The Best Cliff Walk Howth Offers: 6 Stunning Howth Walks

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Are you looking for the best cliff walk Howth offers? You’re in the right place! Eric and I have done the Howth cliff walk many times during our time living in Dublin and loved it every time! It’s the perfect hiking date for spring for couples but also a great spot to go with friends or family.

Howth cliff walk is a popular Dublin getaway spot and for good reasons. From stunning cliff and sea views to seeing alpacas and World War II historical sites, the Howth cliffwalk routes bring you across some wonderful sites that you will love. After over 3 years living in Ireland, we are happy to share all the ins and outs of a visit to Howth and to the cliff walk. We love going to Howth for a romantic date near Dublin!

In this guide you will find details on each of the six hikes in Howth and what to see on each of the Dublin Howth cliff walk. We also included a section on what to do on your visit to Howth village, where to eat in Howth and where to stay in Howth. In this guide, you’ll find a Howth trails map as well to guide you on your cliff walk. This is the only guide you need for the best visit in Howth.

Updated April 2023

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Is the Howth Cliff walk a good date idea for couples?

In short, yes. We have gone on a date on the Howth Cliff walk many times and loved it each time! Here’s why:

Romantic scenery

From walking by the port to walking along the cliffs, the scenery keeps getting better and better! With wildflowers, wild birds going around, the blue of the sea and the view on the lighthouse, the Howth Cliff walk creates a romantic atmosphere that’s perfect whether that’d be for a first date on a hike or a regular weekend date with your partner.

As short or as long as you want

These days, couples are busy! Though quality time together is essential, it can be hard to squeeze a full day of hiking in the day. The Howth Cliff Walk gives you flexibility as it offers several paths! you can choose to do the big loop or the smaller ones. It’s also great if you are on a first date and want the option to cut it short!

Is Howth cliff walk dangerous? 

Should you consider the Howth cliff walk dangerous? The short answer is yes and no. The Howth hill walk is extremely popular among visitors and locals, especially on a nice day. You can easily deduct from this popularity that it isn’t dangerous. And overall, from our experience we would agree. Whichever Howth loop walk you decide to go on (see below for details on each of the 5 Howth cliff walks), the paths are in particular, generally wide enough for two lines of people to pass each other.

However, we would recommend to be cautious when going on the Howth hill walk, especially when it comes to walking on the side of the edge, the terrain, the weather and other visitors:

• Rocky paths: The paths are natural paths and can get a bit rocky at times, this means that you can easily trip. Considering that you are walking right on the edge of the cliffs and that there are no fences to retain you from falling, tripping can actually be fatal. 
• Rushing hikers: Some visitors also consider the walk as a marathon and will be walking quite fast, pushing you to accelerate your own pace. This can be dangerous if it becomes a pace you are not comfortable with. If you are like us and would like to take your time, just stand closer to the cliffs so people can pass you on the edge side. 
• Strong winds: The weather Howth offers is typically Irish and that is even truer on the cliffs as they are completely exposed to the sea. This means you will probably experience a varying degree of wind on your walk. In our experience, the wind on the Howth cliff walk Ireland can be very strong and quite uncomfortable to be honest. At times, the paths become narrower and the wind can make those spots a bit scary. It is nothing unsurmountable, and many people are totally fine but it is better to be aware of it before going. We would recommend to avoid any day where it is heavily windy, to have a better experience. 
• Slippery trails: The trails become dangerous after rainy days as they become muddy and slippery. If it has been raining heavily, we would recommend avoiding the Howth walking trails altogether. If the trails are in terrible conditions, you’ll find the Howth cliff walk closed. 

What to wear on the Howth cliff walk?

Good locals that we are, we will tell you “it depends”. The weather in Howth and Ireland is quite unpredictable so you might come on a beautiful sunny day or it might be a beautiful day when you leave your hotel and once in Howth, have already turned into a horrible grey cold day. 

The best outfit to wear to hike the cliff walk Howth is known for, is layers. Leggings or jeans with a T-shirt, a sweater and a jacket should do for the average day. If you are visiting Dublin in the winter, you’ll want to wear warm clothes including a scarf, a hat, and gloves. 

As for shoes, it is possible to do the trail in sandals in the summer, although we wouldn’t recommend it, especially due to rocks and the risk of tripping. To be safe, we recommend wearing snickers or hiking shoes that hold well to your feet. 

