When you think of Dublin, where does your mind go? Maybe you love finding a bargain in our buzzing shopping districts or dining out in some of the best restaurant’s cafes and bars in the country? Chances are you don’t immediately think of the beauty of Dublin beaches, coastline, and gorgeous green spaces. The capital is an excellent place for a day trip to get back to nature. Here is our pick of the best day trips within Dublin, close to our Sandyford aparthotel, PREMIER SUITES.
Portmarnock Beach
The weather may not always be ideal so when you get a sunny day, take advantage and head straight to one of the best beaches in the county, Portmarnock. The Velvet Strand is a wide strand of golden sandy beach located in North Dublin. It is five miles long making it ideal for a long leisurely walk, a family play day, or a romantic picnic. Along the seafront, you’ll find places to stop for fish & chips or an ice cream cone. Along the beach walk, there is a path that leads to a nearby affluent suburb called Malahide which is perfect for a delicious lunch, to enjoy a couple of drinks or indulge in some boutique shopping.
Poolbeg Lighthouse
Probably one of the most iconic sights in Dublin, the Poolbeg Lighthouse, has become a favourite for day trips among locals and guests. You can reach the lighthouse by walking the length of the Sandymount Strand, which is around 5km or a 1-hour long scenic walk. The walk also takes you through the Irishtown National Park and Nature Reserve. Make sure to take your camera; the coastal views are stunning and a sight you won’t want to forget. There are no stops for tea coffee or refreshments along the way so if you think you might need it, take a flask of hot tea and a picnic to enjoy while watching the waves crash in.
Dublin Mountains
Ticknock is an area in the Dublin Mountains with plenty of lovely outdoor green space, ideal for keeping your distance from crowds. There are 10k of scenic walking routes with some of the best views of Dublin City and Bay, Bray Head and the Wicklow mountains. You could also take a bike and enjoy the 8km circular mountain biking route or one of three orienteering courses. Another spot we love in the Dublin Mountains is The Hellfire Club, which comes with a fascinating and spooky history of its own. You could also try to navigate the straightforward walk at night using flashlights to illuminate your path and scaring your friend along the way!
Howth
Seaside towns in Dublin don’t come much better than Howth. This picturesque fishing village along the Dublin coast has views across the Irish Sea and plenty to see and do. Take some snaps of the gorgeous lighthouse, climb Howth Head, visit Howth Castle and if you’re lucky enough to be there over a weekend you can visit the food market serving dishes from all over the world. Make sure to come to Howth hungry and pop into one of the many seafood restaurants serving the catch of the day, it doesn’t get any fresher. It’s a short trip on the DART from Sandyford to Howth and you could spend an entire day enjoying the scenery.
Phoenix Park
Did you know that Dublin is home to the largest enclosed park in the whole of Europe? The Phoenix Park is a huge 1752 acres, twice the size of Central Park in New York, and filled with green fields, playgrounds, flower beds and displays, forest-like nature trails and so much more. You can visit Dublin Zoo, the Papal Cross, make use of one of the 24 full-sized sports fields, visit or attend an event in Farmleigh House or just admire (from a distance) the wild Irish deer that call the park home. There are coffee shops and cafes dotted around the park in case you’d like a spot of lunch and if you’re lucky you might see the President of Ireland who lives in the park in the beautiful Áras an Uachtaráin, Irelands miniature White House.
The best day trips in Dublin are so accessible from PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments because Dublin is so well connected by public transport. To avoid overpriced hotels in Sandyford, book your great value stay in PREMIER SUITES today using our official website for our guaranteed best available rates.
