Dublin... not a bad spot Source: Shutterstock/David Soanes

DUBLIN HAS BEEN named as the third best city in the world to visit next year by Lonely Planet.

The Irish capital was beaten out only by Kotor, a coastal town in Montenegro, and Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

Dublin cemented its position so high up the table due to the €22 million that has been invested in the centenary celebrations for next year.

Speaking about Dublin, a spokesperson for Lonely Planet said:

Dublin should be on travellers’ must-see list. It’s pulsing with vibrancy, optimism and creativity. The city is truly buoyant; whilst also boasting inner green spaces and wild outdoor arenas along the coast. 2016 really is the time to go.

Unusual choices

Kotor took the top spot in the selection for next year for what is said to be a “picture-perfect visage from virtually every angle”.

Kotor Bay in Montenegro Source: Shutterstock/Sorin Colac

On its website, Lonely Planet said of the walled city: “anyone with a heart for romance, living history and architecture will find Kotor a highlight of their Montenegrin travels.”

British city Manchester has also placed high on the list, coming in at number eight, something attributed to it finding “a new groove for the 21st century”.

Benefit to the city

Speaking about the new edition of the guide book, Fáilte Ireland’s head of Dublin, Orla Carroll, said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Dublin.”

The Lonely Planet is one of the premier sources of information for people all across the world when researching a holiday and lists like this will quite literally put Dublin, and Ireland, on the map and more importantly in the mind’s eye of thousands of potential visitors.

This follows the announcement by the tourism authority of a €1 million campaign based around the slogan of ‘Dublin, A breath of fresh air’.

It is estimated that around 205,000 people are employed in the tourism sector and that it generates more than €3.5 billion in overseas revenue each year.

The new edition of the travel guide will be available from tomorrow.

Lonely Planet has a guide to a whole range of destinations available on its website.