I recently stayed in the Cliffs of Moher area while travelling Ireland by motorhome, and it ended up being one of the most memorable stops along my route - especially once the crowds dispersed. So much so that I decided to return for a second night - because why not?
The cliffs themselves are one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, but what surprised me most was how much your experience changes depending on where you stay, what time you visit, and how you plan your trip.
For campervan and motorhome travellers, this area of County Clare is perfect for slow travel along the Wild Atlantic Way — and this is a hack I wish i knew sooner.
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher: What You Need to Know
The Cliffs of Moher are a managed visitor site on Ireland’s west coast, with:
Tickets are valid for a single day, from opening to closing time - but motorhomes can stay after hours and leave the following morning. The exit barrier is automatic.
Motorhome Travel and Where to Stay
One of the key things I learned while staying in the area is that you don’t actually need to stay elsewhere and visit the cliffs during the day - it can be combined. Overnight parking at the visitor centre is not officially advertised but when asked, staff said it was permitted as long as you leave before 9am when the first tours begin to arrive.
Alternatively, this is also a great area for well known serviced campsites which most motorhome travellers stay at.
These are located in nearby locations such as:
Doolin (to the north of the cliffs) Lahinch (to the south) From here, it’s only a short drive to the cliffs, which makes it easy to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s much quieter. However, the overnight option is a little known hack that I would highly recommend - and staff are more than happy to welcome motorhomes. This approach also gives you more flexibility to explore the surrounding Wild Atlantic Way without rushing, which I loved.
If you have been on the road for a while and want to book a hotel or guesthouse for a night or two - like I usually do, there are plenty of charming options in the region. In my opinion, this would be the most magical place to rent a traditional Irish cottage.
The cliffs themselves are one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, but what surprised me most was how much your experience changes depending on where you stay, what time you visit, and how you plan your trip.
For campervan and motorhome travellers, this area of County Clare is perfect for slow travel along the Wild Atlantic Way — and this is a hack I wish i knew sooner.
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher: What You Need to Know
The Cliffs of Moher are a managed visitor site on Ireland’s west coast, with:
- designated viewing platforms
- cliff walking paths near the visitor centre (some of which are closed)
- a visitor centre with facilities i.e a gift shop, immersive exhibitions, a café etc.
- official paid parking at the main entrance (between 8 euro - 15 euro)
Tickets are valid for a single day, from opening to closing time - but motorhomes can stay after hours and leave the following morning. The exit barrier is automatic.
Motorhome Travel and Where to Stay
One of the key things I learned while staying in the area is that you don’t actually need to stay elsewhere and visit the cliffs during the day - it can be combined. Overnight parking at the visitor centre is not officially advertised but when asked, staff said it was permitted as long as you leave before 9am when the first tours begin to arrive.
Alternatively, this is also a great area for well known serviced campsites which most motorhome travellers stay at.
These are located in nearby locations such as:
Doolin (to the north of the cliffs) Lahinch (to the south) From here, it’s only a short drive to the cliffs, which makes it easy to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it’s much quieter. However, the overnight option is a little known hack that I would highly recommend - and staff are more than happy to welcome motorhomes. This approach also gives you more flexibility to explore the surrounding Wild Atlantic Way without rushing, which I loved.
If you have been on the road for a while and want to book a hotel or guesthouse for a night or two - like I usually do, there are plenty of charming options in the region. In my opinion, this would be the most magical place to rent a traditional Irish cottage.
Best Time to Visit the Cliffs of Moher
Timing completely changes the experience. The busiest period is usually mid-morning through early afternoon, 11am -4pm to be precise, especially in summer when coach tours arrive. However from my experience, tours starting arriving just before 9am.
The best times I found were:
Top tip: Grab a 99 (a delicious Irish ice cream) from the Puffins Nest Café in the visitors centre for 3.50) or enjoy a locally sourced Irish meal at the Cliffs View Café upstairs.
Saving Money on Your Visit
One thing I noticed is that prices vary depending on how you book.
In general:
Best Time to Visit the Cliffs of Moher
Timing completely changes the experience. The busiest period is usually mid-morning through early afternoon, 11am -4pm to be precise, especially in summer when coach tours arrive. However from my experience, tours starting arriving just before 9am.
The best times I found were:
- early morning around 7/8am
- late evening 9/10pm when the sun is setting
Top tip: Grab a 99 (a delicious Irish ice cream) from the Puffins Nest Café in the visitors centre for 3.50) or enjoy a locally sourced Irish meal at the Cliffs View Café upstairs.
Saving Money on Your Visit
One thing I noticed is that prices vary depending on how you book.
In general:
- booking online and in advance is usually cheaper than paying on arrival
- online tickets also help reduce waiting time and avoid disappointment (I arrived in the late afternoon as the earlier tickets were sold out)
- entry includes access to parking and facilities for the day
- If you’re travelling the Wild Atlantic Way, it also makes sense to combine the Cliffs of Moher with nearby stops like Doolin or the Burren to get more value from your trip.
