The best coastal day trip from Dublin: Howth
- Aug 23, 2023
- 4 min read
An escape from the city!
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Howth is a charming seaside village located just North of Dublin. It is a popular day trip destination for tourists and locals alike, thanks to its stunning scenery, delicious food, and variety of activities.
If you're looking into the best coastal day trips from Dublin, that must mean you're a visitor to the amazing Irish capital. If that's correct, take a look at our downloadable guide to Dublin with a full list of all the best things to do, see, eat, and drink! Plus cultural information, travel tips, and a full interactive map of the city to see which recommendation is closest to you, at any time!
Anyway, here is our suggested itinerary for the best coastal day trip to Howth from Dublin:
The best way to get to Howth from Dublin is by the DART train. The train journey takes about 25 minutes and departs from Connolly Station, or you can drive.
There are a number of parking options available in Howth, but it can get crowded, so it is best to arrive early.
Set off bright and early and explore the local, coastal markets on your way to the various walking trails. Everything is very clearly signposted across the city, so you'll have no trouble finding your way around.
If you are planning on doing the Howth Cliff Walk, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water (something we didn't do - and regretted!)
The 6-kilometer Howth coast cliff walk offers stunning views of the Irish Sea, Dublin Bay, and the Wicklow Mountains. The walks are relatively easy and can be enjoyed by people of all ages… and there's a pub just off the track half way! Bonus!
After the cliff walk, head to Howth Harbour. This is a great place to go for a stroll, have a seafood lunch, or take a boat trip to the nearby Eye island, a really unique excursion worlds away from Dublin city.
When planning your trip to Dublin and the best day trips you're going to take from the city, including Howth, make sure you consider the option of downloading a full travel guide. You'll save hours of research and planning time, plus be an absolute expert in all things Ireland, knowing the best hidden gems to visit in every corner of the city. You can take a look at our guide to Dublin, the Dublin Travel Toolkit here.
If you're not heading off on a boat trip, you can visit Howth Castle and Gardens. This historic castle offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
The gardens are also beautiful and worth exploring before heading into town to enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at one of Howth's many restaurants.
We were thoroughly impressed by the little seaside village of Howth, just out of the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s fantastic city centre. It will always be on our list for whenever we return to Dublin!
So is Howth really the best day trip from Dublin? Now it's up to you to decide!
Here is some additional information that may help with your trip to Dublin and Howth:
How do I get to Dublin, to take a day trip from Dublin to Howth?
Dublin is easily accessible by air, with flights to Dublin from many major cities around the UK. The flight time from the UK varies, but is normally within the region of one hour and often occur several times a day from most airports using Ryanair.
Where should I stay in Dublin or Howth, if I want to visit for longer than a day?
Every time we have stay in Dublin, we use StayCity Aparthotels. We think they are incredible and love to arrive to our own little studio. Staff are always friendly, rooms are always clean, and having your own small kitchen area with a fridge just elevates it from a normal hotel room. There are several StayCity hotels across Dublin, so pick one that has the best location for you but do note everywhere in Dublin is walkable.
There are plenty of other options for accommodation in Dublin, and lots of lovely local hotels and B&B options in Howth, too. Have a look for something that will suit your group size and budget on booking.com:
Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Dublin for a stay of up to 90 days. Read our Schengen Agreement post to find out more details about this rule. Dublin is part of the Common Travel Area for the UK. To find out what this means, read Gov.uk.
What's the currency in Ireland?
The currency of Ireland is the Euro. You can change money when you arrive or withdraw from ATMs, but be aware of high conversion fees! Some ATMs may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't. It's always best to pay in local currency, but we had no issues paying by card in Dublin.
What languages are spoken in Dublin and Howth?
The official language of Ireland is English or Gaelic. Just have to appreciate the accents!
What's the time zone in Dublin?
Dublin is in the London/Dublin The time is the same as the UK, but an hour behind most of mainland Europe e.g. France, Spain, Germany, Italy.
What are the best things to do in Dublin and Howth?
We always try and give you a few great recommendations of things to do on our Sightseekr Inspiration posts. If you're looking to fill your itinerary, read our web pots about the top 10 things to do in Dublin or things to do in Howth on GetYourGuide.
However, if you want to skip the hours of research, and hand it over to an expert, we have good news! We've put together a full, downloadable Dublin Travel Toolkit with everything you need to know about Dublin, all in one easy to navigate document which you can keep saved to your phone.
