The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located in County Clare in Ireland. The site provides stunning views and ranks among the most visited tourist sites.
Since it’s so popular, about 1.5 million people come every year, and it can get really busy and maybe expensive, especially during peak hours or seasons.
But fear not! This article contains some of the best Cliffs of Moher tips that you should know before visiting Ireland.
From beating the crowds to finding the best viewpoints, budget-friendly tours, and cafes nearby, we have all the solutions to enhance your experience.
1. Tip to Avoid Crowds at the Cliffs
Cliffs of Moher are a fun experience but can get really busy when many tourists show up in the peak months of July and August.
So, if you want to avoid crowds and save time and money, planning your trip early and avoiding peak season is smart.
The best time to visit the Cliffs is from April to September.
During these months, you can enjoy a perfect combination of pleasant weather and cost-effective tours.
Additionally, if you visit the cliffs early in the morning, before 11 am, you can dodge the crowds and enjoy the sunrise views and rugged beauty of the cliffs all to yourself.
One of the major Cliffs of Moher tips is to avoid visiting during the peak hours of 11 am to 4 pm.
2. Book Day Trip Tours Online in Advance
The Moher Cliffs are quite far from the nearby cities and towns. It is 267 km from Dublin, 75km from Galway, and 79km from Limerick.
If you plan to visit the site from these cities, it’s better to prefer day trip tours over public transportation or cars, which bring up parking problems.
To solve this issue!
Various day trip tours are available online, providing a comfortable bus ride, a tour guide, and additional visits to nearby attractions.
Depending on your requirements, you can flexibly select the best one for yourself.
With these pre-booked tour tickets in hand, you can sit back, enjoy the scenic route and reach back on time without any hassle.
Some of the popular Cliffs of Moher tour options are:
| Tours | Price |
|---|---|
| Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City Day Tour From Dublin | €78 |
| Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour From Galway | €50 |
| Full-Day Guided Tour of Cliffs of Moher From Limerick | €39 |
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3. Check Ireland’s Weather Forecast
The weather in Ireland is always unpredictable and there’s a huge difference between the claims and reality.
In summer, temperatures are generally between 15°C and 20°C.
However, in the coldest months, especially between January and February, the average temperature is between 2ºC and 8ºC.
So, when planning to visit the Cliffs of Moher, make sure to check the weather forecast in advance and visit on a sunny day.
The site looks more beautiful in the sun and the clouds. If you visit in winter, that might blur your vision, as you won’t see the cliffs in the fog.
Even though the cliffs look beautiful in stormy and foggy weather, a bright day lets you enjoy better views without taking risks.
And the best part is that you can click stunning photos with a perfectly clear natural backdrop.
Read our article on where to get the best views of the Cliffs of Moher to capture the breathtaking views as your picture backdrop.
4. Pack Warm Clothes and a Rain Jacket
As mentioned earlier, the weather is moody; one minute, it’s sunny, and the next minute, it’s raining.
So, even if you have checked the weather forecast, the weather around the cliffs can change in minutes. Even if the sun is out, it can be very windy along the cliffs.
In such conditions, prepare for sudden shifts and wear warm clothes, sweaters or coats.
If you don’t wear them, at least carry warm clothes, a sweater, a cozy scarf, and, most importantly, a reliable rain jacket.
Wearing waterproof shoes with good grip is also a great way to save your feet from being cold and soggy.
5. Stay Nearby and Visit in the Morning
Another useful tip to visit Cliffs of Moher is to look for hotels nearby.
If you plan to visit Cliffs of Moher with family, especially kids, day trips from faraway places can be tiring.
There are various places to stay near the Cliffs, or consider staying in the nearby villages like Doolin one night before your visit and planning for an early morning visit.
Being nearby cuts down on travel time and lets you beat the crowds by visiting at the best time, i.e., early in the morning.
Planning your visit early in the day offers a serene and undisturbed exploration of the rugged beauty with soft morning light and sunrise views.
The Cliffs can get pretty busy from 11 am to 4 pm later in the day.
So, wake up to the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, savor the morning calm, and make the most of your stay in this enchanting Irish landscape.
6. Visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center
Tourists visiting the Cliffs of Moher often wonder where the Visitors Center is and you might not find it until you take a closer look.
