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You can swim nearby (more on this below), but it’s advised that you don’t swim at the beach itself due to strong and unpredictable tidal changes.
However, it’s worth a visit even if you just ramble along the sand and then tackle the coastal walk out past Low Rock and onto Portmarnock Beach.
Below, you’ll find info on everything from where to park and where to grab a decent cup of coffee to what to see while you’re there.
Some quick need-to-knows about Malahide Beach
Although a visit to Malahide Beach is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
The beach in Malahide is a 10-minute walk from the village and the DART station and only a 20-minute drive from Dublin City Centre. It’s also just 20 minutes from Swords and 5 minutes from Portmarnock.
You’ll find the free car park and public toilets opposite the old Oscar Taylor’s Bar & Restaurant on the Coastal Road here. There’s also Pay & Display parking on the Main Road from the village and on the Coast Road.
The village is well served by public transport, with the DART station a 10-minute walk away. Number 42 and 102, two Dublin Bus routes, also serve the village with regular stops along the Coast Road.
You shouldn’t swim at Malahide Beach as there is strong and unpredictable tidal changes—it flies a red flag all year round (nearby High Rock and Low Rock are the best places to swim nearby).
If you do happen to head down to High Rock or Low Rock, it’s important to understand water safety before entering the water. Please take a minute to read these water safety tips!
About Malahide Beach in Dublin
Less than 20km from Dublin City Centre, Malahide is a pretty little town that holds onto its village name and atmosphere.
It’s a popular destination for day trips from Dublin, and tourists flock here from all over the province to visit Malahide Castle and to ramble around the marina.
Popular with tourists and locals alike
Easily accessible by bus, car and train, Malahide Beach is a wonderful resource close to Dublin City Centre. Only a 10-minute walk from Malahide village, it’s a magnet for Dubliners during the summer months, making it a busy beach with a great atmosphere.
If you like to people-watch, the yachts and smaller boats will keep you entranced, and the marina is a gorgeous backdrop to the restaurants and bars.
A fine spot for a saunter
Although Malahide Beach is small, it offers brilliant views across to nearby Donabate Beach and across the water to Lambay Island.
You’d walk the beach itself in no time, which is why teaming it up a visit with a stroll along the coast road is always a good shout.
Things to do at Malahide Beach
There’s plenty of things to do in and around Malahide Beach which make it one of the more popular day trips from Dublin City.
Below, you’ll find info on walks and where to grab a coffee. Later, you’ll find places to visit near the beach.
1. Grab a coffee from The Greenery
Photo via The Greenery
This lively restaurant is a wonderful option for enjoying sea views no matter what the weather is doing, as there’s a fantastic terrace outside overlooking the ocean. You may want to stop for a while in the cosy surroundings or just grab a coffee before a walk.
2. And head for a saunter along the sand
Photo by A Adam (Shutterstock)
The beach walk starts opposite the Grand Hotel, and you can admire the pleasure boats before turning towards Portmarnock. Grassy dunes separate the road from the beach, and these are best for walking as the shoreline is quite rocky until it reaches High Rock. Malahide Beach ends at Velvet Strand.
3. Followed by a walk to…
Photo by Eimantas Juskevicius (Shutterstock)
The Malahide to Portmarnock walk is immensely popular with locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy a paved walkway alongside the shore or walk the beaches. It’s about 4k on the walkway with parkland on one side and the beach below you on the other.
Things to do near Malahide Beach
Malahide Beach is a short spin from many of the best things to do in Malahide, from food and castles to hikes and more.
Below, you’ll find everywhere from Malahide Castle and more coastal views to heaps of places for a post-walk meal.
1. Malahide Castle (22-minute walk)
Photo by spectrumblue on shutterstock.com
The gorgeous Malahide Castle is one of the best examples of a medieval castle in Ireland. Part of the castle dates to the 12th Century, and its gardens set on 250 acres make it truly unique. The gardens, including the Butterfly Garden and the Fairy Trail, are free to the public. You shouldn’t leave Malahide without visiting.
2. Portmarnock Beach (33-minute walk)
The beach at Portmarnock, known as the Velvet Strand, begins opposite the White Sands Hotel and stretches for 5 miles to Baldoyle on one side and Malahide Beach on the other. You can enjoy views of Howth Harbour and the Dublin Mountains along the way, as well as Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye. A stunning way to walk off dinner.
4. Food in Malahide (15-minute walk)
Photo left via Old Street Restaurant. Photo right via McGoverns Restaurant. (on Facebook)
Malahide Village has a staggering number of eateries for visitors to choose from, as you’ll discover in our Malahide restaurants guide. From the French bistro-style Old Street to Italian That’s Amore, and fine dining at Nautilus as well as Chinese, Indian, Thai and there really is something for every taste. Lots of cafés and food trucks also cater for people on the go.
FAQs about Malahide Beach
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from is Malahide beach safe (it’s not) to where to swim nearby.
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 Malahide beach safe to swim in?
No. The tides here are dangerous and a red flag flies all year round, so please don’t enter the water.
Where do you park for the beach in Malahide?
There’s free parking in the car park next to it and there’s paid parking along the coast road just down from the car park.
James is a freelance travel writer and photographer. He‘s covered travel for everyone from The Washington Post and The Telegraph to Lonely Planet and Condé Nast Traveller. You’ll find him writing about everything from whiskey distilleries in Ireland to the best walks in Glendalough.
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