You might take a self-guided walk in Dublin to one of the city's beautiful university campuses or you can sign up for a guided tour to learn more about Dublin's history.
Stay close to Dublin City or explore the far reaches of County Dublin on well-marked trails. This post covers the best Dublin walks discovered over a period of 10 years living in Ireland.
Whether you are looking for a short stroll or a bracing hike on a rocky trail, I've got you covered with these 21 Dublin walks.
Dublin Walks Map
Dublin City Walks
1. Walk Georgian Dublin
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 Hour
The spectacular Georgian doors of Dublin are one of the capital’s most beautiful and photographed features.
I’ve lived in Dublin for over a decade and I’ve taken many pictures of Ireland and Dublin’s doors are definitely one of my favorite subjects.
If you know where to look, you’ll find all the colors of the rainbow, textured brickwork, dramatic flowers and landscaping, and fancy fanlights and glass side panels. Some of Dublin’s doors even feature stained glass.
Keep an eye out for vintage boot scrapers (one of my favorite features of a historic door's anatomy) as you look for the best doors.
Where can you find the Georgian doors of Dublin? Visitors tend to be drawn to the area around St. Stephen’s Green.
I recommend a walk that includes Fitzwilliam Square which is about 10 minutes on foot from St. Stephen’s Green. Start this Dublin walk at Fitzwilliam Square.
Walk around all four sides of the private park and then head down Leeson Street toward the Grand Canal. Walk across the bridge spanning the Grand Canal and continue on Leeson Street.
You could walk down Leeson Street to Donnybrook or turn on Waterloo Rd. toward Baggot St. and St. Mary’s Road.
Alternatively, you could take this Dublin walk down Appian Way and continue to Ranelagh or Rathmines.
No matter which way your turn, this walk will take you on a proper Dublin doors scavenger hunt!
2. Dodder Walk
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 30 min - 3 hours depending on how far you go
The River Dodder is a fantastic anchor point to guide a Dublin walk.
The Dodder empties into the Liffey at Grand Canal Dock and snakes all the way through Ringsend, Ballsbridge, Milltown, and on to Rathfarnham before reaching its source in the Wicklow Mountains.
Depending on where you start and how far you go, you’ll discover edgy street art, fantastic views of Aviva Stadium, pleasant waterfalls, and maybe even a rhino wading in the water.
For a longer walk, take a detour into Bushy Park.
3. Grand Canal Walk
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 30 - 90 minutes
A stroll along the Grand Canal may make you think of Venice, but it’s also one of the best Dublin walks around. Start this walk on Mount Street bridge.
There is a memorial here commemorating the Battle of Mount Street Bridge. The GPO and Boland’s Mill may be the highest profile locations celebrated in the history of 1916 Easter Rising, but Irish rebels also fought the British here where Mount Street and Northumberland Road come together.
Dublin’s Grand Canal features a path along the water that alternates between a dirt and paved track. Look for herons fishing and moorhens darting among the reeds.
If you’re lucky, you may see a boat traversing the locks. Keep an eye out for writer Patrick Kavanagh’s statue which will forever be relaxing cross-legged along the Grand Canal near Baggot Street.
Continue on and you may find crowds gathered on a sunny day outside the Barge Inn pub. Go as far as Portobello and you might be treated to a bevy of swans gliding across the water looking for generous walkers to give them a treat.
Do the swans a favor and don’t throw them bread. Signs along the Grand Canal advise to only feed swans foods like oats, corn, and defrosted frozen peas.
4. Dublin Docklands Walk
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 30 - 60 minutes
Grand Canal Dock is modern Dublin at it’s finest with architecturally interesting buildings home to theatres, apartments, hotels, and headquarters of the various tech companies that call Dublin home.
They don’t call this neighborhood of Dublin ‘Silicon Docks’ for nothing!
Make time for a Dublin walk through the Dublin Docklands for fantastic photo-ops and some creative street art. Don’t miss:
- The Bord Gais Energy Theatre which was designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.
- The red neon forest art installation that adds ambiance to the square just outside the theatre.
- Boland’s Mill which played a central role in the fight for Irish independence. The mill was held by Éamon de Valera (future Taoiseach) during the 1916 Easter Rising.
