Bray
Bray is a Victorian seaside town on the County Wicklow coast, just south of Dublin, built up in the 19th century as a fashionable beach resort once the railway connected it to the capital — a role it still plays today as a popular day-trip escape from the city. Its long promenade, backed by amusement arcades and ice-cream shops, runs beneath Bray Head, a steep headland whose cliff-edge path is the town's real highlight and one of the most rewarding short hikes near Dublin.
The walk up and around Bray Head offers sweeping views over the Irish Sea and, on the far side, a coastal path all the way to the picturesque village of Greystones, a route regularly ranked among Ireland's best short coastal walks. Bray itself has a slightly faded, old-fashioned resort charm rather than polish, but its accessibility from Dublin by rail, combined with the cliff walk, the National Sea Life aquarium, and its position at the gateway to the Wicklow Mountains, makes it a well-used and genuinely worthwhile stop rather than just a beach town.
Bray FAQs
Yes, the DART commuter train runs directly from Dublin city centre to Bray in around 45 minutes, making it one of the easiest day trips from the capital.
It's roughly 7 kilometres one way, taking about two to three hours at a moderate pace, with the option to return by train from Greystones.
It has a beach and promenade, though it's a shingle rather than sand beach and the water is cold; it's more of a walking and seaside-atmosphere destination than a swimming spot.
The promenade's amusements, the National Sea Life aquarium, and the easier lower sections of the Bray Head walk all suit families.
It's a reasonable gateway point, though a car is needed to reach the more remote parts of the national park further inland.
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