Dublin Adventure and Nature Activities

Dublin is a city that combines very diverse experiences and adventure and nature activities are the order of the day. Explore the coast on a cruise along the cliffs of Howth, travel to the Giant's Causeway, walk through the Phoenix Park, stroll on a cruise along the Liffey River... You can also experience a unique adventure by boarding a ghost bus or enjoy the views of the bay on a ride to Dun Laoghaire. As you can see, the things to see and do in Dublin for those seeking contact with nature and adventure are almost endless.

One of the best ways to enjoy nature in Dublin is to explore the coastal landscapes aboard a Howth Cliffs cruise. On this tour, you'll stroll around the outskirts of the Irish capital and enjoy incredible panoramic views.

You'll get to observe the surrounding nature and marine life of the region while listening to commentary on the wildlife and vegetation. With luck, you may spot birds, seals and other marine animals.

Accompanied by a guide, you will see some historic lighthouses such as Bailey's Lighthouse, which has served as a guide for hundreds of vessels over the centuries, and hear interesting historical facts.

In addition, you will see the coastal villages. All this, with the necessary safety measures and equipment, such as life jackets. If you want to explore more, then discover other things to see in Howth in this article.

Information of interest

• Price: from 18€ per person.
• Duration: between 45 minutes and one hour.

Another activity you can't miss if you are looking for exposure to nature when visiting Dublin, is to take a boat trip to Dun Loaghaire, where you will enjoy the sea breeze while touring the surroundings of the city and appreciating Dublin Bay.

This activity is recommended among the best boat trips in Dublin, not only for the contact with nature it provides, but also for the possibility of getting unique views of the coast and some places of interest of the capital such as the Castle and the Dublin Tower.

In addition, you will sail on a boat equipped to provide comfort at all times. The tour lasts approximately one hour, not including the return trip (you can return by train, if you wish). If you prefer, before returning, you can also enjoy the residential neighborhood of Dun Laoghaire on foot. Explore the lighthouse, museums and parks or relax in a restaurant or cafe overlooking the sea. See the harbor and watch the yachts and boats around.

Information of interest

• Price: from 26€ per person for this tour.
• Duration: the boat ride lasts about 1 hour.

Dublin is a city where adventure and nature are everywhere. An example of this is the Liffey River, which runs through the city to merge with the sea and where you can take a sightseeing cruise in Dublin. This activity is an invitation to contemplate the beauty of the Irish capital from a different perspective, taking advantage of the calm waters of the Liffey.

In this tour you will see the buildings of the city that you can capture in original panoramic views and you will see some places of interest such as:

• Ha'penny Bridge, one of the most famous symbols of the city that crosses the Liffey River.
• The Custom House, one of the largest buildings in Dublin that offers beautiful views of the river.
• The Docklands neighborhood, the area where the transition between the old and the modern can be seen in every building.
• The Samuel Beckett Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in Dublin, designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Information of interest

• Price: from 21€ per person.
• Duration: about 45 minutes.

If your visit to Dublin is in May the proposal I make to take advantage of nature and good weather is hiking in the Bull Island Nature Reserve in Dublin Bay. This is an island near the city where you can enjoy the beach, wild birds and trails.

This real natural enclosure is a protected area where you can walk and watch wildlife and flora, as well as practice some water sports like kite surfing. The best thing is that you can reach this place by car, train or bus and explore it at your leisure, according to the time you have available.

In any case, when visiting Bull Island Nature Reserve you should be prepared to walk, with appropriate clothing, water and any other equipment you deem necessary, following the most essential Dublin travel tips.

To make the most of the natural life that Dublin holds, I suggest you visit Phoenix Park, a huge park full of greenery that you can walk or cycle through. Inside you will find huge open spaces with lots of vegetation and giant trees.

Cycling lovers feel very comfortable in this area, as it has very well defined routes for this activity. Also, you can see some birds like deer roaming around the park, as they live in it freely.

On the other hand, check out some of the historical monuments inside, such as the Wellington Obelisk and the extensive Victorian gardens. You can certainly take advantage of this time to relax amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Also, if you are interested in history and its traces around the city, venture out to see some of Dublin's other best monuments.

