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

I am not 'ignorant'.

Your statement was.

My father was from there, I have cousins living there.
It's irrelevant in the context of your poorly informed views

But it's low ranking and rather drab.

Low-ranking based on what? What ranking system? 🤔

I have said I wouldn't either prioritise it at present, as a weekend destination and just based on exploring the city centre. But overall as a city, not just city centre, it's a great place, with lots of options, but perhaps not easily explored in a weekend.

You may not like it; that's fine; but to dismiss it as 'drab' and not worth a visit is not based on any evidence or facts, just your own opinion.

Well just to say there were a few down at heel looking places in Dublin but equally we went to one of the best restaurants we have been to on a weekend away - I do think you need some sense in your head of where stuff is so the tall tower there is a bit of a walk to get to the little bars and cute shops. But The Jeanie Johnston we really enjoyed and was a nice afternoon and near enough to walk back casually to the city centre. Also the (National? ) Art museum is lovely & lots and lots to see there . It is great. And such lovely Georgian architecture round and about there.

I would make your own choice but we had a lovely weekend in Dublin.

Well, my opinion is that Dublin was rather drab too. So shoot me.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - I refuse , at 10 paces I shall shoot over your head so honour is satisfied. - I really like Edinburgh too. Was just saying what I liked about Dublin.

These threads always amuse me when they crop up (with regularity)
I have been to all 3 cities Edinburgh, Dublin & Belfast ) multiple times & they all have their own distinct charms.

I always wonder what the 'loads to see & do' in Belfast amounts to?

We've been numerous times & really like the city but it's small & the main things we've done are :

Titanic museum
Cathedral
City Hall (outside)
Botanic gardens
University
Shops in the v main centre
Pubs / restaurants in a close radius to centre
MAC art gallery

What are the LOADS of other things we've been missing?

I adore Dublin & find there's so many things to do there:
National museum
National gallery
Natural history museum
National concert hall
Contemporary galleries- Royal Hibernium Academy, Douglas Hyde, temple bar gallery
Trinity college & Long Room Library
Little museum of Dublin
St Stephens green
Phoenix park
Dublin castle
Abbey / Gate theatre
Tenement museum Henrietta St
Restaurants for all budgets
Georgian Dublin
Literary pubs / tours
Cafes
Guiness hopstore

I simply can't believe there are posters who could NOTHING to do there

I live in Dublin and of the two would recommend Bruges in March
Edinburgh is lovely but will be freezing then and Dublin will be stormy and post Covid as pp said it's not great as a city break at the minute.

I've been to Dublin twice post lock down once in August & once in late September & found it very enjoyable each time

I recommend Nanetti's Italian restaurant on Dawson st - incredible food

Never been to Dublin so not much help to you. I love Edinburgh but remember that it’s likely to be very chilly in March. And be careful if you book one of the weekends that the four nations rugby matches are on. There will be a great atmosphere but all the pubs and restaurants will be busy and accommodation pretty fully booked.
If you come Mary King close is a must. Wander around the Grassmarket and the Royal Mile. There are loads of great places to eat .

I enjoyed my weekends in both but if I had to choose, definitely Edinburgh. Really liked the place and would love to go back sometime.

[quote BasiliskStare]@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - I refuse , at 10 paces I shall shoot over your head so honour is satisfied. - I really like Edinburgh too. Was just saying what I liked about Dublin. [/quote]
That is very noble of you.

There were a few things I liked about Dublin, to be fair:

a really old fashioned veggie restaurant, which felt like a trip back to the 1970s

a trip to a coastal place, which I've forgotten the name of

obviously the college gardens/buildings are lovely

there was a very nice library

the sun shone and it was warm, even though it was February

I made friends with some very photogenic seagulls

BUT:
I was disappointed by all of the pubs we went in, and some (mentioned in guide books as must visits) were positively grubby and smelly

The Oscar Wilde statue was ridiculous and disappointed me perhaps more than it should have done

It was ridiculously expensive, for even really basic things.

