Dublin destinations guide is divided into north and south with the river Liffey acting as a physical, social and at times psychological dividing line. Traditionally the southside has been regarded as the wealthier end of town, and certainly from a visitor's point of view it does possess the majority of the city's historic sites as well as being the home of the newer, more upmarket centres for shopping and socializing.
The busy traffic intersection, College Green , which is framed by the elegant exteriors of Dublin's premier university Trinity College and the old eighteenth-century parliament building, now housing the Bank of Ireland , was once the central point of the old Viking city.
Stretching south of here is the pedestrianized Grafton Street, the city's commercial and social hub, leading to the stylish Georgian streets that surround St. Stephen's Green.
Heading directly west of Trinity College, however, will bring you to the narrow, cobbled lanes of the Temple Bar area, the centre for the city's nightlife, overlooked by the imposing facade of Dublin Castle , the seat of British rule until 1921. Further west still are Dublin's most important cathedrals, Christchurch and St Patrick's , it's near here that the rich smell of malting grain from the nearby Guinness brewery begins to fill the air.
On the northside of the river from the brewery is the historic Smithfield area, scene of the famous horse sales and home to the Jameson Whiskey distillery, east of which is the city's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street from which the rebellion was launched that resulted in Irish independence.
Entertainment
Pubs are an integral part of Dublin's social life and an essential part of any visit. The charm of most of Dublin's older pubs derives from the fact that they're simple, no-nonsense places, the better ones unchanged for decades, where you can get a good pint of Guinness and the people are friendly.
There are over 800 pubs and bars in the city, where you're likely to find music and other entertainment.
Clubs are by nature volatile. There are two distinct club scenes in Dublin. The first is an eclectic collection - including the new, much talked-about chic clubs - scattered around the city centre. Most are hard to get into - that's part of their cachet - and expensive at the weekends. The second, is based in and around Leeson Street, southeast of St Stephen's Green. The clubs here do, however, serve a purpose: a string of basement places that are busy after everything else has shut, these are the clubs to hit at two or three in the morning if you're really desperate to go on partying. Most have no entry fee but serve very expensive drinks - they're at their best Thursday to Sunday from around 1am till dawn.
Dublin has a large number of cinemas - almost all of them on and around O'Connell Street - showing mainstream films. All Dublin's cinemas operate an enlightened policy of cheap seats before 5pm seven days a week. The peculiarities of the film distribution system mean that new movies are often released earlier in Ireland than in Britain.
Dublin may not be the gastronomic capital of the world, but there's plenty of choice - nearly all of it south of the Liffey - for both lunchtime and evening eating. Café society has reached Dublin in a big way in recent years, providing a new range of chic and trendy locations - in and around Grafton Street and Temple Bar - for all-day eating and drinking, and on Sundays many more places open up for sustaining brunches. At lunchtime, Dublin's many pubs usually offer the best value: you can usually get soup and sandwiches and often much more substantial, traditional meals. The cheapest fast-food outlets - everything from Pizzaland and Wimpy to cheap Chinese and the ubiquitous kebab houses - are centred around O'Connell Street.
In the evening there's no shortage of restaurants. The spectrum of cuisines on offer is impressively wide, ranging from Egyptian, Lebanese, Russian and Cajun to the more familiar French, Italian and Chinese. Several restaurants offer traditional Irish fare, and there's also a number of good seafood places and plenty of vegetarian options. The cheaper, livelier restaurants are concentrated around the Temple Bar area, between Dame Street and the Liffey, while more expensive establishments are scattered throughout the city, with a concentration around St Stephen's Green.
City Breaks - London
London is an amazing place to visit and if you are planning a trip you should really be very excited to be going. There is so much to do and a lot you should see. Don't try and over do it. If you're only here for a couple of days just select the places you really want to see and spend enough time in each place.
With so much to see and do in the London area this can be an overwhelming question. It is difficult to pinpoint all the things you wish to do and see during your visit.
We have compiled a list of 10 attractions which should be of interest:
British Museum
Great Russell Street
London, WC1B 3DG United Kingdom
Phone: +44 0207 7323 8299
The British Museum is one of London’s top tourist attractions. It also offers quite a bit of information. It was built in 1753 and the Museum's distinctive Greek revivalist structure was built during the 19th century. It covers 14 acres of land with the exhibitions and admission is free for all
Tower of London
Tower Hill
London, EC3N 4AB United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7709 0765
The Tower of London is a place of past executions and 900 years of history. In those violent years it was used as a place of imprisonment. Crown Jewels is one of the famous attractions at this site and there are guided tours of the area available to see it.
Westminster Abbey
20 Dean's Yard
London, SW1P 3PA United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7222 5152
At Westminster Abbey it is famous for being an architectural wonder of the world and it is absolutely breathtaking. The place for the country’s coronations since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions this is a masterful work of art and at present, it still is a church with regular service hours.
Houses of Parliament
Westminster
London, SW1A OAA United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7219 4272
House of Parliament for 900 years has been the home to the English government. Inside its massive walls are 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and11 courtyards and it houses Westminster Hall, the Crypt Church, Members' Lobby, the Commons Library and the Peers Library. Outside in the tower is Big Ben a most celebrated structure.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 2DD United Kingdom
Phone: +44 870 870 4868
The Science Museum offers a glimpse into the future as well as the latest technology. Interactive exhibits and audience participation shows make this a fine day of events and entertainment. It is fun for the whole group and make a day out of this fine experience with shops and dining places also.
Tower Bridge
Tower Hill
London, SE1 2UP United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7403 3761
The Tower Bridge is known around the world and is famous as being one of the most visited bridges in all of history. It opened in 1894 and has excellent views of the Tower of London and of river life on the Thames. A tremendous exhibit awaits you at this site.
Madame Tussaud's
Marylebone Road
London, NW1 5LR United Kingdom
Phone: 0870 400 3000
Madame Tussaud’s is the famous waxworks and was started by Madame Tussaud in 1835. She used to make making death masks during the French Revolution. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are displayed beside the actual blade that beheaded them and that is just a few of the fantastic sights you will see when you visit here.
Windsor Castle
Windsor
Berkshire, SR4 1NJ United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1753 869 898
The Windsor Castle is the home of the State Apartments, the St George's Chapel, the Gallery and the delightful Queen Mary's Dolls' House. This is an awesome and enormous site and it gets very many visitors at all times. Leave time to see how the British monarchy live in this fantastic site.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Gardens (off High Street Kensington)
London, W8 4PX United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7937 9561
Kensington Palace is where the Queen Victoria was born in 1819, and Princess Margaret and other royals still live in it. Kensington Palace was the London residence of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Please make every effort to pay a visit to this attraction and share tea and lunch in the Orangery room weather permitting.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road
London, SW1A 1AA United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7321 2233
The Buckingham Palace is the home of the British royalty since 1837. The changing of the guard is tourist attraction that you must see. See the Queen’s horse and stables in the Mews and walk the fascinating grounds. This is where it all happens in the home of the royals.