- The Alliance building, a former gas storage cylinder turned into apartments. Head down Barrow St. or South Lott Road and you can’t miss it.
- South Lotts neighborhood where you'll find quaint cottages with stunning brickwork. These cottages historically housed the workers in the area.
5. Ballsbridge to Donnybrook via Herbert Park
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 - 2 hours
Ballsbridge to Donnybrook is another Dublin walk that I highly recommend, especially in the Spring.
Explore the beautiful doors in Ballsbridge along Northumberland Road or Shelbourne Road and then slip into Herbert Park in Ballsbridge Village.
In the Spring, Herbert Park is lined with fragrant flowering pink cherry trees that uplift the spirits. Stop for a moment to feed the ducks in the large pond that is a centerpiece of Herbert Park before continuing this Dublin walk in Donnybrook.
Here you’ll get another fix of my favorite Dublin doors. Stop for a coffee in Donnybrook Village before heading for home.
6. Beggars Bush
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 30 minutes
I love a good stroll around Beggars Bush. Beggars Bush is a former British Army barracks associated with a darker time in Irish history.
Today Beggars Bush is a mix of quiet apartment buildings and a few offices alongside the National Print Museum, and Press Cafe.
Beggars Bush is a lovely place for a relaxed Dublin walk away from the city crowds rushing by just outside its walls.
7. National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 3 - 4 hours
The National Botanic Garden combined with Glasnevin Cemetery makes the perfect Dublin Northside walk.
Drive or take Dublin Bus Number 4 from Dublin City Centre to the entrance of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland.
The National Botanic Gardens features 15,000 plant species from around the world and was founded in 1795. The National Botanic Gardens is open to the public and is one of the best free things to do in Dublin.
Explore charming Victorian-era greenhouses. Palm House is hard to miss and is extremely photogenic.
Colorful flower beds, burbling rivers, and an arboretum will keep you occupied for a few hours.
Visit The National Botanic Gardens in the Autumn for Sculpture in Context exhibitions. This is where local artists display their works in situ with the natural surroundings.
Look for the gate connecting the National Botanic Gardens with Glasnevin Cemetery. Glasnevin is the ideal place for a quiet reflective walk and a a crash course on Irish history.
Take a walking tour of Glasnevin Cemetery and you'll find yourself regaled with stories from the time of Daniel O'Connell (aka "The Liberator") through the 20th century and the era of Irish independence.
O'Connell commissioned and funded the cemetery as a non-denominational resting place and you’ll find his tomb beneath a tall tower.
Look for Irish writer Brendan Behan’s grave. On the anniversary of his death, you’ll find his headstone covered with pints of Guinness.
Glasnevin Cemetery Museum is located on the premises along with a cafe and other facilities.
8. Phoenix Park
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 3 - 4 hours
Another quintessential Dublin walk is Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe.
The Wellington Monument is the iconic symbol of the park. You can't miss it.
Have a wander around the park keeping an eye out for the resident herd of deer. Phoenix Park is home to Ireland’s President and the American ambassador.
You’ll also find Dublin Zoo, a walled garden, and a small castle complete with a tiny hedge maze.
Extend your Dublin walk in Phoenix Park to Farmleigh House, a nearby estate formerly owned by the Guinness family.
Farmleigh House is now used to entertain visiting dignitaries, including American presidents like Barack Obama. We particularly enjoyed exploring the sunken garden which was dramatically placed behind the home.
It was clear that a lot of care and attention was spent on shaping the hedges (into peacocks and spirals!).
No manor house in Ireland is complete without the obligatory walled garden. The walled garden is still in use. If you visit in the Autumn, you may be lucky enough to see seasonal pumpkins growing here.
9. Stroll Clontarf Promenade
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 - 4 hours
If you enjoy nature, try this Dublin walk centered on Clontarf. Clontarf is located north of the River Liffey along the Irish Sea and you'll only need to travel a couple stops from Dublin City Centre on the DART train to get there.
Clontarf promenade dates back to the 1950s and provides a wide, luxurious and paved path for a walk. On one side, you’ll see elegant homes with colorful doors and on the other, lovely sea views and iconic Poolbeg smokestacks.