Love both cities. Edinburgh getting plenty of praise here so in defense of Dublin....there is so much to do - the history of the place is fascinating. Top of my list would be Kilmainham Gaol, Jeanie Johnston famine ship, Epic Emigration museum, 41 Henrietta St, Dublin Castle, GPO, Christchurch Cathedral and Dublinia viking experience. Some great walking tours. Fab restaurants, music venues and pubs (if you avoid the tourist traps). Beaches, mountains and a great zoo minutes from the City Centre.

March - do Dublin. There should be lots on in the run up to St. Patrick's day (17 March).

Kilmainham Gaol
Grace 💚💚
Definitely worth a visit.

I wouldn’t recommend Dublin at the moment. It has a serious problem with anti social behaviour and crime. I’d give it a swerve for the time being.

thanks so much everyone for all your input- it is much appreciated! not sure its helped DH and I make up our minds yet though.....

I've been to Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh several times and if I had to choose one of them to visit again it would definitely be Edinburgh. Belfast is nice too though. I could quite happily avoid Dublin for the rest of my life!

I wouldn’t recommend Dublin at the moment. It has a serious problem with anti social behaviour and crime. I’d give it a swerve for the time being.

My DD and her boyfriend spent 4 days in Dublin a couple of years ago. They did the touristy stuff and enjoyed it, but the trip was spoiled by local men hurling abuse at them every day- they found it very threatening.

The thing is Op is looking for the best “ one off” experience. Not the real city or what’s it like if you live there.
As a tourist at both Edinburgh wins. Prettier, bigger and a feel of being away ( has a touch of France about it).
Dublin was fun but agree with those saying Belfast is better. Belfast has a touch of Barcelona ( if Barcelona was cold, wet and a bit cynical).

Edinburgh. Been about eight times, Dublin only once. There's just so much to do in Edinburgh, it's got it all I think. Just rather cold for a southerner like me.

Another vote for Belfast! Brilliant and interesting city.. lots to see and do. Titanic museum, game of thrones stuff, old prison, stormont, the bus tour is definitely worth doing. Really friendly place too.

Liverpool is a good city break too. Lots to see and do. At the docks there's the Beatles experience, Tate gallery, slavery museum. The cathedral is worth a look and a climb to the top of the tower for the view. Great nightlife too.

Cambridge is beautiful and interesting if you do the walking tours around the colleges, it's quite small though.

I've been to Dublin 3 times and Edinburgh twice. Compared to other uk cities I found them both a bit meh. I preferred Glasgow to Edinburgh for a city break.

@NalPolishRemover
Crumlin Gaol
Ulster folk museum

Whist not in Belfast the Antrim coast- not far, goblins, glenarriff, giants causeway

Thanks v much @peppersauce1984 I will check them out the next time we're there

We've driven along the Antrim coast & it's very beautiful though you do need a car.

Similarly I'd say a visit to Dun Laoghaire or killiney or Howth would be equally enjoyable in Dublin but perhaps out of reach for many who fly in for just a few days.

Edinburgh all day long! Beautiful beautiful city. Dublin is nothing in comparison

I live in Edinburgh and feel like I’m on holiday every weekend, I love it. I hope it is chilly in March then the grass won’t need to be cut so much - is nearly midnight in November and 14 degrees (warmer than London).

Dublin city centre is drab and down at heel. Many of the city centre “attractions” mentioned by pps are meh at best. There is a lot of antisocial behaviour around the Liffey areas. There are some very nice restaurants and upmarket hotels but the surroundings are not great.
However, if you get out of the city centre there are some really lovely places to see. Southside: Anywhere along the coast between Monkstown and Killiney. Dalkey Village and the Vico Road are particularly lovely. Enniskerry Village and Powerscourt. Bray to Greystones Cliff walk (Bray itself not great) & Kilruddery House.
Northside: St Anne’s Park. Howth Cliff walk. Malahide Castle, Village and coast. Phoenix Park including Farmleigh house & gardens. All good for walks, sea-swimming, scenery, food and pubs. And because many UK cities are inland, it’s nice to see a city by the sea.