Howth Travel Guide: Howth Castle, Cliff Walks and the Maritime & Seafood Festival

Howth sits on Howth Head, a peninsula about 9 miles (15 km) northeast of Dublin City. It’s a fishing pier and village, which suits walkers, food lovers and anyone who wants a harbor day out from the capital.

Howth Castle Estate is 30 minutes from both Dublin City and Dublin Airport, and DART trains run every 10 minutes all day.

At a glance

• Location: Howth Head, a peninsula 9 miles (15 km) northeast of Dublin City
• Getting there: DART services every 10 minutes all day
• Castle Estate: 30 minutes from Dublin City and Dublin Airport
• Howth Market: every Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Festival: Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival, May 22 to 24, 2026

Where is Howth and what is it like?

Howth is on Howth Head, a peninsula 9 miles (15 km) northeast of Dublin City. Howth Castle Estate is 30 minutes from both the city and Dublin Airport.

The village is a fishing pier and harbor. Its attractions include Ireland’s Eye, Howth Abbey, the Baily Lighthouse, the National Transport Museum and the Martello Tower, which houses Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio. The wider Fingal coastline has many accessible beaches.

Howth Castle’s history dates back to 1235, and it remains a family home. Its gardens hold a huge collapsed Stone Age dolmen known as Aideen’s Grave.

What is there to do in Howth?

Howth Castle and Aideen’s Grave

The castle’s history goes back to 1235, and people still live in it. The gardens contain Aideen’s Grave, a huge collapsed Stone Age dolmen, which makes a good first stop.

The estate offers free historic walks, golf for all ages and hands-on cooking classes. The Howth Castle Cookery School works in the historical castle kitchen and teaches Irish scones, brown bread and seafood chowder.

Deer Park Golf has three courses: an 18-hole course, the 9-hole St. Fintan’s Course and an 18-hole Pitch & Putt Course. Castle tours start May 10 in the 2026 season, so plan a castle visit for May or later.

The Howth Cliff path and guided walks

The Howth Cliff path has four loop routes.

Guided walks are available around the Howth area. They suit anyone who would rather have a local lead the way than choose a loop alone.

Pick by the time you have and take the DART back to Dublin afterward.

The pier, Ireland’s Eye and the village sights

Visitors can walk the pier or take a boat to Ireland’s Eye.

Howth Market sits beside the harbor, so a pier stroll and a market stop go together easily on a weekend.

Howth Market and the Maritime & Seafood Festival

Howth Market runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It offers great coffee, freshly prepared food and artisan treats beside Howth Harbour.

The Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival ran May 22 to 24, 2026, with the main days on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. It has moved from its traditional September slot to a summer one. The Seafood Village served fresh local seafood on the harbor front, and a Family Food Court with two zones offered street food and refreshments.

If you want walking, the cliff loops are the draw. Food lovers should come on a weekend for the market, and families can add the cooking classes, the golf and the Family Food Court. A midweek visit suits the market less, since it only runs Saturday and Sunday.

When should you go to Howth?

The weather improves through spring. March reaches 50°F (10°C) with 11 rainy days, and April reaches 54°F (12°C) with lows of 39°F (4°C). Pack a waterproof layer for any of these months.

What to know before visiting Howth

According to the U.S. State Department, no visa is required for 90 days or less in Ireland.

• Passport: it must be valid for the duration of your stay in Ireland, with 1 blank page available per stamp.
• Health: no vaccinations are required.
• Cash: the currency limit on entry and exit is 10,000 euros, or approximately $11,671.
• Safety: Ireland is Level 1, exercise normal precautions, issued March 20, 2026, and the State Department says Ireland is generally a safe destination for travelers.
• Dual citizens of Ireland and the United States must bring travel documents for both nationalities.