Dublin is well known for its energetic nightlife, many people come here for a weekend but spend mot of it in Temple Bar and Harcourt Street. Although there is nothing wrong with this, it’s a fun weekend but there is another side to Dublin. One with beautiful beaches, picturesque parks and cliffside walks. I have lived in Dublin for 8 years, here are 10 alternative things to do in Dublin besides drinking!
So let’s get outside of the city centre and see what else Dublin has to offer.
1. Howth Cliff Walk
One of the best things to do during your visit to Dublin is to take a trip to Howth.
Howth is a quaint seaside town in North Dublin, it offers good food, beautiful scenery, and one of the best walks in Dublin, the Howth Cliff walk. On this walk you will see Irelands Eye, Lambay Island, and Dublin Bay.
The walk starts at Howth DART station, goes through Howth town and towards Balscadden Road where the path will be clearly marked. You will walk for about 3km until you see the Bailey lighthouse when you will turn right uphill towards the Howth Summit carpark. From here the route is downhill along a seafront path back to the train station. If you are in Howth during the Summer watching the sunset here is so special.
Before you leave Howth you should not miss out on some fresh fish, Howth is famous for it!
A lot of people love Leo Burdocks, during weekends or Summer evenings there are very long queues. A few other places that do incredible fresh fish are O’Connells, Abbey Tavern and the Bloody Stream or if you are feeling splurgy then Aqua is a very nice restaurant (expensive) with sweeping ocean views over to Ireland’s eye.
Getting here: The Dart or buses H3 & 6. The buses are frequent and start at Abbey street.
2. Ticknock
Ticknock is located in Dublin mountains, from here you are rewarded with views of Dublin City, Dublin Bay, Bray Head and Wicklow Mountains
One of the best hikes on Ticknock is the Fairy Castle loop. The total hike is 6km and takes about 90 minutes to complete *(scroll down to the last paragraph if you would like to make this longer).
The best view is at three mountain rock where you will be treated to 360 views of Dublin, from north to south of the county. It’s also a great place to rest before you tackle the fairy castle.
If you are driving you will likely start at the carpark, the trail is well marked.
How to make this hike longer and more gruelling: To add another 6km on to the hike I started in Ballinteer at this point, through all the green in the residential area called the Rise, there’s a break in the fence to hop through here where you can cross the road to start climbing Ticknock Road for 30 minutes and then you will reach Ticknock carpark.
You will feel a sense of smugness (and sweatiness) watching everyone else get out of there car knowing you worked your ass off.
Getting here: I found the following ways the most straightforward.
(i) Dart to Blackrock followed by the 114 bus to the Ticknock park stop and then the 30 minute walk up Ticknock Road
(ii) The route I mentioned above that starts in Ballinteer, more gruelling but very rewarding. The buses that go here are the 14, 16 & 16D
3. Hell Fire Club
I know, it is a bit of a dramatic name for a hike isn’t it? Well here is the history behind it, officially it is called Montpelier Hill but in 1735 this was the meeting place for a Satanic group called the Irish Hellfire Club. Richard Parsons, the President of this club or as he preferred to be referred to “The King Of Hell” dressed himself in horns, wings and hooves. People and animals were said to be sacrificed here and during meeting a place was kept just in case Satan himself wanted to pop in. Weird but fascinating alternative thing to do in Dublin!
Don’t let its history put you off because the hike is very nice.
There are two main routes, the 4km Blue Montpelier loop route and 5.5km green forest walk loop. However, you can also join the hellfire club hike with the Massey Woods, a 8.4 km loop. Check out the All Trails link here.
Getting There: It is difficult to get here by bus, but not impossible. You can take the number 15 to Ballycullen road and then walk on a main road for 45 minutes or get a taxi from Ballycullen road to the Hellfire carpark (it’s only a 6 minute drive).
4. Dollymount Strand / Bull Island
Dollymount Strand is 5km of beach and sweeping sand dunes overlooking the Irish Sea. It is a very popular spot for walks, windsurfing, kites and jogging. It can get very windy and blustery on the strand even on days when the surrounding area is calm. Happyout is the nearest cafe and is on the Bull Island Bridge side of the strand.
You can start the walk on the Causeway road or bull island bridge. I would suggest starting the walk at the wooden bridge grabbing a hot drink at HappyOut and either doing a loop or join up with St Annes Park which is across from the Causeway Road.
Getting There: The 130 bus will drop you right beside the Bull Island bridge.
5. St Annes Park
Located between Clontarf & Raheny this large park deserves your attention. There are plenty of things to see in the parks many nooks and crannies.
