Dublin to Howth Day Trip — 9+ Things to Do in Howth

Howth is a very picturesque fishing village that makes the perfect destination for a day trip from Dublin. Also, Howth is a great starting point for some great hiking trails on the peninsula, so you might consider a weekend full of activities here too. Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss on a day trip to Howth from Dublin.

How to get to Howth from Dublin

Howth is about 16km from Dublin City Center, so it’s really easy to get there for a day trip.

You can get to Howth by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit). The ride takes less than 25 minutes from Dublin Connoly station, a single ticket is 3.30€, and a round trip ticket is 6.25€.

Exploring Howth on a day trip from Dublin

9 Things to do in Howth

Howth Marina on a windy day

1. Walk the West Pier

The Pier is home to a few very good restaurants as well as fresh fish shops. It’s also a good place for a walk to work up an appetite for the next step.

2. Stop for a fresh fish lunch

After all, Howth is a fishing village. This is the main reason you came from Dublin in the first place. We had lunch at the Oar House. The food was amazing, as well as the service. I recommend the fish pie, and the seafood plate, but you can stick to the fish and chips too.

The Fish Pie at the Oar House

3. Visit the Castle’s Gardens

The estate was in the same family for more than 800 years before being sold in 2019. The Castle itself can only be visited with an organized group but the extensive estate grounds are open to the public and worth visiting.

The perfect time to visit is in May or early June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. There are also many trails with spectacular views over the bay on the castle’s grounds.

4. Walk to the Lighthouse on the East Pier

Lighthouses are always beautiful, and this one has a lot of history too.

The Lighthouse at the end of the East Pier in Howth Harbour

5. Take a boat trip to Ireland’s Eye

Ireland’s Eye is the small, uninhabited island in front of Howth Harbour. It hosts a seabird reservation and also the ruins of a fort. These forts, the Martello Towers were built in the 19th century all over the British Empire.

In summer, boats take tourists to the island or on tours around it.

View over Ireland’s Eye island and the Yacht Marina in Howth

6. Visit the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey

The first church was build here by the King Sitric of Ireland. It was modified a few times over the centuries. Today it lies in ruins, but the site is very peaceful. Also, the view over the bay is great from above the abbey’s grounds.

7. Hiking

Several hiking trails are starting in Howth so if you’re an active person, this might be your favorite activity here. The most popular is the Howth Cliff Path Loop Trail which affords amazing views all around the Howth peninsula.

If you prefer hiking with a local guide, this Howth Safari Hiking Tour might be just the thing for you.

8. Take a stroll through Howth Market

The Market is open every Saturday and Sunday and also on bank holidays. It’s a great place to buy street food, something sweet, a souvenir, or even jewelry and antiques.

9. Have a beer in a pub

I don’t need to convince you of this one. You are in Ireland, and pubs are all around you, so having a pint of beer is always a good idea.

More things to do in Howth

I spent a beautiful evening listening to live music at The Harbour’s Bar in Howth. I loved Howth village, but this was the absolute highlight for me. It didn’t seem organized, but more like a few friends gathering on a Sunday afternoon in a pub to make some beautiful music together. People were sitting down with their instruments and taking turns playing different types of music. It was a great and unique experience.

If you’re in Howth on a Sunday, make your way to this bar. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in for a real treat.

The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival happens every year for one weekend in March in Howth Harbour. Check out the official website for the dates.

However, if you’re more of a tour person, take this Craft Beer and Seafood Trail. It’s a great intro to Howth!

Howth Castle Cookery School is a cooking school that organizes its classes in the castle’s restored kitchen. They host 3 hours classes as well as 6 weeks courses to fit any interest. I don’t know about you, but I would spend a few hours learning how to cook something spectacular and then enjoying my work.

Gaelforce 10k Howth Summit in October is one of the epic runs of the world. If you’re into running, change the scenery with this trail run around Howth Hill Summit.

Disclosure
Some of the above may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only recommend companies, activities, or products that I use myself. Thank you for your support in keeping my blog live!

This was my Howth day trip from Dublin. If you have more time in the area, visiting Malahide Castle and Gardens in Malahide village should be next on your list.

Also, stick around and check out my post about St.Patrick’s Day in Dublin.