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Dublin Coastal Hike Private Tour with Howth Adventures
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From €350 per person
Every guide on this tour grew up in Howth. They know these paths the way most of us know our own streets - the shortcuts, the best spots for a clear view, the stories behind the landmarks that you wouldn’t find on any sign. You get all of that as a private group, with their full attention for the whole three hours.
The walk starts at Howth Market and takes you along the harbour, where the local seals are usually hanging around the old fishing port. From there, you head up through the old village paths past an abbey originally built by Viking King Sitric, across the heathlands to the summit - the views that HG Wells famously described as the most beautiful in the world, looking north, south, east and west across the sea. Along the way, you’ll see the house where W.B. Yeats once lived, and take in the Martello Tower that was built to guard against a possible Napoleonic invasion. Your guide keeps the local stories and insider knowledge coming throughout.
The cliff path section of the walk runs with views of Howth Harbour, Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, with nature and wildlife around you throughout. After the hike, Howth village is right there - the harbour has some good restaurants, cafés and pubs that are worth taking your time over.
Meeting point: Outside Bodega Coffee Shop at the front of Howth Market, opposite Howth Train Station and the bus stop. Please arrive 10 minutes before your departure time.
Take the DART from the city centre. Howth is on the DART line, about 30 minutes from Connolly or Pearse Station, and you can sit on the right-hand side of the train on the way out for good views of Dublin Bay. It’s a much more pleasant journey than driving, and the station drops you right at the meeting point opposite Howth Market.
Wear proper shoes. The cliff path is well-maintained but it’s a real coastal trail - uneven in places, with some exposed sections. Trainers are fine in dry weather, but anything with a bit of grip is better than flat-soled shoes. If the weather is at all uncertain, a light waterproof layer is worth having in your bag.
The seals are usually there, but not guaranteed. The harbour seals at Howth are a genuine resident population and they tend to hang around the pier and the fish market area, especially in the mornings. Your guide will know the current form on this, but they’re a lovely unexpected moment if you catch them.
Howth Market is worth arriving a few minutes early for. The market runs on weekends and some weekdays, and it has a solid mix of local food producers, craft stalls, and street food. Getting there 15 minutes before your guide arrives gives you a chance to have a browse before the walk starts.
Stay for lunch after the hike. Howth has some genuinely good seafood restaurants along the harbour, and after three hours of walking you’ll have earned it. The village is compact and most of the good spots are within easy walking distance of where the tour ends. Ask your guide for a recommendation as you finish up - they’ll know which spots are worth your time.