If you’re feeling ambitious, walk all the way to Bull Island where you’ll find a beach, a break wall to walk, and plenty of paths among the dunes that are amazing for birdwatching.
Enter Bull Island over the historic single-lane wooden bridge built in the early 19th century. Leave Bull Island at Causeway Road to return via St. Anne Park and Raheny DART station.
It takes about 40 minutes to walk from Clontarf DART station to Dollymount Wooden Bridge. If you decide to add in Bull Island, budget another 2-3 hours.
10. Trinity College Dublin
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 hour
Trinity College Dublin is another idyllic setting for a Dublin walk. You’ll discover photo opportunities galore on the TCD campus with lots of historic architecture and sweeping green spaces.
If the building is open, duck inside the Ballroom Physical Laboratory. We visited during the annual Open House Dublin and were treated to a brief lecture and tour from a retired Professor of Physics dressed in academic regalia.
The historic laboratory is over a century old. The Physical Laboratory building features a fascinating array of historical lab equipment in period cases.
We even got to sit in a historic lecture hall where Erwin Schrödinger gave a lecture titled “What is Life?”
No walk around Trinity College Dublin is complete without a visit to the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is over 1000 years old and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.
Marvel at the intricate illustrations that accompany the text. The Book of Kells tour ends in the Long Room of the Old Library.
Here you’ll find a dark wood paneled hall lined with busts of famous writers and history books from floor to ceiling. Take a moment to break in the history.
Coastal Walks in Dublin
11. Howth Head Cliff Walk
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 2-3 hours
The Howth Cliff Path Loop is an iconic Dublin walk and often features bracing winds alongside gorgeous views of the Irish Sea. Colored arrows mark the trail and help you stay on track.
The Howth Head cliff walk begins as you ascend slowly from Howth Village. Alternatively, you can park at the Summit Car Park and follow the trail out to the Telegraph Cable.
You'll experience sweeping views over the cliffs leading to Baily lighthouse. Cautionary signs warning of dangerous cliffs can be both disconcerting and exhilarating.
Respect the signs, but don’t let them deter you. Look down at the crashing waves but don’t get too close to the cliff’s edge.
Make sure to wear long trousers for this Dublin walk because the trail is edged with thorny brush. Certain segments of the Howth Cliff Path are quite narrow and you'll have to skirt through the foliage.
When you see the lighthouse in the distance, turn upward toward the apex of the trail. You’ll find a rough set of steps to support you as you climb.
The Howth Cliff Path Loop is approximately 6 km. Budget 2-3 hours for this Dublin walk not including the time it takes to get to the trail head in Howth Village.
12. Killiney Hill Hike
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1-2 hours
Start this South Dublin walk in Sorrento Park, a lovely yet somewhat unkempt green space on a hill outside of Dalkey Village not far from the DART station.
Follow the trail up to Killiney Hill admiring stunning views of the Irish Sea along the way. Your target? The obelisk at the top of Killiney Hill.
It takes less than an hour to walk from Sorrento Park to the apex of Killiney Hill. Fair warning: you may be delayed by the overwhelming urge to take photos of the breathtaking scenery.
Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity or two on this Dublin walk. Bono, Pierce Brosnan, and even Matt Damon live in or have been known to frequent Dalkey.
13. Poolbeg Lighthouse
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 2 hours
The hike to Poolbeg Lighthouse is a favorite Dublin walk among locals. Make sure to pack a jacket since the wind is often quite brisk as it comes across the Irish Sea.
This South Wall walk is Ireland at its best. The Poolbeg smokestacks are situated on Sandymount Strand on Dublin Bay. Sandymount Strand is walkable from Dublin’s Grand Canal Docks neighborhood.
Take a taxi or the DART train to Sandymount to embark on this walk if you are in Dublin City Centre or further afield.
From Sandymount Strand, embark on the Poolbeg Lighthouse walk. Poolbeg Lighthouse was built in the 18th century and to this day is a bright red beacon standing at the terminus of Dublin’s Great South Wall.
The Great South Wall was one of the longest sea walls in the world at the time of its construction. If you go on this Dublin walk from Sandymount Strand to Poolbeg Lighthouse at low tide, you can consider taking a shortcut across the beach at Sandymount Strand.
