Despite being a busy capital city, Dublin has a surprising amount of green space, coastline and countryside on its doorstep. Whether you’re looking for a playground with plenty of room to run, a quiet picnic spot, or a proper family walk with a view, there’s an outdoor spot in Dublin to suit every kind of day out.
Here are some of our favourite outdoor places in Dublin for families, from city centre gardens to coastal walks and historic estates.
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Our Favourite Outdoor Spots for Families in Dublin
Airfield Estate
The farm, gardens, café and heritage experience at Airfield Estate offer a wonderful way to enjoy and learn about food, farming and the natural world, all within a unique 38-acre urban setting in Dundrum. Kids can learn about the workings of a working farm, from daily milkings to egg collecting, mucking out and feeding, and there are plenty of play areas to burn off energy afterwards.
Iveagh Gardens
This delightful park is minutes from the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street but feels like it’s miles away. An oasis of calm in the middle of Dublin city centre, the Iveagh Gardens are an ideal picnic spot, with beautiful lawns, gardens and a small waterfall — there’s nowhere nicer in Dublin on a summer’s day.
Farmleigh
The meadows in front of Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park are a great spot for a picnic, with lots of open space and great views. A farmers’ market runs most weekends too, so you can pick up some tasty treats to go with your day out.
The Dublin Mountains and The Hellfire Club
There are some great picnic spots in the Dublin Mountains, especially around Three Rock, with picnic tables and unbeatable views over the city. The Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains is another fun place for a family walk, with plenty of space for the kids to run around once you reach the top.
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St Patrick’s Park
Image: © Tourism Ireland
Right beside St Patrick’s Cathedral you’ll find a lovely park with a fountain and children’s playground. It’s a great spot to bring a picnic, sit on the grass and enjoy some people-watching.
Father Collins Park
Father Collins Park is just beside Clongriffin DART station (between Howth Junction and Portmarnock) and is a great place to go cycling with the kids. It’s also brilliant for kite flying.
Dun Laoghaire
Head to Dun Laoghaire and blow the cobwebs away with a walk down the pier. Spot the sailboats, and keep an eye out for seals and dolphins along the way.
Marley Park
A popular spot on the southside among parents, with playgrounds and plenty of room for cycling with the kids. Another good one for flying kites too.
Malahide Castle
Image: Malahide Castle © Fáilte Ireland
Also in north Dublin, visit the extensive grounds of Malahide Castle and Gardens. While the castle itself, the butterfly house and the walled gardens require a ticket, the sprawling parklands are free to enter. With plenty of walking trails, green space, playing fields and woodland to discover, this is a real hidden gem. Don’t miss the enormous playground, with equipment for toddlers right up to older kids. You can also follow the paths out of Malahide Castle for a short walk into Malahide village, home to a marina, a lovely beach, and plenty of independent shops and restaurants.
Howth Head and Bray Head
Both walks, on opposing sides of Dublin Bay, are great for a family ramble, with a choice of trails to suit different ages and energy levels.
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Dollymount Beach
It’s a lovely cycle along the coast road from Clontarf as far as Howth. Other favourite beaches on the southside include Sandycove, Killiney and Sandymount. On the north side, there are great sandy strands at Portmarnock, Donabate, Sutton and Malahide.
Ardgillan Demesne
Experience the rolling open grounds of Ardgillan Castle, set within 194 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens. The most distinctive feature is the spectacular setting, with unmissable views over the Irish Sea. No visit is complete without a stop at the huge, colourful playground, with over 30 pieces of play equipment for kids to enjoy.
Tymon Park
There are three great playgrounds in Tymon Park. There’s a large adventure playground at the Tallaght entrance to the park, and at the Templeogue entrance you’ll find another playground suitable for both toddlers and older children.
In the woods beside this playground there are several climbing frames, hammocks, a huge netted climbing pyramid, and other wooden play features along the path through the trees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best outdoor place in Dublin for a family day out?
It really depends on what you’re after. For a proper playground with plenty of space to run, Malahide Castle or Ardgillan Demesne are hard to beat. For a quick city-centre escape, the Iveagh Gardens or St Patrick’s Park are perfect. If you fancy a coastal walk, Dun Laoghaire pier or Howth Head are great choices.
Are these outdoor spots free to visit?
Most of the parks, beaches and walking trails mentioned here are free to enter, including the parklands at Malahide Castle and Ardgillan Demesne. Some attractions within these estates, such as castle tours or the butterfly house at Malahide, do require a separate ticket.
Are these places suitable for toddlers as well as older kids?
Yes. Several spots, including Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Demesne and Tymon Park, have playgrounds with equipment for a range of ages, from toddlers to older children.
When is the best time of year to visit?
These outdoor spots can be enjoyed year-round, though a dry day makes picnics and longer walks much more pleasant. Coastal walks like Howth Head and Dun Laoghaire pier are lovely in any season, weather permitting.
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- 10 Great Family Walks in Dublin
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Before You Head Out
Fancy more adventure ideas like these? Browse our Adventure hub for more family days out, or save this guide so you’ve always got a list of outdoor spots ready for the next free afternoon.
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