10 Best Things to Do in Howth

Howth is located on the outskirts of Dublin. Its proximity to the city makes it a perfect day trip to get away from the urban environment and learn more about other lifestyles by the sea. It is a very interesting and fun activity. It's a worthwhile stop when deciding what to see and do in Dublin

In Howth, you can enjoy enchanting landscapes, gaze at the turquoise sea and learn about the unique life of a real fishing village. If you want to know everything there is to see in Howth on a day trip to this fantastic village, read on!

A guided day tour from Dublin is the most practical and convenient way to get to know this village, as you will be able to cover all its iconic sites and enjoy its lively atmosphere. The itinerary will be designed by those who know the area and know which activities will make your day unforgettable.

All this will be accompanied by an expert guide who will provide you with the necessary information to put you in context and understand a little more about the history of the sites and Ireland in general.

Tours to Howth are generally full-day tours and prices start at €50, depending on the attractions and services included. This is the option I recommend, as you won't have to worry about organising your transport or activities and can focus on enjoying your visit to the village.

In addition, depending on the company and type of tour, you can choose the option that combines a visit to the village of Malahide, famous for its distinctive castle.

Howth Harbour is the centre of village life. You will find all the restaurants and fishing boats concentrated in this area.

This is basically where everyday life takes place. Fishermen doing their work and tourists and locals eating fresh fish.

As soon as you arrive in Howth, you can take a walk to the end of the West Pier, and from there, you can admire the famous Eye of Ireland Island. In fact, if you have enough time, there is the option of visiting the island by boat. Something that is also worthwhile. The choice is yours.

If you decide to sail the waters, the boat trip takes only 40 minutes and on the way you can enjoy seagulls and seals that come to greet you. And the views of the Howth coastline are truly picturesque.

The ferry service departs every hour from Howth Harbour, and the price of the trip is €20 for adults and €5 for children.

Howth Castle is a fantastic fortress dating back to 1474. It is located at the entrance to the village and, although it is not open to visitors, it is well worth taking a stroll through its gardens.

You can even check if there are any events taking place on the date you visit the village of Howth, as you may be lucky enough to gain access. At certain times of the year, there are open days.

Today, the castle is home to a cooking school and is also the residence of a noble family. Don't hesitate to take a stroll around and admire this place.

If you look up, you will see the Martello Tower rising above the village. It is a typical 19th-century construction, which you can see in several places along the Irish coast.

Over the years, they have been converted for different purposes. For example, the one in Howth is a Radio Museum. Even if you don't want to go inside, you can climb the hill and enjoy the views.

If you are fit and fancy a walk, one activity that fascinates all tourists is this hiking trail in Howth. This path is special because you can enjoy a tour of the most impressive cliffs in all of Ireland.

The top of Howth rises 171 metres above sea level, making it the perfect viewpoint for anyone who wants to admire the bay. In addition, there are interesting ruins along the way, such as the Ben of Howth, a 2,000-year-old Celtic tomb.

One of the jewels of Howth is the local lighthouse, better known as Baily Lighthouse. You can find it by following the cliff path.

Getting here is not difficult at all, as the route is flat and short. You can even take children with you if you wish.

Just remember to wear comfortable shoes, as the path is very exposed to the sea and is often muddy. The views are simply stunning and different from the other activities available in Dublin.

A big part of sightseeing is trying the typical cuisine of different destinations. As you know, Howth is a paradise for those who love to eat fish or seafood.

Everything is caught and served fresh. There is nothing better than this experience. I recommend two specific places where you can treat your taste buds.

Octopussys

This small restaurant has a very reasonably priced menu and an unprecedented gastronomic offering for fish and seafood fanatics.

Octopussys has a terrace at the end of the pier, where they serve the most delicious specialities from the Mediterranean world. What's more, you can enjoy your meal while looking out at the sea through their large, wonderful windows.

I suggest you try the Octopussy Style Scallops, the classic fish and chips, and if you still want more, a portion of calamari.

• Address: W Pier, Howth, Dublin, Ireland
• Opening hours: 12 noon to 9 p.m., every day.
• Average price: €30 per person

Beshoffs

Beshoffs is a restaurant that has been around for over a century. It's a place that a local would recommend if you ask where to eat fish. You can easily spot it by looking for the long queue of people waiting to be served.

If you want to find out why it's so famous and addictive, I recommend trying their fish and chips or a portion of calamari.

The interesting thing about this eatery is that it was founded by the last survivor of the mutiny on the Soviet battleship Potemkin. I'm sure he never imagined such success back then.

• Address: 17-18 W Pier, Howth, Dublin, Ireland
• Opening hours: 12 noon to 9.30 p.m., every day except Monday and Tuesday from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
• Average price: €40 per person

The streets of this village are very picturesque, and you may never tire of walking among the colourful houses and steep alleys.

Wandering around the village is a great plan in itself and the best way to discover the real essence of Howth. My favourite part of the village is the area around the ruins of St. Mary's Church, near the cemetery. Everything seems frozen in time.

On your walk through Howth, you can also stop by the local market. It's an ideal place to familiarise yourself with everyday life in this area, and where you can also try traditional Irish delicacies.

The wide variety of olives and cheeses of all kinds immediately caught my attention. And why not some chocolates or homemade cupcakes too?

If you're taking a stroll along the Western Pier, you'll probably find them easily. They tend to hang out near the Howth market, next to the pier, waiting for someone to drop a small piece of fresh fish.

Although you're not allowed to feed them, as we must respect their natural habitat, you can say hello and watch them interact with each other from the pier. It's guaranteed fun.

The Transport Museum is almost next door to Howth Castle. Its exhibitions are interesting and you can get through them quite quickly, but it's well worth a visit.

Bear in mind that it is only open at weekends and in the afternoon. But if you decide to visit, you can enjoy large double-decker buses, old fire engines and even an electric tram that ran on Howth Hill between 1901 and 1959, but is now perfectly preserved.

Admission is €3 for adults and €1.25 for children.

If you're looking for interesting and fun activities for your holiday in Dublin, you might be interested in reading about the best excursions and tours from Dublin.

But of course, you don't need to leave the city to enjoy Irish culture. Dublin offers the best tourist buses to explore every corner of this fantastic destination.

If you are a beer lover, don't forget to buy your tickets for the Guinness factory or simply find out where to find the 10 best pubs in the city.