Beaches near Dublin: best beaches in Dublin

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There are quite a few beaches near Dublin and in this list you will find the best beaches near Dublin. If you come to visit Dublin, you should definitely take some time to visit one of these beaches. As we lived in Dublin or over three years, we really enjoy having beaches near Dublin that we can walk to or train to. Also, it’s definitely nice to catch a break from the city once in a while and be connected to the sea. If you are coming to Dublin for a few days, you might consider adding one of the best beaches in Dublin to your itinerary.

Unlike the best beaches in Paros and the best beaches in Santorini, beaches in Dublin are not tropical beaches with golden sand and turquoise water. They are also not your top choice of beaches to go snorkeling. In that sense, they resemble some of Vancouver’s best beaches with long strand and packed sand. There is a different type of beauty in those northern beaches and they do offer a terrain for various activities. So you will love visiting the beaches near Dublin and exploring new areas during your romantic trip to Ireland.

What you should know about beaches near Dublin

Beaches near Dublin are under a phenomenon called the tide. This means that the level of water goes up and down depending on the time of the day. This is something you can actually observe very clearly in Dublin city center when looking at the Liffey river. When the tide is coming up, the current of the river goes towards the city. When the tide is coming down, the current of the river goes towards the sea. Keep your eyes open as the tide sometimes bring in a seal or two in the Liffey!

The tide goes sup and down at different times everyday. It will impact your visit at the beaches near Dublin since you might not get to see much of the sea if the tide is very low. You also might not get to see much of the beach if the tide is at its highest level. If you want to have tide to chill on the sand, you can check the tide beforehand as to avoid the peak times!

1. Portmarnock beach near Dublin

How to get there

Portmarnock beach is located at about 30min to an hour north of Dublin. As a result, you can get to Portmarnock by car, Dart (train) or bus. However, if you come by the Dart, note that you will need to walk for about 30min to reach the beach and back to get the train. From the train station, take a right and keep walking on the main road. At the crossroads, take a left towards the village. Once in the village, you will need to turn right towards the beach. It is a bit of a walk but it is a very easy walk.

If you are driving to Portmarnock beach, you can easily park right by the beach.

Why Portmarnock beach

Portmarnock beach is one of my top beaches in Ireland. Firstly, the surroundings are very nice. Secondly, this beach is magical. It is called the Velvet strand for a reason: the sand is very thin and smooth. Also, Portmarnock beach is several kilometers long and therefore, is the perfect beach for a long walk and a picnic. In addition, if you love dogs, you’ll see a lot of doggies there who enjoy the wide spaces and play in the water! 

The beach is protected by sand dunes which can be really nice if you are looking for a spot away from the wind. Also, it is protected by lifeguards in the summer. Note that there are washrooms available on site.

What to do near Portmarnock beach

Portmarnock beach is only a few minutes from the town of Portmarnock. The town is quite small but it has a busier centre when you can get something to eat and drink. Although the beach is the main attraction, Portmarnock is also equipped with a golf course which can make for a nice outing as well.

2. Sandymount strand

How to get there

Sandymount strand is one of the best beaches near Dublin City centre and it’s about a 30min walk to get there from the IFSC. As a result, it is the closest beach from Dublin City accessible by foot. Sandymount strand is also easily accessible by car with a few parking lots available along the beach. If you prefer, you can rent Dublin bikes and cycle to the beach from the city centre in only 15 minutes.

Why Sandymount strand

Sandymount strand is a city beach which you will notice with the view on the factory on one side and the view on the ocean, mountains and towns on the other side. It’s a very nice place to go to if you want to get out of the city centre. 

Firstly, Sandymount strand is several kms long and is a pretty active beach. You will see lots of people walking, cycling, or walking their dogs on the beach. You can either walk directly on the beach itself or on the sea walk. 

Secondly, there is one thing to be mindful about when you walk on Sandymount strand: the tide. It does come up VERY fast and in the past we saw people get stuck. As a result, the Garda has to intervene quite often to rescue people who didn’t realise they were stuck. Last time we visited Sandymount strand, a man had to run in the water to be able to reach the sand. 

What to do near Sandymount strand

When arriving to the strand from the city centre, you will notice that it is located between the town of Sandymount on your right and the lighthouse on your left.

The town of Sandymount is lovely and definitely a place you would want to check out. Although it is out of Dublin city centre, it is usually bustling. My recommendation would be to head to the main square where you will find a park and plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants. You can check out my list of the best restaurants in Dublin to pick the one you prefer.

