Are the Cliffs of Moher Worth Visiting?

While planning your trip to Ireland, you’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of these famous cliffs. But are the Cliffs of Moher worth visiting? As someone who has visited them on multiple occasions, I’ll provide the pros and cons of a visit there, give you all the information you need to know to plan your trip there, and also offer up some equally impressive alternatives.

This post contains affiliate links. When you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Are the Cliffs of Moher Worth Visiting?

While the Cliffs of Moher are a beautiful sight to see, they are also crowded and not ideal if you are a wheelchair user (more on that below). However, it may be worth a trip if they are on your Ireland bucket list. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to skip the massive crowds, there are plenty of other wonderful alternatives with equally stunning views.

What has really made these specific cliffs less appealing is their overpromotion, which has led to large crowds and an entrance fee. The alternatives I go over later in this post often are free to visit with far fewer tourists.

Essentially, the Cliffs of Moher are worth visiting if you want those iconic pictures while in Ireland, don’t mind large crowds, enjoy watching for birds, or want the ability to see them from different angles (like on a boat tour). Otherwise, you can get beautiful cliff views from multiple other places along Ireland’s western coast.

Are the Cliffs of Moher Worth Visiting for People with Mobility Problems?

While the cliffs do have accessible services, such as a golf cart for people with mobility problems, if you’re a wheelchair user who doesn’t have an elevation feature on their chair and can’t stand, you’ll have a very difficult time enjoying the views.

For manual wheelchair users, there is a boat tour that is accessible but you’ll need to contact the company to coordinate the best time to go (based on tides). Sometimes the gangway can be very steep.

This tour also allows small powered wheelchairs, but larger and heavier chairs may not be able to fit on the boat.

⛴️ For tour times, prices, and contact information click here.

For a more accessible alternative to the Cliffs of Moher, try Kilkee Cliffs or Slieve League Cliffs further north (more information on both later).

And for more information on wheelchair-accessible Ireland, make sure to read my other post I linked to.

Is a Day Trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin Worth it?

It’s approximately 3 1/2 hours from Dublin to the cliffs, so 7 hours of a typical 12 1/2 to 13-hour day tour will be spent on a bus. As a result, a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin may not be worth it.

However, if you are only staying in Dublin during your trip to Ireland and the cliffs are high on your bucket list, then it may be worth it to you. Honestly, it’s a personal choice. Just be aware of what you’re getting.

If on the other hand, your Ireland itinerary has you closer to the west coast, day trips from Galway or Limerick offer more sightseeing opportunities.

Cliffs of Moher Tour from Dublin

Again, if your heart is set on these famous coastal ledges, there are day trips from Dublin to the cliffs. This is the one I recommend because it comes highly rated and also includes a quick tour of Galway City.

However, if you’re a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility, you’ll soon realize that any of the bus tours from Dublin to the cliffs are not accessible (there is no lift) and you’ll need to be able to climb the stairs to board.

➡️ Click Here for pricing and availability of this bus tour.

If it’s easier for you to transfer to a van vs a bus or you just want a more private and flexible experience, you may want to consider this private day trip to the cliffs from Dublin. However, it will be more expensive than the larger bus tour.

➡️ To check prices and availability of a private tour, click here.

Other Tours of the Cliffs of Moher

If you decide to spend some time in either Galway or Limerick, both nice towns, you’ll be closer to your desired attraction and won’t spend as much time on a bus. Instead, you can add other popular areas such as the Aran Islands to your tour.

Day Trip from Galway

Depart from Galway and head towards the town of Doolin. Once, there board the boat to the Inisheer (one of the three Aran Islands). You’ll have free time to explore before taking the boat to the base of the Cliffs of Moher. Finish your tour at the top of the cliffs with time to enjoy the views from there.

Check availability and pricing by clicking here.

Day Trip from Limerick

Depart from Limerick passing King John’s Castle and head to the Cliffs of Moher visitor center with free time to explore the trails and enjoy the scenery. Afterward, you’ll travel through the Burren and along the Wild Atlantic Way before making a brief stop at Bunratty Castle for refreshments (at your own expense).

Check pricing and availability by clicking here.

Planning Your Visit to the Cliffs: The Complete Guide

So, if these iconic cliffs are still on your Ireland bucket list, I get it. This section will give you all you need to know to plan and make the most of your visit.

Getting to the Cliffs

There are two ways you can enjoy the cliffs. First, you can drive or take a tour to visit the cliffs by land. This option allows you to do the cliff walk, enjoy the visitor center, and take in the scenery at your own pace.

