Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher Tour from Galway

The iconic Cliffs of Moher had been calling my name since the very first time I visited Ireland. Now on my second visit, I knew my chance had finally arrived to book a Cliffs of Moher tour.

After our time was up exploring Dublin, Galway was our base for the next few days. We took the train from Dublin, then walked from the train station to the Imperial Hotel Galway where we were staying. Galway was one of my favorite places in all of Ireland. It’s less crowded than Dublin yet still has a buzzing city centre along the seaside. It’s also a great base for doing day trips along Ireland’s western coast.

As a side note, when in Galway don’t miss having at least one meal at The Dough Bros for a Neapolitan wood-fired pizza in a fun and casual atmosphere. These guys started as a food truck in 2013 and have since expanded into more than one permanent home.

Moving on to what you’re here for… the Cliffs of Moher tour we did was the perfect day trip from Galway. We didn’t have a car during this Ireland trip so this was a great way to venture out to the cliffs without having to rent one. Check out the tour’s most up-to-date prices here.

Cliffs of Moher Tour

Towering 214 meters (702 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher have been defining their home along an 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch along the Irish coast for over 350 million years. Under Irish and EU legislation, the Cliffs of Moher are considered a Special Protected Area (SPA), which also helps protect the abundant wildlife in the area.

Actually seeing the Cliffs of Moher in person is better than you could ever imagine. The sturdy layers of compacted mud, silt, and sand make up the jarring cliffside that stands strong against the crashing waves.

On this tour, you’ll have at least an hour to stroll along the cliff top, take in the breathtaking views, and stop in the visitor’s centre to learn more about the cliffs and their sustainability practices. The entry fee to the cliffs and the visitor’s centre is included with the tour.

The tour normally includes a boat trip, weather permitting, to Inisheer, one of the smallest (and closest) Aran Islands off the coast of the Cliffs of Moher. Most tours don’t include both a cruise and walking the cliffs, so this one uniquely offers two distinct viewpoints. Despite how nice the weather may look in these photos, the winds were too strong for us to take part in the cruise portion of the tour. Definitely be prepared for the wind, as some days can see winds in excess of 100 kpm (62mph).

Dunguaire Castle

Instead, we made a couple extra stops before and after the Cliffs of Moher. First we made a quick visit to Dunguaire Castle, the most photographed castle in Ireland. That was followed by Aillwee Cave, one of the oldest caves in Ireland. The tour of the cave takes visitors through the pitch dark caverns formed over hundreds of thousands of years and past a waterfall. They say the caves are so dark it’s like you’re blind, and that’s accurate! You can’t even see your hand in front of your face until the guide turns the lights on.

Black Head on County Clare

Along the coastal route back to Galway from the Cliffs of Moher, there’s a beautiful place called Black Head on the most northern tip of County Clare. It’s well worth stopping to pause and soak in the view, or even head out for a walk along the coast if it’s a nice day!

When visiting Ireland, don’t skip Galway, even if it’s only for a few days. It’s extremely easy to get there from Dublin and has so much to offer. It’s your perfect opportunity to do a Cliffs of Moher tour and see their dramatic beauty for yourself!

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