
If you’ve ever seen a movie set in Ireland, you’ve probably seen its famous cliffs. In fact, movies are what drove us to these cliffs in the first place. I binge-watched The Princess Bride as a little girl every day for probably a year! I will never forget the scene of them climbing up the cliffs, and when I found out they were in Ireland, we had to go. One look at the photos, and my husband was also in for the ride. He loves to take amazing photos.
When planning, I wasn’t so sure if kids are good to bring to the cliffs. Thankfully, the answer is yes! Of course, you never want to leave them unattended, as there can be dangers, but I felt it was overall safe with kids (as long as I was always with them).
We landed in Ireland, spent the night, and then spent the entire next day getting to these cliffs. We showed up right at sunset, and it was glorious. Not only was it a golden hour, but all the other tourists had left for the day. We had the place entirely to ourselves. This did mean we missed dinner as all the restaurants close early, but it was well worth the sacrifice. Who doesn’t love the occasional convenience store dinner, right?!
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Apart from being beautiful, there are many reasons why you should visit the Cliffs of Moher with kids in Ireland. For starters, many artists, painters, and writers have been inspired by these cliffs. Even movies, such as the scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, were once filmed here.
Also, it’s probably one of Ireland’s most iconic natural attractions! Not just because of its beauty, but also because it’s part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, as this area has significant geological and ecological importance. Why? The cliffs appear to have been formed approximately 350 million years ago. It’s home to many bird species and plants while showcasing six thousand years of human history.
History aside, these vast sea cliffs are something worth seeing in person. They are approximately 700 feet above sea level and stretch five miles along the coastline. Can you imagine? Add that and the dramatic cliffside views, and you get perfect picture spots in every corner.
My kids loved seeing the cliffs from several viewpoints. They ran from one side to the other (literally) with me doing my best to slow them down and keep up. Thankfully, the cliffs are concave, meaning you can see them from one side or the other (unlike the Cliffs of Dover in England, which are really best seen from below in a boat). This means the views are spectacular the entire time!
The wind was a bit crazy, but we ran around taking it all in. My kids loved the cows along the trail, the lighthouse, and the spectacular views.
If you are movie fans like us (Harry Potter fans) you will probably have a very fun visit. Overall, the Cliffs of Moher are fun, family-friendly, and suitable for kids older than five or six years old, depnding on the child (or in a carrier to keep them super safe with you). Just keep in mind that some paths can be a bit dangerous for your kids, and make sure to always keep them close. I never let the kids roam more than about five feet from me to be safe, and I’d recommend the same.
In general, the best times to visit the Cliffs of Moher with kids are the shoulder seasons (think spring and fall), but this can be tricky with school breaks. If you’re able to visit when it’s not peak season, take advantage of that! We went in May, which was lovely. However, let’s break down the perks of each season.
No matter the time of the year, if you’re looking for the best lighting, you can take advantage of early morning or late afternoons. You can’t fully watch the sunrise, but during summer, you can catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunset views.
Also, the day we went, it was very windy! Make sure to keep your kids close, as some trails do not have any railing at all. Strong winds plus little kids can be a bit risky. Just make sure they are with you the whole time.
Most tours that take you to the Cliffs of Moher include the entrance price, transportation, plus another activity. Here are some tour options you can find:
Opening hours vary depending on the season and the amount of daylight available.
Different ticket options are available depending on age, and they also offer a package for families of four (two kids and two adults). You can buy in person, at a higher price, or book your tickets online. Online costs:
*Keep in mind that you can only book four kids under the age of 12 per adult.
Getting to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland is not hard, as you have many options to choose from. Before you choose a transport option, consider how many people you’re traveling with.
For example, it’s not the same to travel with two kids as with five kids. Or it is also not always comfortable to travel in buses or subways when you have to bring a stroller. Consider these factors before selecting your transportation option.
Driving: This is perhaps the easiest and most comfortable way to get to the Cliffs of Moher. This is what we did (we rented a car in Dublin), but remember you are on the OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD! Driving in the UK takes some getting used to.
There is parking on site, and a drive from Galway can take about an hour and a half. If you drive from Dublin, it’s a three-hour drive. We drove straight from Dublin. Driving on the other side of the road is an adventure (and kind of hard, honestly), so you may want to spread this over two days.
If you choose to rent a car, just know that booking your tickets in advance can help you get a good spot in the parking lot. Also, the parking lot is on the opposite side of the road from the visitor center.
Bus: There are different public routes you can take to the Cliff of Moher, and they depend on where you’re staying. There is route 350 from Bus Éireann, and they do daily trips from Galway to Ennis, where the Cliffs of Moher are located.
Then there’s also route 351 from the TFI (Transport for Ireland) Local Link which also provides daily trips from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher.
Bike: Yes, you read that right! Did you know that the Cliffs of Moher made it into one of the top 10 greatest cycling routes in the world? If you and your family are into cycling, you can take advantage of this beautiful route in the County Clare Coastline and enjoy this beautiful view.
Tours: This is perhaps also one of the most convenient ways to get to the Cliffs of Moher with kids as a tourist. Many tours offer transportation options from your destination, and they get you back to your hotel. Plus, you get to hear amazing historical and fun facts to learn all you need to know about this stunning destination. Here are some tours you can find:
You have options to stay near the Cliffs of Moher with kids (some hotels are as close as 30-40 minutes walking) or to stay in Galway, where you can take the bus or drive (as mentioned above). Anyway, here are some of the hotels you could consider during your trip to Ireland:
Once you arrive at the Cliffs of Moher, there are actually a few things you can do besides just admiring the cliffs (although I would not judge you if you just do that)!
Your packing list may vary, as it all comes down to the time of the year you choose to travel. It can also vary depending on the ages in your group, babies need strollers or carriers but teenagers can use a small backpack! However, there are still a few items you can pack all year round, like:
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
Find a nice hotel from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Paris while having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com.
Get insurance while traveling with World Nomads / SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories in Paris as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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