Best beaches in and around Dublin to try out this summer (while practicing English!)

After a long winter, finally the sun has decided to grace us with its presence. This year especially, spending time outdoors with friends has become an essential part of our social lives. While Dublin may not be heralded as a tropical paradise, on a sunny day, nothing beats getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre to relax on one of a surprising number of quality beaches. Have a look below for our top tips of the best places in our city to soak up the sun, chill out, and recharge your batteries. 

BURROW BEACH

Burrow beach in Sutton is probably the least known of the beaches on this list. However, that makes it the perfect spot for those wanting to avoid the larger crowds which may gather at other beaches. Easily accessible with the DART line running directly to Sutton station, it’s then just a ten minute walk to the beach (google maps recommended as the beach is a little hidden from the road). There is soft sand, cool water and a beautiful view of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. After an afternoon sunbathing, it’s just a 15 minute walk to Howth where you can get some ice-cream or the fishing village’s famous fish and chips.

PORTMARNOCK BEACH 

I may be biased, having grown up there, but Portmarnock beach is the superstar beach of Dublin. There are spectacular sand dunes, blue flag water, and the city’s best view of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. It’s an incredibly long beach, so if sunbathing is not your thing, or if you fancy a trip to the beach on a cooler day, a walk along the shoreline is a must. You can get the DART to Portmarnock (although it’s a 40 minute walk to the beach from the station) or take the 32B bus from Talbot Street, which drops you off right at the beach. There is a Spar right across the road for drinks, ice-cream, and snacks. It can become a little crowded on really hot days, but it’s worth it!

SANDYMOUNT BEACH

For anyone who wants to stay closer to the city centre, Sandymount is the place for you. It is probably better for walking than swimming, as at low tide the shoreline can be a little far out, and the water quality is not as good as the other beaches on this list. For literary fans, a walk along Sandymount strand is a way to connect with James Joyce’s Ulysses, as it is a major location in the book. A walk further along the coast will bring you Sandycove beach where there are better swimming conditions, and locals jump off the ‘40foot,’ a rock that people love to jump off into the awaiting water below. Get the DART to Sandymount and explore.

KILLINEY BEACH

If you’re on the South side of the city, why not try out Killiney beach. While the sand is not as fine as the other beaches mentioned here (it’s more of a pebble beach), the water is clean and the area is beautiful. The beach is sheltered by Killiney hill, so it’s usually not as windy as other spots on the coast, just be careful that the water gets pretty deep quite quickly. After topping up your suntan, take a stroll into either Killiney village or Dalkey village to check out some really nice coffee shops, and bars and restaurants with outside seating. Killiney DART station is your start off point.

These are just 4 of the beaches which Dublin has to offer. Other popular sunbathing spots include Dollymount strand, Claremont beach in Howth, and the beaches in Malahide and Shankill. Yes, this might not be the Bahamas or Bali, but we can still have a great time reconnecting with the water, or reading a book while the Irish sun does its best to give us all of the vitamin D goodness we’ve been lacking all winter. So, dust off your swimsuits and flip flops and let’s get summer-y!