Coastal Escapes from Dublin: Howth and Malahide as Day Trips
Two north Dublin coastal towns that work as easy day trips from the city: Howth for cliff walks and seafood, Malahide for a castle and a sandy strand. Here’s how to plan both.
Why these two towns and how they differ
Howth and Malahide sit on the same northern stretch of Dublin Bay, roughly 15 km from the city centre, but they feel like different trips. Howth is a working fishing harbour wrapped around a hill, with cliff paths and a busy pier. Malahide is a small seaside town built around a castle estate and a long sandy beach. If you have one free day, pick one; if you have two, do both on separate days rather than cramming them together.
The contrast matters for planning. Howth rewards people who like walking and want to be outside all day; the cliffs are the main event and the village is the base. Malahide suits a slower pace, with the castle demesne, the marina and the beach. Both are easy to reach on the DART commuter rail, so you don’t need a car, though a car helps in Malahide if you want to reach the beach car park at the far end.
Both towns are busy on sunny weekends, especially in summer. Going on a weekday morning gives you quieter paths and easier seats at lunch. Off-season the coast is quieter and the cliff path in Howth is still walkable on a dry day, but check the wind before you commit to the full loop.
Getting there: DART, bus and driving
The DART is the simplest option. Trains run from Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse stations north along the coast to Howth and Malahide. Howth is the end of the line, so you can’t overshoot. Malahide is a stop on the same line, one before or after Howth depending on the service. The journey from the city centre is roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Buy a Leap card or a return ticket; fares are modest and you avoid parking.
From Howth DART station, the harbour and pier are a short walk downhill. For the cliff walk, walk east along the harbour and follow the signs towards the cliff path. From Malahide DART station, it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the castle gates and a bit further to the marina and the beach. Buses also serve both towns, but the DART is faster and more predictable.
Driving is fine outside rush hour, but parking in Howth village is tight on weekends and the cliff walk car park fills early. In Malahide, the castle has a paid car park and there is some on-street parking near the marina. Expect charges; check the signs. If you are staying in the city centre, leave the car behind and take the train.
Howth: the cliff walk and the harbour
The cliff walk is the reason most people come. The full loop takes in the cliffs on the east side of the peninsula and gives you views back towards Dublin Bay and, on a clear day, the Wicklow hills to the south. It is not a flat stroll: there are uneven surfaces, steps and exposed sections. Wear proper shoes and keep to the path. Allow two to three hours for the full loop, less if you turn back early at the lower viewpoint.
The harbour is the other half of Howth. The west pier is a popular walk, with fishing boats on one side and the open bay on the other. Seafood is the local speciality, and there are several places around the harbour for fish and chips, chowder or a sit-down lunch. Prices vary, so look at the menu before you sit. The market on weekends draws a crowd; go early if you want to browse without queues.
Beyond the cliffs, there is a hilltop with views over the bay and the Baily lighthouse area, and a few small beaches such as the one near the DART station. The village itself has a handful of pubs and cafés, useful for a post-walk coffee. Howth is also a working harbour, so expect fishing activity and the occasional smell of the catch; that is part of the character.
Malahide: castle, demesne and beach
Malahide Castle sits in a large demesne with mature trees, lawns and a walled garden. The castle itself is open for guided tours; opening hours change with the season, so check ahead rather than assume. The grounds are free to walk and make a good picnic spot. There is a playground and a café on site, and the walk from the castle down towards the marina is pleasant.
The beach at Malahide is a long sandy strand backed by dunes, reached by walking past the marina and along the coast. It is a good place for a walk at low tide, and it is popular with families in summer. The water is not particularly warm, and there are no lifeguards for most of the year, so treat it as a walk rather than a swim unless you know the conditions. The marina itself is a nice place to watch boats and have a coffee.
The town has a compact centre with shops, pubs and restaurants along the main street. It is not a large town, so a half day at the castle and beach plus lunch covers it well. Malahide is also handy if you are staying near the airport, since it is a short taxi or bus ride away, but the DART still gets you into the city centre easily.
