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Beaches · Leinster, Dublin

Killiney Beach

  • VibeScenic and low-key — better for a coastal walk, a picnic with a view, or a bracing swim than for a full beach day
  • Distance17 km from city centre
  • Rating★ 4.6
  • Best seasonSummer; the views across Dublin Bay toward Howth Head are spectacular year-round
  • TransportDART to Killiney (35 min; ~€3.40 with Leap Card / ~$3.74); 5-min walk from station to beach
Killiney Beach

A long shingle-and-sand beach curving beneath Killiney Hill, often compared to the Bay of Naples for its backdrop of headlands and hills. Dalkey Island and the Wicklow Mountains are visible across the water, and the beach runs south toward Shanganagh.

Practical information for Killiney Beach
Distance 17 km from city centre
Getting there DART to Killiney (35 min; ~€3.40 with Leap Card / ~$3.74); 5-min walk from station to beach
Best season Summer; the views across Dublin Bay toward Howth Head are spectacular year-round
Address Killiney Beach, Killiney, County Dublin, D18 Ireland

Amenities

  • Car park (limited)
  • Toilets
  • Small kiosk (summer)
  • No lifeguard
  • Dog-friendly

Good to know

Water
Steeply shelving shingle bottom with clear water; can have a noticeable swell when the wind is onshore

Weather through the year in Ireland

JAN FEB MAR 10° APR 13° MAY 16° JUN 18° JUL 18° AUG 14° SEP 12° OCT NOV DEC

Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding

Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.

Location

Killiney Beach, Killiney, County Dublin, D18 Ireland

53.2637, -6.1052 View on map

Highlights

  • Regularly compared to the Bay of Naples for its arc of coastline framed by Killiney Hill and Dalkey Island
  • Killiney Hill Park, directly above the beach, has waymarked trails to Victoria and Wellington obelisks with panoramic views over Dublin Bay
  • Bono and The Edge from U2 have long owned houses on the hill overlooking this stretch of coast

Tips for visiting

  • The beach is shingle, not sand — sturdy footwear or sandals make the walk down from the DART station easier
  • There is no lifeguard cover; swimmers should stay close to shore, as the shingle shelves steeply in places