How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare loom above the Atlantic Ocean, reaching a height of 702 feet and stretching for 13 kilometers from Doolin to near Liscannor.

With over 1.5 million visitors a year, they are the most popular tourist attraction in Ireland.

Located in the beautiful Burren region, the best way to see the Cliffs of Moher is, in my opinion, via one of the ferry tours from Doolin, but I’ll take you through the different options below.

Key information for visiting the Cliffs of Moher

Although a visit to the Cliffs of Moher is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Where are the Cliffs of Moher?

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare. The closest towns and villages are Liscannor and Doolin.

2. Tickets

Cliffs of Moher tickets cost you €12 p/p if you don’t book online. If you do book online, they cost:

• Morning: €7
• Afternoon: €10
• Evening: €8

3. Getting there

• From Galway: A 1-hour drive from the city or you can take the 350 bus from the city or join this guided tour
• From Dublin: A 3-hour drive or you can get the Route 300 to Ennis and then the 350 bus (or just join this tour)
• From Cork: A 2.5 hour drive. If you don’t have a car, the easiest option is this day tour
• From Limerick: 1.5-hour drive. Or take the 300 bus to Ennis and then get the 350 bus. Or take this day tour

About the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher stretch 13km along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, soaring dramatically from 120 meters at Hag’s Head to a staggering 214 meters near O’Brien’s Tower.

Built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien, this historic tower has stood proudly by the cliffs for nearly two centuries, offering panoramic views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.

Key facts

• Age: 300+ million years old
• Size: 702 ft high and 13km long
• Stats: 1.5 million+ visit each year
• Landmark: O’Brien’s Tower dates to 1835
• Wildlife: 30,000+ birds, including puffins, call the cliffs home

How they formed

Ireland’s famous cliffs were formed over 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. At that time, the area where the cliffs now rise was the mouth of a massive river.

Thick layers of mud, sand, and silt gradually built up and compressed into rock. As the Earth’s plates shifted, these rock layers were forced upward.

Over millions of years, wind, waves, and heavy rain eroded the rock, sculpting the dramatic cliffs we see today.

The cliffs in Hollywood

These cliffs have inspired awe for centuries and gained fame through films like The Princess Bride. However, it’s the Cliffs of Moher Harry Potter link that often causes confusion.

An island next to the Skelligs, known as Lemon Rock, was used for the filming.

The makers of the Half Blood Price used CGI wizardry to combine Lemon Rock with the Cliffs of Moher.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit the cliffs is either early in the morning, before the tours start to arrive, or late in the evening, after all the tour groups have left.

The best time of year to visit Ireland, and Moher, is outside of peak tourist season when crowd levels are lower.

The best way to see the Cliffs of Moher

Although there are plenty of things to do in Clare, a visit to Moher reins supreme.

The best way to see the Cliffs of Moher will be dependant on you and how you like to explore. Here are your options:

Safety Note: Please, at all times, stay well clear of the cliff edge. It’s unguarded in many areas and there have been several recent tragedies.

1. Via the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre

For the vast majority of people, the best way to visit the Cliffs of Moher is via the visitor centre.

This will suit those with low mobility as you can walk 250m from the centre to one of the viewing areas.

Personally, I wouldn’t bother going into the visitor centre (you can if you like) – I’d just head straight over to enjoy the view.

2. Via one of the walking trails

UPDATE: MOST TRAILS CLOSED AS OF August 22nd, 2024, due to safety concerns.

The ONLY Cliffs of Moher walk that remains open is the Doolin Cliff Walk, but note that you can only walk as far as the Surfer’s Path.

If you’re looking to visit the Cliffs of Moher for free, consider one of the cliff walks.

There are several trails to choose from:

• Walk 1: The Doolin Cliff Walk (6.6km/1.5 hours)
• Walk 2: The Hags Head to Cliffs of Moher Walk (5.3km/1.5 hour)
• Walk 3: The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk (19.5km/4.5 hour)
• Walk 4: The Liscannor to Cliffs of Moher Trail (10.4km/2.5 hours)

3. Before the visitor centre opens or when it closes

I’ve heard that the best time to visit the Cliffs of Moher is early in the morning, before the visitor centre/parking opens.

According to a friend that’ll remain nameless, he recently made a trip to the Cliffs of Moher at 05:00 (the sun starts to rise from around 05:05 in Ireland in June).

The car park was closed, but he parked outside, not far from the barrier, in away from the road. He then walked to the Cliffs and had the whole place to himself as the sun rose.

You could also visit when the visitor centre closes. Now, keep in mind that I’m not saying to do this – I’m just mentioning a story from a friend…

4. Take one of the boat tours

Arguably the best way to see the Cliffs of Moher is via the sea on a boat tour, like this one from Galway or this one from Doolin.

You can climb aboard a ferry and you’ll sail below the cliffs.

Out of all the ways that I’ve seen the cliffs over the years, this was the most unique, by far.

There’s another tour that you can do that takes you from Doolin to the Aran Islands. Then, on the return journey, you’ll sail below the cliffs.

Cliffs of Moher parking

When it comes to the Cliffs of Moher parking, there are two different scenarios that take place:

Scenario 1: The ‘official’ route

You and two friends pay €36 to park at the Cliffs of Moher, which includes access to the visitor centre, exhibition, and O’Brien’s Tower.

However, you only end up seeing the cliffs. A costly parking experience.

Scenario 2: You drop them off

You and two friends visit the Cliffs of Moher. While you are sat in the queue to pay, they get out of the car and walk to the entrance. You pay €12 for parking and join them.

Though you can’t access the tower, the views are similar from the ground. You spend €12 instead of €36 for tickets.

Things to do nearby

One of the beauties of Moher is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Doolin and the wider County Clare:

Here are some of the closest things to do near the Cliffs of Moher:

1. Doolin (10-minute drive): Famous for colourful Fisher Street, there are pubs in Doolin, restaurants, Doonagore Castle and Doolin Cave.
2. The Aran Islands (short ferry ride): Inis Mor, Inis Oirr and Inis Meain are all easily reached from Doolin Pier
3. The Burren (20-minutes+): The Burren is home to the Burren walks, Father Ted’s House, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Fanore Beach and the Aillwee Caves