Climate, forces of nature and time have produced wonderful landscapes throughout the world. In Ireland, for example, a country of many tourist pearls, there are Cliffs of Moher.
The abrupt encounter between land and sea here has taken on a fantastic, dramatic form, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in this European country. Do you know them? If this is not the case, pay attention because here we leave you practical information so that in your next visit to Ireland do not miss them.
The Cliffs of Moher
They are in Ireland in county clare, in the region known as the Burren. They are composed of limestone and a type of sedimented rock composed of mud and different minerals that originated more than 300 million years ago. In fact, it is still possible to see the furrow left by ancient rivers cutting the rock at the base of the cliffs, which is precisely where the oldest rock is.
The cliffs they're right in the heart of a coastal tourist trail known as the Wild Atlantic Way, a route of 2500 kilometers that can be done on foot, by car or by bicycle. They are also close to Shannon International Airport and close to the cities of Galway and Limerick.
The official route or Cliffs of Moher Walk It runs 18 kilometers from Hag's Head to Doolin and includes a visit to the Visitor Center and the famous O'Brien Tower which is a great vantage point. In turn, there are two trails closer to the visitor center, one official that is safer and one less safe because it runs closer to the edge.
How to get to the Cliffs of Moher
You can use the public bus, bike, foot and car. Here the journey matters because it is like the story of Ithaca, the journey matters more than the destination. If you use the car you can rent one anywhere in the country or in the nearby cities of Galway or Limerick.
There is a parking lot nearby, right in front of the visitor center and you can buy the admission ticket right there. With the ticket, unlimited parking is included.
If you have a motorhome, it is advisable to contact the official website of the cliffs because you will have to reserve a space. You can also arrive by taxi from the cities that we named before. And of course by long-distance tourist bus, especially between April and September.
From Limerick, Ennis, Cork, Galway or Dublin you can hire the day tour by bus and from Dublin the tour lasts one day. They generally leave at 7 am and are back at 7 pm.
You can also get there by train. Take a train in Dublin to Ennis via Limerick and from there use the bus. All Irish cities are connected by train so it's easy. If you decide to walk the path, you must first get to Doolin since the path that runs along the coast of the cliffs starts from here.
From Doolin to the cliffs there are 8 kilometers and if you want to go back and forth to Hag's Head it is 12 kilometers.
There are many cycling routes They run through the cliffs and the coast of Clare in general. Lonely Planet says that County Clare is one of the ten best places in the world to ride a bike so ... The fact is that by bike you can enjoy the golden beaches of the Atlantic, go from town to town and from pub to pub and vice versa. You can get a map of the routes in the visitor center and the bikes can be rented in several cities nearby, Doolin for example.
In case you use the public bus you can directly catch the bus in Galway or Dublin. The buses are Bus Eireann they run five times a day in summer between Ennis and Galway and the rest of the year three a day.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher
The cliffs open all year except December 24, 25 and 26. In January and February they open from 9 am to 5 pm, March and April it is from 8 am to 7 pm and between May and August between 8 am and 9 pm. September and October open from 8 am to 7 pm and November and December from 9 am to 5 pm.
If you are interested in visiting the special exhibit on the cliffs in the visitor center then try to go about 20 minutes before closing. One of the most special places on the cliffs in an old construction known as the O'Brien Tower Although it is open every day, it has different hours depending on the time of year. There is a cafeteria, a crafts workshop and a souvenir shop.
Note that the weather greatly affects the visit to the cliffs so try to have a flexible plan. High season is July and August but you will also find a lot of people from April and September. The worst time to go if you like quiet is between 11 am and 4 pm. Y if you can avoid weekends better.
With respect to the climate there is a range of colors that includes yellow, orange and red to classify their conditions: in red, of course, the center closes and people evacuate if there are people around. You can always check this on the official website.
Buy tickets for the Cliffs of Moher
To save time you can always do the Buy online. The ticket includes the facilities of the outdoor and indoor areas, the entrance to the visitor center and its exhibition and parking.
Online you can book up to nine tickets. The price per adult is 6 euros and children up to 16 years old are free. Students and over 65s pay 4 euros. The truth is that making the reservation and buying online is the best, then you just have to enjoy. If the weather is good you will have spectacular views of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay and the mountains of the same county.