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Naas Travel Guide

Town

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.

Naas Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsMondello ParkNaas
In this guide

Naas essentials

Country: Ireland
Driest months: Apr-Jun
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: English

Where to Go in Naas

Sight Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham GaolFormer Dublin prison now a history museum Sight Glendalough GlendaloughEarly medieval monastic site in glacial valley Sight National Museum of Ireland National Museum of IrelandIreland's national museum preserving archaeology and cultural collections Sight St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin St Patrick's Cathedral, DublinLarge Gothic cathedral and national Church of Ireland History Dublin Castle Dublin CastleHistoric castle complex in Dublin with government offices History Hill of Tara Hill of TaraAncient ritual site, traditional seat of Irish kings History Spire of Dublin Spire of DublinTall stainless-steel monument on O'Connell Street History Leinster House Leinster HouseGeorgian townhouse housing Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas Nature Croke Park Croke ParkLarge Dublin stadium, primary venue for Gaelic games Nature Wicklow Mountains Wicklow MountainsGranite mountain range south of Dublin, scenic highlands Nature Phoenix Park Phoenix ParkLarge Dublin park featuring the zoo and presidential residence Nature St Stephen's Green St Stephen's GreenCentral Dublin public park with ponds and monuments
Neighbourhoods

Naas at a Glance

Local Time
4:13 AM
GMT+1
Population
20,713

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.

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.

Best Things to Do in Naas

Naas Bucket List

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.

When to Go

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 - February3°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 - November6°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 - August13°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.

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.

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 2° - 8° 2° 84 mm overcast 95% 4.0 m/s 0.0 low 7.9h
February Poor 2° - 8° 2° 64 mm overcast 94% 4.0 m/s 0.2 low 9.6h
March Acceptable 3° - 10° 4° 60 mm overcast 91% 4.1 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Acceptable 4° - 12° 6° 57 mm overcast 88% 3.6 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.8h
May Acceptable 6° - 15° 10° 54 mm overcast 85% 3.4 m/s 1.2 high 15.7h
June Good 9° - 17° 13° 59 mm overcast 85% 3.1 m/s 1.5 high 16.7h
July Good 11° - 19° 15° 58 mm overcast 86% 3.0 m/s 1.3 high 16.2h
August Good 11° - 19° 15° 72 mm overcast 87% 2.9 m/s 1.1 high 14.6h
September Good 9° - 17° 13° 76 mm overcast 89% 3.2 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable 7° - 14° 8° 81 mm overcast 92% 3.4 m/s 0.3 low 10.4h
November Acceptable 4° - 10° 4° 76 mm overcast 95% 3.5 m/s 0.1 low 8.4h
December Poor 3° - 8° 3° 87 mm overcast 96% 3.8 m/s 0.0 low 7.3h
Getting There & Around

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

Use bus services for the most direct links to Dublin Airport and city; Sallins & Naas station provides a fast rail option into Dublin. Within Naas, walking and short taxi rides cover local needs.

  • Bus (Bus Éireann / private coaches) (€4-€8) - Frequent buses connect Naas with Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport; services run throughout the day with more limited night options. Tickets can be bought at stops, on board or via operator apps; fares are generally reasonable and competitive with driving. Peak-hour buses can be busy.
  • Commuter rail (Sallins & Naas) (€2.50-€6) - Sallins & Naas station serves Naas area with commuter trains to Dublin Heuston; there’s a shuttle bus/taxi link from Naas town centre to the station. Trains to Dublin take about 25-35 minutes and are a fast option for city commuting; buy tickets at the station or via Irish Rail.
  • Taxi / Ride-hailing (€20-€60) - Taxis are convenient for direct airport transfers or early/late travel when buses and trains are limited. Fares to Dublin or the airport can vary with traffic; pre-book for fixed rates on airport runs. Many drivers accept card payments, but check first.
  • Car / Rental (€30+/day) - Naas is well served by road (N7/M7) and driving is often the quickest way to reach surrounding attractions. Parking in town is available but can be limited at peak times. Rentals are easy to arrange in Dublin if you plan wider travel in Ireland.
  • Walking - Naas town centre is compact and best explored on foot; shops, pubs and civic attractions are within a short stroll. Streets are pedestrian-friendly and easy to navigate.

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.

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
Eat & Drink

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.