The Cliffs of Moher

There was one sight I was looking most forward to seeing in Ireland, and that was the Cliffs of Moher. When we started planning our trip, I knew this was a must-see destination.

Mallory at the Cliffs of Moher.

Towering at heights up to 702 feet and stretching along the coastline for 5 miles, these cliffs are the definition of majestic. With the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against them, powerful winds, and seagulls flying around, you will be in awe.

A horse by the cliffs.

When we arrived, we figured we’d spend maybe forty-five minutes walking along the edge of the cliffs, however, we ended up staying for two hours and wished we had planned to be there all day. We were amazed at how time seemed to fly by.

Where to park to avoid the crowds.

Renting a car gave us the flexibility to go on our own time and see more of the surrounding area. Our Airbnb host in Galway highly recommended that we avoid the main tourist parking lot and park in the cheaper, lesser-known parking lot called “Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk.” It is a little off the beaten path and the roads are pretty narrow to get there, but it is significantly cheaper and there are also fewer people if you are looking to get photos without a bunch of fanny-pack carrying tourists in the background.

The downside to this parking lot was that you had to hike a decent amount to get to the actual cliffs and then the cliffs you walk along were not the tallest cliffs. I imagine you would have to walk about 3ish miles to get to the 700-footers.

Dress so you can fully enjoy your time.

One thing to note about visiting the Cliffs of Moher is that it is incredibly windy. At one point I pulled out my phone to take a picture and the wind nearly blew my phone out of my hand and into the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily, we were prepared with a couple of layers of jackets, but I wish I had brought a beanie to cover my ears and gloves to keep my hands warm. You may also want to be sure to have chapstick with you to protect your lips from the wind and sun.

If we could do it again (which we totally would).

If Mallory and I could visit the Cliffs of Moher again I would have packed a lunch and planned to be there most of the day. I also would have planned to walk the entire 5-mile trail. In fact, the Cliffs of Moher website says: “Allow a minimum of 2 hours for a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, many visitors spend half a day. Don’t just pass through – stay overnight in one of the local towns or villages to make the most of your visit, enjoy the local culture and  traditional Irish music.”

Don’t visit Ireland without seeing the Cliffs of Moher.

Anytime I hear folks are visiting Ireland, I tell them the Cliffs of Moher are without a doubt a must-visit. The magnificence of these cliffs is something to see in person. You will leave amazed at the beauty you got to see and wish you could have stayed hours longer.


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One response to “The Cliffs of Moher”

  1. […] woke up pretty early, checked out of our Airbnb, grabbed some breakfast, and made our way to the Cliffs of Moher. We made it to the cliffs a little before noon and spent a little over two hours there. I honestly […]

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