Howth 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.
Howth at a Glance#
Costs: Moderately expensive day-trip from Dublin - $100-160/day (meals, transport, seafood)
Safety: Very safe, family-friendly - low crime; take care on cliff edges.
Best Time: May-September - warmest weather, best for cliff walks and harbor dining.
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.
Best Things to Do in Howth#
Howth Bucket List#
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.
December - February
4-8 °C (39-46 °F)
Winters are mild, windy, and often damp; coastal walks are blustery but dramatic, and wildlife watching is quiet - bring layers and a waterproof jacket.
March - May
6-14 °C (43-57 °F)
Spring brings milder weather and longer daylight, perfect for coastal walks and cliff views - still unpredictable rain, so bring windproof layers and sensible shoes.
June - August
14-20 °C (57-68 °F)
Summer is the friendliest time for boating, coastal hikes, and festivals; pleasantly cool by Irish standards, though busy on sunny weekends.
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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 best navigated on foot for the peninsula itself, while the DART offers the quickest and most reliable public connection from Dublin. Taxis and buses fill gaps, but the DART + walking combination is what most visitors use.
- DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) (€2-€5) - The DART runs frequently between central Dublin (Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse) and Howth, terminating at Howth station. Trains are the easiest and fastest public option to reach the harbour and cliff walks; expect frequent departures during peak hours. Buy Leap cards or single tickets at stations.
- Dublin Bus (€2-€4) - Local Dublin Bus services provide connections from surrounding suburbs to Howth and Sutton. Buses are useful for short hops where the DART does not go; services can be slower due to traffic but run regularly. Carry exact change if not using a Leap card.
- Taxi / Rideshare (€25-€45) - Taxis and rideshares (e.g., Free Now) operate from Dublin city to Howth and are convenient for luggage or early/late travel. Expect higher fares during nights or when coming from the airport directly. Booking in advance for airport pick-ups can save waiting time.
- Car (€30+/day (rental)) - Driving gives flexibility to explore the Howth peninsula and nearby coastal roads; parking in peak season can be limited near popular trails and the harbour. Rent a car in Dublin if you plan wider excursions, but leave it outside narrow village streets when visiting the headlands.
- Cycling (€10-€25/day) - Howth and nearby suburbs are pleasant for cycling; there are bike hire options in the greater Dublin area and dedicated cycle routes in parts. Be prepared for hills on the peninsula and busy roads near the harbour at peak times.
- Walking - Walking is the best way to experience Howth’s cliff paths, harbour and village - many attractions are within easy walking distance of Howth station. Wear sensible shoes for uneven cliff trails and watch for changing weather.
Where to Stay in Howth#
Howth village - $60-120/night
Howth village has a handful of modest B&Bs and self-catered rooms ideal for walkers. Book well ahead in summer and bank-holiday weekends.
Howth - Booking.com search - Local B&Bs and budget rooms listed on Booking.com.
Howth - TripAdvisor search - Search for small guesthouses and coastal lodgings.
Harbour / East Pier - $120-200/night
Best mid-range choices are comfortable coastal guesthouses and small hotels with sea views. Pleasant walkable village offers several quality, locally run stays.
Howth - Booking.com city page - Boutique guesthouses and seaside hotels listed here.
Howth visitor info (Visit Dublin) - Good overview of local accommodation options.
Stay in Dublin for luxury - $220+/night
Howth itself has few true luxury hotels; for premium four- and five-star stays, base yourself in Dublin and reach Howth in under 30 minutes by train.
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#
Howth’s food scene centers on fresh seafood straight from the pier, cosy village pubs and a handful of standout restaurants with harbour views and seasonal Irish produce.
- 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.
Weekends bring market stalls and harbour vendors offering freshly grilled fish, oysters and casual takeaway - perfect after a cliff walk or pier stroll.
- 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.
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.
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.
