The Ultimate Family Day Out in Howth
Your Summer Holiday Guide for Kids
Perfect for: Families looking for things to do in Dublin this summer | Day trips from Dublin with kids | Summer holidays Ireland 2026
Summer holidays are here — and if you’re looking for a day out that keeps everyone happy (yes, even the teenagers), Howth is your answer.
Better still, it’s just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre on the DART, yet this wild and wonderful little peninsula packs more into a single day than most places manage in a weekend. Think fresh sea air, dramatic clifftop views, harbour-fresh seafood, and enough wild coastline for a genuine adventure. So here’s everything you need to plan the perfect family summer day out in Howth.
Get Out on the Howth Peninsula
The Howth Coastal Hike (3 hrs | from €39)
A guided hike through hidden trails and panoramic clifftop paths overlooking Dublin Bay, out to Ireland’s Eye, and on clear days all the way to the Wicklow Mountains. Local guides bring the landscape to life with wildlife, history, and insider knowledge. Best suited to older kids and teenagers confident on their feet — paths are rugged and rewarding. Sturdy footwear essential.
- Rated Irish Tour Company of the Year 2025 (Travel & Hospitality Awards)
- SEAL Award 2025 winner for sustainable tourism
- Fully Autism Champs accredited</li>
- All tours led by true Howth locals
Howth Adventures is Howth’s #1 guided tour provider — and what makes them special is the sheer range of ways they can show you the peninsula. Whether your family wants to hike, cycle, or cruise, there’s a tour to suit.
Book Your Tour
The Main Event: Boat Trip to Ireland’s Eye
Howth Coastal Boat Tour – 50 mins (Adults €25 | Kids €15 | Family 2 Adults + 2 Kids €60)
If there’s one thing that makes a Howth family day truly unforgettable, it’s the boat trip around Ireland’s Eye with Ireland’s Eye Ferries.
The short ferry crossing from Howth Harbour takes you to a wild, uninhabited island kids absolutely love. Spot ruins of a 6th-century monastic church, watch nesting seabirds, look out for seals on the rocks and in the water. In summer, the island is alive with wildlife — and it’s the kind of place that sticks in a child’s memory for years.
- Bring layers — it’s breezy even in summer
- Binoculars are great for wildlife spotting
- Book ahead — it fills fast during the school holidays
Fuel Up: Eating in Howth Village
Howth’s harbour is one of the best places in Ireland for fresh seafood. A few spots worth knowing:
- Beshoff’s Sea Grill — fresh fish and proper chips with a harbour view. A Howth institution.
- King Sitric — seafood bar with stunning views across Balscadden Bay. A step up for families wanting a proper sit-down meal.
After Lunch: Explore the Village
- Howth Harbour — watch fishing trawlers, spot the pier seals
- Howth Market (weekends) — local food, crafts, great atmosphere
- St Mary’s Abbey ruins — atmospheric medieval ruins, great for curious kids
- Ice cream on the pier — non-negotiable
Getting There: The DART Makes It Easy
No car, no parking stress — the DART from Dublin city centre drops you right into Howth village in about 30 minutes. Jump on at Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse, or any station along the coast. A family day return is great value, and the coastal journey itself is a treat.
Book Ahead — Summer Fills Fast
July and August are the busiest months. Book both the cliff walk tours and the Ireland’s Eye ferry in advance to avoid disappointment.
Book Howth Adventures | Book Ireland’s Eye Ferries
Howth is waiting — and it’s going to be the best day of the summer.
