UK trip - Edinburgh and Dublin!

June 29, 2017 11:29 AM

My wife and I are going to a wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July, and we've expanded the trip to include two days in Dublin. We've essentially got two full days in both places, once you take out the time spent on wedding stuff. What should we do?

We're probably going to have to stick pretty close to the cities, much as I'd like to explore the rest of both countries. I'm up for trying haggis, we'd like to hang out at some pubs, and I want to see some Joyce/Ulysses stuff in Dublin. Our airbnb is right near the Guinness Storehouse, so we have that well-covered.

Bonus question! What should I do about phone service? I'm coming from the US, and my phone has dual sim slots, so my vague plan is to get some kind of prepaid uk sim for while I'm there. Is that viable? Any suggestions?

posted by Ragged Richard to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)

We just got back from a Scotland trip. We were running around the Highlands mostly, so I don't have specific Edinburgh recommendations, but our tour guide is based there and he was AMAZING. Check out Iconic Tours. I think he actually spends most of his time showing people Edinburgh and the immediate surroundings, so I highly recommend seeing if he (or one of his people) is available. Tell Will that Natalie sent you.

Since you mentioned pubs, check out the Bow Bar on Victoria Avenue. It's right off the Royal Mile. No music, no TVs -- just 300+ whiskies and a great craft beer selection. And they will kick out the overly rowdy groups, so even though it's in a very touristy area, it stays pretty quiet.
posted by natabat at 12:30 PM on June 29, 2017

Dublin advice:

- Avoid Temple Bar at all costs.
- Try a food tour with French Foodie in Dublin
- Visit Little Museum of Dublin and/or go on Green Mile tour.
- Avoid implying that Dublin is in the UK. Irish people tend not to like that.
posted by bimbam at 12:45 PM on June 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

My husband and I just went to Dublin last September, and one thing we always mention when reminiscing about the city is Hanleys Cornish Pasty shop in Temple Bar. Maybe it was just because we had spent the last three days eating nothing but hot dogs and yogurt in Iceland, but MAN those were some tasty pasties!!
posted by GoldenEel at 12:56 PM on June 29, 2017

In Dublin, book your tickets in advance for two things: Kilmainham Gaol and the Viking Splash tour. The first is a somber tour of the historical building and grounds and the second is a rowdy bus/boat around the city.
posted by soelo at 1:04 PM on June 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

Temple Bar was fine during the day, just keep alert for pickpockets like in any city. For a SIM, PAYG is the european term for prepaid and you can get them most places, including Tesco grocery stores. I used a Tesco brand sim, which was free with a top up of 10 or 20 Euros and worked in the UK.
posted by soelo at 1:08 PM on June 29, 2017

I've only been there briefly as a tourist and haven't ventured much further than travel guides, but in Edinburgh both Greyfriars Kirkyard and Arthur's Seat are well worth an evening stroll. Ryrie's pub is far nicer than one might expect from the somewhat touristy outside appearance (and they make a fine haggis.)
posted by eotvos at 1:11 PM on June 29, 2017

Edinburgh castle is actually very good at the end of the main street. Though took us 4 hours to do it all (including tea and cake).

Real Mary Close is a good hour or so and an interesting insight to the history of the city.
posted by 92_elements at 1:17 PM on June 29, 2017

I am fond of the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and it also has a pleasant cafe with outside tables to enjoy the view if it's a nice day. The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street has lots of interesting historical things over seven floors, with a good view over the city from the rooftop area. It also has two or three free guided tours a day where you just gather at the meeting point, no need to book, I am sure their web site would say what the times are.
posted by AuroraSky at 1:20 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

In Edinburgh, I particularly loved the side-by-side graveyards at St. Johns & St. Cuthberts churches, western end of the Princes St. Gardens. Very atmospheric and peaceful.
posted by MovableBookLady at 1:21 PM on June 29, 2017

Newgrange is 50 km from Dublin. I saw it when I was around 12 and it was truly amazing. If you can wrangle a day trip and tour (you may have to book ahead), it may be the experience of a lifetime if you are into that kind of thing.
posted by heatherlogan at 4:35 PM on June 29, 2017

The literary tour of Dublin, which ends up as a bit of a pub tour as well from
Memory, is so much fun. Can't remember specific names but it was not hard to find.
posted by jojobobo at 12:36 AM on June 30, 2017

No: this was a late arvo/early evening thing. And I actually saw frank mc court. Not james Joyce but still.
posted by jojobobo at 12:38 AM on June 30, 2017

Also if you've never been to Edinburgh I think it's a great city to just wander. It is so incredibly atmospheric.
posted by jojobobo at 12:39 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]