Scenic Walks Around Dublin List

Use our realistic list of Scenic Walks in and around Dublin to plan your next adventure on public transport.

Dublin has a lot of scenic destinations that you do not need a car to reach.

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Dublin Public Transport

A discussion about Most Scenic Walks around Dublin That Do Not Require A Car has to start with Dublin’s public transport. The city’s public transport includes several options: light rail, tram, bus, train, and city bikes.

• DART: this light rail line is likely to be your primary public transport mode. It connects the city center with northern and southern suburbs. Trains run every 10-30 minutes.
• Luas: a tram system consisting of two lines. The Red Line goes from East to West. The Green Line goes from North to South. Trams run every 10-30 minutes.
• Bus: main transport mode for more remote destinations. Trip time and frequency depend on the traffic and route.
• Train: commuter trains connect the city with northern, southeastern, southwestern, and western destinations. Service is most frequent on weekdays.
• Dublin Bikes: a city bike service. You can buy a 1-day, 3-day, or annual subscription. You would not incur any additional fees if you finish every trip within 30 minutes.

The public transport pricing is rather straightforward. As always, fares are subject to change.

• Single trip on most modes costs €2.
• Shorter bus and Luas trips are €1.3.
• Commuter trains cost €2.5 for destinations also served by DART.
• City bikes 1-Day ticket costs €3 and 3-Day ticket costs €5.
• Get a Leap Card to make paying your fare easy and get savings on every ride.

1. Dublin City Center

A walk in the historic Dublin City Center tops the list of Most Scenic Walks in or Around Dublin. The city’s narrow and winding streets are the last place where you would want to drive.

Many of the iconic sights, like Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Kilmainham Gaol, are in crowded parts of the city. Therefore, finding a parking spot is likely to be an issue. It gets particularly crazy around St. Patrick’s Day.

We found walking to be the easiest way to explore the city center, its architecture, and sights. For longer trips to places like Kilmainham Gaol or Guinness Storehouse consider Luas or Dublin Bikes.

2. Howth

Howth is a great day trip destination once you are ready to venture outside of the city. It takes just 25 minutes to reach Howth on a DART train from central Dublin. This cute fishing village on the same named peninsula is a must visit for seafood lovers.

But Howth has also a lot to offer for avid hikers. Its Cliff Walk is a well maintained path with several routes. Amazing views of the Dublin Bay, Baily Lighthouse, and the nearby islands are practically guaranteed. Blooming wildflowers, bird watching, and plane spotting are the hike’s added benefits.

3. Killiney

Killiney is another must-visit destination for scenic views around Dublin. You can reach Killiney on DART in about 30 minutes from the Dublin’s city center. Exit at the Dalkey station for a faster and more pedestrian friendly route to the Killiney Hill Park.

Stop by the Dalkey Quarry, Obelisk and Pyramid of Dublin. And, of course, enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains without a strenuous hike.

4. Malahide

Malahide is an excellent destination for a family friendly city walk. You can reach Malahide on DART in about 30 minutes. Malahide Castle & Gardens are right next door to the train station.

You can enjoy the public park for free. History and nature lovers could buy tickets to tour the 12th century castle and exotic gardens. Unless you are visiting in winter, stop by the only Butterfly House in the Republic of Ireland.

5. Portmarnock

If you would like to extend your Malahide visit, continue on to the Portmarnock Beach. Also known as the Velvet Strand, this 5-mile (8-km) sand beach is one of the most scenic beaches in the country.

Getting to Portmarnock Beach involves a 40-minute walk from either Malahide or Portmarnock DART stations. But the views from the sand dunes are worth the effort.

6. Dún Laoghaire

If peaceful city walks with lots of dining options are your thing, look no further than Dún Laoghaire. This Dublin suburb is just a 20-minute DART ride south of the city. With limited parking options, public transport is the right way to visit Dún Laoghaire.

Its harbor and piers offer great views of the numerous yachts. You should pay a visit to Dún Laoghaire just to practice the pronunciation of its name [Dun Leary].

7. The Scalp

The Scalp in Barnaslingan Forest is one of the few scenic hikes on our list that might benefit from a car. However, both of the nearby car parks are tiny.

If you are prepared to walk for 30-40 minutes from the closest station, you have plenty of options. DART, Luas, or Bus will bring you to the trailhead in 40-60 minutes.

Breathtaking views of the glacial valley and its surroundings from the Carrickgollogan Hill will serve as reward for a long journey.

Takeaways: Scenic Walks Around Dublin

Dublin is a beautiful city surrounded by even more picturesque places. Thanks to a robust public transport network, you can reach its scenic sights without dealing with the traffic.

While delays happen, you can usually count on getting to any scenic destination on this list in under 45 minutes. And in most cases you will pay just €4 for a round trip ticket. This could empower you to explore Dublin’s surroundings while deciding on a place to stay and during your visit.

Take a look at our Scenic Walks Around Dublin Video List and visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!