A Guide To The Often-Missed Burrow Beach In Sutton

The stunning Burrow Beach is arguably one of the most overlooked beaches in Dublin.

With great views of Ireland’s Eye and decked in soft golden sands, Burrow Beach in Sutton is well worth a detour if you’re visiting nearby Howth.

Stretching for around 1.2 km, Sutton Beach is a fine spot for a ramble in summer and winter and there’s a handy spot for coffee nearby to keep your fingers toasty!

Below, you’ll find info on everything from where to get parking near Burrow Beach (potentially a pain) to what to do nearby.

Some quick need-to-knows about Burrow Beach

Although a visit to Burrow Beach in Sutton is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Spreading out along the north side of Sutton on the neck of the Howth Peninsula, Burrow Beach is simple to reach both by car and by public transport. The 31 and 31B buses stop in Sutton Cross town centre, while the DART to Sutton Station is a handy 20-minute train ride. 

2. Parking

Some people park on Burrow Road, but it’s narrow and we should emphasise that paths and roads shouldn’t be blocked as it causes extra hassle and possibly dangerous situations. There’s paid parking at Sutton Cross train station and it’s a 15-minute walk to the beach from there. 

3. Swimming

We’d recommend avoiding swimming here as its known to have very strong tides. The Burrow Beach lifeguard station is operational during summer months only and listen out for any possible swimming bans (in case of water contamination). 

4. Safety

Understanding water safety is absolutely crucial when visiting beaches in Ireland. Please take a minute to read these water safety tips. Cheers!

5. A beach we’d avoid at summer

There’s a constant stream of hassle at Burrow Beach come the summer months. Large scale brawls are a common occurence and it has gotten to the stage where we actively advise people to avoid.

About Burrow Beach in Sutton

If you want sand dunes, you’ve come to the right place! Though not as long as some of the other Dublin beaches (around 1.2 km), it’s a veritable bed of soft sand that’s perfect for relaxing when the sun comes out. 

From your position on Burrow Beach, you’ll also be treated to some superb views of Ireland’s Eye and up to Portmarnock Beach and Golf Club.

Thanks to the smooth soft sand and the beach’s vast width, it’s a great place to bring kids as the sand gives them ample opportunity for digging holes and making sandcastles. There’s plenty of scope for scavenging for seashells too in the low tide. 

Things to do at Burrow Beach

There’s a handful of things to do at Sutton Beach in Dublin that make it a great destination for a mornings’ ramble.

Below, you’ll find info on where to grab coffee (or a tasty treat!) along with what to see and do nearby.

1. Grab a coffee from Sam’s Coffee House

If you’re heading to Burrow Beach by train then definitely kick off your day by grabbing a coffee from Sam’s Coffee House. Located right at Sutton Cross train station, it’s in the perfect spot for a caffeine fix or a sweet treat before you make your way to the beach. 

They do a range of paninis, wraps and sandwiches, but you’re going to need some serious willpower to say no to one of their deliriously tempting donuts!

2. Then take the stroll down to the beach and out onto the sand

From Sam’s Coffee House, you’re looking at around a 15-minute walk down to the beach. Turn left onto Lauders Lane from Station Road then take a right on Burrow Road. The entrance to the beach is about 700 metres down Burrow Road on the left-hand side so keep an eye out!

You’ll then be free to explore this underrated beach’s vast swathes of dunes and views to your heart’s content! 

3. Or bring your swimming gear and hit the water

If the sun’s out, then no doubt the temptation will be to jump in the water. 

As we mentioned earlier, the Burrow Beach lifeguard station is operational during the summer months – on weekends during June and then every day in July and August.

Also, don’t forget to keep an ear out for any announcements regarding the water safety (and definitely remember to bring your swimming gear!). 

Warning: The water here is known to have strong tides and currents.

Places to visit near Burrow Beach

Sutton Beach is a short spin from many of the best places to visit in Dublin, from food and castles to hikes and more.

Below, you’ll find info on where to eat near Burrow Beach to where to soak up a bit of local history.

1. Howth

Just a 5-minute drive up the road from Burrow Beach is the charming coastal town of Howth and its myriad cool bars and awesome seafood restaurants. Just south of Howth are the handsome ruins of Howth Castle, while the famous Howth Cliff Walk is spectacular at any time of year and offers beautiful panoramas of the coastline and Ireland’s Eye. 

2. St. Anne’s Park

Just a short drive along the coastal Howth Road, there’s a ton of stuff going on at St. Anne’s Park and you could spend all day there if you so wished. The old park contains historic buildings, walled gardens and a load of playing fields. When you finish, you’re a short spin from plenty of restaurants in Clontarf.

3. Dublin City

After you’ve had your fill of fresh air on the beach, head back to the city where there’s a load of things to do to fill the rest of your day (or evening). Jump on a DART from nearby Sutton Station and in just 20 minutes you’ll have trad pubs, galleries, museums and restaurants all vying for your attention! 

FAQs about Burrow Beach

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from is Burrow Beach a Blue Flag beach to are there any toilets.

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.

Is Burrow Beach safe for swimming?

Many beaches along Dublin’s coast have been given no-swim notices as of late. For the latest info, Google ‘Burrow Beach news’ or check locally.

Where do you park for Sutton Beach?

Parking at Burrow Beach is a pain. Some people park on Burrow Road, but it’s narrow and parking is limited. Ideally, you should park at Sutton Cross Station (paid) and walk up.