- In high season tickets start from 8 euros per person depending on the time slot you choose (the cheapest is early morning or late afternoon) and if you arrive and pay onsite, expect to pay a bit more.
- It is worth noting that it is charged per person, not per vehicle.
My Experience Staying in the Area
Staying on site in a motorhome (with around six others) made a huge difference to the overall experience. Instead of rushing in during peak hours, I could plan my visit around quieter times and explore the surrounding coastline at my own pace. It also made the trip feel more relaxed, knowing I wasn’t trying to fit everything into a short window at the busiest time of day.
I decided to purchase the 8 euro ticket to arrive at 4pm and I stayed until 9 am the following morning. You could also pay 8 euro to arrive at 9am and have a full 24 hours (in my case this slot was booked out). Parking is free and open to the public outside of the visitor centre hours if you want to see the cliffs without visiting the tourist centre and facilities.
Additionally, I would recommend downloading the Cliffs of Moher audio guide which I found so interesting. One of the best things to do in Ireland is to listen to local stories and learn about the history, and as a local this is something I truly enjoy. The self guided tour is free and easy, as long as you have some earphones and a phone with battery. The stories are very interesting and it guides you through the visitor experience centre as well as various sections of the trail to pivotal landmarks.
I spent the day at Clahane Shore Area close to the cliffs, before driving back to the carpark around 8:30pm for a second overnight stay. I have heard that the barriers do open around 6:30pm, so it is possible to arrive then without having to pay a fee.
Are the Cliffs of Moher Dog Friendly?
The short answer is yes, however it depends. Dogs are allowed on site once they are leashed, but they are not allowed into the visitor centre - unless they are service dogs. This means that if you are travelling with your dog you have plenty of stunning places to go for a scenic walk throughout the day. There is a dog bowl station at the entrance and plenty of bins throughout the area which is essential for those travelling with pets.
During my visit a large section of the trail was closed from the cliffs to Liscannor, however the north trail towards Doolin was open and takes about 4 hours return.
Final Thoughts
The Cliffs of Moher are absolutely worth visiting, but the way you experience them depends heavily on how you plan your trip. Despite visiting three times, it was still as thrilling to see them again, especially in such great weather.
Travelling by motorhome gives you the flexibility to stay on site, avoid peak crowds, and explore more of County Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Top Tip: Visit Moher Cottage for "the best coffee in Ireland" just a few minutes down the road. It has locally made fudge and other sweet treats, a gift shop and incredible views out to Liscannor Bay. Oh and it is dog friendly which I loved!! You can also get your hands on this delicious coffee at the Cliffs of Moher kiosk so don't miss out!
Staying on site in a motorhome (with around six others) made a huge difference to the overall experience. Instead of rushing in during peak hours, I could plan my visit around quieter times and explore the surrounding coastline at my own pace. It also made the trip feel more relaxed, knowing I wasn’t trying to fit everything into a short window at the busiest time of day.
I decided to purchase the 8 euro ticket to arrive at 4pm and I stayed until 9 am the following morning. You could also pay 8 euro to arrive at 9am and have a full 24 hours (in my case this slot was booked out). Parking is free and open to the public outside of the visitor centre hours if you want to see the cliffs without visiting the tourist centre and facilities.
Additionally, I would recommend downloading the Cliffs of Moher audio guide which I found so interesting. One of the best things to do in Ireland is to listen to local stories and learn about the history, and as a local this is something I truly enjoy. The self guided tour is free and easy, as long as you have some earphones and a phone with battery. The stories are very interesting and it guides you through the visitor experience centre as well as various sections of the trail to pivotal landmarks.
I spent the day at Clahane Shore Area close to the cliffs, before driving back to the carpark around 8:30pm for a second overnight stay. I have heard that the barriers do open around 6:30pm, so it is possible to arrive then without having to pay a fee.
Are the Cliffs of Moher Dog Friendly?
The short answer is yes, however it depends. Dogs are allowed on site once they are leashed, but they are not allowed into the visitor centre - unless they are service dogs. This means that if you are travelling with your dog you have plenty of stunning places to go for a scenic walk throughout the day. There is a dog bowl station at the entrance and plenty of bins throughout the area which is essential for those travelling with pets.
During my visit a large section of the trail was closed from the cliffs to Liscannor, however the north trail towards Doolin was open and takes about 4 hours return.
Final Thoughts
The Cliffs of Moher are absolutely worth visiting, but the way you experience them depends heavily on how you plan your trip. Despite visiting three times, it was still as thrilling to see them again, especially in such great weather.
Travelling by motorhome gives you the flexibility to stay on site, avoid peak crowds, and explore more of County Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Top Tip: Visit Moher Cottage for "the best coffee in Ireland" just a few minutes down the road. It has locally made fudge and other sweet treats, a gift shop and incredible views out to Liscannor Bay. Oh and it is dog friendly which I loved!! You can also get your hands on this delicious coffee at the Cliffs of Moher kiosk so don't miss out!
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