How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Ireland's Famous Cliffs of Moher

No trip to the Emerald Isle is complete without stopping to see these stunning cliffs.

On the wild west coast of Ireland, the rugged Cliffs of Moher tower more than 700 feet above sea level. Considered by many to be the absolute best place to visit in Ireland, this famous jagged coastline stretches for five miles along the ocean. There are surely few places in Ireland more dramatic than the striated limestone cliffs, which are constantly being lashed by the Atlantic waves and winds.

When not shrouded by thick, gray fog and sheets of rain, the Aran Islands are visible (the view from the top is one of the most iconic in the world). For many, Ireland's unmanicured western coast is something of a dream trip — and the Cliffs of Moher are often a highlight.

Where are the Cliffs of Moher?

Any trip to Ireland should include a detour to the Cliffs of Moher on the western border of County Clare. They begin just north of Liscannor village, which is less than an hour's drive from the region's Shannon International Airport. If you're driving the roughly 1,500-mile scenic route, the Wild Atlantic Way, you'll encounter the cliffs as you work your way up Route 478.

Best Time to Visit

For the greatest chance of good weather, plan to visit Ireland during the shoulder seasons (April to May and September to October) or the high summer season (June through August). If you'd like to avoid the crowds, however, avoid summer. According to the Visitor Centre, crowds are particularly thick during the months of July and August.

The hour of your visit to the Cliffs of Moher can greatly impact the experience, too. Arrive early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to avoid congestion (and, if you're lucky, to catch a spectacular sunset spilling across the headlands).

Related: These Are the Best and Worst Times to Visit Ireland

Surprising Facts About the Cliffs of Moher

They've starred in major motion pictures.

Even if you haven’t spent weeks or months ogling photographs of the Cliffs of Moher, you probably still recognize this windswept lip of Ireland. That's because the cliffs have starred in a number of blockbuster hits, like "Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince" (as a forbidding place where Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore seek a hidden Horcrux) and "The Princess Bride," where they were known as the Cliffs of Insanity.

You can see plenty of puffins here.

In May and June, visitors can see enormous numbers of Atlantic puffins, which nest on the cliff face and slopes. Up to 7,000 puffins have been spotted in previous peak seasons.

It's one of the most popular attractions in Ireland.

Over 1.1 million people visited the Cliffs of Moher in 2022, according to The Irish Post, making it Ireland's most popular natural attraction. American travelers made up 41 percent of those who flocked to the award-winning attraction.

People have been visiting since the first century B.C.E.

Before Moher Tower was erected, a promontory fort dating back to the 1st century B.C.E. stood on Hags Head.

Cliffs of Moher Safety Tips

Regardless of when you plan your vacation, be sure to pack a rain jacket and sturdy, weatherproof walking shoes. Many of the paths are dirt or gravel, and welcoming weather conditions can give way quite suddenly to rain and wind.

Strong winds are often experienced on trips to the Cliffs of Moher, but visitors will be notified of particularly hazardous conditions. If you see a "Status Yellow" sign, continue on your visit with extra caution. If the site has posted a "Status Orange" or "Status Red," it is unsafe to approach the cliffs.

Typically, however, visitors are asked to remember the old Irish saying: "There is a lot of weather in a March day." Bouts of fog and rain can quickly be replaced by clear skies and sunshine, as weather rolls quickly across this island.

Visitors with small children are encouraged to stay in the designated viewing areas, behind the waist-high walls, and on the gravel or paved pathways.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

When it opened in 2007, the Cliffs of Moher Experience became one of the most spectacular components of Ireland's tourism industry. But you'll have to look closely to find it. Rather than interrupt the stunning landscape, the visitor center was designed to blend seamlessly with the bucolic hills and dramatic cliffs. Save for the main entrance, the building is almost entirely underground.

The team at the Cliffs of Moher Experience can offer information about nearby attractions, directions, and tips for having a perfect visit. Staff members recommend, for example, avoiding the peak hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) when crowds are especially large. Customer service staff members and designated Cliffs of Moher rangers are also available to lead guided nature walks and tours. Travelers are strongly encouraged to pre-book their visit at least a week in advance.