If it is sunny, you should definitely wear sunscreen or else you’ll go home with a beautiful red skin. Indeed, the weather might be grey, but the Irish rays are no joke!

Finally, if you have long hair, Marie would recommend wearing it up or you’ll be spending the whole walk getting it out of your eyes. 

How long is Howth cliff walk?

You might be wondering how long is the Howth cliff walk and how long does Howth cliff walk take. There are six different Howth cliff walks and they all vary in both distance and time to complete. 

The shorter howth cliff walk distance is 5km while the longest Howth cliff walk length is 12km. The shortest cliff walk Howth offers takes about 1 hour to complete while the longest route for hiking Howth can take up to 5 hours to complete. 

How difficult is Howth cliff walk?

Is Howth cliff walk hard? The short answer is no. There are 6 hikes in Howth. The Howth walk routes are generally rated as moderate walks. They are not strenuous and have a very low incline. A couple of spots are uphill but these segments are very short. The walks, whether you are taking the red route, the green, route, the purple route or the blue route, are mostly flat.

However, the purple route and the Howth cliff walk red route are the longest routes and can take up to 3 hours to complete with the purple route being 12 km long. For these two routes, we would recommend being in good shape, wearing hiking shoes and bringing food and water with you. 

The walks also become a bit more difficult when the winds are strong as they might push you in one direction. When it’s very windy, we would not recommend doing the walks as there are no fences protecting you from falling. 

From our experience, it seems that most people go for the green or blue Howth cliff walk Dublin offers as these are easy and shorter.

How to get to Howth cliff walk from Dublin

How far is Howth from Dublin

Howth is not far from Dublin and is just a short 30 minute drive or 25 minute train ride from the city centre. Because of its proximity with the city, it is one of the most popular city break destination near Dublin City centre for locals.

Dublin to Howth train

The easiest way to go from Dublin to Howth is by train. The train in Dublin is called the DART and there are several DART station in the city. The Dublin to Howth DART ride takes about 25 minutes. 

The train Dublin to Howth costs €5 per person for a return ticket if you depart from Connolly station to Howth. You can buy tickets directly at the station before taking the train to Howth. Note that your ticket won’t assign you a seat so we would recommend avoiding peak times if you don’t want to be standing the whole ride. The frequency of trains from Connolly to Howth is high with a train about every 30 minutes. One of the perks of taking the DART Howth-Dublin is that you won’t have any trouble parking in Howth. 

Dublin bus to Howth

There is an Howth bus from Dublin that can take you from Busaras (on Abbey Street Lower) to Howth in about 40 minutes. Tickets are €1,70 per person per journey and have to be paid to the driver directly in cash. Make sure you have the right amount as drivers cannot give change back (we’re not kidding).

Directions to Howth by car

Going to Howth by car is also very easy and only a short 30 minute drive along the coast. From Dublin, you’ll want to head north towards Clontarf. Once in Clontarf, follow the coastal road to St Anne’s Park and Bull Island. Keep on this road until you reach Sutton. There, head to Howth Road and follow signs to Howth Harbour. 

There are several places where you can park in Howth. The first parking in Howth is the one near the harbour right in the centre of the village and across the Howth Market. You can’t miss it as there are dozens of cars parked there at all times. Parking here will allow you to get the most out of the Howth cliff walks as it is right at the starting point of all the loops. There are washrooms available by the parking lot near O’Connells Pub. 

As you will be coming to do the cliff walk Howth offers, you also have two other options. The first one is to park at the Howth cliff walk car park right before Howth Head. If you park here, you will miss out on a couple of spots on your way but it makes the the walk a bit shorter. To get there, pass the harbour parking lot and drive to the very end of the street. At O’Connells Pub, take a right and follow the road that goes uphill. Keep driving following the coast, until you reach the parking lot. There are also washrooms at this carpark.

Another parking option in Howth is the Summit carpark. This carpark is located right above some of the most interesting points of the Howth walks. This is a great carpark if you can’t walk too much but still want to experience part of the cliff walk Howth offers. 

Taxi Howth

Another option to go to Howth is to take a taxi. The fare should be about €30. We would recommend booking your taxi on the FreeNow app to avoid scams and taxi drivers who charge too much. 

