When planning our trip to Ireland, I knew one thing: We wanted to see some impressive sea cliffs. The two most popular sea cliff spots I knew were the Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League Cliffs. Because we would only be in Ireland for one week, I wasn’t sure we’d have time to see both. I knew we had to prioritize. So my question was Cliffs of Moher vs. Slieve League Cliffs?
I read blog posts, travel forums and listened to podcasts all about visiting Ireland, and most said the same thing. That the Cliffs of Moher were crowded and over touristed. That the Slieve League Cliffs were a hidden gem that were equally or more impressive sea cliffs.
Based on what seemed to be a nearly unanimous perspective, I prioritized the Slieve League Cliffs. However, thanks to the flexibility of having a car, we ended up seeing the Cliffs of Moher as well. Having visited both now, I can say they’re both worth seeing. Which you should prioritize depends entirely on your preferences and travel style.
When I was trying to decide which to prioritize, I forgot to take a major factor into account: Nowadays, especially in the travel community, it is trendy to forgo the popular touristy attractions and places in favor of “hidden gems.”
Don’t get me wrong, I love the hidden gems. Do I get a little extra joy stumbling upon a place you don’t see recommended everyday in the guidebooks or on social media? Yes. Did it make the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle and city of Dublin any less special to me? Of course not.
Bottom line is, popular things are popular for a reason.
There are plenty of tourist traps out in the world, but even more touristy places are actually worthwhile if you give them a chance. And I’m so glad we gave the Cliffs of Moher a chance!
The aim of this post is to help you decide, objectively (ish), which sea cliffs to prioritize if you find yourself needing to choose one. They both have their merits, and preference can be highly subjective depending on your travel style.
The TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) of my recommendation is:
Visit Cliffs of Moher if you:
- Want to see one of the most iconic views in Ireland
- Want an easy organized day trip from a major city like Dublin or Galway
- Don’t mind crowds if visiting during high season
- Are okay with potentially only seeing a portion of the cliffs, depending on weather
- Are a Harry Potter (or Leap Year?) fan
- Prefer to walk to more easily accessible lookout points
- Don’t mind arriving in the morning or evening to avoid higher entry fees (or you don’t mind higher entry fees)
- Want to stay in a more traveled part of Ireland
- Are willing to take a longer day trip, or stay in a smaller village
Visit the Slieve League Cliffs if you:
- Want to see sea cliffs in a more natural, less commercialized setting
- Actively want to go on a hike
- Are looking for fewer crowds
- Want to see the details and colors of a bare rock wall up close
- Are looking for a huge cliff jutting out into the water rather than multiple cliff formations
- Want to stay in a lesser traveled part of Ireland
- Are looking for more raw nature than well-defined cliff walk paths
- Prefer “hidden gem” travel over seeing the major tourist attractions
- Want to say you’ve visited the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe
More details below to explain these points.
But first, some logistics.
Time of Year:
We visited Ireland in late November (during the American Thanksgiving holiday week). November is very much off-season for Ireland. I typically prefer shoulder season travel, and I ordinarily wouldn’t have visited Ireland in the off-season. But I’m so glad I did! This post is written from the perspective of someone who got to experience many of the country’s highlights without the intense crowds of high season, so keep that in mind while reading.
The weather was honestly not as bad as I thought it would be. And I generally prefer to be too hot than too cold. We experienced some rain, but also a good amount of clear weather. The temperature was in the 50s most of the time. It only dipped down into the 30s in Dublin at the end of our trip.
Transportation:
We opted to rent a car for maximum flexibility. It was only about 100 euros for a week, and definitely worth it to cover a lot of ground in one week. Granted, my partner was the one driving, but he said it was pretty easy to adapt to driving on the left side of the road.
If you prefer not to drive, both the Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League Cliffs can be visited on organized day tours or with public transit.
