Howth, Ireland is a coastal fishing village just 30 minutes away from Dublin city center. On a day trip from Dublin to Howth, you can leave the buzzing city behind and enjoy Ireland’s stunning shoreline.
Top things to do on a Howth day trip are explore the quaint village, feast on seafood and go on a Howth coastal walk. We enjoyed Howth so much, we’ve actually been twice!
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Plan Your Day Trip from Dublin to Howth, Ireland
Travelers planning a day trip to Howth from Dublin will find that it is fairly simple to plot out an entertaining excursion.
We are helping by highlighting the easiest ways to get there and what to do in Howth, Ireland once you arrive in the village.
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Top Things To Do in Howth, Ireland
Our day trip to Howth, Ireland gave us a fresh perspective of the country. There is so much more to Ireland than Dublin – and visiting Howth only made us want to see more!
On a short trip to Dublin, visiting Howth is a perfect city break to see just a sliver of the Irish coastline.
While there is not an extensively long list of Howth things to do, the area is steeped in history with an abundance of beautiful nature.
The two best things to do in Howth, Ireland for travelers visiting on a day trip from Dublin are hiking the Howth Cliff Walk and exploring the quaint town.
Nature Walks in Howth, Ireland
Howth walking trails are one of the top reasons to make the trip from Dublin. In fact, for many visitors it is the sole reason to visit Howth, Ireland!
There are four well-marked loop trails that are excellent for Howth, Ireland hiking: Green/Easy, Blue/Easy, Red/Moderate, Purple/Difficult.
Each Howth Cliffs Path commences at the Howth DART train station and follows the coastline out to Howth Head.
Howth Cliff Walk Green Path
Hiking the easiest Green Path is likely the most appealing to day tripping tourists. The Green Cliff Path Loop is a 3.5 mile trek that encompasses impressive views and scenic landscapes.
This route tracks the shoreline around the Nose of Howth toward the Howth Summit scenic viewpoint. There are numerous panoramic vistas along the way, ending with an impressive view of the famous Baily Lighthouse.
On the return, the Howth Green Path follows along the Upper Cliff route, passing the historic 6 EIRE landmark. This area offers a different vantage point of the sea and surrounding landscape before descending back to the Howth town center.
Those who would rather hike with a group and a guide can join one of the popular hiking trips on the Howth Peninsula. Find out more!
Howth Sightseeing
After your hike, you’ll need little more than a couple of hours to see Howth’s top sights. We are highlighting a route of the must-see Howth attractions – starting from the train station.
Howth Harbor West Pier
You will not want to miss the West Pier of the harbor. Walking the length of it is one of the best Howth things to do.
The long Howth West Pier is lined with seafood restaurants (which we cover below) and shops selling the day’s fresh catch. In the marina, sailboat masts sway with the rolling swell.
From the pier, Ireland’s Eye, the small island that sits off the north coast, is clearly visible. Don’t forget to look down to find the footprints of King George IV from when he stepped ashore in 1821.
From the end of West Howth Pier, ferries depart for Ireland’s Eye and Cliff Cruises. You can take the ferry out to the island – but staying to explore will likely take up a big portion of your day, so plan accordingly.
Harbour Road Howth
The street that connects the East and West Piers is Harbour Road. Featuring picturesque shops and restaurants, you can walk along the road or on the pedestrian path that pass the Howth Yacht Club.
Before walking on East Pier, take a look to the right for views of Balscadden Bay Beach and the impressive shoreline.
Howth East Pier
The longer East Pier in Howth is void of services – but it is still a worthwhile walk out to the end to see the Howth Lighthouse up close.
It’s also an excellent spot to watch fishing boats return from sea (which are usually followed by hundreds of hungry seagulls). Keep an eye out for seals in the harbor, too!
St. Mary’s Abbey Howth
From Howth Harbor walk up Abbey Road to the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey. Now just a shell that stands in the middle of a cemetery, the barely-still-standing structure was built in the 14th century.
The stone abbey replaced an earlier church that was built in the year 1235…which replaced the first one on the site, which was constructed in 1042.
For the best views of the Howth Abbey, continue walking up Abbey Street (passing the Abbey Tavern) to Church Street and take a right. The road leads back to a spot just above the graveyard.
Howth Village
Along the Howth Main Street (which merges with Abbey Street) there are a handful of cafes, pubs, galleries and shops.
The Howth Parish Catholic Church of the Assumption prominently sits on Main Street. Built in 1899 in the Gothic style, it features fine stained-glass windows and carved Stations of the Cross.
Other Fun Things To Do in Howth
There are more sights that you can fit into a Howth, Ireland day trip from Dublin (especially if you’re not going hiking). Fellow travelers may be interested in squeezing in these Howth attractions.
Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum
This quaint museum contains a unique collection of ancient communications equipment. It’s housed in the Martello Tower, which overlooks Howth Harbour, and is open for tours for a small fee.
Howth Market
A superb spot just across from the train station, the Howth Market features more than 20 stalls selling fresh produce and other wares on the weekend. Additionally, there are permanent shops – selling gifts, coffee and sweets – that are open daily.
National Transport Museum
The National Transport Museum of Ireland features cars and other modes of transport that span decades. In fact, the oldest items on display date to 1883. Their opening hours are limited to weekend afternoons.
Howth Castle
One of the top places to visit in Howth, the Howth Castle is privately owned but does provide guided tours on select dates.
The castle can still be admired from the outside for free on a walk through the grounds and up to the Rhododendron Gardens.
