The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair in Irish), located in County Clare, are one of Ireland‘s most visited natural sites.
These dramatic cliffs are 214 metres (702 ft) high and offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, Aran Islands and the west coast of Ireland.
But our relationship with the Cliffs of Moher has been complicated.
We have visited the area many times, either on our own or with friends.
We admired the cliffs at first, but later, we found them less and less appealing.
The Cliffs of Moher pay a high price for being one of the most visited attractions in Ireland.
Unfortunately, the place has lost a big part of its magic because of the crowds.
The seemingly never-ending stream of visitors has made enjoying the majestic beauty of the cliffs difficult and it has become hard even to find a spot for a decent photo.
After a few visits, we gave up and didn’t come back for a long time.
But things change.
We were on another trip to County Claire, passing by the Cliffs of Moher on the way back from the Aran Islands.
We had a while to spare, so we decided to give the cliffs one more chance and see if anything had changed after the years.
We are so glad we made this decision!
We arrived late in the afternoon, and the crowds were gone.
How different and peaceful the place looked!
We almost had it to ourselves.
It was the first time we could stop and admire the cliffs without trying to avoid selfie sticks.
The facilities and the visitor centre have been improved, and the site has become more visitor friendly.
We were fortunate with the weather, and the blue sky also made a difference.
In the past, we usually got rain, fog and wind, which was very Irish indeed but not very enjoyable because of the poor visibility.
We changed our minds and fell in love with the Cliffs of Moher again.
If you are on the west coast of Ireland, don’t miss this stunning site.
These are our tips on how to make the most of your visit.
Getting There
Shannon International Airport (SNN) is the closest airport, which offers connections from the USA and some European countries.
You can join some of the bus tours originating in many cities in Ireland (Dublin, Galway, etc.), but we recommend hiring a car and driving on your own.
The Cliffs of Moher are located on the famous Wild Atlantic Way, which is well-signed, so navigation is easy.
The narrow and winding local roads are not only pretty but also challenging, so you need to drive carefully.
Be aware that many tourists from all over the world are driving in the area, and they might not be used to driving on the left-hand side.
We almost had an accident when a car came from behind the horizon.
The driver forgot that he should have been driving on the left-hand side of the road and nearly crashed into us.
Fortunately, we were both driving slowly, so we managed to stop when we spotted each other driving in the same lane.
Public buses are also available, but the service is limited.
That’s why it’s a good idea to plan your visit and check the timetable for route number 350 before you go.
If you are an outdoor lover, you can walk along the coast from Doolin or Liscannor.
Cycling is also popular; you can hire bikes in Doolin or Lahinch.
When to Go
The experience at the Cliffs of Moher depends on the weather, which can be pretty unpredictable in Ireland.
It can change fast, so always be prepared for the rain and wind; if it’s foggy or raining heavily, you won’t be able to see much.
Summer (July and August) is the busiest time of the year, and the site gets crowded.
That’s why we recommend visiting the cliffs in May, June or September – your chances of decent weather are also relatively good during these months.
Try to avoid weekends and bank holidays to avoid crowds.
Arrive early in the morning before the site opens or late in the afternoon before it is closed.
We were glad we were there in the evening because we could enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Allow at least two hours for the visit so that you can explore the area.
Entry
You will be charged the entrance fee when entering the parking lot if you arrive by car.
You can save more if you book the tickets online.
If you join a tour, the ticket should already be included in the package price.
But if you arrive any other way (by foot, bike or taxi) and the outside ticket booth is closed, you should go to the Visitor Centre and buy your admission ticket there.
If you arrive early or late and the Visitor Centre is closed, you can still access the area without paying.
Opening times vary throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to get the updated information online here before you go.
Visitor Centre
When arriving at the site, you will see the Visitor Centre first.
It’s located on the right-hand side and is hidden in the hill.
It’s a cool building in the Hobbiton style.
If possible, don’t miss it and go inside – the Cliffs Exhibitions, with their many exhibits, displays, and experiences, will help you learn more about the cliffs.
You can also find some shops and cafés there.
North Platform
When you get to the cliff’s edge, you can either follow the right or left path.
Start on the north platform and turn right – you will get the most famous views of the cliffs that you probably know from postcards.
The photogenic O’Brien’s Tower is the main landmark.
It was built in 1835 by local landlord Cornelius O’Brien as a visitor’s viewing point.
You can access it for a small fee, but it’s not open all the time, so check out the opening hours at the Visitor Centre.
If you have time and are in the hiking mood, you can follow the trail and walk to Doolin, a small village located north of the cliffs (8 km/5 miles).
South Platform
The south side of the cliffs is our favourite – it’s less spoiled and not so busy.
The path is natural, and there is no wall ruining the views.
After leaving the Visitor Centre, turn left and follow the coast.
It’s a pleasant walk, and the views are stunning.
It’s an excellent spot for bird watching because you can find one of Ireland’s significant colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds here.
You can see (and hear) puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes and choughs.
Most people don’t walk too far, so you can escape the crowds after a few minutes walk.
The path leads south to Hag’s Head (6 km/4 miles) and Liscannor (6 km/4 miles).
Final Thoughts
If you would like to explore the cliffs even more, you may consider one of the cruises that usually depart from Doolin Pier (we didn’t have the time to do it).
You shouldn’t miss the Cliffs of Moher on your trip to the west coast of Ireland.
It is the ultimate Irish natural attraction.
However, your experience will strongly depend on the weather and how busy the site will be.
But hey, you are in Ireland after all, so take it easy and be prepared!
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Hello! I’m planning on visiting in June and we’d like to be there early in the morning before the Visitor Centre opens. Will we be able to walk the pathways and platforms that early or do you have to wait until 9 am? Thanks for your help!
Hi Ashley, yes, it is possible to access the site and walk around before the Visitor Centre opens. Enjoy!
Hi,
Is it possible to access the cliffs for early morning sunrise and late evening sunset? The times I am interested in are outside opening hours. I also have a car that requires parking and from what’s been posted on forums it seems that a car cannot access the carpark as it is closed outside visiting times.
Hi Nick, the cliffs can be accessed for sunrise and sunset. When we were leaving late in the evening, the carpark was closed but we could see that people were still arriving and parking there – they just drove around a cone that was put in the carpark entrance… There might be some small parking spaces along the main road, you might check it out or ask in the visitor centre a day before you go there…