Accommodations:
We primarily stayed in Airbnbs except in Dublin where it made more sense cost-wise to stay in a budget hotel. Every Airbnb we stayed in in Ireland was either owner-occupied or next to the owner’s house, which I really enjoyed. This model was more along the lines of how Airbnb was initially meant to be rather than buying a bunch of real estate for the sole purpose of short-term rentals, which I appreciated. There were a lot of homey personal touches.
So, without further ado, here is what it’s like to visit the Cliffs of Moher vs. Slieve League Cliffs.
Cliffs of Moher:
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most iconic and top-visited sites in Ireland. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a filming location for popular movies like Harry Potter and Leap Year. When people imagine the rugged west coast of Ireland, they are often imagining the Cliffs of Moher.
About 1.5 million people visit the Cliffs of Moher every year, which speaks to both their immense popularity, and why so many people seek alternative sea cliffs for their visit to Ireland.
But should you visit Ireland’s most iconic natural wonder? Read on to learn more.
Getting to the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are located on Ireland’s west coast in County Clare. You can stay in a small village close to the cliffs, but most people opt to stay in a bigger city or town farther away from them due to their remoteness.
The most popular bases for a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher are:
- Galway: An old city in County Galway built on fishing on the west coast, about 1.5 hours from the Cliffs of Moher
- Limerick: A smaller city in County Limerick on the west coast, about 1 hour from the Cliffs of Moher
- Dublin: Ireland’s capital, and a long day trip (three hours one-way) from the Cliffs of Moher.
You will want to stay in one of these cities especially if you don’t have a car and are relying on transit to get to the Cliffs of Moher. If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to visit the cliffs will be with an organized tour. You can organize something through your hotel, or through sites like Viator, Get Your Guide or Airbnb Experiences. You can typically choose to just visit the cliffs, or also visit the nearby caves. If you have a car or are willing to rent one for a day, you will have more flexibility.
We visited while driving along the west coast from County Donegal (Killybegs) to County Kerry (Killarney). Because we prioritized visiting the Slieve League Cliffs, we weren’t entirely sure we’d be able to visit the Cliffs of Moher. While planning our driving route to Killarney, we decided it was worth it to about an hour out of our way to visit the cliffs, and it was definitely worth it. This option is less popular, however, than just staying in a town nearby.
Time of day to visit:
The official Cliffs of Moher Experience recommends arriving in the morning or evening to beat the crowds. In fact, tickets for the Experience are cheapest during these times. When you purchase tickets from their site, you’ll see options to buy in the morning, afternoon and evening, with the afternoon being the most expensive. These tickets will give time-bound windows during which you can visit the cliffs.
When we visited in November, the windows were 9-11, 11-3 and 3-5. You do not have to arrive exactly at the start of your ticket, but somewhere within the window. If you have a ticket for a morning or evening arrival but arrive in the afternoon, the site says you have to pay the difference. Note that no one verified our tickets when we arrived at the visitor center, so I’m not sure how much this rule is enforeced, or if tickets are even really required. That might change during high season or shoulder season.
We visited about 20 minutes before sunset, and it was perfect. We got an amazing view of the cliffs from multiple angles, and got to walk through the entirety of the official “experience” walk during the 50 minutes of daylight we had.
If you can, I highly recommend visiting the cliffs at sunset. Even in the November mist, they were bathed in a purple glow that looked mystical. However, I’d recommend getting to the cliffs about an hour before sunset, so you can truly enjoy the views before and after the sun starts setting. At times, we felt a little like we were racing against the clock to soak in everything we could.
Time of year to visit:
There is no perfect time of year to visit the Cliffs of Moher or Ireland in general. Whenever you visit, there will always be a risk of not having clear views of the cliffs. I knew someone who visited during peak season in June and didn’t see anything due to the mist.
Part of the reason I was hesitant to prioritize the Cliffs of Moher was because of the unpredictability of the weather during November. However, this is a year-round consideration for Ireland. No matter when you visit, there will always be a chance that weather will prevent you from getting a full view of the cliffs. Also keep in mind that the weather can change fairly quickly, so they may be shrouded in mist at one point in the day but then clearer an hour later. Being flexible is best, but that’s not always a reality for everyone.
