Under $100: Dublin, Ireland

The Irish capital remains a popular destination with visitors and, despite its reputation as an expensive city to visit, it is possible to see Dublin on a budget.

Independent café Brother Hubbard is a perennially popular choice, and it’s not hard to see why. The menu is constantly changing, but the meals are always freshly prepared. Stop in to this welcoming little spot to see what the chefs are rustling up that day ($12).

The Temple Bar Pub of Dublin © Imagoinsulae | Dreamstime

While there is plenty of art in Dublin, it’s best to see one of the truly unique attractions at the Book of Kells. This manuscript was written around 800 AD and contains Latin texts of the Four Gospels. The Irish monks that wrote it later buried it out of fear of Viking invaders, but it was later rediscovered (admission $12).

Restaurants in Dublin can be pricey, but there are plenty of good options for the budget conscious. Stop in at Market Bar on Fade Street for a $10 lunch menu that includes a sandwich, a mug of soup and some fries.

Guinness Storehouse © Littleny | Dreamstime

It may be a bit of a Dublin cliché, but it’s worth the effort to see the Guinness Storehouse ($16). This former fermentation plant for the famous Irish stout has been turned into a museum, and visitors are given a free pint in the amazing Gravity Bar. Whether you like Guinness or not, you can marvel at the 360-degree views over Dublin.

If you’ve got a taste for Irish stout, it’s time to check out some of the most famous traditional pubs in the city. Head to The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland, to sample beers from around the island and chow down on some traditional Irish stew ($16 stew, drinks $7). Head off on a bar crawl to see the best of Dublin’s famous nightlife before tumbling into bed!