Amanda LimYou’ve probably never heard of Bray. I hadn’t either, back when I was planning my trip to Ireland. In fact, I only found out about it after arriving in it, completely by accident.
My friends and I had still been pretty new to travel planning then and somehow managed to book a hotel way outside Dublin, in a town we didn’t recognise. (Don’t ask me how we managed to do that, I’m still shocked myself.) That town was Bray.
At first, we were pretty dispirited because of our mistake. But within minutes of stepping out of the train station, I understood exactly why people say the best travel experiences are discovered by accident.
Bray isn’t a headline destination and that’s the best part. It’s peaceful, scenic, and full of small moments that stay with you. Here’s what we ended up discovering in this little coastal town we never meant to visit.
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Best spots in town
The promenade
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This was the first thing we saw when we arrived, and the moment we realised our trip to Bray was not a mistake at all. On one side, you see cafés and old houses, and on the other is just the blue sea, wide open.
Image credit: Amanda Lim
You get such a deep feeling of peace and contentment standing here, and it’s a welcome world away from cramped and busy city life.
The locals walking down the promenade are perfect examples of that simple, unhurried happiness, and many smiled and greeted us as they passed. It’s simply impossible not to have your mood lifted.
Bray Town & the upcoming Marine Life Aquarium Bray
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Bray’s not huge, but the town centre is very pleasant to explore. There are independent shops, bakeries, and little bookstores scattered around for you to visit.
If it rains, Bray’s old SEA LIFE Aquarium used to be a solid indoor option, but it closed in 2023. The good news is, a brand new aquarium is set to open in the same seafront space soon. It wasn’t open yet when we visited, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye out for if you’re planning a trip here!
The Harbour Bar
Image credit: The Harbour Bar Official Website
We didn’t manage to visit The Harbour Bar ourselves, but we saw it come up a lot when researching where to go in Bray, and for good reason.
It’s been around since the 1800s and has even been named one of the best bars in the world. From what we read, it’s the kind of place with mismatched furniture, live music, and a cosy, lived-in charm. A good spot to bookmark if you’re after a proper Irish pub experience.
Nature escapes from Bray
Bray Head
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We’d planned to hike up Bray Head for sunrise, but unfortunately, our morning alarms were snoozed within seconds. This is the one thing I regret from this trip. Thankfully, even just from below, the headland of Bray Head was still an impressive sight to behold.
The walk to the top apparently takes about 40 minutes and gives you sweeping views of the sea and the Wicklow Mountains. One for next time!
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk
Image credit: Giuseppe Milo | Wikimedia
This trail starts at the edge of Bray and follows the coast all the way to Greystones. It’s about 7 km, not too steep, and ridiculously scenic. With wildflowers lining the path, sea spray in the air, and jagged Irish cliffs dropping into the ocean, the whole scene is dramatically cinematic.
We ended up skipping this in favour of another nature adventure, Glendalough, but I would have loved to try it out if we had one more day in Bray. Another one for next time.
Glendalough
Image credit: Amanda Lim
After realising Glendalough was nearby, we decided to check it out, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip. It’s no secret that being surrounded by nature is one of the best kinds of therapy, and Glendalough truly delivered. We stopped to admire sparkling lakes, walked through sun-dappled forests, and marveled at the sheer scale of the Wicklow Mountains around the valley.
Image credit: Amanda Lim
Another unique part of Glendalough is its monastic ruins. The old stone buildings and ancient graveyards create a peaceful, almost otherworldly atmosphere. It felt like the place was full of stories, adding a deep sense of history to the natural beauty all around.
The one downside is that Glendalough is a little harder to get to. You’ll need to take a bus or drive there. We took a cab up, but decided to wait for the shuttle bus down. A heads-up from personal experience: the return buses can be unreliable, especially later in the day. We ended up waiting nearly an extra hour shivering in the cold for the last one. So I would recommend having a backup plan just in case.
A special mention for the locals of Bray
Last but not least, this was what my friends and I considered the biggest highlight of the trip. I know “friendly locals” is one of those phrases that gets thrown around in travel guides a lot, but the locals in Bray are genuinely so warm and considerate.
We noticed it in almost every interaction: someone would always hold the door open for us, and cafe staff were genuinely friendly, making us feel welcomed as visitors. Even just walking around, if you made eye contact with someone, they’d give you a quick smile.
This kind of everyday kindness made a huge impact on our impression of the city, and I really treasure the memory of the warmth and friendliness I felt there.
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You won’t regret giving Bray a chance
Bray wasn’t on my bucket list; I didn’t plan for it, research it, or even mean to be there. But it ended up being one of the best trips I’ve been on.
There’s no single “wow” factor here, but what it does offer is more special: a space where you can actually slow down. There are a lot of destinations out there that promise a relaxed holiday, but I promise you, it is truly genuine in Bray.
So if you’re ever in Ireland and you’re not quite sure where to go next, I highly recommend taking the next train over to this quiet and healing coastal town.
