Dublin & Howth Private Tour
The capital and the coast in one civilised day: Dublin's great landmarks in the morning, then out along Dublin Bay to Howth for a cliff-path walk and seafood by the harbour.
Dublin rewards walking, but its headline sights are scattered — the Guinness Storehouse west of the centre, Phoenix Park beyond it, the cathedrals south of the river. A chauffeured day stitches them together without taxis, trams, or umbrella-led walking groups, and then does what most city tours cannot: it leaves the city.
Howth, twenty-five minutes east, is a working fishing harbour under a heathery headland, with a cliff path that delivers genuine Atlantic-coast drama within sight of Dublin Bay. It is the best half-day extension the capital has. The pairing suits first-time visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone with a free day between meetings — outline your interests in the custom tour form and the day is built around them.
Tour highlights
- Guinness Storehouse with Gravity Bar views over the city
- St Patrick's Cathedral — Ireland's largest church
- Phoenix Park, Europe's largest enclosed city park
- Howth cliff path walk with views to Ireland's Eye
- Seafood lunch on Howth's West Pier
Suggested itinerary
Every tour is private, so this outline flexes around your group, the weather, and the day's best light.
- 1
Morning in the city
A tailored city circuit: typically the Guinness Storehouse first (quietest at opening), then St Patrick's Cathedral and a drive through the Georgian squares. Trinity College and the Book of Kells can be slotted in with pre-booked tickets.
- 2
Phoenix Park
A sweep through the park past Áras an Uachtaráin and the herds of fallow deer that have grazed here since the 17th century.
- 3
The coast road to Howth
Out along Dublin Bay through Clontarf, with Bull Island's dunes on the seaward side, to the fishing village of Howth on its rocky peninsula.
- 4
Howth cliff walk
An hour's walk on the cliff path above the Baily Lighthouse — as much or as little of the loop as the group wants, with the chauffeur repositioning to meet you.
- 5
Harbour lunch and return
Fish and chips or a seafood restaurant on the West Pier, a look at the seals working the harbour, and a relaxed run back to your hotel.
Good to know
- Guinness Storehouse and Book of Kells tickets are time-slotted — book ahead; we advise on times that fit the route.
- The cliff walk has a well-kept path but sensible shoes help.
- The day works in reverse (Howth first) for groups who prefer quiet trails in the morning.
- Cruise passengers from Dublin Port can be collected and returned on schedule.
- Rainy-day alternates: EPIC Emigration Museum and the National Gallery slot in seamlessly.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour good for a first visit to Dublin?
It is designed for exactly that: the unmissable city sights in the morning, and in the afternoon a side of the Irish coast most first-time visitors never learn is twenty minutes from the city.
Can we skip the Guinness Storehouse?
Of course. Common swaps include Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol (book early — it sells out), EPIC, or simply more time on the coast. The itinerary is a starting point, not a script.
How strenuous is the Howth cliff walk?
The standard loop takes about an hour at an easy pace with moderate climbs on a maintained path. Groups can walk a short out-and-back section instead, or skip the walk for the harbour and the Summit viewpoint by car.
Do you collect from Dublin Airport or the cruise terminal?
Yes — the tour can begin and end at Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, or any city hotel, which makes it a practical way to spend a long layover or a docked day.
Private tour enquiry
Request this tour
Share your dates, starting point, and group size and Sebastian will come back with a tailored itinerary and a clear fixed quote — no payment needed to enquire.