How to See Ireland's Famed Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher make up one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Ireland, with over one million annual visitors, and they are definitely worth a visit. I wouldn't say they are the only reason I took this trip to Ireland, but they were definitely at the top of the list of things I was excited to see.

Why are the Cliffs of Moher so famous?

Ireland's western coast is filled with otherworldly geography that is hard to come across in the United States. The Cliffs of Moher are a 9-mile stretch of coastline with rugged rocky terrain and terrifying sheer drops from intense heights. (The tallest cliff is 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean!) They really undulate back and forth, too, so you can see more and more outcroppings in the distance. It also makes for some small beach areas in the inlets.

These cliffs have become quite well known, especially after a number of huge pop culture references here in the U.S. The cliffs were featured in the movies The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. They have also been used as filming locations for a few different music videos.

These cliffs were so interesting to see. It was a little scary because of how high they are and how close you get to the edge, and I'm not even afraid of heights! Because of the height and being right on the Atlantic Ocean, the winds can be quite strong, too. We went on a fairly nice day and still managed to get a little wet from the winds bringing in so much moisture off the ocean. I definitely recommend a raincoat for your trip!

How can you visit the Cliffs of Moher?

If you're looking to visit this stunning attraction yourself, you will either need to rent a car and drive or fly to one of the closest main cities (Galway or Limerick) and book a tour with a company. I highly recommend a road trip around the beautiful Emerald Isle, as there is plenty to see along the way! The landscapes of rural Ireland are so picturesque, and you'll surely come across plenty of sheep.

If that seems like too much work, though, there are bus tours and boat tours from the nearby cities of Galway and Limerick. While this is more convenient, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, scheduled tours are scheduled according to what they recommend you do. There's not usually a lot of extra time to go on a hike or enjoy a view with a meal. Aside from a private tour company, you can also take the public bus - Bus Éireann - route 350, which runs a few times a day. If you don't mind the long journey and planning around the bus schedule, this is surely going to be the most economical way to see the cliffs.

The boat tours are an interesting option, too, because you can get a much different vantage point from which to see how tall the cliffs really are. It is also more risky, however, because the boat tours are more likely to be canceled due to bad weather. Some companies may refund your ticket, reschedule the trip, or do it as a land tour instead. So be sure to consider this along with your itinerary when booking.

What can you do at the Cliffs of Moher Experience?

Obviously, it's essential that you walk to the edge and get a selfie with the cliffs. The Cliffs of Moher Experience is an 800-meter-long (half a mile) boardwalk, and you can walk from one end to the other to get different views of the cliffs. The boardwalk is a very safe and well-developed part of the Cliffs. It is easy to walk this stretch of the Cliffs thanks to the rocks that act as divider railings (see photos below) and sure footing.

There is also a very difficult (and potentially closed) hiking trail called the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, where you can travel more than just the Cliffs of Moher and see a large portion of the Irish west coast. However, there is no protection here from the cliffs, as there is in the most touristy area, where the Cliffs Experience is located. The hike is challenging in parts, since the cliffs vary wildly in terms of terrain and height, so there is a lot of altitude change. Altogether, the coastal walk is over 18 kilometers, or 11 miles, and is estimated to take 4-5 hours to complete.

There is also a great tourist area, including a few different food options (a couple of cafes and a real restaurant), plenty of souvenir shopping, and a small museum area to learn more about the geography and ecology of the cliffs.

What is the best viewpoint of the Cliffs of Moher?

If you don't feel like driving the whole stretch of cliffs, and I don't blame you, the absolute best part of the Cliffs of Moher is the area around O'Brien's Tower. Take a quick walk on the cliff, and then head to the tower for the best view. The view from the outside is quite nice, and if that's all you can do for accessibility reasons or if it's closed, you've mostly seen it.

However, if you can get into the tower, do! There should not be a long wait, and it's worth it even if there is. You can climb the steps of O'Brien's Tower, built in 1835, and featuring three stories from which you can get the absolute best view of the cliffs.

What else is there to see in County Clare near the Cliffs of Moher?

Before you leave, you absolutely have to take a quick drive to the Burren! Burren National Park is a small section of this landscape, just east of the Cliffs of Moher, but you can check out "The Burren" almost anywhere in County Clare. We went to Ballyryan, which is about twenty minutes driving from O'Brien's Tower.

The Burren features one of the most interesting landscapes I've ever seen. This is a karst landscape, which features caves and sinkholes, and super cool rock formations, created by limestone being worn away by acid in rain. In addition to checking out the cool landscape, this area is absolutely chock-full of wildlife, including birds and small mammals. I would recommend the Aillwee Burren Experience, but you don't actually have to pay for a ticket here to visit the Burren. You can just drive through and find plenty of side-of-the-road parking areas to get out and walk around.

Is visiting the Cliffs of Moher worth it?

I thought the cliffs were exceptionally cool. I really enjoyed the visit. Even though it only takes an hour or so to get your fill of the cliffs, the surrounding Burren adds up to a great day. I highly recommend, as this was one of my favorite stops in Ireland (in addition to Killarney). I'll leave you with this great photo of O'Brien's Tower from further south down the trail.