On the other hand, you can also take the walk to the lighthouse. This is a popular walk in Dublin and you will most likely love it. If you don’t feel like walking the whole way there (it will take you about an hour to get there and come back), you can drive or cycle there as well. There is a parking lot right before the pier.

3. Howth beaches

How to get there

You can get to Howth either by the Dart (train), by car or by bus. It is located about 30min north of Dublin and is therefore a very popular place to go to when the weather is nice.

Why Howth beach?

Howth offers three beaches. One of Howth’s beached is located by O’Connells Pub and is actually quite small and is covered in pebbles. And when the tide is high, the beach completely disappears. However, when it is low, it is a nice place to sit and relax for a nap or a picnic. If you are not a big fan of sand, this is the right beach for you.

In addition, you can take a nice walk on the pier all the way to the lighthouse and enjoy the view on the island and the sea. Further, Howth harbour is also a must-see when visiting Howth and spending time at the beach.

Behind the train station, you’ll find another beach called Burrow beach. This is a popular sandy beach that gets quite busy on sunny and warm days.

On your way to Howth Head and the Howth cliff walk, you’ll find a hidden beach called Balscadden beach. This is a gorgeous beach with clear blue waters that contrasts with the dark cliffs of Howth.

This is a beautiful seaside town that I recommend visiting regardless of whether you wish to go to the beach. Howth offers a lot of nice fresh seafood restaurants and a cute delicious fresh food market. I would recommend getting yourself a seafood chowder and eat it on the beach in the Irish sun.

What to do near Howth beach

The outside of Howth train station is actually quite cute and worth checking out. You will find it by the road that comes into Howth. One thing you don’t want to miss when coming to Howth beach is Howth’s castle. Howth’s castle is located at the entrance of the town a little bit after the train station. The castle sometimes has free exhibitions and does have nice gardens where you can have a walk and just admire the castle.

In the centre of the town, you will find local shops and a church that is also worth visiting. It is definitely a nice getaway if you need a break from Dublin!

4. Greystones South beach

How to get there

Greystones beach is located in the south of Dublin in the charming town of Greystones. You can get to Greystones by the Dart (train), by car or by bus. It takes about an hour to get there by train. Greystones beach is located right by the Greystones Dart station. Therefore it is very convenient if you cannot walk very long. You can also take the Dart to Bray and walk the Bray Head Cliffs walk all the way to Greystones. That walk is well-known around here and very beautiful! It is a pretty easy walk but I would recommend wearing good walking shoes for comfort.

Why Greystones South beach?

Because the beach is a mix between sand and pebbles and it is lifeguarded during the bathing season. However, in my experience of Irish beaches the water will still be cold! In addition, there are cute seaside houses nearby if you want to take a little stroll.

What to do near Greystones South beach

Greystones town centre can be quite nice if you need to grab a bite to eat or are just feeling like having a drink. There are a couple of pubs and cafés to choose from. In addition, you can also check out the Holy Rosary church and the Boat Yard Gallery which showcases art and designs from local artists. The Gallery is a 200 year-old stone building.

5. Bray beach

How to get there

Bray is located in the south of Dublin, in County Wicklow and is a very nice town for a day getaway near Dublin. Similarly to the other beaches, you can get there by Dart (train), car or bus. Also, Bray beach is located only a couple of minutes from the Dart station which makes it easily accessible. 

Why Bray beach

Bray beach is one of the beaches near Dublin and is very popular for its long promenade.  For instance, you can walk, cycle or sit comfortably while eating ice cream on the Bray sea front (a must-do if you ask me!). Further, the town of Bray is called the “Brighton of Ireland” due to its Victorian era style and its beautiful Victorian houses. 

Also, Bray beach is mainly made of pebbles which is ideal if you don’t want to have to deal with sand everywhere. However, if you are not interested in pebbles, you will still enjoy Bray and especially the sea front and promenade.

What to do near Bray beach

As I mentioned above, the Bray Head Cliffs walk starts in Bray and takes you to Greystones. Although, if you are not in the mood for a long walk today, you can still go to the Bray Head which will only take you an hour roundtrip. Just know that the path is not paved and that you should wear proper walking shoes.

6. Killiney beach

How to get there

Killiney is accessible by car or by Dart for a few euros. It is about 50 minutes away from Dublin by car and about an hour away by Dart. The Dart stops right by the beach which makes it very accessible. As this is one of the most popular beaches near Dublin, it gets quite busy on the weekend, especially when the weather is sunny whether that be in the summer or winter! There are only two small parking lots there so they fill up quickly. If you are driving to Killiney beach, try to come early so you can find parking space.

