Naas Travel Guide

City Town in Leinster, Ireland with historical sites

A short drive from Dublin, Naas answers to horse people: race meetings at Punchestown, training on the Curragh and several Georgian streets to explore. Pubs pour stout, and equestrian culture dominates weekends.

Costs

Typical daily budget: $80-140

Higher than small towns due to Ireland prices; B&Bs and pubs common.

Safety

Very safe

Very safe provincial Irish town; low violent crime, lively evenings around pubs.

Best Time

April-September

Spring to early autumn for racing and outdoor events.

In This Guide

Why Visit Naas?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

20,713

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good road links to Dublin, local buses and compact town centre; tourist services available.

Popularity

Attracts equestrian visitors and day-trippers from Dublin; not a major tourist destination.

Known For

horse racing and training, Naas Racecourse, equestrian industry, Georgian architecture, county administration, lively pubs, farmers' markets, proximity to Dublin

Naas is the county town of Kildare and a major hub for Ireland's thoroughbred and equestrian industry.

Why Visit Naas? #

Naas sits in Ireland’s horse country and attracts visitors with racing culture, Georgian streets and easy Dublin access. Racegoers come for Naas Racecourse and nearby Punchestown festivals, while the town centre’s pubs and restaurants showcase hearty Irish fare and live music. The surrounding Curragh plains and stud farms add scenic rides and walking routes, making Naas a compact base for equestrian and rural experiences close to the capital.

Top Things to Do in Naas

All Attractions ›

Kilmainham Gaol

Former Dublin prison now a history museum

Museum

Guinness Storehouse

Interactive museum about Guinness brewing history

Amusement Park

Glendalough

Early medieval monastic site in glacial valley

Religious Site

Dublin Zoo

Large city zoo in Phoenix Park, Dublin

Zoo

National Museum of Ireland

Ireland's national museum preserving archaeology and cultural collections

Museum

Trinity College, Dublin

Historic university college housing the Book of Kells

Building

Croke Park

Large Dublin stadium, primary venue for Gaelic games

Park

Dublin Castle

Historic castle complex in Dublin with government offices

Castle

Don't Miss

Naas Racecourse - Regular horse racing and lively race day atmosphere close to town.
St David's Church - Elegant Georgian church overlooking the town's central square and monuments.
Moat Theatre - Local performances, regular events, and community arts programming year-round.

Hidden Gems

Naas Courthouse and Market Square - Admire Georgian architecture and occasional outdoor markets.
Moat of Naas (medieval motte) - Historic earthwork offering short walks and town views.
Local craft pubs on Main Street - Sample Irish ales and traditional live music sessions.

Day Trips

Dublin city - About 30 minutes by train, museums, Trinity College, and lively nightlife.
Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens (Tully) - Thoroughbred history and serene Japanese gardens in County Kildare.
Kildare Village outlet - Designer shopping in a restored village setting, popular with visitors.

Best Time to Visit Naas #

Naas is best visited late spring through early autumn for the mildest weather and outdoor time. Irish winters are wet and cool, while summers remain temperate and comfortable.

Winter

December - February · 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F)

Mild, damp winters with short daylight; cosy pubs and indoor touring are pleasant, but expect frequent rain and grey skies.

Spring & Autumn

March - May & September - November · 6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F)

Brisk, changeable weather perfect for countryside walks and nearby Dublin day trips; bring waterproof layers and comfortable shoes.

Summer

June - August · 13°C to 20°C (55°F to 68°F)

Cool, pleasant summers with long daylight and comfortable temperatures-ideal for outdoor pubs, gardens and easy exploring without heat.

Best Time to Visit Naas #

Climate

Naas's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (828 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit

JuneJulySeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

26°

Warmest Month

-8°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

95%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

64 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

3° – 10°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 12°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

57 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

6° – 15°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 17°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

59 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 19°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 19°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 17°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

7° – 14°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

95%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 87 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

3° – 8°

96%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.3h daylight

How to Get to Naas

Naas is best reached via Dublin Airport with onward travel by coach, bus or via the nearby Sallins & Naas rail station. Regular bus services connect Naas with Dublin city and the airport, while the town itself is compact and easy to navigate.

By Air

Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin Airport is the main airport serving Naas (about 25-40 km depending on route). From Dublin Airport you can reach Naas by direct private coach services, or via Dublin city then by commuter rail/bus; coach or bus travel takes around 30-60 minutes and fares typically range €6-€12 for scheduled services.

Shannon / Cork: These are alternative international airports but are farther away and not practical as a gateway for Naas.

By Train & Bus

Train: Naas does not have a central heavy-rail station in the town; the nearest rail station is Sallins & Naas (Sallins & Naas station) on the Dublin-Cork line. Trains from Sallins to Dublin Heuston take about 25-35 minutes and fares are approximately €2.50-€6 for standard commuter tickets.

Bus: Bus Éireann and private operators provide frequent bus services between Naas and Dublin (including some routes to the airport); journey times are around 30-60 minutes and typical one-way fares are €4-€8 depending on operator and ticket type.

How to Get Around Naas #

Naas is a compact county town with a walkable centre; most shops, pubs and services sit along Main Street. Short trips are easy on foot or by bike. Naas does not currently have an active rail station; frequent buses connect the town to Dublin and other nearby settlements. Taxis are plentiful locally and driving is straightforward if you have a car.

Where to Stay in Naas #

Budget

Town Centre - €50-90/night

Basic guesthouses and private rooms close to the town centre. Options are limited compared with larger towns; book early for race days.

Naas Accommodation B&B - Simple central B&B, basic breakfasts.
Private rooms & Airbnbs in Naas - Many budget rooms and shared options.

Mid-Range

Town Centre / Clane outskirts - €90-140/night

A small selection of comfortable hotels and family-run properties offering decent amenities and easy access to shops and pubs.

Naas Court Hotel - Comfortable rooms, central location, family-run.
The Westgrove Hotel (nearby, Clane) - Spa facilities and on-site dining available.

Luxury

Nearby Country Estates - €150+/night

No large luxury hotels in town; nearest high-end resorts and country houses are a 15-30 minute drive away.

K Club (Kildare) - Golf resort with spa, 20 minutes drive.
Castle Martin House (nearby) - Upscale country house hotel and restaurant.

Where to Eat in Naas #

Irish Pubs & Dining

Cafés & Bakeries

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Naas's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Chinese

Fish & Chips

Burger

Italian

Asian

Indian

Thai

Kebab

Chicken

Regional

Sandwich

Fries

Tapas

French

Mexican

Spanish

Japanese

Coffee Shop

Nightlife in Naas #

Naas offers a solid pub and restaurant scene along Main Street with lively weekend evenings. You’ll find traditional Irish pubs, casual bars and family-friendly dining rather than large dance clubs.

Shopping in Naas #

Shopping on Naas’s Main Street includes independent boutiques, cafés and national retailers, with some shopping centres on the outskirts. It’s a good place for everyday shopping and local gifts without needing to go to Dublin.