Looking for the perfect day trip from Dublin? Howth is quick 30-minute train ride through the coastal countryside surrounding the greater city area. And with a charming downtown, castle ruins, and a vibrant fishing community, Howth is the perfect one-day escape away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin.
How to Get to Howth:
To get from Dublin to Howth, make your way to Pearse Train Station in Dublin for an easy (and cheap!) train ride on the Dart operated by Irish Rail directly to downtown Howth Railway Station. The total trip (with a few quick stops along the way) will take just 30 minutes and cost €7 roundtrip.
What To Do in Howth:
Take a Boat Ride Around Ireland’s Eye
This small island off the coast of Howth is the perfect spot to see Ireland’s natural beauty and wildlife. From its large number of seabirds ranging from puffin to guillemots, to its sweeping green terrain, you might be clued in on the namesake of this small island. Take a quick 1-hour tour around the island (or decide to hop off and explore!) to see the wildlife and ruins of Martello’s Tower via the Ireland’s Eye Ferries (just €10 for an adult ticket) who operate 7 days a week, weather permitting.
Hike to the Howth Summit
The Howth Summit is famous for it’s beautiful cliffside views over this little fishing village and horizon sightlines as far out as the eye can see. You can walk directly from the downtown area with the trail starting at the train station along the Cliff Walk (and pass the childhood home of W.B. Yeats along the way!). But be warned the streets toward the summit can be rocky and steep, yet gradual enough to make the 2-hour or so walk/hike well worth the views. Don’t feel like trekking up the hill? Take the 31B bus straight to the top for some quick photos and to walk around the summit, then you can always walk back down to the village for an extra leg stretch.
Have Fish n’ Chips at Beshoffs
Fancy yourself some classic fish n’ chips from one of Ireland’s quintessential fishing villages? Look no further than Beshoffs right in the heart of downtown Howth! Known by locals as one of the best fishmongers and seafood restaurants across Dublin, their market restaurant on the Howth Harbour is the perfect stop for a sit down or takeaway lunch after a hike up to the Summit or a boat ride around the Ireland Eye. Just be weary of the local seagulls who might take a snap at that perfectly battered piece of fish!
Check Out the Market
For the best souvenirs, home-baked treats, and delicious (iced!) coffee in town, make sure to stop by the Howth Market. Operating on the weekends, the market sits close to the rail station in the center of downtown, featuring 25 stalls of local goods from pastries and gifts to jewelry and antiques. Perfect for those who like to get their holiday shopping done early!
Explore the Howth Castle
A little off the beaten path from the downtown and harbour area of Howth is a partially-resotred castle from Ireland’s yesteryear. Once the ancestoral home of the St Lawrnece family, today it’s one of the oldest occupied buildings in the country and a beautiful spot to walk around and explore the sweeping 450 acres it sits on which includes Europe’s largest rhododendron gardens, the National Transport Museum of Ireland, and a collapsed portal tomb dating back to 2500BC.
Have more time around Ireland? Take a trip to the West Coast to experience the magic of Galway County, the Gaelic language, and the Aran Islands.
