No trip to the island is complete without visiting the Cliffs of Moher! These 14 km-long cliffs on the west coast of Ireland are iconic and are usually one of the first things that come to mind when you think of Ireland. While the visit is made as easy as possible thanks to the Cliffs of Moher Experience, there are definitely some factors to consider before your visit. Here are my top 6 tips for visiting the Cliffs of Moher!
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1. Dress in layers
When visiting the Cliffs of Moher it is best to be prepared for any weather and dress in layers! Given that you are quite literally on the coast, weather and temperatures can change quickly. Gusts of cool sea air are common and can really chill you to your core if you are unprepared. We visited in early October and it was definitely chilly, especially as you got to the actual cliffs. There is no harm in wearing a tee-shirt under sweatshirt and jacket. The part of me that got the coldest was my head and ears. If you’re visiting in the fall or winter, I’d definitely recommend a hat or ear band. Much easier to shed layers if you get warm than the other way around!
2. Waterproof, not water-resistant
This is Ireland, so you should plan for the possibility of rain at any given moment. While dressing in layers, I’d recommend your top one be a waterproof rain jacket. Not just water-resistant. You’ll want something that will keep you actually dry if you get caught in the rain. When visiting the Cliffs of Moher, I’d also advise against bringing an umbrella due to the winds. If you opt for a plastic poncho, definitely get one with vents as you will get warm walking around the cliffs to the different viewpoints. Also important to wear waterproof footwear. Even if it’s not raining during your visit, chances are that it was recently so expect mud and puddles if you stray from the paved trails.
3. Visit outside of peak hours
Peak hours at the Cliffs of Moher are in the late morning through afternoon, from roughly 11 am – 4 pm, according to their website. If you’re looking for a more enjoyable experience, I’d highly recommend visiting before or after these times! We arrived in the late-afternoon and while it didn’t feel overcrowded, I know I would have enjoyed it a lot more with less people. The opening hours vary by season, but generally open at 8 or 9 am. Since the cliffs face west, you can also take advantage by visiting later in the evening for golden hour and sunset views.
4. Stay on the marked trails
At the end of the paved trails, you’ll have the option to continue out onto the cliffs. These trails turn into a dirt path immediately and you’ll have to pass signs that warn you to exercise “Extreme Caution” (their words, not mine). There were plenty of people who went out onto these paths, but we chose not to. Honestly, I’m sure anyone would be more than fine if they stayed on the path, it wasn’t worth the risk to us. It had just recently rained and there was a lot of mud and I didn’t want to risk slipping. Whatever you do, don’t be one of those people who strays from the path for a photo op. Many people die at the cliffs every year from this. They even have a memorial erected at the cliffs to memorialize those that do.
5. Leave the tripod behind
As tempting as it may be to want to bring your full camera equipment for epic pictures and selfies, I’d recommend leaving the tripod behind. Expect many sudden gusts of wind here that would topple over a tripod without skipping a beat. It’s not worth risking your equipment! Since this is such a popular tourist spot, it’s not uncommon to ask fellow visitors for a photo-swap.
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6. Expand your trip by stopping at The Burren
If you’re visiting the Cliffs of Moher, not taking the 20-minute detour to tack on The Burren would be criminal! While certainly different terrain than the cliffs, the undeveloped terrain is exactly what I was craving in Ireland! These cliffs are rugged, rocky, and make you feel like you’re in another world. If you’ve ever seen Frozen, I got major “Kristoff’s family” vibes here (if you know, you know). Along R477, there are many small areas to pull the car over and get out to enjoy the scenery. We pulled our car over right around here. It was really fun to walk out onto the moon-like rocks and catch the Atlantic Ocean crashing beneath. It’s a great opportunity to take in some pictures and the fresh salty air!
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Bonus (albeit, unethical) money-saving tip
The entry fee at the Cliffs of Moher Experience is €12 per person and is taken when parking the car. If you wanted to save some money, let your passengers out first and then just have one person pay for parking. There were no ticket checks to get into the viewing areas, but take this unethical tip at your own risk!
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