Make sure to consult a chart with the timings of the tides before embarking on this walk. The Great South Wall and Poolbeg Lighthouse can be cut off by high tide at certain times of year.
Do your homework so that this Dublin walk doesn’t take longer than you bargained for.
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Tired of walking? You can always catch a ride on one of the Hop On Hop Off Dublin sightseeing buses. An even more fun alternative is the Dublin Viking Splash tour. |
14. North Bull Island
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 2-3 hours
North Bull Island in Clontarf is a fantastic Dublin walk if you enjoy birding and coastal scenery. Traverse the island from south to north venturing among the grass or the dunes along the beach.
Walk to Our Lady, Star of the Sea and be treated to a view of the Poolbeg smokestacks and Poolbeg Lighthouse across the mouth of Dublin port.
After your walk, relax on the beach or take a courageous swim in the sea. Locals go swimming at any time of year. The cold water is bracing and is meant to be good for your health.
15. Sandymount Strand to Sydney Parade
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk:
Strand Road in Sandymount faces the Irish Sea and is lined with posh homes facing the water and Dublin’s iconic Poolbeg towers beyond.
For this Dublin walk, stroll Sandymount Strand and let the sun dancing on the pastel facades and doors lift your spirits.
Near Sydney Parade, you’ll discover a Martello Tower, one of the defensive forts built during the period of British rule over Ireland.
These towers dot the coast of Dublin and are a reminder of a long and contentious period of Irish history. From a purely aesthetic perspective, Martello Towers make a great focal point for photography.
Dublin Walks that are Further Afield
16. Maynooth University
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 2 hours
Maynooth is a university town located less than an hour by train from Dublin City. This makes Maynooth one of the best day trips from Dublin.
In fact, Maynooth rates as one of the best places in Ireland to visit by train. Take Irish Rail from Connolly Station to Maynooth.
Walk along the Royal Canal and admire the pretty stone bridges spanning the canal. Mark your progress by counting the fishing places marked off at regular intervals.
Spend some time exploring the ruins of Maynooth Castle (one of the coolest Irish castles we've visited) which is located right in the centre of the village. Enter through the impressive stone archway into a lush courtyard surrounded by the remains of the castle wall.
The highlight of a Dublin walk in Maynooth is definitely Maynooth University. Maynooth University delivers ivy covered buildings and historic facades that offer endless photo-ops.
There are two sides to Maynooth University. My favorite part is the historic South Campus and St. Patrick’s College. If the door is open, step inside the church anchoring St. Patrick's College.
The colorful ceilings and pipe organ will make you reach for your camera. Seek out the beautiful interior courtyard at St. Patrick’s college church.
Make time for a walk in the Bicentenary Garden before catching the train back to Dublin city. This sprawling park is located next to Maynooth University's South Campus and includes an atmospheric walled garden that is a serious highlight of this Dublin walk.
17. Hike Malahide Castle
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 hour
The demesne and gardens at Malahide Castle make for another idyllic Dublin walk. Pay 7.50 EUR pp for access to the Walled Garden, Butterfly Garden, West Lawn, and Fairy Trail.
Throughout the walking trails, you’ll find peek-a-boo views of Malahide Castle. There is nothing finer and more relaxing than watching beautiful butterflies flit here and there before alighting in that perfect spot for a photo.
The ivy-covered walled garden is home to an atmospheric Victorian-era greenhouse.This Dublin walk is a little further afield from Dublin City Centre, but is accessible by car and the DART train.
18. Walk Ardgillan Castle
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 1 hour
Many of my favorite Dublin walks are located on the grounds of the city and surrounding coast’s castles and manor homes.
Ardgillan Demesne on Dublin’s north coast surrounds the big house and offers the ideal surroundings for a walk. Ardgillan Castle is perched above the Irish Sea.
Listen to the wind whistle across the land and crashing waves below. You may even hear trains passing by along the coast. Ardgillan Castle and Demesne was owned by the Taylor family for over 200 years.
In exchange for rights for the train to pass over their land, the Taylors could hail any passing train and ride for free. Not a bad deal!
