Howth fishing village – Binn Éadair in Irish, coming from the word headland. It’s a famous, fancy small port and Irish village, east of central Dublin. It’s a great spot for a day trip with magnificent cliff walks, wildlife watching and lots of memorable experiences. It can get really crowded in summer months, but it’s a must-visit destination. I have hiked this peninsula a number of times, following different trails, from short walks to full-day hikes. Here are the best things to do in Howth if you want to witness exceptional landscape and wildlife, including dolphins and sea lions.
Things to do in Howth village.
Howth used to be a small fishing village but over the years thanks to its charm, location and unforgettable atmosphere the place has become hugely popular and turned into one of the most visited destinations in whole Ireland.
If you want to discover a breathtaking seaside town – Howth can never be missed. It’s a beautiful destination for an active day trip. With a number of attractions in the harbor, amazing cliff walks are one of the best things to do in Howth Peninsula.
How to get to Howth from Dublin?
Howth is situated just a short distance from Dublin city center. The easiest (and probably the fastest) way to travel to Howth from Dublin is by taking a scenic DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train ride. You’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and the rugged coastline. If you hit Howth Harbour really early, you’ll be able to witness the local fishermen unloading their catch of the day. Howth village has a deep-rooted fishing heritage.
Day trip to Howth from Dublin.
Planning a day trip to Howth from Dublin by Dart is very straightforward. It takes less than half an hour to travel from Dublin O’Connolly Station to Howth Station.
There are plenty of attractions waiting for you upon arrival – starting from the classic Howth cliff walk, offering amazing panoramic views of the east coast of Ireland including surrounding islands. There are few hiking trails to choose from, starting with short, 1-hour loops to more strenuous routes.
Howth's fish & chips taste the best!
Following the exhilarating hike, make your way to one of the village’s charming seafood restaurants for a delicious lunch. My favorite one is fish and chips in Bishops but sometimes I would also go for mouthwatering seafood chowder.
There is a huge choice of seafood restaurants and fish & chips spots in the harbor. The queue for the most popular fish & chips takeaways can be enormous during weekends and bank holidays.
Cliff Walk Howth.
Most people arriving to Howth are aiming for a lovely cliff walk or Howth cliff cruise. These are the two best things to do in Howth Peninsula. The two wonderful routes are:
- Howth Head Walk is the easiest cliff walk along the Green trail. It starts in Howth harbour and takes about 1 hour to reach the summit car park.
- The Purple Route is my favourite and it is the longest hiking trail in Howth of 10 kilometres. Good fitness level is required for this hike, depending on a weather it may take from 3-5 hours. Also, if you wish to spend some time hanging around cliff beaches – which is highly advisable – it will take up to 6-7 hours.
The further you go the more chances you have to spot incredible wildlife. It is not unusual to see dolphins from Howth cliffs but most likely you’ll bump into sea lions. Be careful if the babies are around, the male sea lion became very protective.
Exploring Howth Castle.
One of the top attractions and best things to do in Howth is exploring the local castle – the historic landmark located on green hills.
Howth Harbour.
The purple hiking trail ends close to Dart Station which gives you a chance to pop in to see the town. It’s nice to observe the colorful fishing boats bobbing in the water or even gain a unique perspective of the village from the sea by taking one of the Howth Cliff cruises. The Small groups boat cruises, departing from Howth pier, are one of the most enjoyable things to do in Howth.
Howth market.
If you have a chance you should definitely visit Howth market for the best fresh foods and local specialties. On weekends and Bank Holidays, the market opens at 9 am, while during the week it’s active from 7 am. The market has become highly popular and recently grew to 25 stalls.
Howth Lighthouse.
Howth Harbour Lighthouse is located at the end of the pier, overlooking at Dublin Bay. Take a walk along the promenade to spot seals swimming and bobbing up with their cute noses. From the pier you’ll be able to witness the breathtaking sunset over the Irish Sea.
How to get to Howth?
There are several ways to get to Howth:
- DART: the most convenient and fastest way (especially in busy weekends) is taking a dart – train. You can obtain tickets at the dart station.
- BUS: from Connoly Train Station from Dublin City Centre bus H3 will take you to Howth. However the trip might take about 1 hour, much longer than by a dart.
- CAR: there is a huge car parking in Howth Harbour, so even in most crowded days you should be able to find a spot.
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