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Day Trips · Leinster, Dublin

Howth Village & Cliff Walk

A working fishing harbour and dramatic cliff path at the end of the DART line

  • Distance15 km from city centre
  • Travel time35 minutes by DART
  • TransportDART from Connolly or Tara Street; 35 min; ~€3.90 with Leap Card (~$4.30); trains every 15–20 min
  • Rating★ 4.7
  • Best seasonYear-round; spring and summer for cliff walk wildflowers; weekends for market
Howth Village & Cliff Walk

Howth is a peninsula village at the northern end of Dublin Bay, reached directly by DART. Its harbour still lands fresh fish sold at quayside stalls, and the Cliff Path Loop circles the headland above the Irish Sea with views to Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island.

Practical information for Howth Village & Cliff Walk
Distance 15 km from city centre
Travel time 35 minutes by DART
Getting there DART from Connolly or Tara Street; 35 min; ~€3.90 with Leap Card (~$4.30); trains every 15–20 min
Address Howth Harbour, Howth, County Dublin, Ireland

How to get there

  • DART
  • Car (20 min via coastal road)

Weather through the year in Ireland

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Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding

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

Location

Howth Harbour, Howth, County Dublin, Ireland

53.3884, -6.0657 View on map

Highlights

  • Cliff Path Loop (green trail, about 6 km, 2–2.5 hours) around Howth Head with sea views the whole way
  • Fresh seafood stalls and chippers along the harbour, including the well-known Beshoff Bros and Octopussy's fish stall
  • Howth Castle grounds and the National Transport Museum on the same grounds
  • Boat trips to Ireland's Eye island (weather-dependent, departs from the East Pier)

Tips for visiting

  • The full Cliff Path Loop has sections with uneven ground and no barriers near cliff edges — sturdy shoes are essential and the trail is not suitable in high wind or after heavy rain
  • Trains run frequently, so there is no need to book — check the return DART time before setting out on the cliff walk to avoid rushing back
  • Sunday mornings bring a small market at the harbour; arrive before midday for the best seafood selection