Inspired by the success of my Healthy Guide to London blog post, I am starting a series of guest posts where awesome people come onto my site and share their insider tips, tricks and recommendations for where to eat, train and explore in their city! Today we have the awesome Squatting Gym Bunny talking about Dublin!
Breakfast
First things first, a good breakfast is key for the busy day ahead! My top 3 spots are Urban Health for protein pancakes, Yogism with its’ yogasmic frozen yogurt, protein pancakes & a variety of other options, and Eathos where you can gorge on pancakes (surprise surprise!), chia puddings and acai bowls.
Explore
Exploring Dublin is the ideal chance to get in some cardio as with a small city centre it is easy to get around on foot! If you feel like unleashing your inner Bradley Wiggins then Dublin Bikes have 3 day passes available so it is as simple as grabbing a bicycle from one of the many pick up locations across the city!
Picnic in the Park
As lunch time approaches there are a variety of great options to eat ranging from healthy salads (Sprout & Co, Chopped, Cocu Kitchen, Counter Culture) to BBQ/Burger places for the committed carnivore (Pitt Bros, Bunsen, Aussie BBQ). If you want something green, whilst in Ireland, then there are a range of great spots (including Sprout & Co & Green Beards Juicery).
There is nothing better than enjoying a picnic in a park, I recommend St Stephen’s Green located smack bang in the city centre for some al fresco dining! Make sure to have an umbrella to hand, with the unpredictability of the Irish weather I like to always pack one together with sunglasses, a scarf and a hat – be like a boy scout always be prepared!
Cool Down
If you visit on a rare sunny day in the capital then a stop to Murphy’s Ice-Cream is an absolute must, with flavours including brown bread, sea salt and Irish Coffee your taste buds will get a serious work out if nothing else!
See the City from the Sky
If you really want to get to see the city then why not see it from the skies with a visit to the home of our national sport the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) at Croke Park. The tour of the stadium includes a skyline walk of the stadium roof with a full panoramic view of the city. You also get to try your hand, and foot, at hurling (think baseball meets rugby) and gaelic football!
Get Sweaty
There are gyms which have “pay as you go” or drop in rates (including FlyeFit in various locations, RAW, Westwood) they also offer classes so check out the timetables in advance. If unleashing your inner yogi and perfecting your downward facing dog is more your thing then the Sweaty Soul Studio located in the city centre offers a selection of classes and to add to its appeal the delectable Foodie Café is downstairs for some post soul sweating fuel! Or why not unleash your inner gymnast or acrobat with a trip to Jump Zone where you can try out trampolines, dodge ball and a foam zone!
Splash About
If you are more of a mermaid/merman at heart then hit SurfDock Watersports in the city’s docklands to try your hand or paddle at a range of water sports. If you have stronger sea fairing legs then you can take to the open seas with kitesurfing lessons at Bull Island in Clontarf! No visit to Clontarf would be complete without a trip to my favourite shop – Bodyfirst Nutrition – a supplements store that is a treasure trove of protein treats and macro friendly snacks to get some pep back in your step after your activities!
Cliff Walk
A 30 minute commute by train to Bray is definitely worth the journey. The Bray to Greystones cliff walk is the perfect way to blow off the cobwebs after the hustle and bustle of the city. The hour and a half long walk flies by with breath taking views before you reach the picturesque seaside town of Greystones. The vegetarian mecca that is The Happy Pear is a must for some post walk sustenance with eye wateringly good treats including healthy “twix” bars and superfood tiffin!
Night Owl
After your day enjoying Dublin then you can unwind with a pint of the black stuff, which does contain antioxidants and a healthy dose of iron! One thing Dublin doesn’t lack is an array of pubs to entice you in if you want to indulge in a few beverages you can always unleash your inner Irish dancer to burn off the excess calories!
If you want to follow Iseult Cody who wrote this article then you can find her on Instagram & Twitter!