Why is going on a Howth cliff walk good for couples on a budget?

The Howth cliff walks are beautiful walks and perfect to share a moment in nature with your partner. From the incredible views, the fresh air and the cute alpacas you’ll see on your way, it’s just a perfect outing for couples wishing to get out of the city and immersing themselves in Ireland’s nature.

Howth walks are free and getting to Howth by DART is super cheap making it a great trip for couples on a budget!

6 Howth cliff walk routes

There are 6 Howth cliff walk routes ranging from 5km to 14km. Below you’ll find each of them with every important stop mentioned. Note that we provided detailed information on each of the stops and viewpoints in a different section below. The cliffs Howth offers are wonderful and we hope one fo the following routes will be suitable so you can have the best experience! In the next section, you’ll find the official Howth walks map.

Route 1: Short Howth Head walk

This is the shortest of the Howth hiking trails and is perfect if you want to see some incredible views of Howth and the sea, and want to get in a walk without having to spend hours walking. 

This walk starts from Howth harbour and continues up the hill passed O’Connells Pub all the way to Howth Head. On your way, you will pass Balscadden Bay beach and Tara hall. You can stop at the Howth Hub for coffee or a snack with a view. Then continue on up the hill to Howth Head. From Howth Head you’ll have majestic views of Howth pier, Howth lighthouse, and of the Ireland’s Eye, the small island off the coast. 

Once you’re done, you can go back from the way you came. To make the walk even shorter, you can park at the Howth Hub instead of Howth harbour. Note that you don’t need hiking shoes for this walk.

The walk is 5 km long and takes about 1 hour to complete. You can see Howth Head’s location on the Howth Head walk map in the next section. 

Best for: People looking for a chill and short walk that provides great views.

Route 2: The Cliff Path Loop (Howth cliff walk Green Route)

The Howth cliff walk Green route also starts at Howth harbour or Howth DART station and takes you through the same steps as Route 1. Once at Howth Head, you’ll need to keep going along the cliffs where you’ll get stunning views on the sea. The dark blue of the sea contrasts really beautifully with the green of the cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some Heather flowers! 

The Green Route takes you all the way to the Summit Carpark before looping back into the village. Before arriving at the Summit carpark, there is a spot where people usually stop to rest, have a picnic, or just admire the view. You cannot mis sit as it is much wider than the cliff path. Once at that spot, check out the alpacas on your right. Then continue towards the Summit carpark and stop at a spot called Louis’ point where you get beautiful views on the Baily Lighthouse. There, you can decide to head up towards the EIRE 6 sign and head back or continue on to the Summit carpark before looping back towards the EIRE 6 sign. 

On your way back, you’ll see the EIRE 6 sign and will cross into some of the nicest Howth neighbourhoods. 

The Howth hike is 6 km long takes about 2 hours to complete.

Best for: People looking for a nice cliff walk that is not too strenuous but offers to see some of the best part of the cliffs of Howth. 

Route 3: The Tramline Loop (Howth cliff path Blue Route)

The Tramline Route follows the same path as the Green Route up until the Summit carpark. From the Summit carpark, both routes separate. The Tramline Loop follows the old tramline back into the village. On the way back, you have beautiful views on the harbour and the village.

This Howth walk takes about 2 hours to complete and is 7km long.

Best for: People looking for a moderate walk with nice views on Howth cliffs, harbour and the Ireland’s Eye. 

Route 4: The Black Linn Loop (Howth cliff walk Red Route)

The red Howth cliff walk route follows the same route as the green and blue routes to the Summit carpark before separate from both of them. The Red Route takes you back to Howth through the inner land of the Peninsula. On your way back, you’ll get gorgeous views of the Dublin coastline. If you are there in the right season, you’ll see the hills covered in heather, a beautiful purple wild flower. 

This walk is 8km long and takes about 2.5hours.

Best for: People in good shape who are looking to spend a good half day walking around the Peninsula. 

Route 5: The Bog of the Frogs Loop (Howth cliff walk Purple Route)

Known as the hardest hill of Howth walk, the Bog of the Frogs Loop continues passed the Summit carpark. The Loop takes you to the hidden beach of Howth, Baily Lighthouse, and along a bit more of the coast before bringing you inland through stunning views of Dublin’s coastline and the Wicklow Mountains. 

