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7 Best Views in Dublin (Mighty Viewpoints)

7 Best Views in Dublin (Mighty Viewpoints)

There are some mighty Dublin viewpoints, once you know where to look.

And, although you’ll see many guides listing the Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar as the #1 spot, you don’t have to pay for a great view.

Places like Ticknock, Killiney Hill and Howth Head are just some of the magnificent viewpoints in Dublin that you’ll discover below.

The best viewpoints in Dublin

best views in dublin

Photos via Shutterstock

You’ll get many of the best views in Dublin on some of the more popular walks in Dublin, like the Howth Cliff Walk.

However, while some are well-trodden, other Dublin viewpoints tend to get overlooked. Find our favourites below.

1. Killiney Hill

Killiney Hill

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You’ll find one of the best views in Dublin on the Killiney Hill Walk. To get to it, head for Killiney and park in Killiney Hill Park.

If you’re not driving, walk up along the Vico Road, past the famous Vico Baths and aim for the steps outlined in this guide.

If you drive, the walk to the top of the hill will take no more than 10-15 minutes. If you’re climbing from the Vico Road, allow 30-40.

From the top, you’ll have views our over Dublin City from one side and then a beautiful eyeful of Killiney Beach and the Wicklow Mountains from the other.

2. Howth Head

walks in howth

Photos via Shutterstock

The next of our Dublin viewpoints takes us out to the bustling fishing village of Howth in North County Dublin.

If you’re driving, head straight for the car park up past the Summit Pub and follow our guide to the Howth Cliff Walk.

If you’re using public transport, take the DART to Howth Village and then walk up Howth Hill (see map).

Once you reach the cliffs, you’ll discover why this places is widely reputed to be home to the best views in Dublin.

Some of the highlights are Bailey Lighthouse, the ‘hidden’ Howth Beach (admire from above only) and the craggy cliffs.

3. Ticknock

Dublin Mountains

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Our next Dublin viewpoint takes us to the Ticknock walk. Now, if you’re visiting at the weekend and driving, get here early – this place gets painfully busy at times.

If you’re using public transport, you can get the 44 bus to Stepaside Village and walk from there. If you follow the Fairy Castle Loop, you’ll eventually arrive to one of the more famous views in Dublin.

There’s plenty of rocks to perch yourself on and you’ll be treated to a seemingly never-ending view out over Dublin.

If you park at Ticknock, the walk will take you the guts 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on pace.

4. Mountpelier Hill

Hellfire Club

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The next of our Dublin viewpoints takes us up Mountpelier Hill to the infamous Hellfire Club, which has a fine bit of folklore attached to it.

The Hellfire Club Walk (aka ‘the Montpellier Loop Trail’) is one of the most popular hill walks in Dublin, and it treats those that conquer it to panoramic views of Dublin City.

If you’re driving, there’s a smallish car park that fills up quick at weekends and the trail is nice and straightforward and it takes you through reasonably dense forest.

When you reach the top, you’ll see the haunted club house and views as far as the eye can see.

Warning if you’re considering going via the bus: You can (I wouldn’t!) get the number 15 bus from Dublin City out as far as Ballycullen Road it’s then a 45-minute walk to the start of the Hellfire Club Walk, along a narrow and dangerous road.

5. Carrickgollogan

Carrickgollogan Forest

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Another of the best views in Dublin can be soaked up on the often-missed Carrickgollogan Forest Walk. You’ll find it 2.5km south of Kilternan village on the Dublin/Wicklow border.

Although Carrickgollogan is home to some of the shorter Dublin Mountains walks, they pack a punch, and you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Dublin and Wicklow countryside.

The scenery that you can soak up from the viewing rock is what makes this one of the best walks in Dublin. On a clear day, you’ll see everywhere from south Dublin to north Wicklow

6. Poolbeg Lighthouse

Poolbeg Lighthouse walk

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By God there’s few rambles in Dublin where wind will clatter you as hard as the brilliantly breezy Poolbeg Lighthouse Walk.

If you’re driving, there’s a car park right at the start of the trail. If you’re taking the bus, grab on that goes to Sandymount, Irishtown or Ringsend.

This is a mighty coastal walk that’ll blow off the clingiest of cobwebs. There’s a long (2 hours – starting from Sandymount) and a short (40/50 minutes – starting near Pigeon House Road).

Expect stunning views of Dublin Bay, Howth Head, Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Just make sure to dress appropriately – it gets very windy here.

7. The Gravity Bar

Gravity Bar

Photos ©Diageo via Tourism Ireland

Our final Dublin viewpoint can be found at the top of the Guinness Storehouse in the Gravity Bar.

It’ll cost you to get to this viewpoint (grab a ticket here – affiliate link) but, to be fair, it’s worth it if you’re taking the tour of the Storehouse in the process.

The Gravity Bar sits right on top of the Storehouse and, thanks to the large glass windows that surround it, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the city.

Now, we’d argue there’s plenty of pubs in Dublin worth visiting before you step foot in the Gravity Bar, but if you fancy a tour and a view, it’s hard to beat.

FAQs about the best viewpoint Dublin has to offer

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What Dublin viewpoint is easiest to get to?’ to ‘Which is the most rewarding?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Where can I get a view of Dublin?

You’ll get some of the best views in Dublin from Killiney Hill, Howth Head and the nearby cliff walk, Mountpelier Hill and from Carrickgollogan. If you’re happy to pay, head to the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse.

What is the highest viewing point in Dublin?

Although we can’t confirm if they’re the highest, both Ticknock and Killiney Hill provide magnificent, almost drone-like views out over Dublin City and beyond.

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