Among coastal towns, it’s hard to get more charming than Howth. While Howth would be a charming destination for a slow, peaceful vacation, it also makes a perfect day trip from Dublin. Here’s my itinerary for a perfect day spent in Howth.
Getting to Howth
You can always rent a car and drive here, but if you’re coming from Dublin, public transit is very easy and affordable. Simply take the DART from Dublin– it’s usually a 20 minute ride. The DART station drops you off right where you need to be.
Howth Cliff Walk
Lace up your hiking shoes and get ready for an adventure. Start your morning in Howth by exploring the beauty of the area. There are multiple hiking routes you can take around Howth, but I recommend taking the Green Route. This will take you about 2 hours, and it measures a little less than 4 miles (6km). The trail starts on concrete and transitions into dirt and rocks. Once you get to the coastal part of this hike, the views are STUNNING. You absolutely do not want to miss these views. The trail here is well-marked, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost.
Along the way, you’ll be able to see a ton of unique sites– the St. Mary’s Abbey Ruins, Balscadden Bay Beach, the Nose of Howth, Howth Head Peak, and the Baily Lighthouse (from a distance). You can pick near any of these sites to take a breather and soak in the sights. Once you reach the Summit, try stopping at Bailey Brew Coffee for a snack and drink. After your snack, you have a couple of options on how to get back to the main area of Howth. You can retrace your steps and enjoy the coastal views some more. You can continue following the Green Loop through some of the Howth neighborhoods. You can also Uber back to the harbor if your feet are tired.
Lunch
For lunch, you have to check out Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas. All the seafood is fresh, and the atmosphere is really cool. They do not take reservations, so if you come at a busy time, there may be a queue. Any wait you might have to make will definitely be worth it, though! I recommend trying the paella, but the fish and chips and prawns are also phenomenal!
Ireland’s Eye
After lunch, take a local ferry tour around the coast of Howth and Ireland’s Eye. Check out the rocky coastline, hidden caves and beaches, and local wildlife. Ireland’s Eye is a wildlife sanctuary, so you’ll see an abundance of local seabirds as well as seals, dolphins, porpoises, and maybe even whales. This boat tour takes approximately 1 hour. Rain or shine, this tour is a blast!
Howth Market
The Howth Market is right across the street from the DART station, so you probably saw it when you first got to Howth. If you’re visiting on the weekend, check out the stalls inside for cool crafts and tasty treats. If you’re visiting on the weekday, you can still visit the five main shops at the front. There’s a really great gelato place you should try!
Dinner
Fill up on something delicious to end your day. I recommend eating at O’Connells. You can book ahead, so that’s a serious plus if you don’t want to wait to be seated. The food always tastes really fresh here, and they are very friendly toward dietary restrictions. There are two levels for seating options once you get here. The second floor has some pretty great views, and the first floor has live music on the weekends. Both are great options! After you’re done, stay a little longer and enjoy the pub’s atmosphere with a drink if that’s your style. Lots of locals frequent the place, so it’s a fun way to spend the last part of your daytrip.
There you have it– a perfect day in Howth, the best day trip from Dublin. Despite the small-town feel, there’s still plenty to do here. If you have any more recommendations, or if you have any questions about what other cool things there are to do in Howth, let me know!