This is the hardest walk of the cliffs Howth offers. It is 12km long and takes at least 3 hours to complete. 

Best for: People in good shape looking to explore further than the most popular viewpoints.  

Route 6: The Fingal Coastal Way: one of the walks around Howth Peninsula

Besides the 5 routes not the cliffs Howth offers, there is one more route which is part of the Fingal Coastal Way. The Fingal Coastal Way extends from Newbridge Demesne in Donabate to the Fingal County boundary, north of Balbriggan. Part of it is the walk that goes all around the Howth Peninsula. 

The walk starts at Burrow beach and goes through all the cliffs stops we mentioned above including Howth Head, the hidden beach, the Baily Lighthouse, Sutton’s Martello Tower and back at Burrow beach. From the segment going through Sutton, you’ll have views on Dublin coastline and the Wicklow Mountains. 

It is a 14 km long walk, and takes 3 to 4 hours to complete. 

Best for: People in good shape looking to do the Sutton to Howth cliff walk and explore all around the Peninsula. 

Where to start Howth cliff walk ?

The best place to start each cliff walk Howth offers is the harbour parking lot or the DART station. From both of these locations, you can do a loop walk along the cliffs and around the Howth Peninsula. Starting your Howth cliff walk from DART station is actually really nice as it will take you through the village and along the sailing harbour. 

Howth cliff walk route map

To help you plan your trip to Howth, you can use the Howth cliff walk map below. This is the official Howth Head cliff walk map and is also the map of Howth for the other routes. 

What to see on the cliff walk Howth offers

There are a number of viewpoints and historical sites you shouldn’t miss on the Howth cliff walk. In this section, we included all the relevant spots, some well known and some being hidden gems, that you’ll want to see on your walk. 

Balscadden Bay beach in Ireland Howth

On your way to any of the cliff walks in Howth, you will pass Balscadden Bay beach, one beach that Howth offers near the harbour. Although it isn’t sandy, the beach is quite beautiful and we would definitely recommend stopping by. With beautiful clear blue waters and a direct view on the cliff of Howth, this is a top spot for relaxing.

Balscadden beach is also popular among swimmers although let us warn you that you will need a wet suit as the water is very cold. Be aware also that there are current so don’t adventure too far if you don’t feel comfortable. 

The beach is also known for being the home of a number of seals in Howth. The seals Howth houses can be seen in the water swimming and playing together. Just like any other animals, you’ll have more chances to see them in the morning before the crowds arrive. 

Balscadden Bay beach is only a couple minutes walking from Howth harbour. You’ll find it right after King Sitric restaurant down a set of steep concrete stairs. 

Tara Hall

Tara Hall Howth is a gorgeous house located on your way to Howth Head. The mansion is famous from being featured in the closing scene of the movie “Love, Rosie” featuring Lily Collins (Emily in Paris). The unique styled 1820 mansion offers gorgeous views on Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. Rumour has it that its name comes from its association with Margaret Mitchell the writer of Gone with the Wind…

Although you cannot visit Tara Hall, you can see the mansion really well from the street along with its beautiful grounds. 

Howth Hub

The Howth Hub is a cafe located a few meters before Howth Head. It’s got everything from sandwiches to hot chocolates and is located on the hill’s edges with great views on the sea. It’s a great stop to grab a coffee at the beginning of your walk. 

Howth Head Peak

Howth Head Ireland is the first main viewpoint on each of the Howth cliffwalk routes. It looks a bit like a bump on top of the mountain and offers beautiful views on Howth village and Howth harbour. From Howth head, you’ll see the lighthouse Howth offers at the end of the pier. You’ll also see Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island.

This is the end of Route 1: After you walk Howth Head, turn around to go back to Howth village. 

Cliffs view on the sea

Continuing on the other five routes, you’ll now be walking directly on the cliffs. This segment of the walks offers incredible views on the sea and on the cliffs falling into the water. People can tend to walk quite fats here but we would recommend to take your time, first to be safe and avoid tripping over, and second, to take the time to appreciate and take in the views. 

Wild flowers on the Howth cliff path

On your walk, you’ll see beautiful wild flowers including numerous purple heather flowers. Yellow wild flowers called Furze are also all over the cliffs in Howth. These yellow gold flowers are edible and are used to make a brew called Gorse Flower wine. The flowers are also used to give whiskey its golden colour and add an almond flavour to drinks. You can also use the flowers in salads or other dishes as you wish! However, make sure you use them in small amounts as they can cause upset stomachs if consumed in big quantities. 