As previously mentioned, there are also guided day trips available from Dublin, Limerick, and Galway if you don’t have your own vehicle.

Alternatively, you can choose to do a boat tour to the cliffs. This two-hour trip is narrated and gives you a different perspective. It may also be a better option for bird watching (like puffins) and to see some of the impressive caves along the coast. As an added bonus, it also visits one of the Aran Islands. Unfortunately, this combined tour is not wheelchair accessible.

➡️ Click Here for pricing and availability of this combined boat and land tour.

Tickets

If you are looking to save a few euros, consider pre-purchasing your tickets online and visiting either early in the morning or later in the day. While this locks you into a specific time and day, there is a weather forecast graph on the website to help you try to predict the weather.

Pre-purchased tickets start at 7 euros per person for off-peak times while the most popular times of day cost 10 euros per person. If you decide to buy tickets when you’re there, they are 12 euros per person

Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Furthermore, there are family tickets available which include 2 adults and 2 children under 12. Additionally, during peak visiting times, there is a 1 euro discount for seniors and students.

➡️ Explore all ticket options and pricing on the official website by clicking here.

When to Visit

While many people will set aside a day (or part of a day) of their itinerary for the cliffs, it’s best to be flexible. The last time I visited, we arrived to find the cliffs completely covered in clouds and fog.

You will quickly learn that the weather in Ireland can be unpredictable, so having some flexibility in your schedule will ensure you get the best views of this iconic site.

However, if you aren’t able to work in any wiggle room and come to find the cliffs hidden in the mist, make sure to give it some time. If the wind blows just right, it can sometimes shift the clouds and fog to allow you a glimpse of this impressive view. Who knows, it may even clear up quite a bit, if only for a few minutes.

Travel Tip: If you choose to visit during nonpeak visiting times, the tickets are also slightly cheaper. Typically, these times are 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to closing.

5 Things to Do at the Cliffs of Moher

➡️ View the Cliffs

There is a paved and ramped path that leads to a paved path along the cliff edge. However, there are stairs in some sections. These areas can be avoided with a compacted dirt path that bypasses the couple of stairs here and there.

You can take in the views anywhere along this path but one of the most popular lookout areas is O’Brien’s Tower. You can also go up the tour for more panoramic views. The tower is not accessible for wheelchair users.

I encourage you to take in the view from multiple places as you’ll experience different angles and perspectives.

➡️ Cliff Walk

The cliff walk is broken into two sections (North and South). Each is considered its own trail with the visitor center and cliff experience separating them.

The Northern trail connects the town of Doolin to the cliff experience. It’s approximately 5 miles and is estimated to take 2 hours each way to walk. The trail is exposed so there are fewer barriers to your views and is considered moderate to high in difficulty. The terrain includes stairs as well as narrow and steep sections on uneven ground.

The Southern trail to Hags Head is more level and mostly flat but also has uneven terrain and gravel. It is estimated to take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete. Stone slabs act as a barrier so your views may be obstructed if you are in a seated position or are short.

➡️ Learn About the Cliffs at the Visitor Center

There are some small display areas within the visitor center that talk about the cliffs, wildlife in the area, and other relevant information. Visiting these informational areas only takes a few minutes but can really enhance your trip.

Afterwards, head to the virtual reality experience. This 3-minute activity takes you to the edge of the cliffs both above and below the water. It’s a fun and unique way to experience the coast.

➡️ Grab a Bite in the Cafe

There are two different cafes located in the visitor center. One is more of a takeaway food option while the Cliffs View Cafe has seating and a menu including both hot and cold food options.

Alternatively, you can choose to preorder a picnic as well. Picnic blankets are available for loan in the visitor center if you don’t have your own and they will pack a box full of locally sourced food for you to enjoy.

➡️ Shop Local

One of the neat things I like about the Cliffs of Moher is that there are local vendors and shops onsite. Instead of finding mass-produced items from other countries, these shop owners are local to the area and sell their more unique goods.

How Long to Spend at the Cliffs of Moher

How long to spend at the Cliffs of Moher will vary based on what you want to do there. If your only goal is to see the cliffs, you could be there for only 30 minutes. However, if you want to do a hike, grab a bite to eat, and explore the visitor center, you could easily spend 3 hours or more.

My hope is that this post gives you an idea of what there is to do and how long the activities may take so you can allocate the correct amount of time based on your interests.

