Howth Travel Guide
City Coastal town in Leinster, Ireland
Sea-swept Howth lures Dubliners with cliff walks on Howth Head, a working harbour of trawlers and seafood shacks selling crab and smoked salmon. Walk to the lighthouse, watch anglers on the piers or take the DART for a quick escape from the city.
Why Visit Howth? #
Perched on a rocky peninsula just north of Dublin, Howth draws visitors for its coastal drama, fresh seafood and easy access to nature. Cliff-top paths on Howth Head offer brisk walks and panoramic views, while the harbour and Howth Market put local oysters, fish-and-chips and maritime life front and center. History is visible in Howth Castle and old piers, and the village’s lively pubs and seafood stalls make it a compact escape from the city.
Top Things to Do in Howth
All Attractions ›
.jpg?width=600)
- Howth Cliff Walk - Walk the Howth Cliff Path for coastal panoramas and seabird sightings.
- Howth Harbour & Pier - Stroll Howth Harbour, watch fishing boats, and sample fresh seafood stalls.
- Ireland's Eye boat trip - Take a boat to Ireland's Eye island for seals and seabird colonies.
- Howth Castle and Demesne - Visit Howth Castle grounds and the Victorian rhododendron gardens when accessible.
- Baily Lighthouse - Walk to Baily Lighthouse for dramatic headland views and quiet coastal paths.
- Howth Market (weekends) - Browse Howth Market on Sundays for local crafts, pastries, and street food.
- Shielmartin Summit - Hike to Shielmartin summit for quieter views across Dublin Bay and cliffs.
- Malahide Castle - Take a short train to Malahide Castle and gardens, with tearooms.
- DART into Dublin - Catch the DART into Dublin for museums, Trinity College, and Temple Bar.
Best Time to Visit Howth #
Visit Howth in late spring through summer for the best weather, longer daylight, and calmer seas ideal for coastal walks and boat trips. Winters are mild but windy and wet, so pack waterproofs if traveling off-season.
Best Time to Visit Howth #
January
Weather
February
Weather
March
Weather
April
Weather
May
Weather
June
Weather
July
Weather
August
Weather
September
Weather
October
Weather
November
Weather
December
Weather
How to Get to Howth
Howth is a coastal village on the northern head of Dublin Bay, best reached via Dublin city. Dublin Airport (DUB) is the main air gateway; once in Dublin, the fastest public option is the DART suburban rail to Howth station.
Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin Airport is the main international gateway for Howth (about 20-30 km). From the airport you can take the Airlink/Aircoach express buses to Dublin city centre (O’Connell Street / Dublin Airport to city) and then transfer to the DART at Connolly/ Tara Street - Airlink/Aircoach fares are typically around €7-€9 one-way and the airport→city trip takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic.
Belfast International (BFS) / George Best Belfast City (BHD): These are much further away (over 2 hours’ drive) and only sensible if combining trips; transfers require bus/train connections to Dublin and then onward rail to Howth, so they are not the usual arrival choice for Howth visitors.
Train: Howth is served directly by the DART suburban rail network; the terminal station is Howth station (on the Howth branch). From Dublin Connolly station the DART to Howth takes about 20-25 minutes; single fares within Dublin city/DART zones vary with ticket type (Leap/Single) - expect roughly a few euros for a one-way trip.
Bus: Dublin Bus routes connect Howth to other parts of north Dublin (several local routes) and there are frequent buses to Sutton and Donaghmede; journeys inside the Dublin area are short (10-30 minutes) and use standard Dublin Bus fares or Leap cards.
How to Get Around Howth #
Howth is very walkable - the harbour, village and cliff paths are best explored on foot. Public transport links to Dublin are excellent: the DART stops in Howth and local Dublin Bus routes serve the village, while taxis are available but pricier for longer trips. If you venture farther afield a car helps, but many visitors rely on the DART or buses for short hops. Wear sturdy shoes for cliff walks and check train/bus times outside peak hours.
Where to Stay in Howth #
- Howth - Booking.com search - Local B&Bs and budget rooms listed on Booking.com.
- Howth - TripAdvisor search - Search for small guesthouses and coastal lodgings.
- Howth - Booking.com city page - Boutique guesthouses and seaside hotels listed here.
- Howth visitor info (Visit Dublin) - Good overview of local accommodation options.
- Dublin hotels - Booking.com search - Top-tier hotels in Dublin, short drive away.
- Dublin luxury hotels overview - Use Dublin luxury hotels and commute to Howth.
Where to Eat in Howth #
- Aqua Restaurant - Harbourfront fine dining with seafood tasting menus.
- Beshoff Bros (Howth) - Long-running fish-and-chip stall and fishmonger.
- The Purty Kitchen - Cosy village pub serving classic Irish dishes.
- King Sitric - Scenic harbour pub serving seafood and grills.
- Beshoff Bros (Howth) - Fresh catches sold and cooked to order.
- Aqua Restaurant - Fine-dining option near the main pier.
- The Purty Kitchen - Traditional pub beside the harbour and pier.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Howth's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Howth #
Nightlife in Howth is low-key and pub-focused. Evenings are mainly spent in traditional pubs or at seafood restaurants rather than clubs; some venues put on live music at weekends, especially in summer. If you want late-night dancing or a large bar scene you’ll need to go into Dublin; otherwise expect convivial local pubs and seasonal live acts.
Shopping in Howth #
Howth’s shopping is centered on the harbour and village: you’ll find fresh seafood stalls, small fishmongers and independent boutiques selling crafts, bait and outdoor gear. There are also a handful of galleries, delis and gift shops aimed at visitors. For a wider range of shops and supermarkets head into Dublin by DART; on weekends the harbour area can have extra market stalls and food traders.
