Howth, Dublin – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

The town of Howth sits on the Howth Head peninsula in north County Dublin. From humble beginnings as a fishing village it has since developed into a massive commercial fishing port. It’s arguably the busiest of Dublin’s coastal towns, with plenty of bars, restaurants and crowds of people. Pictures of its sea cliff walks are popular on social media but is there more to this affluent area than the coastal paths?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: Although not close enough to Dublin city centre to be served by the Luas, it is easily reachable via the DART. These cheap trains run frequently and take just 30 minutes. Howth Dart Station is ideally located beside many of the area’s key amenities.

Alternatively, Dublin Bus route H3 links the town to the Dublin City but we recommend taking the train as it’s much quicker.

This area is renowned for seafood and nowhere better emphasizes this than The Brass Monkey on the West Pier. An ambient setting and delicious fresh seafood combine for an awesome culinary experience. There are options like shepherd’s pie for those looking for something less fishy, although these are definitely less tasty.

If you are hoping to grab-and-go then head to Beshoff Bros which lays claim to the tastiest fish and chips in Dublin. It’s expensive (this is Dublin after all) but the portions are large enough to share should you feel like scrimping! Beshoff Bros is something of an institution in Dublin, with its origins dating back to the arrival of the fascinating Russian mutineer Ivan Beshoff on these shores in 1913.

Hot Beverages: If you want to sit in for a coffee then you can’t go wrong with one of the major chains like Insomnia or Starbucks, who occupy fine positions along the seafront. For something more local grab a takeaway brew at Bodega Coffee in the heart of Howth Market. It’s a tiny spot but the service and drinks are excellent and the pastries are sensational.

Alcohol: The stone-walled Abbey Tavern blends good craic, a cosy atmosphere and good pub grub. It features toasty turf fires and a stage that regularly hosts fantastic live music.

Around the corner lies The Harbour Bar, a proper traditional Irish pub that serves incredible pints of Guinness. It’s aimed solely at drinkers and, like the Abbey Tavern, features warm fires, live music and plenty of fun. A no frills feel and the absence of TVs, makes it a very sociable boozer and our favourite in town.

Begin your visit with a leisurely stroll of the two piers that surround the beautiful marina. The East Pier is the more scenic of the two and features a decommissioned lighthouse and excellent views of Ireland’s Eye. The more commercial West Pier is home to many great restaurants and lucky visitors may even spot Sammy the Seal waving at them from its waters!

Two popular beaches flank the town; Claremont Beach to the west and Balscadden Bay to the east.

The small Claremont Beach sits close to the Dart Station and soft sands and shallow waters make it the best beach in the area for children to play at. The water gets deep very gradually so it is quite safe for children. It is also the only real sandy beach in the area.

Balscadden Bay is a popular stony beach, accessible via a flight of steps. It’s a fine spot for swimming, if you don’t mind the stones, but it’s a brilliant place to catch majestic views of the bay. There are admittedly much better beaches to be found elsewhere on this coast however.

Check out Howth Tide Times here

Visit here on a summer’s day to witness Dublin at its most vibrant. Finding parking here is a complete nightmare, but once you get over the stress of finding parking here (a complete nightmare), there is no finer place in the county to relax for a day.

Grab a patch on the grass in front of the marina and indulge in some takeaway grub from the market or Beshoff Bros. The sights and sounds of children and dogs playing adds to the already pretty harbour scene in front of you. Join the chattering crowds on the West Pier as they gather around Sammy the Seal, who often waves back at them from the waters below. It gets thronged on hot days, so if crowds aren’t your thing then somewhere like Skerries might be better suited. Otherwise, kick back and relax while you bask in the air of fun about this place.

Check out our Skerries Travel Guide

Since 2013 Howth Market has been the go-to place for food, antiques, jewelry and general crafts every weekend. Its convenient location on the harbour road makes it unmissable if you arrive at the railway station. Wander around the many stalls and grab yourself an ice-cream or a sensational hot dog to enjoy on one of the benches inside. It’s not the biggest market but it has its own unique buzz and a real community feel to it.

Over 800 years of history await you at Howth Castle, just a 10 minute walk away from the marina. The grounds, which featured on the Netflix show Bodkin, are free to wander. Onsite you’ll find a Café Bar, the colourful Rhododendron Gardens and the magnificent facade of the castle itself. As this is a private residence the interior parts of the castle can only be explored via an hour-long guided tour that must be pre-booked in advance at the link below. Unfortunately the interior is not accessible at all.

Deer Park Golf Course sits next to the castle and 18 holes around this beauty will spoil you with spectacular sea views. If time is tight then you can tackle the 9 holes of the St Fintan’s Course instead.

Purchase Castle Guided Tour Tickets

The uninhabited island of Ireland’s Eye offers a taste of what Ireland looks like at its untouched finest. Although multiple providers can take you on the 15-minute journey to the island, the folks at Howth Cliff Cruises also allow you time to explore the island on foot. The cruises are incredibly cheap and you are free to swim at the west beach, explore the Martello Tower or try to spot some puffins, cormorants and seals. Their vessels are also available for private hire for large groups and they offer various trip options, including a beautiful sunset cruise.

Explore Ireland’s Eye by Ferry

Don’t leave without trekking the 6km-long cliff path loop, which takes around 2 hours to complete. Multiple routes start and end at the train station, which is very handy for those venturing out from the city, but the Howth Cliff Path Loop is our favourite. While the moderately difficult walk does involve a mix of steps and uneven paths, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of Dublin Bay and Lambay Island on a clear day.

The trails are well marked with arrows and there are toilets both at the beginning of the routes and at the summit of the cliff.

Cliff Path Loop Visitor’s Information