This seaside town near Dublin has a 1.6km Victorian promenade along the Irish Sea. Visitors walk the cliff path to Greystones and explore the 800-year-old Holy Cross Church.
Bray sits 20 kilometers south of Dublin, where its Victorian buildings line a mile-long beach promenade. You can hike the steep trails of Bray Head cliff, walk through the 17th-century rooms of Killruddery House, or watch seahorses and octopuses at the Sea Life Aquarium. In summer, the seafront comes alive with jazz concerts, carnival rides, and weekend markets.
Getting to Bray
DART trains run every 10-20 minutes from Dublin city center to Bray, with the journey taking about 45 minutes. The railway station is one block from the beach. Dublin Bus routes 145 and 155 also connect the city center to Bray Station, with buses running every 15 minutes during peak hours.
Beach and Promenade Life
The 1.5-kilometer promenade stretches from the harbor to Bray Head, with red-brick Victorian buildings on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. The south end of the beach has Blue Flag certification for water quality and safety. At the north end, mute swans gather near the harbor walls. Local swimmers meet for morning sea dips throughout the year, while summer weekends draw crowds to the sandy beach.
Hiking Bray Head
The 241-meter Bray Head dominates the southern end of town. You can reach the summit via several paths, including stone steps cut into the rock face from the promenade. The Cliff Walk traces the railway line around the headland to Greystones, with continuous views of the Irish Sea. Plan about an hour for the summit hike, or two hours one way for the Cliff Walk to Greystones.
Year-Round Events
During the May bank holiday weekend, over 45 musicians perform at venues across town for the Bray Jazz Festival. In July and August, Bray Summerfest fills the seafront with free concerts on Thursdays and Sundays, plus weekend markets and carnival rides. At Killruddery Film Festival each autumn, you can watch silent movies in the gardens with live musicians performing the soundtrack.
Killruddery House and Gardens
The Brabazon family has lived in Killruddery House since 1618. From May to September, you can tour the Elizabethan-revival house (€17.50 for house and gardens). The formal gardens contain a 17th-century pond design, working kitchen gardens, and themed outdoor rooms. House tours run at noon, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM, taking you through rooms filled with original furniture and artworks.
Local Food and Drink Scene
The wood-paneled rooms of The Harbour Bar, dating from 1872, have served pints to locals and celebrities like Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. Seafront restaurants serve locally-caught fish, while Main Street cafes fill with morning coffee drinkers. From Thursday through Sunday nights, you'll hear traditional Irish music in the local pubs.
