Dublin works its magic on you slowly. Founded by the Vikings on the banks of the River Liffey in the 9th century, the city occupies one of the loveliest natural settings of any European capital. Its architecture is a jumble of different periods, including the medieval cobblestone streets of Temple Bar, the elegant terraces and leafy squares of the Georgian period and the modern architecture of the revitalized Docklands district.
Dublin’s compact heart is divided by the languorous flow of the Liffey before it enters the wide expanse of Dublin Bay. Both gritty and gracious, the city streets inspired some of the most celebrated writers of the 19th and 20th centuries, acknowledged by its status as a UNESCO World City of Literature.
But while its heritage is undeniably a major draw for visitors, these days Dublin is vibrant with thriving technology firms and a young population eager to make their mark. It might arrive via an impromptu chat with a local or a quiet pint of Guinness in a historic pub, but by the time you leave, Dublin will have charmed you.