That being said, I saw pictures from the June visit, and the scenery was still beautiful. Just be prepared that there is always a risk of not getting the iconic Cliffs of Moher views when you go.
I really enjoyed visiting in November because it was not at all crowded. There were of course other people around (unlike when we had Giant’s Causeway to ourselves), but there were not mass crowds by any means. I imagine this made the Cliffs of Moher experience more enjoyable than if we’d visited during peak or even shoulder season.
Cliffs of Moher Experience:
The easiest way to visit the Cliffs of Moher is to park in the visitor center parking lot, then walk a few yards to the viewing areas. There are guided paths guarded with rails and walls that you can walk along as part of the experience.
As you approach the cliff walk path, you’ll get an understanding of how commercialized the experience is. There are permanent shops set up before you get to the Experience center where there is an official gift shop and bathrooms. This setup was a stark contrast to the Slieve League Cliffs, which definitely felt more like being in raw nature.
However, the views from the cliff walk were still spectacular. The total cliff walk is about five miles, but the guarded cliff walk is much shorter. I recommend starting from the right hand side as you face the cliffs and walk to the left to soak in the views. This cliff walk is not strenuous and has multiple viewpoints of the iconic cliffs. The full cliff walk goes beyond the guarded trail, but the path becomes riskier as there are high winds.
If you are looking to see Irish sea cliffs from multiple easily accessible viewpoints without having to do any strenuous hiking, I recommend the Cliffs of Moher.
Slieve League Cliffs
Slieve League (or Sliabh Liag) Cliffs are found in County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. This part of the country is super interesting to visit because it is known for protecting more traditional Irish culture. There are villages in this region that still speak primarily Irish. The Glencomile Traditional Folk Village can also be found in County Donegal. This region is also a relatively less visited area of Ireland, and can be a good way to get a bit “off the beaten path” in one of the most visited countries.
The Slieve League Cliffs are considered the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe. They sit 1,972 feet (601 meters) above sea level, and you can hike to the top of them. They definitely feel less commercialized and more like you’re amidst raw nature compared to the Cliffs of Moher. I definitely recommend visiting Slieve League Cliffs if you’re looking for a solid hike in nature.
Getting to the Slieve League Cliffs:
The best way to visit the Slieve League Cliffs is to stay in a city or village in County Donegal. There are a few options for cities/villages to stay in this area:
- Donegal Town: This city is one of the most popular places to stay in the county and is about a 40-minute drive from the Slieve League Cliffs. It has the most tourist attractions of other nearby spots to stay near the cliffs, including the Donegal Castle. Sadly, I wasn’t able to visit the Donegal Castle because it is only open Thursday to Sunday during the off season.
- Carrick: This town is only a 15-minute drive from the Slieve League Cliffs, and one of the most popular places to stay nearby the cliffs.
- Killybegs: This town is where I stayed. It’s a fishing village that’s a 25-minute drive from the cliffs. We enjoyed our stay here in a cozy Airbnb with private access to the beach.
Staying in any of these towns gives good access to the cliffs and surrounding tourist attractions, including Wild Atlantic Way lookout points.
During the regular season, you can visit the cliffs by going to the visitor center and taking the shuttle up to the Bunglass Viewpoint. However, this wasn’t an option in the November off-season.
There are two parking lots: A lower parking lot that is about a 20-minute uphill walk to the Bunglass Viewpoint. As well as a parking lot right next to the Bunglass Viewpoint. Both cost 5 euro parking fees.
Time of day to visit:
The time of day to visit the Slieve League Cliffs is less critical than Cliffs of Moher. Because they are less popular, you are unlikely to be fighting major crowds. To plan your visit, I recommend keeping an eye on the weather and visiting at the time when there will be less likelihood for mist to cover the cliffs.
