The Cliffs of Moher are Atlantic Ocean cliffs on the west coast of Ireland, in County Clare, reaching 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O’Brien’s Tower. You visit them from the official visitor center, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, open every day except 24 to 26 December: entry, which includes parking, costs €15 for an adult at the gate in 2026, less online, and accompanied children under 12 enter free. Here are the hours month by month, the official prices, the state of the coastal path, the puffins and our table crossing the center’s closing time with sunset.
The cliffs combine well with the west coast: see our Ireland travel guide, our page on the best time to visit Ireland and the map of Ireland to locate County Clare.
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Cliffs of Moher: key facts
- Hours: November to February 9 am–5 pm; March, April, September, October 8 am–7 pm; May to August 8 am–9 pm; closed 24, 25 and 26 December — checked on 27 October 2026 on cliffsofmoher.ie
- 2026 gate prices: adult €15; student and senior (over 65) €12; family (2 adults, 2 children under 12) €30; reduced prices online — checked on 27 October 2026 on cliffsofmoher.ie
- Free: children under 12 accompanied by a parent (4 maximum)
- Included: parking, visitor center and exhibition, 800 m (2,625 ft) of secure paved paths, O’Brien’s Tower, free audio guide (app), wifi
- Recommended time: about 2 hours; the online ticket is for one slot, with a planned visit of 2 hours
- Peak hours: 11 am–4 pm; the site advises coming before or after
The Cliffs of Moher at a glance
The cliffs were formed in the Upper Carboniferous, 319 million years ago, and reach 214 meters (702 ft) at the highest point, according to the official site. Their name comes from the Gaelic « Mothar », the ruined fort: a 1st-century BC fort stood at Hag’s Head, where Moher Tower is today. The site is part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark and of a Special Protection Area for birds. O’Brien’s Tower, the emblematic viewpoint, was built in 1835 by the local landowner and MP Sir Cornelius O’Brien, for the tourists of the day.
Official hours month by month
| Period | Center opening |
|---|---|
| November to February | 9 am–5 pm |
| March, April, September, October | 8 am–7 pm |
| May to August | 8 am–9 pm |
| 24, 25 and 26 December | Closed |
The ticket is valid for the day: you can stay from opening to closing, according to the official FAQ. After the center closes, the car park exit barrier lifts automatically, so you can stay for sunset.
Official prices and tickets
The official site displays, for 2026, the gate rates and invites you to book online, which is cheaper, with an arrival slot. Without an online booking, the gate rate applies (checked on 27 October 2026 on cliffsofmoher.ie).
| Ticket | Gate 2026 | Online 2027, peak time | Online 2027, off-peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | €15 | €14 | €9 |
| Student | €12 | €11 | €7 |
| Senior (over 65) | €12 | €11 | €7 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children under 12) | €30 | €28 | €18 |
The slots: morning off-peak from 8 am to 11 am, peak from 11 am to 4 pm (11 am to 3 pm in winter), afternoon off-peak after that. From May to August, a « late evening » rate from 6 pm to 9 pm takes €2 off adult, student and senior tickets and €4 off the family ticket. The prices do not apply to groups of 10 or more arriving by coach.
Booking your entry to the Cliffs of Moher
Entry is booked on the official site cliffsofmoher.ie; the ticket can be printed or shown on a phone, and changed from the confirmation e-mail. Tours sold from Dublin, Galway or Limerick often include entry and transport: check the time actually left on site, whether the ticket is included and the cancellation terms. In fog, the site tells you the visibility at the entrance; if you are staying in the area, the ticket can be reused within the following 24 hours in case of fog.
Sunset and closing time: our calculation
The official site presents sunrise and sunset as the most striking moments, and off-peak hours as the quietest. For the 15th of each month, we crossed the sunset time at the cliffs with the center’s official closing time.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Center closes | Sunset is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:43 am | 4:51 pm | 5:00 pm | before closing |
| February | 7:55 am | 5:48 pm | 5:00 pm | after closing |
| March | 6:52 am | 6:41 pm | 7:00 pm | before closing |
| April | 6:39 am | 8:37 pm | 7:00 pm | after closing |
| May | 5:40 am | 9:29 pm | 9:00 pm | after closing |
| June | 5:11 am | 10:05 pm | 9:00 pm | after closing |
| July | 5:30 am | 9:56 pm | 9:00 pm | after closing |
| August | 6:18 am | 9:04 pm | 9:00 pm | after closing |
| September | 7:11 am | 7:53 pm | 7:00 pm | after closing |
| October | 8:03 am | 6:42 pm | 7:00 pm | before closing |
| November | 8:00 am | 4:43 pm | 5:00 pm | before closing |
| December | 8:44 am | 4:20 pm | 5:00 pm | before closing |
What to take from it: from April to September (and mid-February), the sun sets after the center closes, which the automatic car park exit makes possible; from October to January and in March, it sets before, during opening hours. The cliffs face west: in clear weather, evening light is the lowest and warmest. The weather changes very fast: the official site refers to the national forecaster, Met Éireann, on the day.