Take some time to explore the well-coiffed hedges and flower beds of the Ardgillan Castle walled garden. One of the most enchanting features of the Ardgillan Castle grounds is the Ardgillan Castle Fairy Tree Trail.
Walk the forest trail edging the the Ardgillan demesne and formal gardens. Here you’ll discover tiny houses that legend has it are to home to resident fairies.
19. Hike to the Hellfire Club
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 2 hours
Head to the Dublin Mountains for a hike you won’t soon forget. Many locals turn up their nose at the Dublin Mountains in favor of the bigger, and presumably more picturesque Wicklow Mountains.
They are missing out! The trailhead of the Hell Fire Club hike is about a 30 minute drive from Dublin City Centre.
Situated on Montpelier Hill, this hike used to be the site of an ancient passage tomb. In 1735, Richard Parsons, a known practitioner of the black arts, founded a Hunting Lodge on the site.
Rumors abounded about sex, drinking, and gambling that took place at the lodge, not to mention satanic rituals and unexplained phenomena. This is how a quaint stone hunting lodge earned the nickname the Hell Fire Club.
Dublin.ie has a fascinating account of the Hell Fire Club’s supernatural history. Today, you’ll hike through the forest to emerge at the top of the hill at the Hell Fire Club itself.
Wander around the ruins and then sit and enjoy a picnic lunch with spectacular views over Dublin City.
Guided Dublin Walks
Up until this point, I’ve focused on self-guided Dublin walks. For those of you looking for more in-depth commentary and history, there are a couple of specialized Dublin walking tours that I recommend.
20. Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Dublin’s Literary Pub Crawl is the perfect evening walk. The Literary Pub Crawl convenes at The Duke in Dublin City Centre.
Throughout the evening, you’ll be entertained by readings from some select Irish authors and even a little song and dance.
This guided walk takes you to three different pubs (we visited The Duke, O'Neill's, and The Old Stand) where you can sup on a pint while learning about Ireland’s literary history.
Your guides will ask trivia questions throughout the night. Pay close attention for your chance to win a small prize at the end of the tour.
21. 1916 Rebellion Guided Walking Tour
Sign up for the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour (15 EUR at the time of writing) to take a deep-dive into Dublin history.
At the start of the tour, you'll be armed with a sheet of mug shots showcasing the different personalities that played a role in 1916 Easter Rising.
The tour meets outside the International Bar in Dublin City Centre. Our guide, Lorcan, captured our imaginations with the exciting and volatile history of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Stops included the Bank of Ireland (former Irish Parliament) near Trinity College Dublin. Crossing the River Liffey, we could see Liberty Hall which was Ireland's first skyscraper.
Liberty Hall has 16 stories: one for each leader executed by the British after the 1916 Rebellion.
On O’Connell Street, we encountered the statue of Jim Larkin who founded the Irish Labour Party with James Connolly. We reflected on the siege outside the General Post Office.
Irish Freedom Fighters held the GPO for 6 days intense days. The tour ends at Dublin Castle. While the 1916 Rebellion was ultimately suppressed by the British, it paved the way for an independent Ireland a few years later.
I highly recommend this information-packed tour covering the rich history of a turbulent time in Dublin.
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Dublin Walks Post Archive
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk
Note: The Bray to Greystones Cliff walk has been closed to hikers since 2021 due to cliff erosion which has left the trail unstable.
Estimated Time to do this Dublin Walk: 3 hours
This Dublin walk starts at the Greystones DART station, the most southernly end of the train line in County Wicklow. Many trains only go as far as Bray so make sure to check the destination on the platform and the train itself before you hop on board.
The Greystones to Bray cliff walk is about 8 km and is one of the most popular Dublin hikes on a nice day. You can hike from Greystones to Bray or Bray to Greystones. Take your pick!
You’ll find the trailhead for this Dublin walk past Greystones Harbour. Look over the cliffs at the side of the trail onto the train tracks below and Irish Sea beyond.
On the opposite side, you’ll find open fields. At certain times of year, the trail is lined with colorful yellow gorse.
Be on the lookout for colonies of sea birds nesting in the rocks among the cliffs. Be prepared for any and all weather conditions on the trail. Dubliners like saying: if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes.
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