Why Killiney beach

Killiney beach is a long and very large strand which offers a beautiful view on the Killiney Bay and Bray Head. On the northern section of the beach, you will find a cave to explore. The beach is a mix of sand, rocks and pebbles.

As the beach is quite long (about 16 kilometres), it is the perfect place for a long walk or a run. Of course, if the whether is nice, it is also the perfect place for a picnic or tanning! On the beach, you will find a food truck called Fred and Nancy’s. You will find sandwiches, chowder, desserts and of course coffee! They opened in 2021 and are quite a popular spot so you might have to wait in line for a little bit before getting your snack.

What to do near Killiney beach

Although Killiney beach is very nice, you might want to explore its surroundings during the day. One thing you should not miss is the walk to the obelisk on Killiney hill. The top of Killiney hill offers a 360° view on Dublin and the sea which is one of the best views of Dublin!

Sorrento park is also a nice spot to have a beautiful view on Killiney hill, Killiney beach and Dalkey island. You can easily walk to Sorrento park from Killiney hill.

Finally, Dalkey is definitely a coastal town you will want to explore but you might need to reserve it a full day!

7. Glendalough Upper Lake beach

How to get there

Glendalough Upper lake is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the County of Wicklow and definitely worth a visit. To get there, you will need a car. you can park at the parking lot right nearby for €4. You can also choose to park your car at the Lower Car park beside the visitor centre. From there, you can hike the white Spinc. At the end of the hike, you will arrive at the Glendalough Upper lake.

Why Glendalough Upper Lake beach

Glandalough Upper Lake is a beautiful Lake surrounded by mountains and pine trees and is extremely peaceful. The beach is shorter than most Irish beaches but it is the perfect place to lay down in the sun after a long hike. You can also get ice cream on the parking lot!

What to do near Glendalough Upper Lake beach

As I’ve mentioned, the Spinc is a popular hike in Ireland and offers a beautiful view on the Upper lake! The long route takes all day though so you might want to get there early.

Near the visitor centre, you will find the Glendalough Cathedral and and roundtower which are definitely worth checking out if you like history and ruins.

8. Dollymount Beach

How to get there

Dollymount beach is located on Bull Island near Dublin and is easily accessible by DART, car or bus. Return tickets for the DART are under €5 per person which makes it a great day trip idea for couples on a budget.

Why Dollymount Beach

Dollymount beach is a long 5 km strand with thin sand and beautiful views on Dublin Bay and the Howth Peninsula. Bull island is also a wildlife nature reserve so you can observe birds and seals on the beach.

What to do near Dollymount Beach

Near Dollymount beach, you’ll find sand dunes, the pier with Our Lady of the Sea statue and the Clontarf promenade as well.

What to wear at the beach in Dublin

As I’ve mentioned above, don’t expect sunny days and 30° celsius when going to the beach near Dublin, even in the summer. Although we do have beaches here, it is still Ireland and therefore the weather is unpredictable. When going to the beach near Dublin, I suggest checking the weather for the specific beach you are going to. If you are going to Portmarnock beach, check the weather for Portmarnock. It might be sunny and warm in Dublin and completely grey and raining in Portmarnock and vice-versa. So better be prepared and now what you’re signing for.

When it comes to what to wear at the beach in Dublin, it really depends on the weather. Usually, people go to the beach to walk, walk their dogs or have a picnic but rarely to actually go in the water as it is usually cold anyways. On a sunny and warm day, you might want to wear your bathing suit, shorts, a t-shirt and maybe a light sweater for when the clouds come in (trust me they will). Then at the beach you can decide whether you want to go into the water.

We have seen a bit of every scenario since we moved here. Irish people don’t fear the cold and some still go in the water in September without a suit even though the water is freezing. Some people choose to wear a suit though which can be a great option if that tempts you.

In the winter though, you’ll want to bundle up and wear a coat, scarf and gloves as the temperature by the sea can be very low due to the wind.

Plan you trip in Ireland

I hope this list of the best beaches near Dublin will be helpful to plan your trip. Remember that there is lots to see in Dublin besides the city and beaches. For example, you definitely want to go to explore Phoenix Park and find the Phoenix Park deer. You might also want to take a break from the city and head to the Wicklow Mountains National Park for a few days. It is a beautiful national park with lots to do if you like nature, hiking and driving through beautiful landscapes.

Finally, if you feel up to it, you might want to discover more of the country by spending a few days on the Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle Peninsula also has lots of beautiful beaches such as Cappagh beach. In addition to exploring beaches, there are lots of things to do in Dingle. I have put together a list of 23 things to do in Dingle and on the peninsula to help you plan your trip. You definitely won’t be wasting your time there!

Any questions? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.