From Dublin: Half-Day Guided Coastal Tour to Howth Village

About This Tour

Howth is Dublin’s seaside escape - a rocky headland and fishing village just 30 minutes from the city centre that feels like a completely different world. This half-day tour with Big Bus Tours is the perfect option when you want to get out of the city but do not have a full day to spare. In four hours, you get a guided cliff walk, stunning coastal views, wildlife spotting, and free time to explore one of the most charming villages on the Dublin coast.

The drive out is part of the experience. Your coach follows the coast road through Clontarf and past Bull Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that sits right in Dublin Bay. Once you reach Howth, the guided cliff walk takes you along the headland with sweeping views across the bay, out to Ireland’s Eye island, and south towards the Wicklow Mountains. The cliffs are alive with seabirds - gannets diving into the sea below, curlews calling from the heath, and in the right season, puffins bobbing offshore. Seals are regular visitors too, often spotted basking on the rocks beneath the cliff path.

After the walk, you have free time in Howth Village itself. The harbour is the star attraction, lined with fishing boats and seafood restaurants where the catch is landed fresh each morning. Fish and chips from one of the harbour stands is a rite of passage. Beyond the harbour, you can explore the ruins of the medieval St Mary’s Abbey, climb the hill to the Martello Tower, or simply sit on the pier wall with an ice cream and watch the boats come and go. It is a wonderfully relaxing half-day that gives you a real taste of Dublin’s coastal character.

What’s Included

• Return bus transport from Dublin city centre
• Guided cliff walk on Howth headland
• Walking tour orientation of the cliffs and village
• Free time to explore Howth Village
• Commentary from your guide throughout

What’s Not Included

• Food and drinks (fantastic seafood available in Howth Village)
• Entry to any specific attractions in Howth
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Good to Know

• The cliff walk is relatively short and suitable for most fitness levels, but wear sturdy shoes as the path can be uneven
• Howth is famous for its seafood - try the fish and chips from one of the harbour stands or sit down at a waterfront restaurant
• Bring a jacket even on sunny days, as the headland is exposed and can be breezy
• This half-day tour works well combined with a city-centre activity in the other half of the day
• The tour runs approximately 4 hours in total including travel time