Alternatives to the Cliffs of Moher

If you’d like to avoid the crowds and get better views of the cliffs without barriers, I suggest considering any of the following options. Each provides amazing views and fantastic photo opportunities.

Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs

Located in the southwestern corner of County Donegal, this alternative to the Cliffs of Moher is more toward the Northern part of the Republic of Ireland. It offers a visitor center that contains a cafe, gift shop, and toilets (including accessible ones). There is a closer parking area to the cliffs which has a small parking fee.

After parking your vehicle, there is a paved road (steep at times) that you walk along to reach the cliffs. It offers wonderful views as you make your way to the main attraction. At the top of the cliffs, there is a wooden viewing platform before the trail continues for those who would like to hike further.

People in accessible vehicles can drive to the top and avoid the parking fee. There is no marked parking up there, but few vehicles are allowed, so you should have room. The wooden platform is accessible by a ramp but the trail beyond it quickly turns to stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

While accessibility is limited, it still makes a great alternative to Moher as it is easier to see the views. Additionally, at 2000 ft above sea level, Slieve League Cliffs are actually taller than those of Moher.

Furthermore, if you don’t have your own vehicle, you can easily take a tour from the town of Donegal that includes not only the cliffs but other popular sights in the area. While it isn’t wheelchair accessible, it is an option for people that can transfer to a vehicle or minibus.

➡️ Check pricing and availability of this tour to the cliffs from Donegal by clicking here.

Kilkee Cliffs

Kilkee Cliffs are located in County Clare and are only a couple hours from the Cliffs of Moher. These were my favorite cliffs in Ireland due to not only the wonderful views but the accessibility and lack of crowds as well.

There is a small parking area with designated spots at the beginning of the trail. Then you pass a small cafe which has refreshments as well as bathrooms (accessible toilets are available as well) before heading along a paved trail that runs parallel to the cliffs.

Since there are no barriers, the views are unimpeded, making it excellent for wheelchair and scooter users. The trail can have broken areas at times, but I had no problems navigating it in my small powered wheelchair.

There is no entrance or parking fee, so you are free to enjoy this magnificent scenery for as long as you wish without worrying about the cost.

While there were others on the trail, it was nowhere near as crowded as the Cliffs of Moher. This allowed me to connect more with nature and take in the views offering a more peaceful experience.

Although large bus tours do not stop here, if you don’t have your own vehicle, there is a private tour in a minivan available from Galway. This tour visits a lighthouse, Kilkee Cliffs, the Bridges of Ross (more on that below), and the Cliffs of Moher.

➡️ Check availability for your travel dates by clicking here.

Down Patrick Head

Also in County Mayo, near Ballycastle village is Down Patrick Head. This is a popular pilgrimage site as St. Patrick founded a church here. The remains of this church and a statue of St. Patrick can still be seen when you visit.

However, it also contains dramatic cliffs and a sea stack which attracts birds. Additionally, the ruins of a lookout post that was used during World War II. Needless to say, there are plenty of stunning views and interesting things to see that are sure to keep you entertained.

Accessibility will again be limited and challenging at times. While there is a gravel path that leads to the blow hole area, beyond that the trail becomes worn grass over uneven terrain (sometimes VERY uneven). It is likely that people using a mobility device (of any kind) will need assistance.

There is no fee to enter and parking is also free. Tours are not available so you will need to have your own vehicle to visit.

Bridges of Ross

Not far from Kilkee Cliffs are the Bridges of Ross. While there are cliffs here, the main attraction is the natural bridge which hangs precariously over the water. It is the only one of the three original natural bridges that survives today.

There is a small gravel parking lot at the beginning of the trail. To access this landmark, you will need to travel through a field (which may have cows in it) and over uneven terrain.

Accessibility for people with mobility problems will be limited and depends on the type of mobility device you use and its capabilities. If there are no cattle, it would be easier for you to open the gate to access the area (just remember to close it behind you) as the path is quite narrow and lined with prickers.

Entry and parking are free. Additionally, while there was a steady flow of people when I visited, it was certainly not what I would consider crowded. You could easily take pictures without people in them and enjoy the environment around you.

Recap on Are the Cliffs of Moher Worth Visiting

If you want that iconic photo associated with Ireland and don’t mind the crowds, then you should visit the Cliffs of Moher. However, if you want equally beautiful views, less barriers, and fewer crowds then consider choosing one of the alternatives I mentioned in the post. Either way, I hope you have a fantastic trip to Ireland!