Is it worth booking Howth in advance?

Walk-up entry is usually possible, but booking in advance secures your preferred time slot and avoids queues in peak season (June–August).

Is Howth free to visit?

Yes — entry to Howth is free. Some guided tours or additional experiences are available to book for a fee.

How long does a visit to Howth take?

Allow 2–4 hours depending on route for a comfortable visit. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid the busiest periods in summer.

Year-round (cliff walk always open)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

All Attractions

Coastal

Howth Head

Name: Howth Head
Address: Howth, Dublin, IE
Price range: Free

Co. Dublin · 2–4 hours depending on route

Howth is a fishing village and peninsula on the north side of Dublin Bay, 15 km from the city centre and directly served by the DART commuter rail. The headland rises to 171 metres and is encircled by a cliff walk with views across Dublin Bay to the Wicklow Mountains on clear days. The loop walk takes around two hours from Howth DART station and returns along the cliff edge to the harbour.

The harbour itself is a working fishing port, one of the few still operating in the Dublin area. Fresh fish is sold from the boats and from the market stalls along the pier. The seafood restaurants along the waterfront serve some of the freshest fish in the country — lobster, crab and fish chowder are the staples. Beshoff Bros and the Bloody Stream are consistently recommended by locals.

Howth Castle and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey are at the landward end of the peninsula — the abbey dates from 1235 and its graveyard contains some of the oldest carved gravestones in Leinster. Howth also has a small transport museum with vintage trams. Ireland's Eye, a small uninhabited island with a Martello tower and seabird colony, is accessible by boat from the harbour.

Highlights

Cliff loop walk — 2 hours around the headland with views across Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains
Howth Harbour — a working fishing port with fish sold direct from the boats and excellent seafood restaurants
Ireland's Eye — an uninhabited island accessible by boat, with a 6th-century church ruin and gannet colony
St Mary's Abbey ruins (1235) with medieval carved gravestones in the castle grounds
15 minutes from Dublin city centre on the DART commuter rail — the easiest half-day escape from the city

Good to know

→Take the DART from Connolly or Pearse station — no car needed, and parking in Howth is difficult at weekends.
→The cliff walk is exposed and has some vertigo-inducing sections. Stick to the marked path.
→For lunch, book Aqua or the Oar House in advance at weekends — walk-in waits can be long.
→Ireland's Eye boat trips run in summer from the West Pier. Call ahead to confirm they're running on your day.
→The walk from the DART station up to the lighthouse is shorter (45 min) if you want a quicker trip.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round; weekday morning for the cliff walk (Dublin weekend crowds can be heavy from noon). Best harbour light is late afternoon for seafood on the pier. The DART from Dublin Connolly takes 28 minutes and arrives at the start of the cliff walk.

Getting There

DUBDublin

25 min drive

Common questions

How do I get to Howth from Dublin?

The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) runs from Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse stations to Howth in about 30–35 minutes. Trains run every 15–20 minutes. This is the best option — Howth village and the cliff walk start are within a short walk of Howth DART station. Driving is slower due to the coast road congestion at weekends.

What is the best cliff walk at Howth?

The full loop around the Howth Head peninsula takes about 3 hours (12km) and follows the cliff edge with views south to the Wicklow Mountains and north across Dublin Bay. The most scenic section is the eastern cliff above the Bailey Lighthouse. Easier options include the shorter trail via the Nose of Howth (1.5 hours) if you prefer something less exposed.

What are the seafood restaurants in Howth?

Howth has a working fishing harbour and several well-regarded seafood restaurants on the pier. The Bloody Stream, Octopussy's and Aqua are the consistently recommended options for a proper sit-down meal. The West Pier's fish-and-chip chippers are extremely popular for a casual lunch. In summer, the pier is busy — booking in advance for restaurant dinner is wise.

How long should I spend in Howth?

The full cliff walk takes 3 hours; a shorter loop 1.5 hours; lunch on the pier adds another 1–1.5 hours. A half-day from Dublin is ideal. The ruined Howth Abbey (13th-century) and Howth Castle rhododendron gardens (free, spectacular in late April–May) are worth 30 minutes each if you want to extend the visit.