Dublin Adventure and Nature Activities

Dublin is a city that combines diverse experiences and adventure and nature activities are the order of the day. Explore the coastline on a cruise along the cliffs of Howth, travel to the Giant's Causeway, explore the Phoenix Park, take a cruise along the River Liffey... You can also experience a unique adventure by hopping on a ghost bus or enjoy the views of the bay on a ride to Dun Laoghaire. As you can see, the things to see and do in Dublin for those looking for nature and adventure are almost endless.

One of the best ways to enjoy nature in Dublin is to explore the coastal scenery on board a Howth Cliffs Cruise. On this tour, you'll stroll around the outskirts of the Irish capital and enjoy incredible panoramic views.

You'll get to observe the surrounding nature and marine life of the region while listening to commentary on the wildlife and vegetation. With luck, you may spot birds, seals and other marine life.

Accompanied by a guide, you'll see some historic lighthouses such as Bailey's Lighthouse, which has guided hundreds of vessels over the centuries, and hear interesting historical facts.

You will also see the coastal villages. All with the necessary safety measures and equipment, such as life jackets. If you want to explore more, then discover other things to see in Howth in this article.

Useful information

• Price: from £18 per person.
• Duration: between 45 minutes and one hour.

Another activity not to be missed if you're looking for exposure to nature when visiting Dublin is a boat trip to Dun Laoghaire, where you'll enjoy the sea breeze as you take in the city's surroundings and appreciate Dublin Bay.

This activity is recommended among the best boat trips in Dublin, not only for the contact with nature it provides, but also for the possibility of getting unique views of the coast and some of the capital's landmarks such as Dublin Castle and the Dublin Tower.

Moreover, you will sail on a boat equipped to provide you with comfort at all times. The tour lasts approximately one hour, not including the return journey (you can return by train if you wish). If you prefer, before returning, you can also enjoy the residential area of Dun Laoghaire on foot. Explore the lighthouse, museums and parks or relax in a restaurant or café overlooking the sea. See the harbour and watch the yachts and boats around.

Useful information

• Price: from 26€ per person for this tour.
• Duration: the boat trip lasts approximately 1 hour.

Dublin is a city where adventure and nature are everywhere. An example of this is the River Liffey, which flows through the city until it merges into the sea and where you can take a sightseeing cruise around Dublin. This activity is an invitation to contemplate the beauty of the Irish capital from a different perspective, taking advantage of the calm waters of the Liffey.

On this tour you will see the buildings of the city that you can capture in original panoramic views and you will see some places of interest such as:

• Ha'penny Bridge, one of the most famous symbols of the city that crosses the River Liffey.
• The Custom House, one of Dublin's largest buildings with beautiful views of the river.
• The Docklands, the area where the transition between old and new can be seen in every building.
• The Samuel Beckett Bridge, one of Dublin's most photographed bridges, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Useful information

• Price: from £21 per person.
• Duration: about 45 minutes.

If your visit to Dublin is in May, my suggestion to make the most of nature and the good weather is to go hiking in the Bull Island Nature Reserve in Dublin Bay. This is an island close to the city where you can enjoy the beach, wild birds and trails.

This truly natural enclosure is a protected area where you can walk and contemplate fauna and flora, as well as practise some water sports such as kitesurfing. The best thing is that you can reach this place by car, train or bus and explore at your leisure, according to the time you have available.

In any case, when visiting Bull Island Nature Reserve you should be prepared to walk, with appropriate clothing, water and any other equipment you deem necessary, following the most essential Dublin travel tips.

To make the most of Dublin's natural life, I suggest a visit to Phoenix Park, a huge park full of greenery that you can walk or cycle through. Inside you'll find huge open spaces with lots of greenery and giant trees.

Cycling enthusiasts will feel at home in this area, as the routes are well marked out for cycling. You may also see birds such as deer wandering around the park, as they live here freely.

Also, check out some of the historic monuments inside, such as the Wellington Obelisk and the extensive Victorian gardens. You can certainly use this time to relax amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Also, if you're interested in history and its traces around the city, venture out to see some of Dublin's other top landmarks.

