If you don’t already know, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most breathtaking places in all of Europe. Believe me – I have seen a lot of Europe. On my most recent trip to Ireland, I decided to take a day trip to visit friends in Galway, which is the closest city to the Cliffs of Moher. Naturally, they told me that a visit to the Cliffs is an absolute MUST.
They were pretty enthusiastic about it, and I was definitely not going to turn this one down.
This post will outline everything you need to know to get from Dublin to Galway, and then from Galway to the striking Cliffs of Moher.
What Are the Cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most striking natural landscapes I have ever seen. A while back I wrote about the road trip we took along Big Sur in California, and on that trip, I couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful the Cliffs of Moher are!
While the landscapes are very similar – giant cliffs right along the water’s edge – I personally found the Cliffs of Moher to be even more impressive than Big Sur. Now, to be fair, Big Sur encompasses a much larger area and in that respect might be a bit more impressive. But pound for pound, the Cliffs of Moher take the cake. If you think that the cliffs at Big Sur are sudden and high, just wait until you visit the Cliffs of Moher.
How Do You Get from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher?
There are endless places to visit in Ireland. For such a small country, it really packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty and awesome culture. However, I think that Dublin is by far the most visited place – or at least landing point – in the country.
As the capital and largest city in Ireland, it draws big crowds. In fact, Dublin is where I chose to make my base during my quick visit to Ireland. If you’re interested in reading about Dublin, my Dublin travel guide has all you need to know for your trip.
With that being said, I figured I would write this post from the perspective of someone sitting in Dublin trying to make it to the Cliffs of Moher. After all, they’re on completely another side of the country! To be fair, Ireland is not a big country. Driving from Dublin to Galway, which is literally on the other side of the island, will only take you a bit over two hours.
Anyway, here are the three ways I would recommend getting from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher:
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Cliffs of Moher?
The big key to seeing the Cliffs of Moher is doing everything you can to make sure you visit on a day with clear skies. Part of what makes the Cliffs so special is the view, both toward the rest of the cliffs and toward the ocean. As a result, visiting on a dreary, cloudy day won’t leave you with the best experience. It’ll still be great, don’t get me wrong, but not nearly the same.
To do this, there are two main factors that you need to consider: the season in which you visit, and the weather on the given day that you visit. Many people will probably tell you to avoid the cliffs between 9 and 5, but I would argue to the contrary of that. Yes, that is when they are the most crowded, but they’re the most crowded for a reason!
When the sun is at its highest, clarity is at its best. If you want to skip the crowds, try to get there before 9am or after 5pm, but if you want the best views you should head to the cliffs closer to lunchtime.
If you want the best views, plan to arrive at the Cliffs of Moher midday.
Now, regarding the weather…this one is hit or miss, and it’s really out of your control. However, I do suggest checking the weather forecast before buying your tickets to select the day that has the highest chance of being sunny.
This is Ireland after all…only a stone’s throw from the dreary, rainy United Kingdom. Your chances of rain and fog are pretty high, so if you wind up going on a foggy day, don’t beat yourself up over it. Just do your best to pick the sunniest day possible!
Regarding the time of year, the general recommendation is to visit during the summer. The main reason for this is that the weather is typically nicer, which means that the chances of rain are lower and the chances of strong sunshine are higher.
As a rule of thumb, May to August is usually your best bet. Just keep in mind that the crowds are absolutely massive during the peak hours in these months!
Final Tips for Taking a Day Trip from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher
Regardless of which method you chose to get to the Cliffs of Moher, we have a few recommendations that can make your trip even better.
That’s all we have for you about taking a day trip from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher! Hopefully this blog post helps you to plan the perfect day trip to one of Europe’s greatest natural wonders.
If you’re planning a day trip from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, let us know by commenting below! We’d love to chat ahead of time and answer any questions you have.