There is a relaxing rose garden, a cute dog park, a cafe serving healthy meals, Annie Lee tower bridge, the Millennium Arboretum and my favourite, from 10am – 4pm every Saturday is a food market.
Walking around the full park should take about an hour. Please note that many parts of the park are wheelchair accessible.
Getting there: The H1 & 130 from Abbey Street both drop you the closest.
6. Killiney Hill
“Lifestyles of the rich and the famous…” for some reason that song gets stuck in my head when strolling around the affluent suburbs of Dalkey & Killiney! Bono, the Edge, Enya and Van Morrison are a few Irish legends that call this place home. Matt Damon even stayed here during 2021 and has stated he even considered moving here.
Killiney Hill is a fun and moderatly challenging route with stunning views across the Irish sea and on a clear day you might get to see the mountains of Wales. If you start at Killiney Dart station you can end the walk in Dalkey.
Getting there: the easiest option is to take the dart to Killiney, from the dart station it is a 12 minute walk to Killiney Hill.
7. Bray To Greystones Cliff Walk
Another southside gem that offers 7km of coastal views. The walk should take about 2 – 3 hours, it is not too challenging, the most difficult part is the incline at the the start. The path is mostly gravel and some of it is paved however, there are a few sections that are rocky and narrow which could prove tough for anybody with strollers or a wheelchair.
The walk is along the cliff where a railway runs below, you will see the DART go in through tunnels. On the Greystones side the views are sometimes covered but during the Spring / Summer the final part is so colourful walking on a downhill path between long grass and flowers with the view of the ocean ahead.
Getting there: Dart to Bray and walk along the promenade towards the unmissable Bray Head. There is also a Dart in Greystones that you can return home on.
8. Portmarnock to Malahide Coastal Walk
Portmarnock Beach is one of the longest beaches outside of Dublin, and is a great alternative thing to do in Dublin for beach lovers!
You can start this walk in either Portmarnock or Malahide but I recommend starting in Portmarnock because there are better food choices in Malahide, where the walk ends.
Half the walk is on the beach and the other half is on beside the road. The star of this walk is Portmarnock beach, it is big and very picturesque. When you reach Malahide you can check out Malahide Park or relax with lunch.
Getting there: Take the H2 to Portmarnock village and then walk down Golf link road to the beach (this walk is about 15/20 minutes).
9. Griffith Avenue
Griffith Avenue is a double tree lined avenue and is Europes longest residential only tree-lined Avenue. It is especially pretty in Autumn when the trees are Orange. When I lived in Dublin this was my go-to walk to get my steps in, especially during Covid I walked it almost everyday. I loved it because I did not have to worry about traffic and because the street is lined with houses it felt safe during all times of the day.
Because I lived in Clontarf my walk would start at the very bottom of the avenue to St Mobhi Road where I would turn left at St Mobhis Drive and towards the botanical gardens. I would then turn around and walk back to the starting point. The full walk takes about 90 minutes and was great for meeting my 10k steps per day target. This walk is a relaxing alternative thing to do in Dublin.
Getting there: If you want to start at the bottom of the avenue then buses 14, 27, 27a, 123 are perfect
10. The Spinc in Glendalough
I know this is not Dublin but if you have access to a car then it is easily reached.
Glendalough is stunning and the Spinc will challenge you. it 9.5km in total and an elevation gain of approximately 450m. This hike is well marked, following Poulanass Waterfall and Lugduff Valley. It is strenuous at the start with a steep incline and a couple of hundred steps but the views are spectacular and it levels off becoming quite relaxing.
Watch your footing on the way, there are many loose rocks so make sure your shoes have a good grip.
Please note that the carpark charges a €4 parking fee.
The spinc is not only one of the best alternative things to do in Dublin but it is one of the best hikes in Ireland.
Where to stay in Dublin
It is not secret that accommodation in Ireland and especially Dublin is extremely expensive, the average price of a hotel room in Dublin per night is €300 – €400, usually prices are more expensive on weekends and if there is a concert or sports game on.
Academy Plaza Hotel is located just off O’Connell street. Rooms are large, comfortable and modern. Prices start from €118 per night.
The Spencer Hotel this 4 star hotel is located in the central IFSC area, close to the Luas and within walking distance to all the city centre sights. Rooms are cosy and elegant, they also include a Nespresso machine. The hotel features a fitness club, with an indoor pool, gym and spa facilities.
Prices start from €160 per night.
Arlington Hotel is a popular venue for tourists! They are famous for their nightly live Irish music. Staying just a stones throw from O’Connell bridge you will have views of the ha’penny bridge and the Liffey. Rooms are comfortable, they include a flat screen TV and seating area.
Prices start from €132 per night.
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