If you're visiting Dublin in the summer (when the weather is more pleasant), one of the activities that will put you in touch with nature is kayaking along the city's coastline to Baily's lighthouse.

Once you've connected with the team organising this activity, you'll set off with a guide from Beach North towards the lighthouse. Along the way you'll enjoy beautiful views and pass by the Martello Tower, a 19th century coastal tower.

You'll also spot some seabirds such as gulls and, if you're lucky, see some seals basking in the sun. There is usually a refreshment break along the way to continue to the final destination.

In addition, the organisers will provide you with everything you need for the experience, such as wetsuit, equipment, etc., and will record the best moments of the trip in photographs. The best thing is that you can participate regardless of whether you are a beginner in kayaking or not and you can do the activity together with your travel group (friends or family).

If you're visiting Ireland in search of awe-inspiring nature, one of the places you can't miss is the Giant's Causeway. You can experience this natural wonder on a tour that departs from Dublin and also includes a visit to Belfast to make your adventure even more complete.

For this tour you'll need to take a full day out of your itinerary. You will depart from Dublin towards the north coast of Ireland and will be accompanied by a guide who will explain details about the places you visit. You will arrive at the Giant's Causeway, a geological formation made up of over 40,000 basalt columns that you can walk on thanks to its hexagonal shape.

You will also hear the legend surrounding this natural attraction. It is said that a legendary giant was the one who built this enclosure, but the truth is that it resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption. You'll also pass over the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which rises above the sea and offers incredible views from above.

Finally, you'll arrive in Belfast, where you can explore the city at your own pace. I recommend wandering around the neighbourhoods and taking in the political murals, visiting the Titanic Museum, City Hall, the City Hall building and St Anne's Cathedral, which is notable for its gothic architecture.

Useful information

• Price: about £91 per person.
• Duration: taking into account transfer times, the experience can take up to 14 hours.

If you intend to spend at least 3 days in Dublin, another adventure and nature activity not to be missed is to visit County Kerry on a tour. You will depart from Dublin for a full day activity that will allow you to see some of the most beautiful natural areas in the region.

From the road you will be amazed by the views of Killarney National Park, a vast area of protected land full of lakes, ancient buildings and scenic beauty. You'll see picturesque villages such as Killarney, Adare and Aghadoe in the distance .

You'll also be dazzled by the Torc waterfall, a 20-metre waterfall in the middle of the forest . Discover what rural life was like in 19th century Ireland on a visit to Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms. You will also see beautiful panoramic views of Tralee and Dingle Bays and visit the famous surfing beach, Inch Beach.

Useful information

• Price: approximately £90 per person.
• Duration: approx. 14 hours.

If you intend to visit Dublin in 4 days or more, a full nature experience you can immerse yourself in is a trip to Wicklow and Glendalough. This activity will take up one day of your itinerary, where you will be treated to the natural beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Gardens and the lakes surrounding Gelndalough.

For this nature adventure, you will depart at approximately 8am in an air-conditioned vehicle with a small group. You will arrive in Wicklow, the county known as the garden of Ireland, which offers unparalleled mountain scenery, picturesque lakes and verdant valleys.

You will see Powerscourt Gardens, which have been included in the top 3 most beautiful gardens in the world by National Geographic for their beauty. You will also walk through the ruins of Glendalough Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century and is surrounded by a valley that merges into some lakes. In short, you'll learn about Ireland's history while appreciating one of its finest natural displays.

Useful information

• Price: from £57 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.

A tour of the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City is another great way to get in touch with nature when you go to Dublin. In fact, for many, it's one of the best tours and excursions from Dublin. This adventure will allow you to experience the beauty of Ireland's west coast in approximately 8 hours.

You will admire the waters of the Atlantic Ocean over the Irish coastline from a height of approximately 200 metres, making the Cliffs of Moher among the highest in Europe. You will depart early in the morning in an air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by an expert guide. Upon arrival at the cliffs, you'll stroll along the footpaths and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Afterwards, you'll head to Galway city, which boasts a striking bohemian style, picturesque buildings and a cultural scene . Here, you can stroll the colourful streets, shop for local produce in the craft shops, listen to live music and much more.

Useful information

• Price: from 486€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.