Quick answer: Greystones is a seaside town in Co. Wicklow at the southern end of the DART line. Come for the rebuilt harbour and marina, a swim or a walk on South Beach, the coast path to Kilcoole and lunch on Church Road. Take the train both ways: the cliff walk from Bray is closed.
Getting to Greystones
Take the DART to Greystones, the last stop at the southern end of the line and one stop after Bray. Check our live train times or the TFI Live app before you travel.
Buses run too. The X1 and X2 connect Greystones with Hawkins Street in the city centre, the L1 and L2 run to Bray Station, and the Nitelink 84n leaves from D’Olier Street late at night. See our getting around Dublin guide for fares and Leap Cards.
Don’t plan to walk in from Bray. Many guidebooks and older blogs still suggest the cliff path from Bray to Greystones, but it has been officially closed since February 2021 because of landslides, and Wicklow County Council has since warned of fresh rockfall. There’s no reopening date. If you want a cliff walk on the same day, do the Bray Head Loop in Bray, then take the DART one stop south.
The harbour and marina
Greystones’ Victorian harbour has been rebuilt. There’s now a marina with about 230 berths, a 16-acre public park with a boardwalk, and club facilities for sailing, rowing and angling. In summer, the Plaza Market sets up on the harbour. More on the Greystones Harbour website.
The beaches
South Beach is the one for a swim. It’s about 1 km of sand, it has held a Blue Flag in recent years, there are lifeguards in season, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk runs along it. It’s an easy walk from the DART.
North Beach is the shingle beach that gave the town its name. Swimmers on that side use The Cove.
The coast walk to Kilcoole
A coastal path runs about 6 km south from Greystones to Kilcoole. It ends at the wetlands and nature reserve, home to a Little Tern colony. Walk it there and back, or turn around whenever you like. Details on the Kilcoole walks page.
Where to eat and drink in Greystones
Start on Church Road, where you’ll find independent shops, cafés and several of the places below.
- The Happy Pear, Church Road. The Flynn twins’ plant-based café, shop and bakery, open since 2004.
- Chakra by Jaipur, Meridian Point. An Indian restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide.
- The Harbour Kitchen, upstairs at The Beach House. Seafood from chef Sheerin Wilde, and a place in the 101 Great Irish Restaurants list.
- The Beach House, the pub on the harbour.
- The Hungry Monk, 1 Church Road. Open since 1988 and known for its wine list.
- Hasu Izakaya, on the first floor of the Burnaby. Japanese food.
- The Burnaby, Church Road. A pub that serves food.
- Daata, an award-winning Indian and Pakistani restaurant.
How to spend a half day or a full day
For a half day, take the DART to Greystones, get coffee on Church Road, walk down to the harbour and marina, spend some time on South Beach and have lunch.
For a full day, add the coastal walk to Kilcoole and back, or a sea swim at The Cove, then have dinner at The Harbour Kitchen or Chakra. Or pair it with Bray: walk Bray Head in the morning, then take the DART one stop south for the afternoon.
For something different, the Greystones Detective Mystery is a self-guided murder mystery trail through the town. More ideas in our day tours from Dublin guide, and our places to stay in Dublin if you’re basing yourself in the city.
Greystones day trip FAQs
How do I get to Greystones from Dublin city centre?
Take the DART. Greystones is the last stop at the southern end of the line, one stop after Bray. The X1 and X2 buses also run between Greystones and Hawkins Street in the city centre, and the Nitelink 84n runs late from D’Olier Street.
Can I walk from Bray to Greystones?
Not on the cliff path. The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk has been closed since February 2021 because of landslides, and Wicklow County Council has warned of more rockfall since. Take the DART one stop instead, or walk the Bray Head Loop while you’re in Bray.
Which is the best beach in Greystones?
South Beach is the main one. It’s about 1 km of sand with lifeguards in season and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, and it has held a Blue Flag in recent years. North Beach is shingle, and swimmers there use The Cove.
Is there a coastal walk from Greystones?
Yes. A coastal path runs about 6 km south from Greystones to Kilcoole, ending at the wetlands and nature reserve, where there’s a Little Tern colony.
When is the market on in Greystones?
The Plaza Market on the harbour is a summer market. It doesn’t run all year.
Where should I eat in Greystones?
Church Road has the most choice, including The Happy Pear and The Hungry Monk. For seafood, try The Harbour Kitchen upstairs at The Beach House, and for Indian food, Chakra by Jaipur at Meridian Point.
Photos: 瑞丽江的河水 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Moptoptv (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Giuseppe Milo (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
