Wicklow Coastal Drive

Wicklow's coastline offers a gentler alternative to the mountains - golden beaches, working fishing harbours, elegant gardens, and charming seaside towns. This route hugs the coast from Dublin Bay to the sunny southeast.

Why This Route?

The Wicklow coast surprises visitors expecting only mountains:

• Sandy beaches - Brittas Bay, Silver Strand, and more
• Historic gardens - Mount Usher, Kilruddery, Powerscourt
• Fishing villages - Working harbours at Arklow and Wicklow
• Family-friendly - Beaches, aquarium, seal watching
• Accessible - Easy driving, good facilities throughout

Where to Stay

This 92-kilometre coastal drive runs south from Dun Laoghaire through Bray, Greystones, Wicklow Town, Brittas Bay, and Arklow, ending at Avoca inland. It is a linear route hugging the Wicklow shoreline, and a single base near the middle keeps everything within easy reach. Wicklow Town, the county capital, is centrally placed on the coast.

Wicklow Town

Wicklow Town sits halfway between Bray and Arklow with a working harbour, the historic gaol museum, and enough hotels and guesthouses for a comfortable overnight. From here, the cliff walk between Bray and Greystones is 25 minutes north, Brittas Bay's golden sand is 20 minutes south, and Mount Usher Gardens at Ashford are just 10 minutes inland. Staying on the coast rather than in Dublin gives you more time on the beaches and less time on the M11.

The Route

Starting from Dublin (Dún Laoghaire)

Begin at this elegant Victorian harbour town. The East Pier walk is a Dublin institution, and the town has excellent restaurants.

Killiney & Dalkey

Millionaires' row with stunning coastal views. Killiney Hill offers one of Ireland's best viewpoints. Dalkey village has literary connections (Maeve Binchy, Flann O'Brien) and boat trips to Dalkey Island.

Bray

A traditional Victorian seaside resort with a long promenade, amusements, and the famous cliff walk to Greystones (6km, 2 hours).

Greystones

Once a fishing village, now an upmarket commuter town. The harbour has excellent restaurants, and the beach is Blue Flag.

Kilruddery House & Gardens

A rare surviving 17th-century garden with elaborate hedging, a sylvan theatre, and Victorian conservatory. The house itself (guided tours) is the seat of the Earl of Meath.

Wicklow Town

The county town has a historic gaol (excellent museum on 1798 Rebellion), a working harbour, and good facilities.

Wicklow Head Lighthouse

A clifftop walk leads to three lighthouse towers - one converted to self-catering accommodation.

Mount Usher Gardens

Twenty acres of wild-style gardens along the River Vartry. Over 5,000 plant species in a romantic setting. Excellent cafe.

Brittas Bay

One of Ireland's finest beaches - 5km of golden sand backed by dunes. Blue Flag quality and relatively uncrowded except peak summer weekends.

Arklow

A historic port town with a maritime museum and pottery tradition. The town was a major shipbuilding centre.

Optional Extension: Courtown

Continue south into County Wexford for more beaches and the Courtown Woods walking trails.

Garden Highlights

Powerscourt Gardens (detour inland)

• 47 acres of formal gardens
• Italianate terraces with mountain views
• Japanese gardens, pet cemetery, walled garden

Mount Usher Gardens

• Robinsonian "wild garden" style
• River Vartry running through
• Specialist plant collections

Kilruddery House & Gardens

• 17th-century formal layout
• Lime avenue and "angles" pond
• Victorian dairy and orangery

Beaches

Brittas Bay

• 5km of sand
• Blue Flag
• Dunes for shelter
• Lifeguard in summer

Silver Strand (Wicklow)

• Sheltered cove
• Rocky at edges for pools
• Less crowded

Greystones South Beach

• Town beach
• Good facilities
• Train access

Family Activities

• Wicklow Gaol - Interactive history museum
• Bray Sea Life - Aquarium near the promenade
• Clara Lara Fun Park - Outdoor adventure (summer)
• Seal watching - Boat trips from Wicklow harbour
• Brittas Bay - Safe swimming, dune exploration

Practical Tips

1. Brittas Bay parking - Charges apply; fill up quickly on sunny weekends
2. Bray to Greystones cliff walk - Allow 2+ hours; not suitable after dark
3. Gardens need time - Don't try to visit all in one day
4. Train option - DART serves Bray and Greystones
5. Summer weekends - Beaches busy; visit midweek if possible

Before You Drive This Route

The Wicklow Coastal Drive is 92km and about 2.5 hours of driving, though 1 day is the honest figure once you factor in the stops. Visitors who have never driven on the left should start with driving on the left in Ireland; the Irish roundabout rules guide covers the other thing that catches people out. Travelling with children, our family road trip guide has the stops and timings that keep a day like this civil. Automatic or manual is the decision that catches most visitors out — manual versus automatic has the honest answer for Irish roads. More drives in the same corner of the country are on the County Wicklow page, and the Glendalough & Eastern Valleys pairs naturally with this one.