Howth’s Alpacas

Walking alpacas in Ireland is a popular activity for couples but did you know you can see alpacas in Howth? Between Howth Head and Louis’ Point, you’ll find a popular spot where people rest to take in the views. The space is large and offers a nice break from the narrow Howth trails. If you look up to the right, you’ll see a ranch with donkeys and alpacas. Although it is private grounds, you can approach the house and observe the cute pacas from a distance! 

Louis’ Point

Louis’ Point is another spot further down where people rest and take in the views. From there you’ll have gorgeous views on Baily lighthouse and Dublin coastline. 

The Summit carpark, crossroad on the Howth cliff walk

The Summit Howth offers is another great viewpoint and is the turning point for three of the routes: green, blue and red. Howth summit walk takes you to this viewpoint where you can have gorgeous views on the Baily Lighthouse, cliffs, the Dublin coastline and the Wicklow Mountains in the backdrop. 

If you cannot walk very far, you can drive directly to the Summit carpark and take in the views from there!

This is the end of Route 2 (green), 3 (blue) and 4 (red). The Green Route takes you back to the village through the EIRE 6 sign and the village. The Blue Route takes you through the old tramline with gorgeous views on Ireland’s Eye. The Red Route brings you inland over Howth Head and back to the village with beautiful views on Dublin coastline and the heather covered hills. 

Eire 6 sign (Green Route)

On the Green route back to the village, you’ll find the EIRE 6 sign which is a relic from World War II. The sign was one of the 83 aerial recognition signs that were built during the war to alert aircraft that this as Irish neutral land. The sign dates back from 1943 and was restored after having been discovered buried under the ground. 

Stop by The Ben of Howth (Red Route)

On the Red route back to Howth village, you’ll see the Ben of Howth on your left. The Ben of Howth is one of the highest point of the Howth Peninsula and offers 360 degree views on the Peninsula. Visitors recognise that this is one of the best viewpoints and offers better views even than Howth Head. 

Continuing on to the Purple Route and the Fingal Coastal Way.

Secret beach Howth 

Continuing on the Purple Route, you’ll find one of the best kept secrets of Howth, a tiny hidden beach. On Google Maps, you’ll find it as “tiny hidden beach”. The beach is remote and made of pebbles. The Howth secret beach is located right before the Baily Lighthouse. Niched between the cliffs, it is accessible by a steep climb down with a few steps to help you down. You’ll need good walking shoes to go down this one and avoid falling.

The beach is popular among those who know its existence. Known as a quiet, beautiful and tranquil, this is a must-see when in Howth. You can even see seals on a lucky day! This is one of the popular beaches near Dublin. 

Baily lighthouse, one of the main spots of the Howth cliff walk

The Baily Lighthouse is a popular spot on the Purple Route and the Fingal Costal Way. Built in 1814, it was the location that the Norse Vikings chose to regroup after the Clontarf Battle on 1014. 

Lions Head Howth

Lion’s Head Howth is a popular spot for cliff diving among young crowds. We wouldn’t recommend swimming here or cliff jumping as the spot is not on the official swimming spots map. It’s also dangerous as there are currents and lots of rocks in the water. It’s a nice viewpoint but we’d recommend keeping it at that! 

This is the end of the Purple Route which then brings you inland and back to the village. 

Red Rock beach 

Continuing on the Fingal Coastal Way, the Red Rock cliff walk Howth offers takes you to Red Rock beach. The beach of Red Rock Howth offers is located right before Sutton’s Martello Tower. The beach is surrounded by rocks with a large rock in the middle. This place is beautiful and worth stopping by. It’s a bit of a trek to get there but worth it especially if you are into photography! You won’t find Red Rock beach on a Howth Ireland map, just note that it’s located right before the Sutton’s Martello Tower.

Martello Tower at the end of the Howth cliff walk

Sutton’s Martello tower is located right after Red Rock beach. This Martello Tower was built in 1804 and is now an accommodation consisting of three stories with two bedrooms, a living area, a modern kitchen which offers 360° views from the roof level and a balcony that overlooks the bay.

The Fingal Costal Way continues along the coast to end at Burrow beach. 

