the River Liffey, and enjoy some typical local dishes.
Try the exceptional smoked fish (such as the salmon and mackerel), Irish ragout (with lamb and potatoes), the legendary boxty (potato pancake with various fillings, mainly bacon and cabbage), coddle (warm Irish comfort food made with pork sausages, bacon, onions and potatoes), the famous soda bread, exceptionally creamy cheeses and delicious cold meats from the country’s organic farms, as well as fresh fish and seafood (mussels, Atlantic oysters and lobster from Dublin bay). Top off your meal with a traditional Irish coffee, a blend of hot, freshly-brewed coffee and Irish whiskey with a layer of fresh cream. For desert, choose among the exquisite tarts and creamy cakes with handmade jams and chutney.
When night falls, follow the Dubliners to the authentic traditional pubs of St Stephen’s Green, Merrion Row and Baggot Street in search of the perfect pint of Guinness, the genuine Irish live and the good craic (a good time, in Irish). For more bohemian situations, orient yourselves towards the touristic and always packed Temple Bar (the Ibiza of the North). For after-midnight entertainment, choose from the late bars or night clubs (which have a special licence to stay open until 2.30 am) around Harcourt Street, Wexford Street, Grafton Street and South Williams Street, where the coolest and trendiest Dubliners under 30 hang out.

• Bloomsday: The 16th of June 1904 is the day on which the fictional odyssey of the Dubliner Leopold Bloom took place in James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses”. Each year, and for a week before this eventful date, Dublin relives the atmosphere of the era, with readings, concerts, meals, visits to pubs and tours of historic sights in the city. Joyce’s more hard-core fans walk around dressed in costumes from the Edwardian period.
• St Patrick’s Festival:  A three-day celebration in the streets and pubs of Dublin, centred around St Patrick’s Day (17 March), Ireland’s patron saint. The programme includes a great parade, fireworks, concerts, a fair, street carnival, the fabulous a céilí mór (a marathon of traditional Irish dancing), the illumination of the city’s buildings in the traditional green colour of the clover, and plenty of Guinness.      
  Tiger Dublin Fringe: The largest festival of contemporary performing and visual arts in Ireland, with an emphasis on experimentation and innovation. You can watch over 750 performances by young artists over a two-week period in mid-September, from music and dance to street theatre, circuses and comedy shows.   Dublin Theatre Festival: The world’s leading theatre companies meet the crème-de-la-crème of young Irish theatre on the city’s stages for three weeks starting late September. The repertoire has an emphasis on the production of new plays.  
• Jameson Dublin International Film Festival: The country’s largest cinematic event is distinguished for its rich programme of new Irish and international films, as well as the appearance – in mid-February – of famous film stars.

Getting from the airport to the city.

Aegean Airlines lands at Dublin Airport, 10 km north of the city. Here you will find duty free shops and boutiques selling fashion clothing, cosmetics, jewellery, souvenirs and local Irish products, as well as a bank, foreign exchange offices and ATMs, many cafes, bars and restaurants, a post office, children’s play area and baby changing areas. In Terminal 1 there is a Catholic church, while in Terminal 2 you will find a multi-faith prayer room. To get online, there are internet kiosks and the airport offers an unlimited free Wi-Fi service in all areas.

To reach the centre of Dublin, take the Airlink Express bus no. 747, which directly connects the airport with the central bus station (Busaras) and the city’s two central railway stations (Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly). The Airport-Busaras-Connolly-Heuston route takes 30 minutes. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes daily, from 6.00-23.30 (Monday to Saturday) and from 7.00-23.20 (Sundays).