In case you go to Dublin in summer (when the weather is more pleasant), one of the activities that will put you in contact with nature is to kayak along the coast of the city to Baily Lighthouse.

Once you connect with the organizing team of this activity, you will leave in the company of a guide from Beach North towards the lighthouse. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful views and pass by the Martello Tower, a 19th century coastal tower.

You will also see some seabirds such as seagulls and, if you are lucky, some seals basking in the sun. Generally, during the trip there is a break for refreshments to continue to the final destination.

In addition, the organizers will provide you with everything you need for the experience, such as the suit, equipment, etc., and will record in photographs the best moments of the journey. The best thing is that you can participate, regardless of whether you are a beginner in kayaking or not, and you can do the activity together with your travel group (friends or family).

If you visit Ireland in search of awe-inspiring nature, one of the places you can't miss is the Giant's Causeway. You can visit this wonder of nature on a tour that starts in Dublin and also includes a visit to the city of Belfast to make your adventure even more complete.

For this tour you will have to dedicate a full day of your itinerary. You will depart from Dublin towards the north coast of Ireland and you will have the company and commentary of a guide, who will explain details about the places you visit. You will arrive at the Giant's Causeway, a geological formation composed of more than 40,000 basalt columns on which you can walk thanks to its hexagonal shape.

You will also hear the legend surrounding this natural attraction. It is said that a legendary giant was the one who built this enclosure, but the truth is that it resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption. You will also pass over the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which rises above the sea and offers incredible views from above.

Finally, you will arrive in Belfast, where you can explore the city at your own pace. I recommend walking through its neighborhoods while you look at its political murals, go to the Titanic Museum, the City Hall, the City Hall building and St. Anne's Cathedral, noted for its Gothic architecture.

Information of interest

• Price: about 91€ per person.
• Duration: considering transfer times, the experience can take about 14 hours.

If you intend to spend at least 3 days in Dublin, another adventure and nature activity not to be missed is to visit County Kerry on a tour. You will depart from Dublin for a full day activity that will allow you to discover the most beautiful natural areas of the region.

From the road you will be amazed by the views of Killarney National Park, a vast area of protected land full of lakes, ancient buildings and great scenic beauty. You will see picturesque villages such as Killarney, Adare and Aghadoe in the distance .

You will also be dazzled by the Torc waterfall, a waterfall of approximately 20 meters in the middle of the forest. You will discover what rural life was like in Ireland during the 19th century on a visit to Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms. In addition, you will see beautiful panoramic views of Tralee and Dingle Bays and visit the famous surfing beach, Inch Beach.

Information of interest

• Price: 90€ per person approximately.
• Duration: about 14 hours.

If you intend to visit Dublin in 4 days or more, a full nature experience you can immerse yourself in is a trip to Wicklow and Glendalough. This activity will take up one day of your itinerary, where you will delight in the natural beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Gardens and the lakes surrounding Gelndalough.

For this nature adventure, you will depart at approximately 8am in an air-conditioned vehicle with a small group. You will arrive in Wicklow, the county known as the garden of Ireland that offers unparalleled mountain scenery, made up of picturesque lakes and valleys full of greenery.

You will see the gardens of Powerscourt, which for its beauty have been included in the top 3 most beautiful gardens in the world by National Geographic. You will also walk through the ruins of Glendalough Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century and is surrounded by a valley that merges with some lakes. In short, in this experience you will learn about Ireland's history while appreciating one of its best natural displays.

Information of interest

• Price: from 57€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.

Taking a tour of the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City is another great way to get in touch with nature when you go to Dublin. In fact, for many it is one of the best tours and excursions from Dublin. This adventure will allow you to experience the beauty of the west coast of Ireland in a tour of approximately 8 hours.

You will admire the waters of the Atlantic Ocean over the Irish coastline from a height of approximately 200 meters, making the Cliffs of Moher among the highest in Europe. You will depart early in the morning in an air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by an expert guide. Upon arrival at the cliffs, you can stroll along the trails and observe the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Then, you will go to the city of Galway, which is striking for its bohemian style, with picturesque buildings and cultural scene. Here, you can stroll through the colorful streets, shop for local produce in the craft stores, listen to live music and much more.

Information of interest

• Price: from 486€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.