Upon arrival, take a self-guided tour of the Cliffs Exhibition — a mix of interactive displays and educational showcases exploring the Cliffs of Moher. Here, visitors can have a virtual reality experience on the cliff’s ledge or create a digital postcard for family and friends back home.

The visitor center also houses the Puffins Nest Café (perfect for grabbing a hot coffee after a brisk morning walk) and a sit-down restaurant called the Cliffs View Café. Guests can enjoy classic Irish fare with locally sourced ingredients, including Atlantic seafood chowder and minced beef cottage pie, with views of the cliffs and Liscannor Bay.

Visitors will find there's more than just a basic gift shop at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. A selection of storefronts on site offers everything from locally made knitwear (perfect for blustery Irish days) to Celtic souvenirs, like jewelry.

The visitor center opens every morning at 8 a.m. from March to October, and 9 a.m. from November through February, save for closings on Dec. 24, 25, and 26. The center may remain open as late as 9 p.m. during peak season and close as early as 5 p.m. during the off-season. Admission starts at €7 for adults, though there may be discounts for students and seniors during peak hours. Children under 12 are admitted at no cost.

Parking at the visitor center parking lot (located across the road) is included in the cost of your admission ticket, which can be purchased online, at the green booths in the parking lot, or inside the center.

How to Get to the Cliffs of Moher

Car Rental

Travelers interested in a Wild Atlantic Way road trip (or those eager to avoid organized group trips and rigid itineraries) should consider renting a car. Rental vehicles can easily be picked up from Shannon Airport or Dublin Airport. Note that car insurance provided by your credit card almost always excludes automobiles rented in Ireland. You'll need to opt in for insurance through the rental car agency or through an independent provider. Travelers can also apply for an International Driving Permit, which, though not required in Ireland, can easily be obtained through AAA for extra peace of mind.

Public Train

Train travel is a delightful way to see Ireland's countryside, and the Irish Rail network connects many of the large cities. Ennis is the closest rail stop to the cliffs, and it can be reached by a roughly hour-long direct train from Galway or a three- to four-hour journey from Dublin via Limerick (among other options). From Ennis, travelers can take a public bus, which makes trips to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre several times a day.

Public Bus

Ireland's public bus system, Bus éireann, is an affordable and reliable way to travel around the country. For the quickest trip, take a bus from Galway station or Ennis — though, if you're willing to make a few transfers, you can also piece together bus routes from Dublin or Shannon. Be sure to check the timetables carefully as service varies based on the time of year.

Day Trip Options

According to Jonathan Epstein, an expert on travel to Ireland, day trips to the Cliffs of Moher are perfectly doable.

For travelers headed from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, expect to spend as many as four hours in a car or bus each way. Organized day tours from the capital typically include stops in Galway City and a scenic walk along the Atlantic Ledge.

For travelers headed from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher, the car or coach ride can easily be less than two hours each way. Organized day tours from Galway City may include a brief stop at the 16th-century Dunguaire Castle and Doolin, a charming village often hailed as the music capital of Ireland.

Cruises and Ferries

For an atypical experience, take a ferry or boat to the Cliffs of Moher. The Doolin Ferry departs from Doolin Pier four times a day from March 29 until Sept. 15. (This is a seasonal option and not available to travelers visiting the Cliffs of Moher in the off-season.) Round-trip cruises from Doolin typically take 45 minutes to one hour.

Related: 12 Best Small Towns in Ireland

Best Cliffs of Moher Tour Companies

Celebrated Experiences

Luxury travelers seeking a highly customized experience should reach out to Epstein at Celebrated Experiences when planning a trip to Ireland to see the Cliffs of Moher. You might even find yourself playing a round of golf at one of the country's most exclusive golf courses.

Wild Rover Tours

Adventurous travelers interested in Cliffs of Moher day trips should book a trip with the local tour operator, Wild Rover Tours. Their tour guides specialize in bringing to life the history and lore of the region.

Popular Ireland Vacation Itineraries

It's quite common to include a visit to the Cliffs of Moher in a week-long Ireland trip. Most travelers begin in Dublin and work their way southwest toward the Shannon region. This route typically includes stops in Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, and Kerry.

