LAST UPDATED: 1/28/24 – Cliffs of Moher Visitor’s Guide

No place exemplifies the coastline in Ireland, with its steep, rocky cliffs and crashing waves, more so than the Cliffs of Moher.  To say that the cliffs are scenic and beautiful would not be going far enough.  It is one of the most beautiful coastlines that we have ever visited, and we have seen beautiful coastlines in many parts of the world.

There are many ways in which you can take in these beautiful cliffs, and we plan to fill you in on those secrets in this article.  So if you are planning a trip to Ireland soon, make sure you take good notes and bring that camera along.

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, so they get quite a bit of foot traffic every year.  There are multiple ways in which you can view the cliffs, and each has its advantages.  If you have the time, we absolutely recommend viewing the cliffs from both land and the water as each provides such a uniquely different perspective.

Cliffs of Moher Guide Navigation Menu

Getting to the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of Ireland between the towns of Doolin and Liscannor.  If you are looking to take a boat tour of the cliffs, we would recommend visiting Doolin, as they have some really great tours of the cliffs and the neighboring Aran Islands.

Doolin is also a great spot to park and catch a shuttle that takes you to several points of interest along the cliffs on its way to Liscannor.  It’s really a great way to get around the area without having to worry about finding a place to park your vehicle.  It’s a hop-on-hop-off shuttle, so it really is a great way to tour the area.

When to Visit the Cliffs of Moher

Ireland is an amazing place to visit year-round, but like most other places in this world, certain times of the year are better than others.  To assist you in determining which time of year would be best for you to make your visit, I have outlined several weather factors in my Cliffs of Moher visitor’s guide below to help you make an informed decision.

Temperature (°F)

While Doolin, Ireland is blessed in that the temperature typically doesn’t get too hot or too cold for comfort, the temperature does fluctuate throughout the year.  In fact, throughout much of the year, the temperature seems to hover right on the threshold of being too cold to not have a jacket, but too warm to wear it.  To give you a better idea of what kind of weather you can expect on your trip, I have included a chart below that outlines the average high and low temperatures throughout the year.

Precipitation (Inches)

As you can see by the chart I included in my Cliffs of Moher visitor guide below, Doolin, Ireland tends to get quite a bit of rain throughout the year.  This is especially true along the coastline.  If you are looking to avoid the rain, I would suggest targeting the summer months of June through September, as they typically see the least amount of rain.

Where to Stay Near the Cliffs of Moher

One of the most important decisions you are going to have to make when planning your trip to see the Cliffs of Moher is where you will stay.  When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip. 

So not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there. 

Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price.  If you are starting to plan your trip to Ireland and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my Cliffs of Moher visitor guide below for you to review. 

As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room-sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

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If you have the time, another really cool option for accommodations is to stay at the Dromoland Castle Hotel in nearby County Clare. It is a roughly 50km drive (50-minutes by car) from the Cliffs of Moher.

This refurbished castle is one of the most authentic overnight castle experiences in Europe and is worth every penny if you have the time. For more information, I have linked to my Dromoland Castle Hotel Experience Guide below.

Where to Eat Near the Cliffs of Moher

After you have spent an afternoon exploring the Cliffs of Moher and the surrounding area, you are going to want to find a good place to eat.  To assist you with finding a great restaurant or pub in the area, I have included some recommendations in my Cliffs of Moher visitor’s guide below.

Doolin, Ireland Restaurant Recommendations

Restaurant	Cuisine	Price
Gus O’Connor’s Pub	Bar, European, Vegan Options	$$-$$$
The Ivy Cottage	Irish, European, Soups	$$-$$$
McDermott’s Pub	Irish, Bar, European	$$-$$$
Fitz’s Pub	Irish, Bar, European	$$-$$$
McGann’s Pub & Restaurant	Irish, Vegan Options	$$-$$$
Oar Restaurant (Michelin Star)	Irish, European, Contemporary	$$$$

How to See the Cliffs of Moher

Depending on how much time you have during your visit, there are several different ways in which you can see and experience the Cliffs of Moher. The coastal walkway is the most accessible way to see the cliffs and is a very popular tourist spot. However, if you want to get up close to the cliffs, I recommend getting out on the water in a boat. I cover all how you can see the cliffs in my Cliffs of Moher visitor guide below.

View the Cliffs of Moher by Boat

There are more than a few companies that provide tours of the Cliffs of Moher, and the nearby Aran Islands, by boat.  Viewing the cliffs by boat allows you to get a completely different view of these majestic cliffs.  It also allows you to see all of the amazing bird species that use the cliffs for nesting, including the beautiful Puffins.

If you are interested in taking a boat tour of the Cliffs of Moher or the Aran Islands, Viator has some pretty great tours that you can book in advance of your trip.  Otherwise, you can purchase a tour at the Doolin Pier.  Just make sure you research the tour times in advance.

Walking the Coastal Walkway

For those who are more adventurous, there is an absolutely gorgeous coastal walkway along the cliffs that you can take advantage of to get really up close and personal with the Cliffs of Moher.  The walkway changes elevation quite frequently and can be rough in some areas, so make sure you pack the proper hiking shoes if you plan to make the full trek.  Hiking the full path takes about 2 hours each way, so you will need to plan plenty of time as well.  For those who would like a little more security, you can look into some of the guided walking tours along the walkway that are offered.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and the O’Brien Tower are absolute must-sees if you are in the area, so make sure you stop by if you visit.  The O’Brien Tower is a gorgeous stone tower that sits along the cliffs.  If possible, try and plan your stop around sunset as the views of the cliffs and the tower at sunset are stunningly beautiful.  There is a parking lot at the visitor center, but it can get pretty busy.  If you want to avoid the crowds, consider parking at the Doolin Park and Ride and then taking a shuttle bus down to the visitor center.

Visiting the Cliffs of Moher

In case you would like a better sense of what it is like to visit the Cliffs of Moher, we have included a short video tour for you below.  You can see first-hand just how beautiful the cliffs are, both from land and from the sea.

Cliffs of Moher Photo Gallery

Below is a gallery of some of the beautiful pictures we were able to take of the Cliffs of Moher.  It is such a stunning landscape, so make sure you bring your camera if you visit.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram. Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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