In this day and age, what can make a destination truly worth traveling to is how Instagram-worthy it is. This isn't to say that this is the only thing worth looking forward to, but in the age of social media, it's become very important. It's why cities like Paris, New York, Rome, and London continue to welcome millions of tourists each year. And it's high time that
Dublin catches up to them. After all, the Irish capital has its treasure trove of Instagrammable spots. There are Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, The Brazen Head Pub, Anne's Lane, and the Poolbeg Lighthouse, among many others!
Temple Bar
You can't go to Dublin and not see Temple Bar in real life. With its bright crimson facade, iconic sign, and flowery exterior, it's one of the most famous spots in the city. In fact, it's not that far-fetched to say that its fame is in the same league as many of the world's iconic monuments. It's right up there with the Statue of Liberty in
New York, Big Ben in
London, the Eiffel Tower in
Paris, and the like. So at the very least, should you take a selfie with this beloved Dublin pub?
The Brazen Head
Speaking of the most notable
pubs in Dublin, The Brazen Head is another Instagram-worth hotspot. Located on Lower Bridge Street, it's the oldest pub in the entire city. The place has stood in the exact same spot since the 17th century, became a coaching inn in 1774, and eventually evolved into what it is today. The fact that it's still open for business is mindblowing enough, but the pub has even retained its Medieval design, architecture, and aesthetic. It just calls for some social media attention!
Source: The Brazen Head
Dublin Castle
That's enough about pubs! Now let's get into what most European cities have to offer: castles. And in this city, there’s the Dublin Castle, once the seat of power in the country. A former Motte-and-bailey castle that has retained its Medieval glory, it's no surprise that it's one of the best Instagrammable spots in Dublin. Even beyond its old-world appeal, the history and heritage this place contains are worth sharing, regardless if it's through a social media post.
Christ Church Cathedral
While it's not exactly a castle, Christ Church Cathedral is as much a magnificent structure as Dublin Castle. Not to mention just as historic too! The cathedral has stood in Dublin since the 11th century, making it the first Medieval church in the city (possibly in the entire country too!). And you can easily tell that the cathedral has seen lots of historic events when you see it in person. An architectural marvel in its own right, its wholly stone structure almost seems foreign to today's concrete standards.
Trinity College Dublin is the most
prestigious school in Dublin. Not to mention it's most beautiful too. From its grand halls to its lush fields, there's almost a sense of romance at every corner of this respected institution. None, however, are arguably as Instagram-worthy as the college library. Its main chamber is roughly 65 meters long and houses around 200,000 books. The entire place reeks of old-world grandeur, as if it's set for a period film. It's definitely a must-see!
Anne's Lane
It seems that many cities have their own “umbrella street.” There's one in Saitama Japan. There's another in
Istanbul, Turkey. You'll also find one in San Juan, Puerto Rico. And of course, there's one in Dublin, Ireland. The one here is known as Anne Lane, a hop and a skip away from the city center. And though this colorfully-decorated and well-shaded area practically looks exactly like those in the cities, you can't help but be charmed by it all. It's as Instagram-worthy as all the other umbrella streets around the world.
Ha’penny Bridge
What is it about bridges that make them so Instagram-worthy? The straight pathway that makes for a cool shot? Sure. The gorgeous scenery that often surrounds such structures? Yep. Or is it its beautiful architecture? Definitely! In truth, all of these serve as good reasons why many tourists (and a few locals too!) flock to bridges to capture an awesome Instagram spot. Such is the case for Ha’penny Bridge, which is also the first footbridge to be built over the Liffey River. With its history and aesthetic, there's no way people won't be fascinated by it!
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Dublin also has the Samuel Beckett Bridge as far as Instagram-worthy bridges are concerned. And this is a truly magnificent man-made marvel! Firstly, the architecture is sublime. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the structure almost looks like one giant modern sculpture. Unsurprisingly, the bridge even won the 2010 'Engineering Project of the Year' award from the Institution of Engineers of Ireland. And whether you're on the bridge or looking at it from a distance, you can enjoy many great vantage points to capture the perfect Instagram post.
Poolbeg Lighthouse
For these last two, it's worth going beyond the
central neighborhoods of Dublin and nearer to its surrounding natural wonders. Take, for instance, the famous Poolbeg Lighthouse. Located on the far tip of the man-made peninsula of the same name, it's a beautiful and serene structure on the outskirts of the Irish capital. But what truly makes it an Instagrammable spot is how bright red it is. Usually, lighthouses are painted white, sometimes striped with either red or black. But the Poolbeg Lighthouse is vibrant crimson, almost cartoonish in its eye-popping hue. It stands out amidst the lust greenery and the grey waters of the Liffey River.
Hawk Cliff
Finally, there's Hawk Cliff right by the coastal suburbs of Killiney. Though it's technically a cliff, it's not as high as you'd expect. In fact, the coast is practically its own stone beach. With a shoreline made up of big boulders, it's become a popular diving spot for the locals in the area. And of course, an Instagrammable spot too. Hawk Cliff is the kind of place to capture an emotional Instagram post. Or a scenic landscape shop of the surrounding natural wonders near Dublin.
Get to know where the Instagram-worthy spots in Dublin are. Not only are they pretty spectacular sights, but they show just how beautiful the Irish capital really is. The entire city is a feast for the eyes!
