Beshoffs The Market, on Howth's West Pier
What to order: a few oysters and a plate of crab at the seafood bar, or grilled fish at the Sea Grill.
On Sunday, kitchen 12:00 to 20:00; the market shop is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00
geocalia
Day itinerary · 53.35° N · 6.26° W
Howth in a day, half an hour by DART from central Dublin.
Half an hour by DART, the Howth cliff path (7.8 km, 2 h), seafood on the pier and a boat around Ireland's Eye to see seals and birds.
Leaving from
Direct flight to Dublín fromBilbao 2 h 15Santander 2 h 15Madrid 2 h 30Barcelona 2 h 45Valencia 2 h 45Alicante 3 hMurcia 3 hSevilla 3 hMálaga 3 h 15Fuerteventura 4 h 30
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Add to my trip
Total time7 h
By car30 min each way
From Dublin30 min by DART
Walk7.8 km · 2 h · 130 m
Boat50 min · from €25
DifficultyMedium
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Dublin 30 min by train
DART from Tara Street or Connolly · with the Leap Visitor
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1
Howth Cliff Path walk from the DART station
circular from the station · green arrow · 2 h
- 10 min on foot
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2
Beshoffs The Market, on Howth's West Pier
seafood on the West Pier · open daily at lunchtime
17-18 West Pier, D13 V9V0 Howth · +353 1 839 7555
Restaurant €€Book - 5 min on foot
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3
Boat trip around Ireland's Eye from Howth harbour
Ireland's Eye Ferries · 50 min · from €25 · arrive 15 min early
+353 86 077 3021
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Back home 30 min by train
DART back; in the centre before five
Approximate cost
About €45–60 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Howth Cliff Path walk from the DART station
A car-free day trip from Dublin: Howth is a fishing village on the peninsula that closes the bay to the north, half an hour from the centre on the DART, the coastal train. From the station itself a circular path leaves along the cliff edge, the pier has freshly landed seafood and seals among the boats, and a small boat goes round the island of Ireland's Eye.
The day, hour by hour
9:30 · DART to Howth. It leaves from Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse; about 30 minutes. With the Leap Visitor card you pay nothing extra.
10:00 · Cliff path. From the station, follow the green arrow on a white background: a 7.8 km circuit, about two hours with 130 m of ascent, with the open sea and the Baily lighthouse. Walking boots or trainers with good grip; the path runs along the edge.
12:30 · Lunch at Beshoff's. Oysters, prawns or grilled fish on the West Pier. The restaurant opens every day at midday; on Sundays until 20:00.
14:30 · Boat to Ireland's Eye. Ireland's Eye Ferries leaves from the end of the West Pier: 50 minutes around the island, with seals, gannets and, in season, puffins. From €25. You don't land.
16:00 · Return. DART to the centre; you are back in Dublin before five.
Distance7.8 km
Ascent130 m
Time2 h
Change the route
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
The Palace Bar
What to order: a pint of Guinness and, if you like whiskey, ask them to show you the pub's collection
A pub for drinking, no food on its website
The Brazen Head
What to order: the beef stew or the fish and chips with the house tartare sauce, and stay for the music.
Groups of fewer than eight, no booking: turn up and find a seat
The Stag's Head
What to order: a pint of Guinness; if you arrive before 17:00, something from the pub kitchen
Kitchen open every day 12:00 to 17:00 · traditional music Friday and Saturday
The Woollen Mills
What to order: the Irish Porterhouse steak or the skate with chips, and on the roof a coffee or a cocktail.
Book through OpenTable; at weekends it opens at 11:00
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen
What to order: the lunch menu from Thursday to Saturday, the most affordable way to try the restaurant.
Closed Sunday and Monday · cannot adapt menus to be dairy-free, egg-free or vegan
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Dublin
All year in good weather; from April to September, more light and puffins in the breeding season. In strong wind, the cliff path and the boat are not a good idea.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Go on a weekday
On Saturday and Sunday the DART and the path are packed.
- 2Check the wind
In strong wind, swap the route for a walk along the pier and Malahide Castle.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Dublin to Howth?
About 30 minutes by DART.
Is the cliff path difficult?
Moderate: 7.8 km, 130 m of ascent and narrow stretches by the edge.
Can you land on Ireland's Eye?
No, the boat goes round it without landing, to protect the birds.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/ireland/dublin/itineraries/howth-cliffs-boat-and-seafood
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.