Cliffs of Moher
Clare, Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher run for 14 km along the coast of County Clare, in the west of Ireland, and rise to more than 200 m near O'Brien's Tower. They are part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark and host one of the largest seabird colonies on mainland Ireland. Visits start at the visitor centre near the village of Liscannor. The ticket covers parking, the exhibition, the paved paths to the viewing platforms and the climb up O'Brien's Tower. On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and the Maumturk Mountains. Allow 2 to 3 hours, and arrive before 11 am or after 4 pm to avoid the peak.
Safety warning: The weather changes fast and wind warnings apply: yellow means take extra care near paths and viewing areas; orange means the viewing areas are not safe; red means do not visit. Check the warning on the day.
Highlights
O'Brien's Tower
An 1835 viewing tower at the highest point of the visit, included in the ticket.
Built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien, a local landowner and MP for County Clare, the tower served as a viewing point for visitors of the time. It stands near the highest stretch of the cliffs, at more than 200 m. From the top, on a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands and, across Galway Bay, the Twelve Bens in Connemara. Entry is included in the Cliffs of Moher ticket.
Cliffs of Moher cliff walk
Clifftop paths from the visitor centre: 3.5 km return on the open sections.
From the visitor centre you can walk about 1 km north past O'Brien's Tower, with elevated views, and come back the same way; to the south, the south viewing point is 1.5 km return. In total that is 3.5 km. The long trail between Doolin and Liscannor is not fully open: as of August 2026, the Liscannor/Hag's Head section was closed for safety and the Doolin side only went as far as Surfers Path. Stay on marked paths and do not cross walls or fences.
The cliffs from the sea
A boat trip of about 1 hour from Doolin, March to November.
The boat trip leaves Doolin pier and follows about 6 km of coastline below the cliffs, with commentary from the crew. It passes Branaunmore sea stack, home to Ireland's largest seabird colony, and the cave that appears in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. With luck you may see puffins, dolphins, seals or basking sharks. A combined ticket with the land visit is available, but the visitor centre is about 8 km from the pier: you need your own transport between the two.
To go deeper
Seabirds and wildlife
The cliffs hold one of the largest seabird colonies on mainland Ireland, with about 20 species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. Birds nest from April to July. Puffins arrive around late March and head back out to sea between early and mid July. The area is a Special Protection Area for birds.
Cliff walk: what is open
As of August 2026, the 6 km stretch between Liscannor/Hag's Head and the visitor centre is fully closed for safety. On the north side, only the section from Doolin to Surfers Path is open, with no access to the visitor centre. From the centre you can walk about 1 km north past O'Brien's Tower and out to the south viewing point: 3.5 km return. Always stay on marked paths and never cross walls or fences.
On screen
A sea cave at the foot of the cliffs appears in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. You can see it from the boat trip that leaves from Doolin.
Experiences in Cliffs of Moher
Editorial order, not by commission. Booking happens on the partner's website.
- Day trip
Cliffs of Moher · Clare
Cliffs of Moher day trip from Dublin
Duration: Full day (about 7 am to 7 pm)
on a partner site
booking on an external siteSee options - Boat
- Experience
Quick facts
- Location
- West coast of Ireland, near the village of Liscannor, County Clare.
- How to get there
- No direct bus or train from Dublin. By car: about 4 h from Dublin (via Limerick), 1 h 30 from Galway and 40 min from Ennis. By bus: routes 350 (Bus Éireann) and 351 (TFI Local Link) from Galway.
- Suggested time
- At least 2 hours on site; ideally 2 to 3 hours.
- Best season
- Open all year. To avoid queues, go outside the peak (11 am to 4 pm); sunrise and sunset are the most recommended times.
- Opening hours
- Visitor centre: Nov to Feb, 9 am–5 pm; Mar, Apr, Sep and Oct, 8 am–7 pm; May to Aug, 8 am–9 pm.
