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 out of the urban environment and learn more about other ways of life by the sea. It's a very interesting but fun activity. It's a worthwhile stop when deciding what to see and do in Dublin

In Howth you'll be able to enjoy enchanting landscapes, contemplate the turquoise sea and get to know the particular life of a real fishing village. If you want to find out all there is to see in Howth on a day trip to this fantastic town, read on!

A guided day tour from Dublin is the most convenient and comfortable way to get to know the town as you can take in all the sights and enjoy the lively atmosphere. The itinerary will be designed by those who know the site and know the activities that will make your day an unforgettable one.

You 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 from €50 depending on the attractions and services included. This is the option I recommend as you won't have to focus on how to organise your transfers and activities and you can dedicate yourself to fully enjoying the town.

Also, depending on the company and type of tour, you can choose the combined option with the town of Malahide, famous for its distinctive castle.

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

It is basically where daily life happens. 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. It's also well worth a visit. The choice is yours.

If you decide to sail the waters, the boat trip takes just 40 minutes and along the way you can enjoy the seagulls and seals that come to greet you. And the views of the Howth coastline really are straight out of a painting.

The ferry service leaves Howth Harbour every hour, and the fare is €20 for adults, and €5 for children.

Howth Castle is a fantastic fortress which dates back to 1474. It stands at the entrance to the town and, although you can't visit the inside, it's well worth a stroll around the gardens.

Or even check if there are any events on the date you visit Howth, 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 cookery school and is also the residence of a noble family. Don't hesitate to take a walk around and admire this place.

If you raise your head, you will see that in the highest part of the village stands the Martello Tower. It is a typical 19th century period building, which you can identify in various places along the coast of Ireland.

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 view.

If you are fit and in the mood for a hike, one activity that fascinates all tourists is this hiking route in Howth. This trail is special, as you can enjoy a walk along some of the most impressive cliffs in all of Ireland.

The top of Howth rises 171 metres above sea level, making it the perfect vantage point for anyone wishing to admire the bay. There are also interesting ruins along the way such as the Ben of Howth, a 2000 year old Celtic tomb.

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

Getting here is not difficult as the route is flat and short, and you can even take children 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 rest of the activities you can do in Dublin city.

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

Everything is caught and served on the spot. It doesn't get any better than this experience. I recommend two specific places where you can indulge your taste buds.

Octopussys

This small restaurant has a very well priced menu and an unparalleled gastronomic offer for fish and seafood fans.

Octopussys has a terrace at the end of the pier, where they offer the most delicious specialities of the Mediterranean world. You also have the possibility to enjoy your meal with a view of the sea, with its wide and wonderful windows.

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

• Address: W Pier, Howth, Dublin, Ireland.
• Opening hours: 12pm to 9pm, daily.
• Average price: €30 per person

Beshoffs

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

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

The great curiosity of this restaurant is that it was founded by the last survivor of the mutiny on the Soviet battleship Potemkin. I'm sure he never imagined such a success back then.

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

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

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 to stand still in time.

On your walk through Howth, you can also stop by the local market. It's a great place to familiarise yourself with the daily life of this place, and where you can also sample traditional Irish delicacies.

The wide variety of olives and cheeses of all kinds is something that instantly caught my attention. And why not some homemade chocolates and cupcakes too.

If you're strolling along the Western Pier, you'll probably spot them easily. They often hang around the Howth market on the quayside, waiting for an inattentive visitor 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 wave to them and watch the dynamics between them from the quayside. It's guaranteed fun.

The Transport Museum is almost next door to Howth Castle. The exhibits are interesting and the tour is fairly quick, but well worth it.

Please note that it is only open at weekends, and only in the evening. But if you decide to visit, you can enjoy the large double-decker buses, vintage fire engines and even an electric tram that operated on Howth Hill between 1901 and 1959, but is perfectly preserved.

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

If you are looking for interesting and fun activities for your Dublin city holiday, you might want to read about the best excursions and tours from Dublin.

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

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