Perfectly positioned with the sea to the east and mountains to the south, Dublin’s spectacular natural sights are never far away. This makes the city an ideal location for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. Many locals enjoy surfing, sailing, sea swimming, climbing and biking. Others simply sit back and enjoy the scenery.
The beautiful Dublin coast and mountains provide a break from urban life. Having access to nature, as well as all the amenities that come with city living, is one of the most enticing reasons to live in Dublin.
Dublin Bay
Driving from the city centre, you can make your way south to Sandymount Strand in just 15 minutes. Bull Island to the north in less than half an hour away too.
The Forty Foot at Sandycove
Navigating the coast is even easier by train. The DART runs along much of the Dublin coast and offers spectacular seaside views. It travels from Shankill near the southern border with county Wicklow and takes you right to the beautiful village of Howth on the north side of the city.
Along the way, you’ll pass superb swimming spots like Killiney, Seapoint and Sandycove. Dún Laoghaire, with its picturesque pier and lighthouses, is also a great place to spend the day. After the train reaches the city centre, it travels north. Get off at Portmarnock or Donabate to explore two of north Dublin’s beloved beaches.
Don’t miss:
The Dublin Mountains
At the county’s southern fringes, the Dublin Mountains offer visitors a variety of easy-going walks, challenging hikes and exhilarating bike trails. The Dublin Mountains Way makes the range easy to navigate. This long distance trail is 42 kilometres and stretches all the way from Shankill in the southeast to Tallaght in the southwest.
Don’t miss:
- The cairn at Fairy Castle – accessed through Ticknock Forest, this ancient passage tomb is the highest point in the Dublin Mountains.
- The Hell Fire Club at the summit of Montpelier Hill – this 18th-century hunting lodge is associated with the occult and, according to local lore, the devil was once summoned here!