- Fees
- Paid entry. Includes parking, the exhibition, the paths to the viewing platforms and O'Brien's Tower, valid for 2 hours. Buying online is cheaper than at the desk. Under-12s go free with a guardian (up to 4 children).
On your own or with a tour?
On your own vs guided
| On your own | Organised day trip | |
|---|---|---|
| From Dublin | About 4 h by car each way, or train and bus via Galway or Ennis | Leaves around 7 am and returns at 7 pm or later, with at least 7 h on the coach |
| Time at the cliffs | Your choice, and you can arrive outside the peak | Set by the tour company |
| Adding Doolin and the Burren | Free, at your own pace | Depends on the itinerary |
| Best for | Travellers with a rental car or already in Galway or Clare | Travellers in Dublin without a car and only one day |
How to get there
No direct bus or train from Dublin. By car: about 4 h from Dublin (via Limerick), 1 h 30 from Galway and 40 min from Ennis. By bus: routes 350 (Bus Éireann) and 351 (TFI Local Link) from Galway.
Suggested time: At least 2 hours on site; ideally 2 to 3 hours.
By car
It takes about 4 hours from Dublin (via Limerick), 1 hour 30 minutes from Galway, 1 hour 15 minutes from Limerick and 40 minutes from Ennis. The nearest airport is Shannon, about 1 hour away. The car park is on the R478 road and is included in the ticket.
Without a car: bus and train
- From Galway: Bus Éireann route 350 (Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Ennis), with up to 10 departures a day each way in summer, or TFI Local Link route 351, with 4 departures a day.
- From Dublin: there is no direct bus or train. Take the train to Galway, or to Ennis via Limerick, and continue by bus.
- In summer: the Burren & Cliffs Explorer is a free hop-on hop-off bus linking Burren villages with the cliffs. Check the timetable before you set out.
- Taxi: a taxi service to the cliffs runs every day.
Combine with
Doolin, about 8 km away, is the harbour for the 1-hour boat trip below the cliffs and for ferries to the Aran Islands (Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin and Inis Mór), from March to November. The Burren, the limestone landscape next door, belongs to the same UNESCO geopark.
When to go
Open all year. To avoid queues, go outside the peak (11 am to 4 pm); sunrise and sunset are the most recommended times.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher?
About 4 hours by car, via Limerick. There is no direct bus or train: organised day trips leave around 7 am and return at 7 pm or later.
Can I get there by public transport?
Yes, from Galway: Bus Éireann route 350 (up to 10 departures a day in summer) or TFI Local Link route 351 (4 a day). From Dublin, take the train to Galway or Ennis and continue by bus.
How long should I spend at the Cliffs of Moher?
2 to 3 hours. The ticket is valid for 2 hours from entry.
What does the ticket include?
Parking, the exhibition in the visitor centre, about 800 m of paved paths to the viewing platforms, O'Brien's Tower, a free audio guide and toilets. Buying online is cheaper.
Do children pay?
Under-12s go free with a parent or guardian, up to 4 children. This does not apply to school groups or coach groups.
What is the best time to visit?
Outside the 11 am to 4 pm peak. Sunrise and sunset are the most recommended times.
When can I see puffins?
They arrive around late March and stay until early or mid July. Seabirds nest from April to July.
Is the Doolin to Liscannor cliff walk open?
Not all of it. As of August 2026, the Liscannor/Hag's Head section was closed and the Doolin side only went as far as Surfers Path. From the visitor centre there are 3.5 km of paths, return.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The visitor centre is fully accessible, there are about 800 m of paved paths, and a guided electric vehicle (Lifts of Moher) is available for people with reduced mobility.
Can I see the cliffs from the sea?
Yes. The boat trip leaves Doolin pier, lasts about 1 hour and runs from March to November, passing Branaunmore sea stack and the bird colony.
Related guides
How to get from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher without a car
There is no direct bus or train. Either take an organised day trip (leaves around 7 am, returns at 7 pm or later) or take the train to Galway or Ennis and the 350 bus to the cliffs.