Edinburgh or Dublin for city break?

[Lifeispassingby]

So 40th birthday coming up in March, planning city break for me and DH, we are looking at probably either Edinburgh or Dublin, although open to other suggestions? Which would people recommend? And specifically where to stay/what to do in either city would be great! Small ish budget for 3 nights x

Edinburgh is so much better imho, just had a lovely few days there with DD. It was buzzing and vibrant and so alive, it made me feel so

TBF, I have only spent one very rainy afternoon visiting Dublin on a day out while on holiday a few hours away and we literally couldn't find anything to do there. We were wandering around a main street with some big spiky statue thing, thinking is this the centre? Where are all the fantastic pubs and stuff?

We tried to find the tourist info and couldn't, the signs were all really unclear. Then we went in a cute little gift shop mainly to escape the rain a bit and collect our thoughts and do something nice and the owner said we would have to pay one Euro just to look around.

So we left and went back to our holiday cottage.

It's difficult to find any city that has such a beautiful cityscape as Edinburgh so it's not a very fair comparison.

Dublin has a lot going for it though, despite a lot of the comments on MN.

I would also like to go to Belfast.

I should say I spent my 40th birthday in Edinburgh and had afternoon tea at the Balmoral Hotel.

One other idea if you are in Kent - go to Cologne by train?

I also really like Liverpool!

Also Cardiff - quite underrated in my view and enough to do for 3 days.

I was coming on to say have you considered Cardiff?

Just seen you said March - that's when my birthday is too. I am sadly planning a 50th birthday then - and have Belfast and Berlin on my list. Berlin if covid tests and vaccine passports are over by then, Belfast if not.

@Northernsoullover

Dublin was dull. Edinburgh I absolutely loved.

This is hilarious, I can understand why Dublin might not be for everyone but to suggest it is dull is just a lie or you are a complete bore

Edinburgh definitely!! I found Dublin to be overrated. After a few hours didn't really know what to do/see. Edinburgh has loads to do and you could easily fill your days.

I was bored too.Weather was dank. The Pub scene seemed fake and mainly full of Americans trying to keep warm. A river some churches and no friendlier than anywhere else. Preferred Belfast and Edinburgh by a mile.

Belfast or Liverpool are both better choices.

I'm from Dublin originally , I'd ( guiltily) choose Edinburgh it's lovely . Echo what many have said my dd is at uni in Belfast , fantastic, vibrant and friendly city .

If money's no object Dublin. If you have to stick to a budget, Edinburgh. Dublin is damn pricey but way more fun.

I didn't like Dublin.

Edinburgh or Belfast both much better.

DH & I went to Dublin for a weekend - some really nice restaurants , I loved the emigrants ship exhibition ( can't remember what it was called but really interesting ) Some of the little bars etc are very packed , but we enjoyed it. Edinburgh I think has a bit more to see but make sure you do not go when cold and windy

I'm from Ireland, im not sure how long you have to visit either place, i would suggest doing a scenic route and touring Ireland to really see the beauty of it. Lovely coast roads and plenty of sites to see.

www.discoverireland.ie/wild-atlantic-way

Here is a few more suggestions re: scenic road trips, ireland has se lovely little villages one horse towns to see, I would prefer this over the hustle of busy city.

www.theirishroadtrip.com/scenic-drives-ireland/

@midsomermurderess

Edinburgh, far and away Edinburgh. Bits of Dublin are ok, quite attractive, but it's not a terribly interesting place when all is said and done.

What an ignorant post! Dublin is absolutely an interesting place. However, at the moment, for a short city-centre break, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

If you live here, as I do, there are great things to do and visit across the whole capital, but not necessarily all practical for a quick visit.

We were wandering around a main street with some big spiky statue thing, thinking is this the centre? Where are all the fantastic pubs and stuff?

You were in O'Connell Street. Although it's the Main Street, it's not a great spot.

You needed to be across the river in Grafton Street, lots of lovely cafes, museums, galleries, shops, historical sites.

I'm sorry you'd no success with the tourist office but had you no phones? A quick google about 'things to do in Dublin' would have brought you to Trinity College, Book of Kells, Seamus Heaney exhibition, Dublin Castle, the Dead Zoo, National Gallery... all within a very short walk of where you were.

People have to take a bit of responsibility when they travel, and one rainy afternoon anywhere won't equip you to make a proper appraisal.

Edinburgh 1000000 times over Dublin

I wasn't impressed with Dublin. Belfast much better.

But Edinburgh has it all

This!

I thought Dublin looked very down at heel, for the most part. And the pubs were mostly quite grotty. Pubs and restaurants very expensive, but not great. I doubt I'd go back.

Belfast or Glasgow both better options

You could also look at Galway

Hands down Edinburgh.

But also if you're in the South, Bruges is wonderful & easily accessible

I’ve been to Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin. Would and have always returned to Edinburgh as I love it!

Dublin is good for a night out and it can be fun, I found it less architecturally interesting than
Edinburgh.

In Edinburgh I’ve stayed in a BnB which was lovely. More recently I stayed in a premier inn or holiday inn lite (cannot remember which!), but it was a tech one with interactive walls and very modern. No breakfast included. Not romantic, but very good fun for my partner who loves his gadgets!

I know Dublin pretty well, @earingsandlipstick, so I am not 'ignorant'. My father was from there, I have cousins living there.
Still, I think it is not terribly interesting, as evidenced by some suggestions here, and some of yours. Grafton Street? Is it worth a trip? Trinity College, the Book of Kells, yes lovely, but not compelling. The Guiness tour? is it any more interesting than similar in Copenhagen or Amsterdam which have do much more to offer? No. Someone mentioned Glasnevin. Yes, the 'heroes' are buried there, my grandad and mum and dad too as it happens.
It's a city competing as a short-break destination against so many others. But it's low ranking and rather drab.