Private Howth and Malahide full day tour from Dublin

About This Tour

Just north of Dublin, Howth and Malahide sit close together but feel like different worlds. Howth is an old fishing village perched on its own rugged peninsula - a walker’s place with fresh seafood at every turn. Malahide is gentler, more polished, on an estuary 16 kilometres north of the city on the Belfast rail line, and home to one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval castles.

This private full-day tour takes in both. You get a dedicated guide for all 8 hours, plus a private chauffeur, with pickup from your hotel or wherever suits you in Dublin. No public transport, no shared groups - just your own pace through two of the county’s most rewarding spots.

What’s Included

• Pick up and drop off from hotel or place of choice in Dublin
• Private vehicle with chauffeur for 8 hours
• Official tour guide for 8 hours
• Local taxes

What’s Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Entrance fees

Itinerary

1. Howth (120 min) - The village sits on what was once an island in Dublin Bay, near Sutton and Portmarnock, now part of the administrative county of Fingal. Today it’s a lively harbour with fishing boats, cliff walks, and more seafood restaurants than you’d expect.
2. Malahide (120 min) - A picturesque suburban village in Fingal, on an estuary opposite Donabate. The kind of place that feels effortlessly well-preserved.
3. Malahide Castle - exterior visit (30 min) - The Talbot family held this castle from 1185 right through to 1976 - a remarkable 791 years in one family’s hands, aside from a brief interruption during Cromwell’s time (1649-1660). You’ll see it from the outside.
4. Howth Castle - exterior visit (30 min) - Near the village, this is the ancestral home of the St. Lawrence family, who were lords of Howth from 1180 until the line ended in 1909. A fascinating piece of local history, viewed from outside.
5. Travel and free time for lunch (180 min) - The rest of the day is yours to explore, eat, and take it at your own pace.

Good to Know

• Infant seats are available - please request at the time of booking
• Public transport is available nearby if needed
• Suitable for all fitness levels
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• Conducted in English and Spanish

Local Tips

For seafood in Howth, go to the harbour rather than the village centre. The stalls along the pier sell fresh crab claws, smoked salmon, and oysters - this is where locals go. For a sit-down meal, the restaurants on West Pier are the ones worth your time. The lobster is reliably excellent when it’s in season.

The Howth cliff walk is one of the finest short walks near Dublin. The full loop is around 6 kilometres and takes about 2 hours at a relaxed pace, with views across Dublin Bay towards the Wicklow Mountains on a clear day. Your guide can steer you towards the best stretch if you don’t have time for the full loop. The path is well-maintained but has some uneven sections, so comfortable shoes are worth wearing.

Malahide Castle is more interesting than the exterior suggests. The tour here is exterior only, but if you want to go inside on your own time, the castle interior is open to visitors and the state rooms have been restored to reflect the Talbot family’s long residence. The grounds and walled garden are also well worth an hour if the day is fine.

The 791 years the Talbots held Malahide Castle is not a typo. That’s one of the longest continuous family tenures of any Irish castle - from 1185 to 1976, with only the Cromwellian period (1649-1660) as an interruption. The estate eventually passed to Dublin County Council after the last family member died in 1973.

Howth is genuinely worth time in the morning. The harbour is at its most peaceful before the tourist day gets going - fishing boats come in early, the light on the water is good, and the cafes on the main street open early. If your guide starts the day there, you’ll get a different Howth to the one most afternoon visitors see.

Nearby on IrelandMe

• Private Dublin Day Tour
• Howth Cliff Walk Guided Tour
• Malahide Castle and Gardens