A practical day plan for each town
For Howth, take an early DART and start the cliff walk before the path gets busy. Do the full loop if the weather is dry, then come back to the harbour for a late lunch of fish and chips or chowder. Spend the afternoon on the west pier and in the village, then take the train back before the evening rush. That is a full, satisfying day without rushing.
For Malahide, arrive mid-morning and go straight to the castle for a tour if you want one, then walk the demesne and have lunch in the town. In the afternoon, walk to the beach via the marina and back. If you have children, the playground and the open lawns give them room to run. Finish with an early dinner and take the DART back to the city.
If you are combining both, do Howth in the morning and Malahide in the afternoon, since they are on the same rail line. But be realistic: the cliff walk alone can take half a day, and squeezing both means skipping the cliffs or the beach. A better use of two days is one town per day, with time to sit down and enjoy the coast.
Weather, tides and what to bring
The Irish coast changes quickly. A sunny morning can turn windy and wet by afternoon, so bring a waterproof jacket and a layer you can add or remove. The cliff path in Howth is exposed, and wind can make the upper sections uncomfortable even on a bright day. Check a local forecast the night before and again in the morning.
Tides matter mainly on the Malahide beach, where the strand widens at low tide. Check a tide table if you plan to walk far along the sand, and don’t walk out onto sandbars or mudflats. In Howth, the cliffs are the main hazard; stay back from the edge and keep children close. The harbour pier is safe but can be slippery when wet.
Bring water and a snack, especially for the Howth cliff walk, since the nearest shop may be back in the village. Wear shoes with grip rather than smooth soles. A small towel or a change of socks is useful if you get caught in a shower. Cash is handy for small harbour stalls, though most places take cards.
Where these fit with your Dublin base
If you are staying in the city centre, Howth and Malahide are both easy from the DART stations at Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse. That makes them good day trips from a base in Temple Bar, O’Connell Street or the Georgian squares, without moving hotels. You can leave after breakfast and be back for dinner.
If you are staying near the airport or in the northern suburbs, Malahide is especially convenient and Howth is still a short train or taxi ride. For a longer stay, consider giving the coast a full day rather than an afternoon, because the travel and the walking add up. The city’s museums and shops will still be there the next day.
These trips are not a substitute for the city itself. They work best as a break from streets and galleries, a chance to see Dublin Bay and eat by the water. Keep the day simple: one town, one main walk, one good meal. That is the honest way to enjoy this coast.
Before you book
What people ask before booking Temple Bar.
Yes, but it is tight. Both are on the same DART line, so you can do Howth in the morning and Malahide in the afternoon. The catch is the Howth cliff walk takes two to three hours if you do the full loop. If you combine the towns, either shorten the cliff walk or skip the castle tour in Malahide. One town per day is more relaxed.
No. The DART commuter train runs from the city centre to both towns in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Howth is the end of the line, and Malahide is a stop on the same route. A car is useful for the far beach car park in Malahide, but parking in Howth village is tight on weekends. The train is the simpler choice.
The full loop is roughly 6 to 7 km and takes about two to three hours at a steady pace. It has uneven ground, steps and exposed sections, so it is not suitable for strollers or anyone unsteady on their feet. Wear shoes with grip. You can turn back at the lower viewpoint for a shorter, easier walk.
Treat it mainly as a walking beach. The water is cold for much of the year, and lifeguards are not on duty for most of the season. The tide exposes wide sand and mudflats, so don’t walk out onto them. If you do swim, go near other people and check local conditions first. Families should keep children close.
Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm layer, water, a snack and shoes with grip. The coast is exposed and weather changes quickly. For the Howth cliff walk, carry water because shops are back in the village. A small towel or spare socks help if you get caught in a shower. Cash is handy for small stalls.
Malahide is generally easier with young children. The castle demesne has open lawns, a playground and a café, and the beach walk is flat. Howth’s cliff walk has exposed edges and uneven ground, which needs close supervision. Families can still enjoy Howth harbour and the west pier, which are flat and safe.
