The Cliffs: Wild Irish Scenery in Dublin's Howth
You don't have to spend hours in a car to see the Irish Cliffs. Just 30 minutes from Trinity College is scenery that you'd expect in the isolated west coast of Ireland. Instead it's here in the capital city of the country.
If you only have one day in Dublin or even Ireland, this is the thing to do. Howth is very firmly on the tourist trail, but sometimes places are because they should be.
Your Day at a Glance
- Getting there: 1 hour
- Cliff Walk: 2 hours
- Boat Trip: 1 hour
- Lunch: 1 hour
- Getting home: 1 hour
What is Howth?
Howth is an affluent fishing village 15 kilometres from Dublin. 8,000 people live here. It's a wealthy town because of its views. The summit of Howth is 172 metres high and is the highest point in Dublin outside of the mountains.
When you fly into Dublin Airport, sit on the left of the plane and you'll have the perfect view of Howth. You'll be looking down at the ruins of a 1000 year old abbey, a 900 year old castle and the baby of the bunch, a 200 year old lighthouse.
Even on the ground in Howth, you get used to look down because its cliffs are 120 metres high.
Rich people need their hobbies to fill their time and Howth is home to one of the world's oldest yacht clubs. While the castle has 3 golf courses in its 500 acres.
It's still a working harbour and has the seafood restaurants you'd expect of a fishing village. And about a dozen pubs.
My Family in Howth
I've got deep roots in Howth. My mother spent her childhood here, my father and uncle ran a fish business on the pier, and my cousins still run a fish shop & restaurant here today. I live just ten minutes away, so this isn't just another tourist guide, it's my family backyard.
Getting to Howth
There's a few options to get to Howth. For me, the most important thing is to start at the Summit of Howth, not down in the harbour like everyone else does. More on why later but for now, trust me.
To get to the summit, you have 3 options.
- Take the H3 or 6 bus from town. They both stop at the summit. Neither are the most exciting bus rides of your life, but they'll get you there with no changes.
- Take the DART train to Howth, then connect to the H3 bus to the summit. This will take a bit of coordination since the H3 only goes every 30 minutes.
- Splurge on a taxi
Put this location in Google Maps and it'll tell you the best way from your location.
When To Go
Go early in the day and during the week. This is especially important in the Summer when the weekend crowds ruin the experience. I live nearby and do this walk every week but I get there at 8am. So peaceful!
The Cliff Walk
This is the highlight of your day, and it'll be your favorite part of your Dublin visit. The views from the Howth Cliff Path are spectacular, you can see all of Dublin Bay across to the Wicklow mountains.
The Better Way to Do The Howth Cliff Walk
Most tourists usually get the DART to Howth Station, which is at sea level and hike 3km uphill nearly 200 metres to the Summit. Where they arrive too sweaty & tired to enjoy the best views in Howth.
As you've figured out by now on this site, we do better, not usual.
So that's why it's worth the extra bit of effort getting to the Summit and starting there. You'll enjoy the best views straight away and you'll be walking mostly downhill.
- Summit Car Park
It's take an hour to get here. Fortunately there's bathrooms here. And even more fortunately, usually a coffee truck.
Start on the path and you'll immediately see why you're here. Boom the views are expansive and right in front of you. Not after two hours of hiking. Just don't do what absolutely everyone does, which is stop here and start taking photos. Take in the view knowing there's much better photo spots in a few minutes.
- The Beach
After a few minutes walk, you'll see a narrow path towards the water. Take it! I hope you have a head for heights because you're walking on a cliff edge with no protection. The paths are well worn though and safe as long as you don't get too close to the edge.
But do look over and see the beaches below. And the people down there! I wish I could share a photo from the beach, but I do not have a head for heights and would never go down there!
- Bailey's Lighthouse
The original lighthouse built in 1667, with the current tower built in 1814. It is still an active lighthouse and can be seen from 26 nautical miles. It is automated nearly 30 years now, but when it was manually operated, wow, what a job those keepers had. Just to the right of its gate is a raised area with unreal views over all of Dublin Bay.
- The Bog Of the Frogs Secret Spot
Next, walk up the paved path, but don't turn right at the top like everyone else, look for the small sign on the left and the smaller gap in the shrubs. Walk through it when no one is looking!
This is the Bog of the Frogs trail. The hardest one on Howth, but none of the day trippers ever know about it. Just walk along it for ten minutes and you'll get some totally different views. Then turn back and walk up that path everyone else walked up.
