How to Spend a Perfect Day in Howth: Dublin's Best Cliff Walk

The Howth Cliff Walk 

By a local who walks it every week

Want to see wild Irish cliffs without driving across the country? Come to Howth. It’s a fishing village just 30 minutes from Dublin. You’ll get waves, wind, seals, and scenery that'll make you forget you're in the capital.

I've got deep roots in Howth. I spent my childhood Summers exploring these cliffs before they were 'discovered'. So I've got a lot of local stories. Think of my tour as more of a walk with your Dublin friend, than with a megaphone toting guide.

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The Perfect Day in Howth

• 10am: Take DART to Howth (30 minutes)
• 10:30am-1pm: Do the Cliff Path walk
• 1-2pm: Lunch at Octopussy's on the pier.
• 2:15pm: Ireland's Eye boat cruise (returns 3:15pm)
• 3:30pm: DART back to Dublin city centre

Want to do this walk without getting lost on the cliff paths? Join my guided group Howth walk every Friday at 10am or book a private tour of the Cliffs.

The Route Overview

This is 9km of moderate cliff walking that takes 3 hours with stops.

Howth Harbour

Stepping off the train, you'll immediately know that you're in a working fishing village. The air smells like sea and diesel. Seagulls shout overhead. You’ll see fishermen on the boats unloading crates.

Walk along the pier, past the fish shops (my cousins own one of them). Look out for the two seals who I call Fish & Chips 🦭🦭😂 . They hang around the boats like they own the place. You’ll probably see them bobbing just below the wall, waiting for scraps or a photo op.

Ireland's Eye

At the end of the pier is the island of Ireland's Eye with its 6th-century ruins. Take a boat out and explore it. They will land you on the island and (hopefully) come back for you later. You have the best views of Ireland's Eye from here at the pier, but also as you walk up Balscadden Road with a higher vantage point.

Check the Ireland's Eye boat schedule here

Lambay Island

The island you see behind Ireland's Eye is Lambay Island. Such an interesting place. It is privately owned but is home to a mob of wallabies! The owner had a pair originally, then Dublin Zoo had some unwanted ones (kicked out of the mob?) and they went to Lambay. Now there's a few hundred of them. THey're happy to hear that there is a new distillery on Lambay Island. They'll be a rowdy mob!

Balscadden Road

Along the East Pier, you'll probably hear a busker competing with seagulls for who can make the most annoying noise. Look for the red King Sitric restaurant and walk up the hill overlooking Balscadden Bay Beach.

I walked up Balscadden Road yesterday. It was freezing. A woman was standing on the Balscadden Bay Beach in a swimsuit, psyching herself up. From the path above, a small crowd of us silently rooted for her. When she finally jumped in, we cheered although her ears were probably too numb to hear it.

The Howth Cliff Path

As soon as you step foot on the cliff path, you'll have the most amazing views in Dublin. And each time you turn a corner, the next vista is even better. This goes on for an hour of walking. Don't run down your battery too early in the cliff path.

You're in a special place at Howth Summit. Stop and take in the scenery. Listen for the birds. Look out at the boats.

Some sections of the path are quite exposed. Check your shoelaces are tight before you start & aim for the lighthouse.

Howth's Hidden Beaches

Howth is full of hidden beaches. Red Rock Beach is on the Sutton side, Claremont Beach is behind the Dart Station, but up on Howth Summit is where the really hidden beaches are. Braver people than me go down the sheer paths to get to them. I've walked Howth a thousand times and never have & never will go down to them! I love that on Google Maps, it's called "Tiny Hidden Beach"

Bailey's Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1814 and some lucky keeper got paid to look out here! It is still a working lighthouse today, but it's automated now.

On the right of the lighthouse gates is a raised viewing point. Walk up and you have a majestic view over all of Dublin Bay & the Wicklow Mountains.

The Secret Spot

Close to here is a secret local spot with Dublin Bay views that none of the crowds know about. Come on my walking tour and I'll show it to you!

Howth Summit Car Park

You'll see people coming down a path. They are coming from Howth Summit Car Park. Go up there, but the steps are steep, so pretend you're being polite by letting them pass, when really you're just catching your breath.

There are bathrooms, benches, and often a mobile coffee van so it's a good spot for a break. You’ll probably see a bunch of cyclists catching their breath too. Howth’s hills are a magnet for Dublin’s midlife crisis crowd on two wheels.

Head back to the harbour on the Upper Cliff Path, follow the path around to the left and you'll come out next to some houses. Walk downhill back to the harbour. Look out for the 14th century Abbey on Church Street.

Now you're back in Howth Harbour with a phone full of photos and a smile you can't wipe off your face.

Howth Restaurants

You've worked up a hunger. It's time to eat. I have a simple way of picking my dining spot, whichever restaurant has the least amount of divebombing seagulls hovering around outside it. Joking, here are my favorites:

• Summit Inn because it's away from the busy harbour.
• Octopussy's Seafood Tapas are something different
• Doran's On The Pier has the best fish & chips in Howth.
• Do the Howth craft beer & seafood tour for beers & stories

Howth Boat Tours

After lunch, see the cliffs from the water while you laugh at the commentary. I've never met an Irish boat captain who isn't funny.

👉Book your boat tour early especially in Summer.

Howth Tours

👣 I lead very small group walking tours of Howth on Fridays

🔒 I do private walking tours any day you want

🐶 On the other days, do a group walk with Dublin Coastal Hike, Pints & Puppies

🚲 The E-bike tour of Howth is very highly rated in reviews.

🚌 Take a guided bus tour direct from the centre of Dublin City.

When To Go To Howth

Howth gets busy. Go early in the day and midweek if you can. Don't go on a weekend in Summer. It's just too busy. Do one of my other coastal walks instead.

Beat the Crowds & Stay In Howth

King Sitric is my favorite place to stay and gets excellent reviews. Wake up early and see how before the crowds get there. Howth is ideal for the night before you fly home. It's close to the airport and has better views than any airport hotel.

🛏️ Check availability in Howth

What To Wear in Howth

• Dress in layers. It gets windy. Even a sunny day can be chilly.
• The cliff path is not paved and is exposed in areas. Wear shoes with good grip!
• Bring water. You'll be walking a lot

Getting to Howth

1. Take the DART train. It's the quickest & most comfortable. Takes 30 minutes.Be sure you take the Northbound DART to Howth and not to Malahide
2. Take the H3 or 6 bus. It stops at the Summit. But it takes an hour though.
3. Splurge on a taxi

Parking In Howth

Parking is free but parking in Howth is very hard to find.

Why I Still Love Howth

Even though I've walked these cliffs countless times, they never get old. Each visit brings something new, different light, changing seasons, various wildlife.

You don’t need to go to the edge of this amazing island of ours to feel like you're on it. Just come to Howth. And if you want a local who knows where the secret paths and decent coffee are, you know where to find me.

Guided Walk With Me

Have Questions?

Leave it in the comments below or on Facebook. I answer quickly on both.

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