Dublin offers some breathtaking spots to watch the sunrise. From the iconic Poolbeg Lighthouse to the serene Phoenix Park, discover the best places in the city to start your day with a stunning sunrise view. Dublin has the most beautiful sunrises during any time of the year, and thankfully, the city has many spots where you can enjoy this magic moment while appreciating stunning views. If you don’t like waking up too early, winter is the best time of the year to go sunrise chasing, since the sun only shows up around 8 am during December and January - just make sure you bring some hot drinks and wear enough layers of clothes. During summer it happens a lot earlier, but it’s totally worth the effort and temperatures are more bearable. If you fancy this type of adventure while exploring Dublin, here is a list of our favourite places to go watch the sunrise in the city:
Seapoint, Monkstown
If you fancy a dip with your sunrise, Seapoint is the place to be! This popular swimming spot has a charming coastal view, and you'll often see hardy souls taking an early morning swim as the sun comes up. It's a proper Dublin experience!
Photography by @JFarrellyphoto
The Poolbeg Lighthouse
One of our favourite spots in Dublin for sunrise watching, The Poolbeg Lighthouse has a panoramic view of the ocean, where you watch while the sun rises from the sea. Going early in the morning will guarantee you amazing views and the place practically to yourself, since there aren’t many people around this time. Unfortunately, there’s no public transport to bring you there, but my suggestion is to get a rental car on the GoCar app and drive there when it’s still dark, you can then park at the beginning of the Great South Wall and walk to the lighthouse.
Photography by Juliana H
Bull Island
Ah, Bull Island. This place is just magic at sunrise. Being right out in Dublin Bay, you get these totally uninterrupted views of the horizon. The sandy beach is gorgeous and the wildlife reserve adds a touch of nature to the whole experience. It's so peaceful and picturesque – a perfect spot to watch the sun pop up.
Photography by Giuseppe Milo
Portmarnock beach
With perfect white sand and blue water, Portmarnock is one of the prettiest beaches in Dublin. Its location, on the Northside of the city, makes it a perfect spot for catching the sunrise. Make sure to be there around 15 minutes before the actual sunrise - the colors in the sky are just too amazing! There’s plenty of space to hang around at the beach, you can bring towels and even go for a deep if you feel brave enough to swim in the cold Irish sea. From the city centre, you can get there by DART, or by the routes 32, 32X, 42, 102, and 142 of the Dublin Bus. The coffee shops are only open later, so make sure to bring some hot drinks with you :)
Dún Laoghaire Pier
I love going to Dún Laoghaire whenever I can, but the place has an even more magical atmosphere at sunset. Because of the Forty Foot and the Sea Point, you will see many swimmers out and about for a sunrise dip, the places are full even on cold days. To keep you warm, ShoeLane Coffee is open at 6:30 so you can get some coffee and treats before heading to the pier. From the city centre, you can get to Dún Laoghaire using the DART, both the pier and coffee shop are just a short walk away from the station.
Photography by Juliana H
The City Centre
I know it sounds weird, but it’s true, you can catch some beautiful sunrises in Dublin’s City centre. During any time of the year watching the pink sky is even nicer by having the city landscape in the background. The perfect spot to go see it is in one of the bridges crossing the Liffey close to the EPIC museum, there you will be able to see the sun showing up from behind the iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge.
Phothography by Irish Drone Photography, Shutterstock
Sandymount Strand
Sandymount Strand is another lovely beach for catching the sunrise. It's really chill and offers a wide view of Dublin Bay. Plus, you've got the iconic Poolbeg Chimneys in the background, which makes for a super unique sunrise photo.
Vico Baths, Dalkey
For a truly special sunrise, head out to Vico Baths in Dalkey. This spot is just stunning at dawn – the peaceful atmosphere and clear views of the sea are unforgettable. It's a bit of a hidden gem, and well worth the trip.
Phothography by @mrpaulobrien
The Forty Foot, Sandycove
Speaking of dips, the Forty Foot is another iconic swimming spot with a direct view of the sunrise. Imagine brave swimmers taking their morning plunge as the sun comes up – it's a sight to behold!
