Welcome to A Day In, a series highlighting the best ways to spend a day in our favorite cities, through the lens of their most stylish locals. Come along as Kristen Olson shares her recommendations for a perfect day in Dublin, Ireland.

Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Kristen and I’m on the fourth year of my “one year” in Ireland :) I moved from Austin, Texas to Dublin in 2019 and have since worked in two jobs in the arts, completed an MA in contemporary art theory, and started a career in publishing as a publicist. I am grateful to have found a home in this city and love to share my favorite spots with anyone who visits!

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I love how easy it is to get around, either by walking or hopping on the city tram. I can walk two minutes to my local pub, five minutes to the grocery store, and fifteen minutes straight into the city center. I’m also not too far from the sea and love going for a swim whenever I get the chance, no matter how cold the water is!

Which Maylis shoes are your favorites to wear out and about in your city?

The Catherine Loafers! They are the perfect finishing touch for elevating my everyday jeans and jumpers.

When is the best time of year to visit your city?

Late spring and summer are the best for the LONG days (10 P.M. sunsets!), and when the sun is out in Dublin, everyone is in a good mood. On a nice day, absolutely everyone is outside—swimming in the sea, reading in the park, drinking outside pubs—and it’s so fun! It’s also really magical here at Christmastime.

If someone was spending one day in your city, what should their itinerary be?

In an ideal world, you would start your day with a sunrise swim as many Dubliners do. Vico, Seapoint, and the 40 Foot are my favorite spots. Refuel with brunch at Alma, Two Pups, Two Boys Brew, or Fumbally. Book shopping is an absolute must in Dublin—I love Hodges Figgis for a huge selection, Marrowbone Books and The Last Bookshop for quaint secondhand coziness, and Books Upstairs for the beautiful cafe on the second floor. For other shopping, I love the Irish Design Shop and Industry for beautiful gift-y and home bits, as well as all the little shops in the Powerscourt Townhouse on South William St. Almost all of the museums here are free, so I frequently visit the National Gallery, sometimes even when I just happen to be nearby. It’s right on Merrion Square, which is a gorgeous park surrounded by Irish Georgian buildings—a great spot to rest on a sunny day. Lunch faves in town are Tiller + Grain, Tang, Pepper Pot, and Sprout. Finally, stop into a pub any time of day and in any part of the city. My favorites that also have good food are Devitts, Smyth’s, and Lucky’s. Some other staples for a lovely pint of Guinness are Cassidy’s, Grogan’s, Walsh’s, and O’Donoghue’s. Live music by night is likely at most!

Rapid-fire Dublin favorites

Coffee shop: One Kinda Folk
Brunch dish/restaurant: dulce de leche pancakes at Alma in Portobello—I take everyone here!
Street to stroll: Drury Street in town has great shops and cafes
Store: Irish Design Shop and Marrowbone Books are my favorite places to peruse
Outdoor adventure: swimming at the Vico Baths in Dalkey
Rainy day outing: the National Gallery of Ireland
Place to go with friends: Bonobo in Smithfield for pizza and the best espresso martini in Dublin
Date night spot: Fancy: Host in Ranelagh – I dream of their burrata dish every day. Casual: Rita’s Pizza in Ranelagh.
Dessert dish/restaurant: Murphy’s ice cream is the best—I like to get lemon curd + gin!
Place to rest your head: The Aloft is in a cool part of town, right near some of my favorite food spots. For fancy stays, it has to be the Shelbourne!