Howth Beach
Balscadden Bay – just around the bend from the East Pier – is the best beach in Howth. Partially sheltered, it’s a nice place to bask in the sun (if it happens to be shining) and enjoy a swim.
On the opposite side of town, on the west side of the West Pier, is Claremont Beach. It is a good stretch of sand for walking – especially at low tide.
There are many other Howth beaches tucked below the towering cliffs, but the trails to them are steep, challenging and often unsafe (due to high winds). Visiting any of these is at your own risk.
Cafes, Restaurants and Pubs in Howth, Ireland
For a small village, there are numerous choices of places to eat in Howth. Naturally, almost all Howth restaurants have a seafood menu.
Below we feature some of the top-rated restaurants in Howth, Ireland (all of which are marked on our Howth map of attractions at the end of the article).
Abbey Tavern Howth
The Irish weather had us craving a steaming bowl of seafood chowder – so we headed to the Abbey Tavern for lunch in Howth.
An inviting 16th century pub, this Howth restaurant has hosted countless celebrities – and often has live entertainment.
Pro Tip: Looking for famous and historic Pubs in Dublin? Be sure to read our review on visiting The Brazen Head.
The Harbour Bar
The Harbour Bar boasts a cozy atmosphere on a gloomy day…but also has a beer garden in the back for when the sun is shining.
Plus the staff are super friendly, they pour a great pint of Guinness and offer craft beer on tap, too!
Aqua
Located on West Pier, Aqua Howth provides an upscale seafood dining experience with a view. The restaurant is housed in a former sailing club and boasts a fine ambiance.
Dorans Fish Shop Howth
A highly-touted shop for fresh fish, Dorans on West Pier is also a good choice for lunch. In fact, many patrons claim that Dorans makes the best Fish-and-Chips in Howth!
The Dog House Blue’s Tea Room & Restaurant
An eclectic spot in Howth, the Dog House features a quirky menu and peculiar décor. A good choice for breakfast in Howth – they also offer an enormous selection of…well, pretty much everything!
King Sitric Restaurant and Hotel
Open for lunch and dinner, the King Siric Howth excels at seafood dishes! In addition to their fine dining options, they also have eight guestrooms – all of which have superb sea views.
How To Get to Howth from Dublin, Ireland
If you are worried about how to get from Dublin to Howth, relax – it’s simple. A Howth day trip can be easily made using public transportation – just hop on a bus, train or even a boat!
DART to Howth
The Dublin to Howth Train is part of DART – Dublin Area Rapid Transport. The train to Howth is operated by Irish Rail and it’s what we used on our most recent trip.
DART Howth service runs every 20 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes on Saturdays and every 30 minutes on Sundays. Before hopping on a Dublin to Howth DART train, it is best to consult the latest schedule and fares.
The most convenient Dublin DART stations for tourists are Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock. The Dublin to Howth train ride takes about 35 minutes.
Dublin to Howth Bus
On our first visit, it was more convenient for us to get from Dublin to Howth by bus. Dublin-Howth Bus H3 provides direct service from Dublin city center to Howth.
The bus also takes about 30 minutes, just check the current Dublin Bus timetables before you set off.
Boat Trip to Howth, Ireland
Although it takes much longer (and is quite a bit more expensive), passengers can hop aboard a ferry to cruise from Dublin to Howth. Boats depart from Dublin Bay to Dun Laoghaire (Dun Leary) and then on to Howth.
The boat ride to Howth is more of a scenic cruise. You should also be aware that the schedule is limited, so you will want to plan in advance. Find schedules and more info on Dublin Bay Cruises.
Howth from Dublin City Centre by Car
Visitors traveling with a car can just as easily drive to Howth in Dublin. The drive takes 35 minutes and there is free parking at the Howth Harbour Public Car Park.
Howth Day Trips and Tours
Popular excursions, like this Howth Day Tour from Dublin or a Guided Howth Hike can enhance your time in the coastal village. Below are a few highly rated themed tours to Howth, as well!
Craft Beer and Seafood Trail
Enjoy an extraordinary lunch on a relaxed Howth pub crawl that features fresh caught seafood and locally crafted beer. Your engaging guide highlights the tour with stories of Medieval Ireland. Reserve your spot!
Hidden Howth Expedition
Join fellow travelers on a Howth trekking trip to off-the-beaten-path spots – all while being entertained by legends and folklore. After the hike, accompany the guide to a local pub for pint. Find out more!
Howth Panoramic e-Bike Tour
On this small-group outing, participants use electric bikes to get around the hills of Howth. The guide leads you to stunning vistas and landmark sights. It’s the easiest way to go sightseeing in Howth. Get the details!
Private Tour of Howth, Ireland
Hire a private tour guide for an unforgettable experience in Howth! Your local guide will provide an entertaining history of Howth while venturing around the beautiful landscapes. Read reviews!
Map of Howth, Ireland
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Howth Tourist Map below.
Travel Tips For Visiting Ireland
We have more Dublin sightseeing tips, too! Use our easy-to-follow Self-Guided Dublin Walking Tour to the top city sights.
Also read our guide for Free Things To Do in Dublin and our complete Dublin Itinerary to plan other fun outings to Bray and Malahide.
Seeing more of Ireland? Excellent choice! We have detailed articles for your visit to Doolin, Galway and the Aran Islands!
Pro Tip: Get (and stay) organized for your Ireland vacation by using our Trip Planning Printables!
Start planning your trip to Ireland! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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