Five Great Coastal Towns to visit in Dublin

Many of us country folk associate the word Dublin with the hustle and bustle of the city centre. We think of traffic jams, shopping, busy bars, fancy restaurants and manic nightlife. Often overlooked are the great coastal adventures that can be found in this wonderful county. There are over 150kms of Irish Sea-hugging coastline in Dublin, with beaches that rival those found anywhere in the country.

This guide isn’t aimed at the beaches however, but at the great coastal towns in Dublin where they are located. For us the best coastal towns are those that combine great pubs, restaurants, amenities and scenery with a fun energy. So where in Dublin should you head on those rare sunny days in Ireland?

Find out below!

We begin on the south side of Dublin in the affluent town of Dalkey. The Luas does not travel this far but it is reachable from Dublin city centre (Connolly Station) in 35 minutes via a scenic DART journey that affords views of Killiney Bay and Dalkey Island on route.

For us, Dalkey’s main selling point is its food scene, specifically DeVilles and Nova (the pick of the restaurants) and the brilliant Corner Note café. The pubs are lively too, with Finnegan’s being our favourite traditionally Irish option.

So why have we ranked Dalkey a measly number five?

Well, for families with young children or couples that aren’t interested in fine dining, Dalkey is just lacking in something. There are plenty of things to do, with delightful strolls around Killiney Hill Park, the relaxing experience of the Vico Baths, and the historic Dalkey Castle. Yet the towns which rank higher all have an upbeat atmosphere that trumps that of Dalkey. It’s clear why so many celebs move to this idyllic suburb, but we rather a town with a little more fun to it.

Read our Travel Guide to Dalkey

We are sticking with the south side here, in the harbour town of Dún Laoghaire, just a 10 minute drive from Dalkey. The Luas doesn’t travel this far but the DART trip from Dublin city centre (Connolly Station) takes just 25 minutes and disembarks right next to the harbour.

This booming haven boasts fantastic restaurants (Casper & Giumbini’s being the pick of them) and super coffee houses like Two Beans. The bar scene is decent too; McKenna’s Bar is a cosy traditional pub while the Forty Foot is an excellent spot for cheap pints, due to it being a Wetherspoons.

Why does Dún Laoghaire only rank fourth on our list?

There is an abundance of things to do around here; relax in the People’s Park, stroll the famous piers, go shopping or cruise ship spotting, or paddle at Sandycove Beach or the Forty Foot. The atmosphere is brilliant during the summer, most notably during the People’s Park Farmer’s Market on Sundays. The east pier is also popular among young couples for romantic evening strolls. However, Dún Laoghaire is a large town with a good shopping scene and feels distinctly metropolitan. We prefer our coastal towns a little smaller, with plenty of amenities but without the hustle and bustle.

Read our Travel Guide to Dún Laoghaire

It was difficult to rank the next three towns because we love them all, but we eventually gave our third spot to Skerries. Although the Luas doesn’t travel to this north side town, the DART takes you here from Connolly Station within 35 minutes.

Skerries collection of restaurants is quite as good as the other towns on our list, but it still holds its own. Stoop your Head serves delicious fresh fish dishes and we love the Goat in the Boat because it’s a dog-friendly café. The pub scene is quiet but Nealon’s Bar is a gem worth visiting for a fine pint of Guinness in a traditional Irish setting.

So what makes Skerries one of the best coastal towns in Dublin?

Skerries is small, yet those looking for activities can find plenty to do. One can explore Skerries Mills, or try some water sports on the north beach. Our favourite way to enjoy the town is via a leisurely stroll on a sunny day. Crowds of children and dogs create a merry vibe, and the Skerries Coastal Trail offers incredible vistas over the Irish Sea and the vast Skerries South Strand. Wander around the harbour area, where families queue excitedly at ice-cream vans, or take a secluded romantic stroll on the south beach. Skerries is big enough to avoid overcrowding on summer’s days, but it’s less lively than the towns we’ve ranked higher.

Coastal Trail Visitor’s Information

Read our Travel Guide to Skerries

The fishing port town of Howth sits on the Howth Head peninsula in north County Dublin. It cannot be accessed via the Luas, but the DART takes you here from the city (Connolly Station) in around 30 minutes.

Howth is awash with restaurants serving fresh seafood, with The Brass Monkey being our favourite. On sunny days the popular choice is to grab takeaway food at Beshoff Bros or in Howth Market to eat on the grass near the marina. There are plenty of cafés, with Bodega Café excellent for a brew-to-go, and the traditional pubs are as good as those found anywhere in the county. The Harbour Bar is our favourite for cosy pints and craic.

Why is Howth our second favourite coastal town in Dublin?

It’s the busiest town on our list, so there is no shortage of things to do, like trekking the famous Cliff Path Loop, strolling the piers, exploring the grounds of Howth Castle or catching a boat to Ireland’s Eye. Howth’s greatest selling point, however, is its electric atmosphere. It oozes holiday vibes in the summer, as people flock to Howth Market or gather along the pier for a wave from Sammy, the resident Seal. Howth is the best option for children on our list, but loses out on our overall top spot due to the dismal parking, the queues for food and the relatively poor beaches.

Cliff Path Loop Visitor’s Information

Read our Travel Guide to Howth

Arguably more famous for its castle, which hosts some of the country’s biggest concerts, Malahide is also a fantastic coastal destination to visit on the north side. While not accessible via Luas, a 25 minute DART ride takes you here from Connolly Station in the city.

Restaurants aren’t overly plentiful here, but That’s Amore is a terrific Italian choice that should be booked in advance. Good cafés are surprisingly easy to come by, with Café Provence worth checking out. Gibney’s is a great casual boozer that serves a tasty (albeit expensive) pint of Guinness. Their weekly pub quizzes are a hoot.

Why have we ranked Malahide number one?

There are attractions aplenty around this colourful village, its idyllic marina and the stunning Malahide Castle and Gardens (especially at Christmas) chief among them. Admittedly, Malahide isn’t the best option for dog owners (Skerries) or families with children (Howth), despite its fun road train. The castle grounds aren’t dog-friendly, and the beach isn’t safe for paddling.

From a couple’s perspective, however, this is the perfect place to spend a summer’s evening. We recommend making the short jaunt to Malahide Beach, to be greeted by fantastic views and incredible birdlife. As a couple, this is our favourite spot in the county for a sunset picnic, but it’s really a toss of a coin between Malahide, Skerries and Howth for the best coastal town in Dublin.

Read our Travel Guide to Malahide