Travel Guide: Cliffs of Moher from Dublin

Sharing is caring!

I’ve always said that I don’t really have a travel bucket list because I really feel that everywhere is on my list (yeah, I wrote one anyway here if you’re interested). BUT, I grew up watching the Princess Bride like it was my religion. I can quote the whole movie backward and forward. Naturally, visiting the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland (also known as the Cliffs of Insanity) has always been near the top of my invisible travel bucket list.

In this travel guide to the Cliffs of Moher, I’ll be discussing where they are located, how to visit them from Dublin, and everything to know about parking, admission, and touring.

What are the Cliffs of Moher and where are they?

The Cliffs of Moher are magnificent cliffs standing at ~700 feet tall and they border the Atlantic Ocean for 5 miles! They are an UNESCO Global Geopark and are home to over 20 species of seabirds, making them one of the most ecologically important natural landmarks in Ireland.

They have been featured in many movies including the Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Maroon 5’s music video for Runaway! They really are a sight to see. You can find them on the west coast of Ireland (the opposite coast of Dublin) in Liscannor.

They truly are one of Ireland’s most beautiful places that brings tourists from all over the world!

How to get to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin

Buckle up because this is exactly how I traveled to the Cliffs of Moher. I was in Dublin for a week-long conference (seriously, 2 days in Dublin is a better amount of time to visit) but had some time at the beginning of the trip to sight-see. Instead of exploring Dublin, which would be my base for the whole trip, I decided I wanted to go see these cliffs.

There are a couple options. The first is to sign up for a tour that will travel there from Dublin. While this can be a good option if you prefer not to drive (especially on the opposite side of the road), the easiest way I found was to simply rent a car for a day or two. If you have multiple people this is definitely a cheaper option. The cost of a rental car for one day is as low as $15 (or sometimes less)! I had three people in my group so this option cost us a whopping $5 each plus the gas. Considering a tour bus can cost $100 per person, this was much more affordable and comfortable for us.

Some notes:

• It is a 3 hour drive from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher. Plan accordingly. We had breakfast and dinner back in Dublin so we only had to worry about finding lunch on the road. We did pass a McDonalds so when in doubt, that is an option.
• Be sure if you rent a car that you get a GPS if you’re phone does not have an international data plan. You don’t want to get completely lost when 6 hours of your day will be driving.
• Instead of paying for parking separately, in order to park your car, you pay for your admission ticket.
• Before driving, read some tips on driving in Ireland to get prepared for the adjustment. You don’t want to rent a car to save money, only to over-stress about the actual driving part.

Admission to the Cliffs of Moher

Alright, I’ve convinced you to go, you know how to get there, now how much does it cost to visit the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland?

There are two sets of prices that are a little confusing so let me explain. If you book your tickets online for peak hours (11am-4pm) OR you purchase tickets at the gate (at any time throughout the day) the prices are €8 per adult, €7 per student, €5 per senior, and free for children 16 and under.

If you book your tickets online for “off peak” hours (8-10:59am OR 4pm-close), the prices are reduced at €4 per adult, student, and senior with children 16 and under still being free.

Total Cost: € 30 (Note: this is an estimated cost, if you are not splitting costs of the rental car or gas, and if you visit during peak hours. If you carpool, and/or visit during “off peak” hours, this cost will be lower.)

Weather at the Cliffs of Moher

My number one tip is to check the weather before you go! It can get very cloudy and stormy in this part of Ireland. When we visited in July it was super windy. Chilly, but sunny. I brought a light jacket and was fine, but you might need more than that for sure.

What to do at the Cliffs of Moher

Visitor’s Center

First up is the Visitor’s Center where you can learn about the Cliffs of Moher and their formation, which took place over 300 million years ago! The museum experience is divided into four sections – ocean, nature, rock, and man. Here, you’ll also find the restrooms, gift shop, and smaller shops featuring local artists. There is a café inside as well.

O’Brien’s Tower

When you start approaching the path that lines the edge of the Cliffs, you’ll quickly notice O’Brien’s Tower built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of the first High King of Ireland. The Tower serves as a tourist development that is still used today to view the Cliffs. You can still go to up in the tower, weather permitting. With your admission ticket, you can go to a certain level, but to go to the top you’ll want a few spare euros. We passed on that experience because the capacity was limited and lines were long. I honestly didn’t miss it as the views of the Cliffs are incredible from all along the path!

Walk the pathways

2000 feet of pathways line the Cliffs of Moher for the ultimate viewing experience. See if you can spot some of the amazing seabirds like puffins! While you are walking, you’ll notice signs indicating where the “Cliffs of Moher Experience” pathways end. These pathways are paved and fenced to protect visitors. You’ll notice a clear difference in the other paths that are on dirt and not protected from the edge. You are free to walk wherever, but be careful. We were there on a VERY windy day so we didn’t venture too far away from the paved paths.

*The paved paths are handicap accessible and wheelchairs are available to rent at the visitor’s center.

For more to do in the area, visit the Cliffs of Moher tourism site here.

And, for another awesome day trip idea try visiting Howth from Dublin or the Wicklow Mountains.

Overall visiting the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland was a true bucket list item for me. I absolutely fell in love with the view. The waves crashing. The grass swaying in the wind. Stunning. If you have the chance to visit, I absolutely recommend.

And, if you drive, be sure to stop along the way as I’m sure you’ll run into some cool spots! We ran into two castle ruins and two cemeteries!

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

Save to Pinterest

Sharing is caring!