The Cliffs of Moher + Doolin
You know it, I know it, we all know it: the Cliffs of Moher are an absolute must-see when travelling around Ireland. It’s one of the top destinations to visit in all of Ireland and the spectacular and scenic coastal walk has become extremely popular with tourists for a reason.
The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare, along the famous Wild Atlantic Way and close to Liscannor. It is said the Cliffs take their name from the ruined fort ‘Mothar’ (which was demolished in the early 1800s).The Cliffs stretch for 8km and reach 214m (702 feet) in height at their highest point. The staggering height is probably one of the reasons why the Cliffs have such an impact one everyone who visits them, the other one being the spectacular views you get from up there. On a clear day you might be able to see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins and Maumturk mountains in Connemara. When looking south, you might even get a glimpse of the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands in County Kerry.
One of the best and unique aspects of the Cliffs is (at least for me) the local wildlife and wildflowers. The colour palette is so beautiful: the blue of the sea and the different shades of green on the hills, mixed with pinks and colourful dots of the wildflowers. On a calm day, be sure to keep an eye on the water - basking sharks, seals, dolphins and even whales are quite common here.
If you are a fan of bird-watching, you will be spoiled here. Puffins, razorbills, common gulls, choughs and maybe even a falcon. I’m not expert when it comes to birds, all I can say is there are many. And they are beautiful. So be sure to bring your binoculars if you’re a fan.
Admission to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience (the visitor centre) is 6 € (2019). If you’re travelling to the Cliffs by car, parking is already included. You do not need to pay to enjoy the paths and the views, however I highly recommend visiting the centre as well.
Building a visitor centre has been carefully approached here and it is built beautifully into a hillside approaching the Cliffs, blending naturally with the surrounding landscape (and reminding me of a hobbit house). What I love most about it is its environmentally sensitive approach when it comes to its use of renewable energy systems including geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels and grey water recycling.
It features interactive media and great information on topics such as the origin and history of the Cliffs, global geological contexts, wildlife and many more. What I really liked was multimedia show taken from a bird’s eye view of the Cliffs as well as the inside of the underwater caves.
There are toilets, a restaurant (Cliffs View Café) and an ATM located in the visitor centre. The centre was built to be as accessible as possible, but be sure to check https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/accessibility/ before you visit.
O’Brien’s Tower is the highest point at the Cliffs and probably the busiest site as well. It’s definitely worth a visit though. You can access the tower and great viewing platform on top for an additional fee and enjoy the amazing views from up there (note: it is a listed historic building and there is no lift to the viewing area on the roof).
Harry Potter fans probably know it and may recognise it anyway: the large cave at the base of the cliffs was part of the scene where Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore go looking for Voldemort’s horcrux in ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’.
The best way to see it is by taking a Cliffs of Moher Cruise. Watch the video down below to see more of our Cliffs of Moher cruise in 2019.
If you’re into photography, be sure to wander along the coastal walk, the views are amazing and there are great points to enjoy and to capture the beauty of Ireland and the Cliffs.
If you’re active and adventurous and love a good walk, why not try The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walking Trail / Doolin Cliff Walk. We love it - there aren’t many people around and the views are spectacular. The trail starts in Doolin and follows the Cliffs all the way to Hags Head. Local Pat Sweeney organises guided walks along the Cliffs of Moher trail from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. From what we know it starts at 10.00am and takes about 3 hours. Be sure to check him out before you visit.
TIPS for the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs face west, so we prefer the late afternoon and evening light to capture them (depending on season and weather). The sunsets are amazing here!
Good walking shoes are highly recommended, as the ground is uneven and can be sometimes slippery when wet.
Do not stand right at the edge and please be careful.
It’s very windy up there, even if the sun is out. It’s a good idea to bring a sweater or coat with you, just in case.
As many (!) people take day tours from Dublin to visit the Cliffs, it’s usually very busy from 11am to 4pm, especially in summer. If you prefer to have the Cliffs almost to yourself, be sure to visit in the early morning or late afternoon and evening. Most of the day tours have limited time at the Cliffs, so the travellers tend to spend most of the time near the visitor centre. You probably have most of the outlying areas to yourself anyway.
Spend at least half a day at the Cliffs. Yes, they are that famous for a reason.
I can highly recommend spending more than (half) a day in this area. Doolin, only a few minutes away from the Cliffs, is a lovely and charming village and great for spending one or more nights. You can view the northern stretch of the Cliffs from Doolin and it’s where the Doolin Cliff Walk to the Cliffs of Moher and the Cliffs of Moher cruises start. The houses are colourful and charming, the shops and pubs are great - what else could you wish for?
Doolin is also home to the Ballinalacken Castle and the Doonagore Castle. You won’t miss Doonagore Castle when heading to Doolin from the Cliffs as the castle ruins are about 1km above Doolin in a field right beside the road.
I spent three weeks here in 2019, exploring the Cliffs, Doolin, the Burren National Park, Galway and Connemara. I would do it all over again and I can only recommend spending more than just one day here. Exploring the whole area with all your senses and while travelling slow is such a pleasure. Are you ready to take it all in?
What to do in the Burren National Park? Check out my blog post here!
Where to stay in Ireland with your pooch? Here are my favourite airbnbs and dog friendly hotels in Ireland!
Travelling around Ireland? Here are my favourite 7 day and 14 day itineraries.
Enjoy, friend!