10 Things to Do in Dublin in November

Dublin is a city full of things to see and things to do, both in and around the city. The city has a reputation for being always cloudy and cold and, in part, this is one of its charms. Getting to know the Irish capital in good weather is comfortable, but being able to come in November makes it that much more special.

From welcoming the first Christmas displays, to seeing the first autumn landscapes first hand, to a whole host of festivals and cultural events not to be missed. If you're thinking of coming to Dublin in November, take note because I'm going to tell you the top 10 things to do and see.

Dublin at Christmas time is transformed into a city full of light and tradition. However, it is also full of people and crowds that can make sightseeing a little difficult. One of the advantages of coming to Ireland's capital in November is that you can enjoy the first Christmas displays without being subjected to long queues of people.

One of the most awaited moments for all Dubliners is the installation of the Christmas markets, which are usually set up in the last week of November. You can find all kinds of Christmas decorations, garlands, lights and figurines, as well as festive sweets and food.

Main Christmas markets

• Wicklow Christmas Market, located in Eireann 133
• Dún Laoghaire, located on the coast.

Both are a great opportunity to take home a special piece to put in your home this festive season.

It's no news that it gets cold in Dublin in November. Especially when it starts to get dark around seven in the evening. If you've had a day of sightseeing and you're starting to get cold from being out on the streets, there's no better plan than popping into one of the many famous Irish pubs around the city.

Here, not only can you sit down to a typical meal, but you can also sample craft and domestic beers such as Guinness or, if you're young at heart, sample some of their whiskies and soak up the Irish atmosphere with a good game of rugby or hurling.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on what you want to consume.
• Admission: The pubs in Dublin are free to enter, you only pay for your drink.
• Place: One of the most famous areas with pubs is Temple Bar.
• Date: They are open all year round but tend to be busy in the colder months such as November.

Dublin is a fantastic city to discover with dozens of places to see. However, you shouldn't overlook the fact that it's close to some of Ireland's most incredible scenery and from here you can take a number of interesting day trips.

There is no better month to enjoy the Irish atmosphere and bucolic nature than in November, when the cold weather arrives, the skies are overcast but the rains have given a respite.

If you want to experience an authentic autumn day near Dublin on a day trip, two of the best destinations are the Giant's Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher.

Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is one of those places you have to see once in your life. This bizarre rock formation has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is only a few kilometres from Dublin so you can see it in a day. There are several tours that, for less than €50, will take you around this spectacular landscape and somewhere nearby, such as the legendary city of Belfast.

Cliffs of Moher

One of Ireland's most iconic and talked-about landscapes is the Cliffs of Moher, a series of stepped cliffs that run the length of the country's east coast. Day trips can be arranged from Dublin to visit and take pictures for less than £40 with transfers and a guide to tell you all about the area.

Interesting details

• Price: between 40€ and 50€.
• Tickets: I recommend you book these tours in advance online, although you can also buy them in person when you arrive in Dublin.
• Location: The Giant's Causeway is in Bushmills and the Cliffs of Moher in Munster Province.
• Date: Ideally during the first half of November when the weather is not too cold and rainfall is almost non-existent.

By now, if you've decided to come and see Dublin, you'll have realised that it's a hugely popular tourist city, acclaimed on the continent for its culture, scenery and unique character. In high season, with the arrival of the good weather, the streets and tourist attractions fill up with people. That's why if you come to Dublin in November you can count on a clear advantage: the lack of crowds.

November is a good month for sightseeing in the city as it has very low rainfall rates but, due to the cold weather and the calendar, it doesn't tend to have many tourists. Therefore, you can enjoy the main museums such as the National Gallery and the National Museum of Archaeology, which are two of the most important cultural representations of the country and are completely free of charge, without waiting in line.

Interesting details

• Price: Museums in Dublin are free of charge.
• Tickets: You can book your ticket to avoid queues on the official websites of the museums and directly at the ticket office.
• Location: The National Gallery is in Merrion Square W and the National Museum of Archaeology in Kildare St.
• Date: The museums are open all year round but in November, being low season, they are less crowded and more convenient to visit.

If you like the world of literature and want to find out more about what's being written and what's trending in Ireland, November is the ideal month for you. Throughout the month, the Irish capital organises different events, concerts and fairs dedicated to national literature.

Not to be confused with World Book Day, which in Ireland is celebrated on 2 March. The Dublin Book Festival aims to showcase Irish culture and pay tribute to all its favourite authors, both new trends and established classics such as James Joyce.

If you come to Dublin in November, you can check the agenda and schedule your visit to different bookshops, public libraries and museums where books will be on sale, authors will be signing and you can attend conferences and literary competitions. It's a cultural experience!

If you come to Dublin, you'll quickly realise that its citizens value and treasure their culture. They have several days a year to celebrate and celebrate important figures of their tradition and, if you come in November, you will be able to experience one of them first hand. Specifically the one dedicated to the writer Jonathan Swift, creator of "Gulliver's Travels".