- Back To Howth Harbour
Bad news. You have to walk uphill for a bit here. Not far, just back to where you started but then stay right on the lower path and keep walking downhill until you're back in Howth Harbour. It takes less than an hour and the views along the way are gorgeous.
The cliffs you are looking down from are 500 feet high, which is just half the height of the Cliffs of Moher. I'm not claiming they are as dramatic as they are, but you don't have to drive to the other side of the country to see vertigo inducing cliffs.
Just don't forget to remind those puffing uphill that they're nearly there!
Is the Howth Cliff Walk Accessible?
It's a cliff walk and quite a rugged one, unfortunately it's not very accessible. The Upper Cliff Walk (well signposted at the summit car park) is much wider and nowhere near any cliff edges. That can be walked and you'll see some of the best sites.
Or you could start from the East Pier in the harbour and go up the steep but paved pathway until it gets too rugged there.
What If I drive ?
When I drive, I park at the summit car park too and do this loop that brings me back to car park. Then you can drive down to the harbour area and park down there for lunch.
Is the Howth Cliff Walk Dangerous?
No, but it's a cliff walk in a country where "soft day" means it's raining horizontally, so use your common sense. Wear proper shoes, bring a rain jacket, and maybe don't stand right at the edge for that perfect Instagram shot.
Howth Pier
Take a stroll along the working pier. Watch the fishermen prep their boats and look for the regular pair of seals that hang around begging for fish. My cousins have a fish shop here (Doran's On The Pier) if you want the really local experience.
Ireland's Eye
This is a 50 acre uninhabited island that a kilometre off away from Howth. Nobody has lived on since the late 19th century, but there were people living there for 1300 years before that. You can and should do a boat tour out here. They will land you on the island and hopefully come back for you later.
Howth Restaurants
You've worked up a hunger. It's time to eat. I have a simple way of picking my dining spot, whichever restaurant has the least amount of divebombing seagulls hovering around outside it. Fish & Chips is always popular. Oysters and Guinness is very local. Dublin Bay prawns are delectable. Scampi if you're hankering after something fried. And the seafood chowder is not optional. It is mandatory. Thank me after you've devoured it.
Howth Boat Tours
After all that walking, rest your legs and see the cliffs from the water. The boat captains are worth the trip alone, they've got more stories than a Dublin pub at closing time. Here are the main cruises.
1. Ireland's Eye Landing Tour
- What you get: Boat trip & time on the island. Boat returns every hour.
- Perfect if: You want to see the 6th century church ruins up close or spot nesting seabirds
- Skip if: You're not up for a bit of scrambling, the island is rugged
- Tip: Bring water. There's nothing on the island
2. Ireland's Eye & Coast Cruise
- Duration: 45 minutes
- What you get: Full circuit of the island and Howth cliffs
- Perfect if: You want to see seals and seabirds
3. Howth Cliffs & Lighthouse Tour
- Duration: 55 minutes
- What you get: Close up views of the cliffs and Baily Lighthouse
4. Dublin Bay Cruise (Howth to Dún Laoghaire)
- Duration: 1 hour
- What you get: Cross bay journey with views of entire Dublin coastline
- Perfect if: You want to see another part of Dublin
- Tip: From Dún Laoghaire, do my Sea Walk to Dalkey & Killiney
- Skip if: You need to get back to Howth. This is a one way trip
Best For...
- Families with kids: Ireland's Eye Cruise
- Photography: Cliffs & Lighthouse Tour
- Nature lovers: Ireland's Eye Landing Tour
- Seeing more of Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise
Getting Back to Dublin
Take the DART home from Howth. It's the quickest and nicest way back to town.
If you take the Dún Laoghaire cruise, you can take the DART from there back to town. Or even better, do my Sea Tour to Dalkey & Killiney. Its starting point is in Dún Laoghaire. It'll make for a long day, but if you're short on time in Dublin, it's a great way to see a lot in one day. There's DART stops at all these villages so it's easy to get back to town.
Why I Still Love Howth
Even though I've walked these cliffs countless times, they never get old. Each visit brings something new, different light, changing seasons, various wildlife.
The Howth Cliff Walk gives you everything Ireland is famous for, dramatic landscapes, and views that make you forget about your aching feet, but all within 30 minutes of the city and not half a day's drive away.
Join My Guided Walks
Want more stories, local insights and hidden spots? I run small group walks in Dublin. Think of it as a walking tour with a local friend.
Or book a private tour any day that suits you.
Have Questions?
Leave it in the comments below or on Facebook - I answer quickly on both. (Please note: I can't answer individual emails, I get too many!).
