Vibrant, colorful, party-loving Dublin is one of those rare metropolises that are a favorite with its residents as well as tourists in spite of its industrious image and crowds. If you are planning to visit Dublin, there’s one thing you need to remember. Keep away from cars. Exploring the city by car can be a bad idea because charming though it is, the city’s notorious traffic and parking problems can take the magic out of your sightseeing.

Why Bikes?

1. Of course, you could use the effective public transport system; but a far better way to explore the city would be by bikes.
2. The bike-friendly level roads combined with Ireland’s innovative bike sharing scheme makes this option highly attractive.
3. Cycling through the roads is not only better exercise and a greener option; it is also a terrific way to get to know the city better.
4. If you have to travel longer distances that may be strenuous by bikes, you can always load your bike on Dublin’s buses or trams and use it again at your destination.

Dublin city Bike Tours
From March to November, the Dublin City Bike Tours offers guided tours through the city to popular as well as little known attractions of Dublin. This 3 hour tour starts near the central bus stand and will take you on a 9 km drive through the city’s best sights. Explore the city on a stylish bike with an interesting guide and you wouldn’t believe how much you’ve covered and learnt in these 3 hours.

The DublinBikes Scheme
For self-guided bike tours of Dublin, take advantage of the convenient DublinBikes Scheme offered by the Government. The DublinBikes Scheme offers bicycles at 40 stations across the city, free for use for the first 30 minutes each time. If you don’t want to keep visiting bike stations, just hire a bike for 3 days or for the duration of your stay and keep moving on.

Discover Dublin with Your Pedal

1. Get your Dublinbike at the Eccles Street Station and visit the lovely Botanical Gardens nearby. Of course, biking can make you hungry. That’s why a stop at the Temple Bar Food Market is important.
2. Take your bike to explore the vast Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe. If you are a nature lover, you can spend hours here wandering over the green lands, watching the wild deer and seeing nature at its best. Don’t miss the Dublin Zoo when you visit this park.
3. The Dublin city center is small with level roads and convenient bicycle paths. Visit the museums, heritage buildings, theatres and churches here by just pedaling across. Make your way to the Guinness Storehouse and drink in the information provided here about Dublin’s grand ale; of course, you also get to drink Guinness. Complete your shopping at Grafton Street in the city center. This can be a great place to buy shoes for your cycling expedition.
4. A leisurely 15 minute ride from the city center will take you to the Sandymount Strand, a vast stretch of beach with a scenic lighthouse.  

With so much to explore and a handy option to discover the city at your own pace, you may find it difficult to pedal out of the enchanting fairytale city of Dublin.