If you can extend your Ireland vacation to at least two weeks, visit the Cliffs of Moher while driving along the Wild Atlantic Way. "This coastal route is an incredible way to experience Ireland," Epstein told Travel + Leisure. While covering all 1,500+ miles may be too much for visitors who want to linger at the cliffs and other points of interest, many of Epstein's clients tackle the route in parts. Consider driving from Cork to Shannon, from Shannon to Galway, or from Galway to Donegal, with a stop in Mayo.

For travelers with nothing but time, it's possible to do a complete loop around Ireland in about 17 days. But, Epstein notes, this should be considered the absolute minimum for such an itinerary. Otherwise, circling the island may feel more like a race than a vacation.

Top Points of Interest Near the Cliffs of Moher

You might feel like you’re at the end of the world while staring over the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, but the cliffs are actually centrally located in Western Ireland. From here, travelers can easily access a number of top Ireland hotels, restaurants, cities, and points of interest. Whether you're venturing to the cliffs on an epic, multi-week road trip or visiting for a day, it's easy to see a handful of nearby attractions on your trip.

Top Cities

Doolin

Music lovers will love retreating to one of Doolin's energetic pubs after a day exploring the Cliffs of Moher. After all, this village is celebrated as one of the country's Celtic music capitals.

Galway

Often dubbed the "most Irish city in all of Ireland," Galway is a charming, colorful town with brick-lined streets and a phenomenal culinary scene. It's also the midpoint of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Lisdoonvara

Despite its small size, this quaint Irish town has made quite the name for itself for its annual matchmaking festival, which attracts thousands of romantic hopefuls and has been going on for over 150 years. Here, you can also tour Burren Smokehouse, where the Cliffs View Café sources its smoked salmon.

Dingle

About 2.5 hours away via car and ferry — and also along the Wild Atlantic Way — Dingle is a port town that charms visitors with its coastal scenery, remote beaches, and pub scene.

Top Hotels

Dromoland Castle

Live out your fairy-tale dreams in the former home of ancient Irish royalty. Antique chandeliers, rich brocades and tartan fabrics, and marble baths add to the upscale feel of this five-star 16th-century hotel.

Gregans Castle

This family-owned and operated country house hotel has one of the best restaurants in Ireland. Wake up to pancakes with organic apple syrup and poached eggs on house-baked bread at this country estate, where Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien often stayed.

Armada Hotel

On the shores of Spanish Beach, this historical property was renovated to offer both contemporary rooms designed to complement the sea views as well as guest rooms in the main house, full of antiques and period touches.

Top Restaurants

Wild Honey Inn

Expect modern, bistro-style fare at this Michelin-starred restaurant and country inn. Opt for the smoked salmon and a glass of Irish whiskey.

Moran's Oyster Cottage

Travelers ending their day in Galway should dine at this cozy restaurant in nearby Kilcolgan. Order at least a dozen oysters and dine outside on a warm evening.

Gregans Castle Dining Room

Even if you're not staying here, you can make a reservation for lunch or dinner at the award-winning Dining Room, which features local ingredients in elevated dishes. You can enjoy a drink fireside at the Corkscrew Bar, too.

Top Attractions

Bunratty Castle

You can easily spend a day exploring Bunratty Castle and the adjacent 19th-century village, Folk Park — and the kids will stay entertained for hours.

Lahinch Surf School

If you prefer staring up at the cliffs rather than down from above, take a surf lesson at this nearby beach hut. The massive swells that curl and crash around the base of the cliffs have made Lahinch a legendary big-wave surf spot.

Burren National Park

Named for the Irish word boíreann, which means "rocky place," this 4,400-acre national park is a 40-minute drive from the cliffs. Seven walking trails of varied difficulty crisscross the unusual limestone terrain.

Aran Islands

Instead of admiring the trio of islands from the edge of the cliffs, take a ferry from Doolin to see them in person. On Inis Mor, tourists can visit the prehistoric Dun Aonghasa fort.

Moher Hill Open Farm and Leisure Park

This family-run, 15-acre open farm and zoo overlooking Liscannor Bay is quite a picturesque setting for a day full of kid-friendly fun, with a petting zoo, go karts, mini golf, and more activities.

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