Phothography by Senator Barry Ward
The Hellfire Club
Watching the sunrise from above is one experience you can’t miss in Dublin, and there is one place to go for this: The Hellfire Club, located in the Dublin Mountains. You will have to drive from the city, and there are loads of parking spaces in a short-hike distance from the structure at the top of the hill, which used to be a pub but has been abandoned for many years. My tip is to go really early, arriving at the car parking around 40 min before the actual sunrise (you can check the exact time on your weather app), it will take you around 20 to 40 min to walk to the top. When it is cold enough, you might find some snow at the top too, and from there you can see many parts of Dublin and watch while the sky changes its colors from night into day.
Photography by Gabriela H
Right, let's have a quick recap of the most common questions people ask about watching the sunrise in Dublin:
- What time is sunrise in Dublin? How do I find out the exact sunrise time for Dublin? You can easily find the exact sunrise time for Dublin by searching online for "sunrise time Dublin" or using a weather app. It changes throughout the year, of course! As summer the sunrise is 4ish and during winter it can be 7ish.
- What's the weather like for sunrise in Dublin? Check your favourite weather app just before you head out. Early mornings can be chilly, even in summer, so layers are always a good idea.
- How long does the sunrise last in Dublin? Sunrise itself is a fairly quick event, but the beautiful colours in the sky can last much longer, sometimes for an hour or more.
- Can you see a good sunrise from Dublin city centre? Absolutely! The bridges over the Liffey, especially near the EPIC museum, offer lovely city skyline sunrises.
- Is Howth a good place to watch the sunrise? Howth is a brilliant spot for sunrise views, with the harbour and cliffs providing a stunning backdrop.
- Where is the best place to watch the sunrise near Dublin Airport? If you're near the airport, Portmarnock Beach is a great shout for a beautiful sunrise.
- Are there any good spots to watch the sunrise on the coast near Dublin? Loads! The coastline north and south of Dublin has many beaches and cliffs perfect for sunrise watching.
- Is Killiney Hill a good place to watch the sunset? Killiney Hill is a great spot for both sunrise and sunset, offering panoramic views.
- How do I take good photos of the sunrise in Dublin? What camera settings should I use for sunrise photography in Dublin? Get there early, use a tripod if you have one and experiment with different camera settings. Golden hour light is your friend! About what camera you should use, it depends on your camera and style, but generally, try shooting in aperture priority or manual mode. A low ISO and a smaller aperture (higher f-number) can help capture the scene's detail.
- Is it worth watching the sunrise in Dublin? Definitely! Dublin sunrises can be truly spectacular and it's a lovely way to start the day.
- What time do I need to leave to see the sunrise? Check the sunrise time and factor in travel time to your chosen spot (check on Google Maps or in your favourite Maps app). It's always better to arrive a bit early to catch the pre-sunrise colours.
- Are there any tours that go to watch the sunrise in Dublin? Sunrise tours are less common, but some tour operators might offer them. It’s best to check with local tour companies.
- Where is the best place to watch the sunrise in Dublin? What are the best photography spots for sunrise in Dublin? Dublin boasts some truly stunning sunrise spots! Popular choices include the iconic Poolbeg Lighthouse, the picturesque Howth (my favourite!) and the scenic Killiney Hill. These locations, along with the city centre bridges, offer fantastic opportunities for capturing unique and memorable sunrise photos.
- What's the best time of year to see a good sunrise in Dublin? Sunrises can be beautiful all year round, but the longer days of summer might make it easier to get up early! Winter sunrises are later, so that’s a plus!
- What's the difference between astronomical, nautical and civil twilight? These refer to the different stages of twilight, based on how far the sun is below the horizon. Astronomical twilight is the darkest, nautical twilight is when the horizon is just barely visible, and civil twilight is when there's enough light for normal activities. Useful info for keen photographers and stargazers!
That's a wrap on our favourite Dublin sunrise spots and the answers to your most burning questions!
Pro Tip: Remember, Dublin's sunrise times change throughout the year. Summer sunrises are early (think 4:50 am!), while winter ones are much more civilized (around 8:30 am). Always check the sunrise time before you go, and don't forget your camera, a warm jacket and maybe a thermos of coffee. These sunrise spots are so worth waking up for!Hope you're feeling inspired to catch a breathtaking start to your day in the Fair City.
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