Ireland
Best Time to Visit Howth
Howth is a seasonal destination. The weather's best in late spring and early autumn, and the town gets overrun from June to August.
✦ Go in May for the best balance of weather, blooming scenery, and before the summer crush.
✅ Best months
May and September. May has long, mild days and blooming gorse on the cliffs; September offers settled weather and thinning crowds.
🔥 Peak season
July and August. Schools are out, the Dart is packed, hotel rates spike 40–60%, and the Howth Harbour Festival books out rooms mid-August.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
June and October. June is cheaper than high summer with decent weather; October sees hotel discounts of 20–30% and still golden light for coastal walks.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
November to February. Prices drop to their floor, but expect gales, short daylight (sunset before 5pm), and many seafood restaurants close midweek.
Howth season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: 8–14°C, showery, lengthening days
Crowds: low (Mar–Apr) to medium (May)
Seabird nesting picks up; puffins on Ireland's Eye from April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: 14–19°C, decent sunshine, occasional rain
Crowds: high
Best for cliff path walks and harbour boat trips, but book everything.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: 10–16°C, crisp mornings, stable Sept, wet Oct–Nov
Crowds: medium (Sep), low (Oct–Nov)
Less crowded seafood pubs; autumn colours on the Hill of Howth.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: 4–9°C, windy, frequent rain, short daylight
Crowds: very low
No queues for the summit; pubs are cosy but trails can be muddy.
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
Howth Harbour Festival (mid-August) features live music, boat races and street food. The Howth St. Patrick's Day Parade (17 March) draws locals and a small crowd.
🧳 What to pack
Bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella – the Atlantic gust flips umbrellas in seconds.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Howth hotel.
Researched & reviewed by the TripSage editorial team · Updated July 2026.