What to see at the Cliffs of Moher
O’Brien’s Tower and the platforms
The 800 meters (2,625 ft) of paved paths lead to viewing platforms and O’Brien’s Tower. The official site says that in clear weather the view from the roof reaches five counties. In total, 3.5 km (2 mi) of safe paths are accessible from the center, according to the FAQ.
The visitor center
Dug into the hillside, it houses an exhibition on the cliffs, a virtual reality room, cafés, toilets, a first-aid room and a left-luggage service. Binoculars and picnic blankets are lent free of charge.
Birds and puffins
The cliffs shelter tiered seabird colonies: fulmars at the top, kittiwakes lower, guillemots and razorbills on the ledges, shags at the foot. Puffins arrive in late March and stay until mid-July; the best months are May and June, from the south platform, facing Goat Island (official FAQ).
The coastal path: status on 27 October 2026
The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk links Liscannor to Doolin via the visitor center, over 20 km (12 mi). But the official site publishes a safety notice dated 22 August 2024: 6 km (4 mi) are fully closed from Liscannor (south section, towards Hag’s Head) for serious safety reasons; to the north, the path is only open from Doolin to Surfers Path, with no access to the visitor center, and only for 1 km (1 mi) north of the center. Always stay on the marked paths, do not cross walls or barriers and do not walk on the road at Surfers Path (checked on 27 October 2026 on cliffsofmoher.ie).
Getting there and parking
The visitor center is near the village of Liscannor. The main car park is across the road; the cliff side is reserved for vehicles with a disabled parking permit (5 spaces, plus 6 in the main car park) and for coaches. The official site gives indicative travel times: 90 minutes from Galway, 40 from Ennis, 75 from Limerick, about 4 hours from Dublin via Limerick (checked on 27 October 2026 on cliffsofmoher.ie). The nearest airport cited is Shannon. Summer shuttles and buses are mentioned on the official site; check their current timetables.
Accessibility
The center is fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift; wheelchairs are lent at reception. The route near the center is accessible, and two electric buggies, « Lifts of Moher », driven by staff, take visitors with reduced mobility along the paths, subject to availability. Dogs are admitted on a leash, but not in the building (except guide dogs).
Common mistakes at the Cliffs of Moher
- Arriving between 11 am and 4 pm without a booking: it is the peak, at the highest price.
- Paying at the gate when online booking is cheaper.
- Trying to walk to Doolin or Liscannor on the path: sections have been closed since 2024.
- Going near the edge off the marked paths, or crossing the protective walls.
- Bringing an umbrella: the official site advises against it, as the wind makes it unusable; take a waterproof jacket.
- Thinking the displayed price is for the car park only: it includes entry to the center.
What to see around the Cliffs of Moher
The cliffs are part of the Burren Geopark, the neighboring limestone plateau. Further north, Connemara continues the wild coast; to the east, Dublin; and to the south, Cork opens up the county of the same name. See also entry requirements for Ireland on our country page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the Cliffs of Moher?
At the gate in 2026: €15 for an adult, €12 for a student or senior, €30 for a family; cheaper online. Accompanied children under 12 are free. Parking is included.
What are the opening hours of the Cliffs of Moher?
9 am–5 pm from November to February, 8 am–7 pm in March, April, September and October, 8 am–9 pm from May to August; closed 24 to 26 December.
Can you see sunset at the Cliffs of Moher?
Yes. The car park barrier lifts automatically after the center closes. Our table shows, month by month, whether the sun sets before or after closing.
When can you see puffins at the Cliffs of Moher?
From late March to mid-July, especially in May and June, from the south platform facing Goat Island, according to the official site.
Can you walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher?
Not as far as the visitor center: since the 22 August 2024 notice, the north section is only open from Doolin to Surfers Path, and 6 km (4 mi) are closed on the Liscannor side.
How long should you allow?
About 2 hours according to the official site, more if you want to wait for sunset.
Our sources
- Cliffs of Moher Experience, official site cliffsofmoher.ie (hours, prices, FAQ, weather and period, coastal path, access), consulted on 27 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the visitor center (official site) (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.