The Best Budget Places to Stay in Dublin

Just because you aren’t feeling flush doesn’t mean you can’t have a Dublin city break, there are so many wonderulf budget options available, which means you get to save your hard earned cash for sightseeing, eating out, hitting the shops and generally enjoying yourelf. We’ve sussed out some of the best budget options right here.

Buswells Hotel

In the heart of the city, Buswells offers a really well-priced, old-fashioned style hotel that is as cosy as they come.

The service is attentive and the staff are super friendly and will help you plan your days out with their wealth of knowledge of Dublin.

They have a bar and restaurant or if you fancy heading out you are in a perfect location with everything you could want on the doorstep.

The website has some offers too so you may make further savings, always good to check them out before booking.

The Kingfisher Townhouse

This cosy hotel makes a great budget option, its 100m from O’Connell street which offers the best shopping in the city and a ten minute walk from the popular Temple Bar district.

The rooms here are spacious and have been recently renovated and there is even the option of an apartment containing a fully equipped kitchens and sitting area, ideal for families or groups and could save you a fortune on eating out.

Royal Marine Hotel

Overlooking picturesque Dun Laoghaire Harbour looking out to Dublin Bay, the Royal Marine Hotel has just wonderful views and is a brilliant budget option.

This bustling seaside hotel has a great atmosphere, some rooms with seaviews, a spa, gym, pool and tennis courts, so you won’t be getting bored!

Ballsbridge Hotel

Located 20 minutes walk from the city centre, Ballsbridge Hotel is a well-renowned, stylish and inviting hotel that makes for a great budget option.

The traditional Irish hospitality is perfect and the you won’t leave without having a drink at their pub The Dubliner, where locals and residents alike enjoying meeting.

With 400 rooms you’ll pretty much always find there is space and it’s super close to the RDS Arena, 3 Arena and Aviva Stadium.

Ariel House

This guesthouse happens to be one of our favourite budget options, it occupies two Victorian townhouses nect to the Aviva Stadium and it is impressive!

The interior is elegant but welcoming and cosy with big comfortable sofas to sink into and a grand piano in the drawing room.

The rooms have been kitted out with good quality furnishing including orthopeadic matterresses and quality linen and towels.

Although Ariel House has a great price tag you won’t feel like you are scrimping in the slightest.

Generator Hostel

Located in the fashionable Smithfield district of Dublin, the Generator Hostel is a real budget option but will really surprise you.

If you are looking for a lively place to stay that definitely won’t break the bank then head this way.

With amazing open social spaces, a cafe and bar, reclaimed wood and exposed brickwork there is a really cool industrial feel to this place.

If you want to add a pinch of luxury to your budget stay then book the shared room with the hot tub!

3 City Walks in Ireland

When you think of going walking in Ireland you immediately think of beautiful uninterrupted countryside, mountains, rivers and lakes, but did you know that there are some really fantastic city walks in Ireland too? These can often be overshadowed by countryside walks which is understandable, the Irish countryside is simply beautiful, but we think you’ll love these three city walks too. 1.Dublin Dublin is a bustling city on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Primarily people visit Dublin to check out its array of shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, but hidden amongst the hustle and bustle you’ll find some fabulous city walks that even the most avid hiker will love. Being a relatively small city you can do some self-guided city walks that will allow you to see some of the major attractions without having to walk for miles and miles. O’Connell Bridge is a great central starting point and did you know it is reported as being the only bridge in the world that is as wide as it is long? From here you are bang in the middle to walk to all parts of the city, with the affluent southside on one side and the once slumsy northside on the other. Check out the O’Connell memorial and the angel crushing a serpent, plus the Irish wolfhound that is complete with bullet holes from the fighting in 1916. The Garden of Rememberance and Moore Street Market are great to visit plus the Ha'penny Bridge, Temple Bar and the Bank of Ireland. Trinity College is a beautiful, impressive building which can then follow along to Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green and Merrion Row. There is a lot to see in the city centre and it depends how much time you’ve allowed as to how far you can go and what you can see, so pick your wishlist and crack on with your city walk.

If you’d like to get away from the hustle and bustle a bit then head down to the docklands where you’ll find stunning modern architecture, historic buildings, art galleries and river trips. If you fancy a little peace and quiet you could head up to the Hellfire Club / Montpelier Loop trail which starts near Montpelier Hill, north of Dublin’s Marlay Park and Edmonston and loops around. At the top are the ruins of Mount Perlier, now known as the Hellfire Club.

2.Galway Galway is a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast sitting where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean and is the second largest city in Ireland. Think festivals, beautiful coastline, independent book stores, pubs, aquariums and museums. Since you’re on foot you could do what many have done before you and take a pub walking tour, you’ll get to see the city whilst enjoying a beer or two in traditional Irish pubs where the log fires are lit and the locals are welcoming. If pub city walks aren’t your thing though we are sure the Salthill walk will be. With one of the most beautiful panoramas in Galway, Irish countryside stretched for miles and sandy beaches at your fingertips you are sure to enjoy this walk. You could also have a horse ride on the beach, play golf or even go diving.

3.Cork Cork is just inland from Ireland’s southwest coast and is centred around the river Lee. This is a university city so is busy and vibrant whilst having Irish countryside on its doorstep. You could easily do a whistle stop tour of the city in 60 to 90 minutes and if you’ve got longer then pick your must-see areas and wander around soaking up the atmosphere. Many people who live here will tell you that Cork holds the real essence of Ireland so take in the culture, chat to locals and enjoy your city walks. Places of interest to visit might include Cork City Goal, the English Markets, Farmgate Cafe perched on a balcony overlooking the markets is a great place to grab a coffee, Cork Opera House, Market Lane and Triskel Arts Centre are to name but a few.

If you fancy exploring the areas that surround Cork then you could try the Tracton Wood Walk. Tracton Wood is a long narrow V shaped wood in a river valley. Walks here are really beautiful but the wood is quite steep in parts so best to bear that in mind. In the lower parts of the wood the pine trees are dense which means this area is often quite dark which can feel like a real adventure, especially for little ones. There are some lovely, relatively flat trails by the river.

Ireland is a country with many faces, from luscious countryside, to beaches and mountains, there is so much to explore but certainly don’t overlook their fabulous cities and the city walks that these offer.