Dublin Nature: The Best Public Gardens, Beaches & Trails

Wander through any of these beautiful scenic locations in Dublin.

IVEAGH GARDENS 
Smallish public gardens with a maze. Cultural events like Taste of Dublin food festival. Hidden gem and never busy (apart from on event days).
11 min - Clonmel St., Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2


ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN 
Public gardens with cultural events (check dates). 
18 min - St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2


MERRION SQUARE 
Public gardens with cultural events like outdoor yoga and wellness festivals 
(check dates). 
23 min - Merrion Square South, Dublin 2 


SANDYMOUNT BEACH 
Beach by quaint village called Sandymount.
One of Dublin’s best burger joints (BUJO) also here. Take 15b bus (towards city centre) from “South Richmond Street” to “Pearse Street.” Then take DART (Bray Direction) from “Pearse Street” to “Sandymount.” 
5.1 km - Sandymount, co. Dublin


PHOENIX PARK 
Largest park in Europe. Deer sightings very common. Also where Dublin Zoo is located. Take any bus route (towards city centre) from “South Richmond Street/ Lennox Street” to “Central Bank.” Then walk through Temple Bar and take 37 bus from “Aston Quay” to “Ashtown Gate”. Alternatively, a Taxi from home/ city centre to Phoenix Park should cost €10-15.
6.7 km - Dublin 8


POOLBEG LIGHTHOUSE 
Stunning nature walk along pier, which stands completely on its own in the middle of Dublin’s bay. Small beaches nearby. Situated by Poolbeg Towers - a famous view in Dublin’s skyline. Take 15b bus (towards city centre) from “South Richmond Street/ Lennox Street” to last stop “Ringsend Road”. Walk 25 mins and pass Ringsend power station. Follow the road until you reach starting point for lighthouse pier walk.
8.7 km - Poolbeg Lighthouse, South Wall, Dublin 4

HELLFIRE CLUB
Ruin building with satanic history at top of Dublin mountains. Fantastic views over the city. Also - famous Johnnie Fox’s pub and Glencullen pitch and putt course nearby. Take 15b bus (towards Stocking Ave.) from “South Richmond Street/ Lennox Street” to “Ballyboden.” Head up R115 and R116 roads - going through “Edmondstown.” After “The Merry Ploughboy” pub, there is a ‘Y’ in the road. Take right fork at graveyard. Go through stables, past paddocks and to the bottom entrance of “Massies”. Keep walking uphill and you’re there. The walk from this bus stop to Hellfire Club is 20-25 minutes. 
10.1 km - Montpellier, co. Dublin


BULL ISLAND/ 
DOLLYMOUNT STRAND 
Dollymount strand overlooks the Poolbeg Towers - a famous view in Dublin’s skyline. Plenty of seals on the beach. You can also go further offshore to Bull Island. Take 15b bus (towards city centre) from “South Richmond Street/ Lennox Street” to “Pearse Street.” Then take DART (Howth direction) from “Pearse St” to “Raheny." 
11.6 km - Dollymount Strand, Clontarf, Dublin 3 


DUN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR/ 
THE FORTY FOOT/ 
PEOPLE’S PARK
Walk along the pier to the famous forty foot diving spot and beach. 
Market stalls in the People’s Park every Sunday 11-4pm (southside coast). Leave apartment and turn left. Walk in a straight line along canal to “Leeson St Bridge” 
(12 Mins). Take 46a bus (towards Dun Laoghaire) to last stop. 
12.3 km - Dun Laoghaire, co. Dublin


KILLINEY HILL 
Stunning walk/ beach. Views over Killiney bay. 
Pretty Dalkey village nearby with good restaurants (southside coast). Take 15b bus (towards city centre) until “Pearse Street” stop. Then take DART (Bray direction) from “Pearse St” to “Killiney.”
15.7 km - Killiney, co. Dublin

CLIFF WALK HOWTH 
Beautiful scenic trail around the coast of Howth (northside coast). Take 15b bus (towards city centre) until “Pearse Street” stop. Then take DART from “Pearse St” to “Howth.”
18.3 km - Howth, co. Dublin