It is cleverly tucked into the hillside, designed to minimize its visual impact on this scenic location.
Instead of a large, modern structure, this is located in a smaller structure but has all the facilities.
When planning to visit the cliffs, it’s also a great idea to visit its Visitor Center by paying a few extra pennies and enjoying the facilities provided there.
The Visitor Center has a gift shop, exhibition, cafe, toilet, restaurant, and even an ATM and free WiFi.
You can access the visitor’s center for just €6 for adults, €4 for students and free of charge for children.
If you pay the parking fee, you don’t need to pay at the center.
The Opening Hours of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center are
| Months | Timings |
|---|---|
| May to August | 8 am to 9 pm |
| March-April and September-October | 8 am to 7 pm |
| November to February | 9 am to 5 pm |
7. Refuel at Cliffs View Cafe
Feeling a bit tired or hungry? Take a break from your adventure and grab a bite at the Cliffs View Cafe inside the visitor center.
It’s like a cozy nook tucked into the hill, offering delicious bites and stunning views of the Cliffs and Liscannor Bay.
You can sit there and enjoy a hot chocolate to warm your hands on a chilly day or a refreshing ice cream cone under the sunny Irish sky.
The cafe provides soup, coffee, sandwiches, and home-cooked delights using local ingredients from County Clare, offering a perfect retreat after a day of exploration.
If you don’t plan to eat at the visitor center, plenty of other restaurants near the cliffs exist.
Also, you can even bring your own food or snacks and enjoy a family picnic there; just make sure to use dustbins.
8. Visit Hag’s Head and Obrein’s Tower
When you visit the Cliffs of Moher, make sure to use the map and also visit its highest sitting points, O’Brein’s Tower and Hag’s Head.
O’Brein’s Tower is a 19th-century historic landmark with unique architecture and the best views.
On a clear day, the views extend up to Loop Head at the southern tip of Clare and beyond to the mountains of Kerry.
Hag’s Head is located at the southernmost point and involves a 4 km hike with stunning views.
This unusual rock formation resembles a woman’s head and provides a memorable experience.
Just be warned: The tower involves climbing the spiral staircase, which is a bit narrow, and Hag’s head involves walking, so if you are afraid of heights or have health issues, you can skip them.
9. Tips for Perfect Cliffs of Moher Photos
For those dreaming of stunning Cliffs of Moher photos, timing is everything!
It is surely one of the most photographed places in Ireland, with the most Instagram and postcard-worthy shots, but there are certain windows for such shots.
As the cliffs face west, the ideal window for perfect pictures is in the afternoon.
However, afternoons between 11 am and 4 pm are also very crowded but provide stunning pictures capturing its true beauty.
To strike the right balance, you can consider arriving towards the end of that window for great shots with fewer people.
Alternatively, if you want the best pictures without crowds and still scenic views, you can also visit in the early morning or click sunset hues in the evening.
So, whether you’re seeking a crowd-free spot or aiming for that golden hour glow, plan your visit accordingly to capture the perfect pictures.
10. Tips to Stay Safe on Cliffs of Moher
Your safety is paramount at the Cliffs of Moher. The breathtaking views are best enjoyed from a safe distance, so resist the temptation to venture too close to the edge.
Respect the designated pathways and waist-high walls; they’re there for a reason.
Also, the winds can be incredibly strong, especially given the cliffs’ height and proximity to the ocean.
So, be prepared for gusts and keep a secure grip on your belongings.
Stay cautious and secure, and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty responsibly!
11. Avoid the Congested Areas at the Moher Cliffs
Though the Cliffs of Moher are roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) long, not many people really stroll along their whole length.
The busiest locations in front of the tourist center are to the left (if facing the ocean), up around the walled part, and to the right, O’Briens Tower.
Although they are some of the highest parts of the cliffs and provide stunning scenery, they are also the busiest.
Most day trips have a set amount of time, and visitors usually spend the entire time in this area.
You are able to travel further along the cliffs since you are not required to return to a bus at a specific hour.
12. What not to miss at Cliffs of Moher
The region’s most famous feature is undoubtedly the stunning Cliffs of Moher, but this spot offers more than jaw-dropping scenery.