Best time to visit the Howth cliffwalk

The best time to visit the Howth Dublin cliff walk is either spring or summer on a nice sunny day. To be fair, it will be difficult to come on a day that’s not windy as the wind is pretty much part of any day in Ireland. But spring and summer offer at least better temperature than winter. If you visit the Howth cliff walk in the winter, we would recommend going on a sunny day and dressing very warm. 

We would also recommend visiting the Howth coastal walk in the morning rather than in the afternoon. Ever since living here, we’ve found that Dublin and its surrounding areas like Howth often get the best weather in the morning!

What to do in Howth village after your Howth cliff walk

After your Howth Ireland cliff walk, you’ll probably want to roam around the village and explore a bit more of its nooks and crannies. In this section, you’ll find everything you need to do in Howth. 

Howth Tours

There are wonderful tours of Howth that will teach you about the areas more in details. Some of the tours include a visit to the Ancient Dolmen, St Mary’s abbey, and more, see for yourself:

• Coastal Walk Howth Adventures
• Panoramic e-bike tour of Howth
• Howth hiking tour
• Bus tour of the Howth Peninsula with a Malahide and Argillan Castles and a visit of Pearse Lyons Distillery.
• A craft beer and seafood tour of Howth

Main Pier and Lighthouse

The first pier and the lighthouse of Howths are the main landmarks that attract the crowds to Howth on a sunny day. Perfect for a short stroll, the pier takes you to the red and white lighthouse from where you get great views on the Ireland’s Eye and the coastline. This is the pier and lighthouse you can see from Dublin Howth Head. 

Secondary pier 

There is also a second pier closer to the train station which is the home of a number of seafood restaurants and gives on the fishing port. This is another great place for a stroll. At the end of this pier, there is an area where you can sit and listen to live buskers. 

Howth harbour

On any of the Howth cliff walks, you’ll pass Howth Harbour. The harbour is small but quite nice with yuk trees revealing a great amount of sailing boats.You’ll find the harbour between the carpark and the pier.

Claremont beach Howth

Claremont beach is located behind the train station and is a sandy beach that gives views on the north coastline and the Ireland’s Eye. There are lifeguards on site in the summer months from 11am to 7pm. Because of the tide, the beach varies in width depending on the time of the day. Regardless of that, it is one of the popular beaches near Dublin. 

Church of St Mary’s Howth

The church Howth houses is called St Mary’s and sits in the centre of the village up a small street with colourful houses. The site actually comprises of both a church and an abbey. The site sits above the harbour and has gorgeous view son the sea. This is a historical site that now serves as a cemetery. 

Howth Castle

Howth Castle is located closer to the train station and is definitely worth a visit. You can tour the gardens and observe the castle from outside. There are guided tours of the inside of the castle but you’ll need to book in advance.

The castle is dated back to the medieval times. The Keep and Gate Tower are the two oldest sections of the castle dated back to the 15th Century. The castle was renovated as the years went by and resulted in what we can see now. The gardens were also well thought of and are particular with a large presence of rhododendrons. 

Eat at The Oar House

The Oar House is one of our favourite restaurants when coming to Howth. They have delicious chowder (creamy seafood soup), mussels and burgers. They are located near the train station on the secondary pier. We would recommend booking in advance if you go on a sunny weekend! 

Small pebble beach

When the tide is low, there is a small pebble beach by O’Connell’s Pub being the pier. This is a cute beach that offers great views on the Peninsula and the cliffs. It’s perfect to sit with ice cream or just take  in the sunshine. 

Lambay Island Roundtrip from Howth

Lambay Island is a popular island known for hosting a group of wallabies, probably the only wallabies in Ireland! These little kangaroos are free to roam on the island for the pleasure of visitors. Lambay Island is a beautiful place for hiking and walking and offers sights of birds and nature that you’ll love! 

Ireland’s Eye

The Ireland’s Eye is an island off Howth that is worth visiting. It is located just a 15 minute boat ride from Howth pier. There are two companies that offer tours to the island, one being Island Ferries (orange boat) and Ireland’s Eye Ferries (blue boat). On your trip, you’ll see The Stack, a tower of rocks which houses hundreds of seabirds including puffins, a Martello Tower, nesting cormorants, seals, beaches, and more. It’s an amazing place to hike and immerse yourself in what feels like a totally different world! 