For four days at the beginning of November, a festival dedicated to the figure and work of the writer has been held for years, specifically in St. Patrick's Cathedral, where several events are organised and a fair in the cloister with different stalls where you can attend recitals or micro-theatres.

Also, taking advantage of the acoustics of the cathedral, you can attend free choir concerts, readings and lectures.

Interesting details

• Price: the festival usually costs 10€.
• Tickets: You can book tickets in advance on the official website.
• Venue: St Patrick's Cathedral.
• Date: early November.

At the end of November, for three days, Dublin's art takes to the streets to be accessible and within everyone's reach. Known as Dublin Gallery Weekend, it's a cultural event that brings up to 40 galleries to the streets.

If you're in Dublin during this time, you can also enjoy a number of free art museums, as well as attend events, talks and lectures. These spaces are not only designed to bring national art and painting to the world, but also to promote its importance and give visibility to new artists.

Most of the participating galleries and museums are focused on modern art and new avant-garde art and authors, such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Dublin City Gallery or the Hugh Lane. If you are interested in trends, you can't miss this event during the last days of the month, which is also completely free of charge.

Interesting details

• Price: this is a free event.
• Tickets: no tickets required.
• Venue: in the main modern art museums such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Dublin City Gallery or the Hugh Lane, but also in the street, at the doors of the main galleries in the city centre.
• Date: end of November.

December is undoubtedly the month when Christmas shines brightly. However, November in Dublin is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festive season and of the upcoming festivities: the switching on of the Christmas lights.

If you come to the city during this month, you can attend the official switch-on which, year after year, takes place on 13 November. In total there are 30 streets and more than a million light bulbs that line the city centre.

If you've been to Dublin at this time of year, you'll probably have seen staff putting up decorations on trees, lampposts and squares, but it's on the night of the 13th that the lights are switched on, with a massive event full of concerts, children's games and hot food, and they will remain on until mid-January.

Interesting details

• Price: it is free of charge.
• Tickets: This is a street event so no tickets are required.
• Place: The lights are spread throughout the city centre.
• Date: Held every year on 13 November.

As in many countries around the world, November is a month when cautious people start their Christmas shopping, taking advantage of the best bargains and getting ahead of the crowds and out-of-stock items. If you want to take home a special gift this Christmas and you are on holiday for a few days in Dublin in November, let me tell you that these days you have the first winter fairs at your disposal.

Laa in Wolfe Tone Square, for example, is organised every year from mid-November and it is a craft fair where, in addition to having Christmas objects, you can buy all kinds of souvenirs and gifts.

Also, don't forget that Dublin, like many western countries, celebrates the famous Black Friday, so if you're in the capital during these days, you'll be able to find exclusive offers on top brands.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on how much you want to spend on gifts and shopping.
• Tickets: no entrance required.
• Venue: Wolfe Tone Square Park.
• Date: Black Friday is held every year on the last Friday in November and the craft fair starts in mid-November.

The end of autumn also sees the start of the city's famous ice skating rinks, a sport that every year attracts both children and adults who want to glide around the rink and spend an afternoon with family and friends.

And if you're in Dublin in November, you're in for a treat, as the biggest ice rink in the country opens at this time of year. The Blanchardstown ice rink is up to 800 square metres, although there are other rinks just as big, such asDundrum on Ice.

All of them are conveniently located in the city and for less than £15 you can enjoy a nice walk on the ice to squeeze in the winter season in the middle of November.

Interesting details

• Price: around 15 euros.
• Tickets: You can buy tickets in advance on the websites of the different rinks. This is Dundrum on Ice.
• Venue: Ice Skating is in Blanchardstown and Dundrum on Ice is in Sandyford Road.
• Date: The rinks are usually set up in Dublin from the second half of November.

November is a month that heralds the arrival of winter and therefore temperatures drop considerably compared to the rest of autumn. As a general statistic, highs do not usually exceed 14 degrees Celsius, while lows can easily hover around 5 degrees Celsius.

However, there is one good thing about coming to Dublin in November and that is that rainfall is almost non-existent, with at most 4 or 5 days of rain per month. However, the skies will remain cloudy most of the time, so forget the sunglasses and get used to the typical grey Irish/UK landscape.

If you're planning your next holiday to Dublin in November, there are a few basic tips to bear in mind. Among them, the choice of what you pack will be important in order to cope with the conditions and weather.

• Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, not just for walking around the city, but also in case you're going on any excursions around the capital.
• You should also pack light, warm clothing so that you can walk comfortably and easily without getting cold.
• A mackintosh or umbrella can be put on the back burner as it rarely rains during this month.
• But I do advise you to bring a hat or some sunscreen because, although it's cloudy and deceiving, the sun can still burn you if you're out all day.

Dublin has everything you need for an unforgettable holiday and November is definitely a good month to enjoy all of them in a more economical way and without queues of people.

Just pack your suitcase with warm clothes and come and experience the art, culture, food and nature of this beautiful city.