We visited in the morning from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. When we visited, the weather was clear enough to see the top of the cliffs from the Bunglass Viewpoint, and the surrounding area of the island from points along the hiking path. By the time we were descending from the top of the cliffs around 1 p.m., the mist was rolling in on the cliffs.
Regardless of when you visit, know that the weather can be unpredictable and change at any moment. If the weather is clear, make sure to take the time to really appreciate it. If it’s not so clear, know it could change within an hour or so.
Best Time of Year to Visit:
What I said above for the Cliffs of Moher stands true here – there is no perfect time of year to visit. While it was cold and windy in November, our Airbnb host told us it rained every day in July of 2023. So although it was cold in November, we’d have been rained out if we’d visited in July.
The only issue with visiting off season is that there were a number of things closed or on limited schedules. This issue exists in other parts of the island, but I think it is especially true in the northwest because it less traveled.
Slieve League Cliffs Experience
So what is it like to visit the Slieve League Cliffs? Whether you choose to park at the visitor center or another parking lot, you’ll ascend a scenic road to the Bunglass Viewpoint. If you drive the entire way to the viewpoint, know it is a bit windy, and you may be dodging both people and sheep.
There is a wooden deck at the viewpoint only a short walk from the parking lot. This deck is one of the best spots to see the cliffs. You can see all the spectacular colors from this point – hues of beige, orange, tan and green.
You can leave after seeing the cliffs from this viewing platform, but I’d recommend following the trail to at least the next viewpoint. Down the trail and about 50 stone steps up from this platform is a point where you can admire the cliffs close up and the surrounding landmass and villages.
If you want to continue hiking, follow the trail up to the peak. There are incredible views of surrounding towns and nature, but not really any better cliff views. Regardless, I enjoyed walking along the cliffs and getting to the highest point on Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs. If you choose to do the hike, know that it can get a little muddy and isn’t clearly marked for the last quarter of the trail.
When we finished the hike and returned to the Bunglass Viewpoint, a mist had rolled in and was obscuring the top of the cliffs. This mist gave the Slieve League Cliffs a moody ambience I really enjoyed contrasting with the previous clearer view of the cliffs.
After visiting the Slieve League Cliffs, make sure to pop into the Rusty Mackerel pub for a bite and pint to celebrate your hike!
Cliff of Moher vs. Slieve League Cliffs:
So should you visit the Cliffs of Moher or the Slieve League Cliffs? If you have the time and flexibility, I highly recommend visiting both. However, if you have to prioritize the Cliffs of Moher vs. the Slieve League Cliffs, consider:
- Visiting the Cliffs of Moher for iconic Ireland views and multiple easily accessible viewpoints.
- Visiting the Slieve League Cliffs for raw nature and solid hiking (which I personally love)
Other Natural Landscapes to Consider Visting:
If you want another option other than – or in addition to – the Cliffs of Moher or Slieve League Cliffs, Ireland has plenty of natural beauty. Some of the more popular landscapes include:
Kerry Cliffs:
These lesser-known cliffs are located along the Ring of Skellig (adjacent to the Ring of Kerry) in County Kerry. They offer dramatic views against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The Kerry Cliffs are also a good option to visit if you want to see easily accessible viewpoints without a strenuous walk/hike. You can visit these cliffs on a short detour along the Ring of Kerry. They were an unexpected delight on our visit.
I personally think the Kerry Cliffs are a more appropriate comparison to the Cliffs of Moher than the Slieve Leagues Cliffs.
Giant’s Causeway:
Although this attraction is not a sea cliff, it is an impressive natural formation worth visiting. This attraction is made up of hundreds of stone columns stacked against the sea. Giant’s Causeway is in Northern Ireland and an easy day trip from Belfast or longer day trip from Dublin. I will write more about my trip to Giant’s Causeway in another post.
What do you think about visiting the Cliffs of Moher vs. Slieve League Cliffs? Which would you choose? Or would you select a different natural landscape?
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