The Market Howth

The Howth Market is located a couple of minutes from the train station. It is an open food market with lots of different cuisines from traditional Irish chowders to Mexican burrito bowls! In the middle of the market you’ll find treats and desserts. It’s a cute market and definitely a good place to grab food before heading out on your Howth cliffwalk. From our experience, it can be a bit pricy but it is worth it to get food there at least once. 

Kayaking in Howth

Kayaking in Howth is a popular activity especially on a sunny day. Trips are organised to kayak to the Ireland’s Eye and experiencing wildlife. You can find them by the piers.

Martello Tower Howth

Ireland has several Martello towers which are historical relic. This one has been transformed into a Vintage Radio Museum and overlooks beautiful Howth harbour. Opening hours are 11am to 4pm during the week and you need to book a slot here. 

Dublin Bay Cruises Howth

From Dublin, you can hop on one of the Dublin bay cruises to reach Howth via the sea and discover the coastline from the sea. We have never done this cruise as we both get seasick but locals have recommended it to us and you know what they say: “If locals recommend it, do it”!

Hotels in Howth

Between going on a cliff walk Howth offers and visiting Howth village, you might want to spend a night in Howth. Spending a night in Howth can be quite the romantic getaway close to home if you live in Dublin. The following hotels Howth offers are popular among visitors: 

• Gleann Na Smol Howth: This is a hotel Howth offers that is a traditional Irish cottage and is located right in the centre of Howth.
• The Sweet Inn: The Sweet Inn is a cute lodge in Howth’s centre that offers a private balcony and the views on the town.
• King Sitric: One of the best rated hotels in Howth with comfortable rooms, right by the sea, which also offers a wonderful seafood restaurant!

Lunch in Howth

You also might be wondering what other places are good for dining in Howth. Well, wether you are looking for the best brunch Howth offers or the best lunch Howth offers, you will certainly find a restaurant and bars in Howth that suit you. Here are some of the popular places among Howth visitors:

• O Connell’s Howth: O Connells Howth is one of the popular pubs in Howth. With little wooden houses in front of the main door, you can sit out outside and relax with a drink after a long day exploring Howth. 
• Beshoffs Howth: Want to get the best fish and chips in Howth, Try Beshoffs, the famous fish and chips chains restaurant. This is a popular fish shop Howth offers. 
• The Country Market Howth: This places sells fresh seafood and organic products and is a culinary hot spot in Howth. 
• Afternoon Tea Howth: Afternoon tea is available at The House, POG and The Dog House. 
• East Cafe Howth: The East Cafe is affiliated with the King Sitric’s restaurant. It mainly serves fresh Irish Shellfish and wild fish with a selection of non fish dishes for those who ar enot too big on seafood. The products are local and the ambiance traditional. The cafe doesn’t take bookings. 
• The Brass Monkey Howth: This is a quaint wine bar and restaurant which serves European tapas, meat dishes and of course, fresh seafood. It is located on the secondary pier, right by the fishermen’s boats! 
• Bloody Stream Howth: Known as the “bric-a-brac” pub; this is a traditional Irish pub with a  cozy interior and a beer garden. Their menu is quite large with a majority of seafood and reasonable prices. It is known for the quality of the food served. 

Some further questions on Ireland around Howth

What off the beaten path things should I do in Dublin?

In Dublin, we recommend visiting some of the free museums the city offers and stopping by the cat cafe in Stoneybatter to grab a vegan hot chocolate and spend some time with the kittens.

What are the must-sees when visiting Dublin Ireland in a quick 3 day visit?

Dublin being one of the best music cities in the world, visiting Temple Bar is undeniably one of the must-sees in Dublin. In addition, we would recommend stopping by Phoenix Park and looking for the wild deer of the park. You can check our Dublin itinerary for a complete day-by-day guide of the city. We also recommend checking out our guide on Dublin in the winter if you’re visiting at the end of the year. 

What are some lesser known sights to see when visiting Dublin Ireland?

Besides visiting Howth and going on the cliff walk Howth offers, we would recommend visiting Bull Island and Dollymount beach which are located just 20 minutes from Dublin City centre.If you have time, we would recommend also checking out the Wicklow Mountains and spending one night glamping in Wicklow.

Any questions on the best Howth cliff walk? Then drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.