Sunset at Cliffs of Moher: Everything You Need to Know in 2024
Hoping to catch the Cliffs of Moher at sunset? Great choice.
The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland are cliff rock formations standing 702 feet (214 metres) above the ocean’s surface, giving visitors an a amazing view of the Atlantic ocean ahead. The cliffs span about 14 km (8 miles), allowing visitors to see the ocean and cliffs from many viewpoints.
Needless to say, the Cliffs of Moher are a breathtaking place to experience a sunset; perfect for a special moment on your honeymoon, or with loved ones or in solitude. The glow over the Atlantic ocean from the cliffs is a stunning, mesmerizing sight that you’ll remember for a long time.
If want to see the sunset at Cliffs of Moher, we have everything you need to know.
Sunset at Cliffs of Moher: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re here, you already know how iconic and beautiful the Cliffs of Moher are, so we don’t need to ramble on too much about that.
Seeing the Cliffs of Moher at sunset is a unique experience, because its not a sight that many tourists get to see. There are a lot fewer people at the Cliffs of Moher at sunset so you can experience the cliffs at a more relaxed time.
The Cliffs are some of the tallest in Ireland, making the view over the ocean incredible. Also, bonus -its free if you come after hours.
In the summer months, is no admission fee to visit Cliffs of Moher after 8:15 pm, and the centre closes at 9 pm. Keep in mind that these times change, depending on the time of year. Note the Cliffs of Moher opening and closing hours here:
| Cliffs of Moher Opening Hours | |
|---|---|
| May, June, July, August | 8:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| March, April, September, October | 8:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| November, December, January, February | 9:00 am – 5 pm |
You can also visit Cliffs of Moher for free at any time, if you hike there. (The parking is what costs money during the day.)
However, its important to know that you wouldn’t be able to enter O’Brian’s Tower without a paid ticket that you’d usually get from parking at Cliffs of Moher.
How to get to the Cliffs of Moher at Sunset
As we mentioned above, there are a few ways to get to Cliffs of Moher:
- Drive
- Take an organized tour
- Hike
The easiest way to do any of the above is to stay nearby. Read my post on the best places to stay near the Cliffs of Moher.
Regardless of where you choose to stay, let’s go through your options of getting the the Cliffs of Moher.
1. Driving to the Cliffs of Moher
You can drive to the Cliffs of Moher in 3 hours from Dublin, over an hour from either Limerick or Galway, or less than 15 minutes from Doolin.
To drive to Cliffs of Moher, you will need to park there. If you arrive after 8:15 pm in the summer months, there is no charge for visiting, and you can park for free.
However, even though you can park for free after hours, I’d still recommend that you come earlier, and just pay for a ticket. Unless you’re on a budget, its more worthwhile way to pay for the ticket because then you can see O’Brian’s Tower.
The Cliffs of Moher parking tickets are not expensive, and it allows you to have the ‘full experience.’ There are also a few great gift shops at the Cliffs of Moher where you can get some nice Irish souvenirs.
Sunset at Cliffs of Moher Parking
The Cliffs of Moher parking lot is open to visitors, regardless of whether they’re open or closed.
When the park closes, the parking gate is lifted, allowing you to park there without having to pay. The gate to get out is automatic, so you can leave anytime you’d like.
2. Hike to Cliffs of Moher at Sunset
You can hike to Cliffs of Moher from the village of Doolin, which is about 8 km (5 miles) each way. Its called the Doolin Cliff Walk. It should take about an hour and half each way, or 3 hours round trip.
Of course, you’ll be stopping at the Cliffs for a while to admire the views, so in total the whole experience should take about 5 hours.
Hiking to the Cliffs of Moher at sunset is really special way to get breathtaking views of the ocean along the way. Keep in mind of course that you will be hiking back when its fairly dark.
Be sure to dress warmly (even in the summer), bring rain gear, lots of water, a flashlight, good hiking boots!
3. Cliffs of Moher Sunset Tours
There aren’t any special tours specifically to see the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher. There are some great tours to see the Cliffs of Moher from Galway and Dublin, but these tours aren’t designed specifically for you to see the sunset.
The best way to plan specifically to be at the cliffs for the sunset is to drive there from Galway or Doolin, or to hike there from Doolin or one of the nearby accommodations.
What time is the sunset at Cliffs of Moher?
The timing of the sunset will depend on the time of year. Use this as a guide to plan your trip
January – between 4:31 – 5:19 pm
February – between 5:21 – 6:13 pm
March – between 6:15 and 8:10 pm
April – between 8:11 – 9:13 pm
May – between 9:05 and 9:51 pm
June – between 9:53 – 10:06 pm
July –between 9:33 and 10:06 pm
August – between 8:29 and 9:32 pm
September – between 7:17 and 8:27 pm
October – between 5:09 and 7:15 pm
November –between 4:26 and 5:07 pm
December – between 4:25 – 4:30 pm
To see the exact time of the sunset at Cliffs of Moher on the date you plan to be there, click here.
If you’re planning to go to Cliffs of Moher during the peak months (June and July) then you’ll need to be prepared to stay up fairly late to see them.
One convenient thing to do is to stay somewhere nearby. There are bed and breakfasts, glamping, and luxury accommodations within a 10 minute drive of the cliffs.
Places to Stay in Doolin to experience sunset at Cliffs of Moher
Doolin is a charming touristy village just 8 km (5 miles) from Cliffs of Moher. You can hike between the two (via the Doolin Cliff walk) in 90 minutes, or drive in just 13 minutes.
So, Doolin makes for a convenient place for exploring Cliffs of Moher and other attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way too.
- Budget: Dubhlinn Guesthouse
- Mid Range: West Haven House
- Luxury: Fiddle + Bow Hotel
If you want to be extra close to the Cliffs of Moher (l.6 km) consider this place.
Yoga Sunset Experience at Cliffs of Moher
One really unique way to experience sunset at Cliffs of Moher is to do yoga there. I can’t imagine a more serene area to do yoga. The yoga class is held from 7 – 8 pm in the summer months.
If you’re interested in the yoga at sunset class, you can book it through the Cliffs of Moher website. Keep in mind that the yoga is only held on very specific days. When you go to book, it will show you which dates its being held (it is usually only a few days a month.) The cost for the sunset yoga at Cliffs of Moher is €8.
Sunset at Cliffs of Moher: FAQ
Here are the most commonly asked questions about the Cliffs of Moher, and seeing them at sunset
Where are the cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher are located on the Wild Atlantic Way, on the west coast of Ireland. They’re about a 3 hour drive from Dublin, and 1 h 20 mins from Galway.
Can you watch sunset at the Cliffs of Moher?
You absolutely can see the Cliffs of Moher at sunset. The Cliffs of Moher opening hours are different throughout the year, but if you are arriving after hours, you can park and experience the cliffs at sunset for free. I’d recommend you arrive at Cliffs of Moher an hour or so before sunset, so that you can visit O’Brian’s Tower and get the full experience before the sun sets.
What time of day is best for Cliffs of Moher?
The best time to get to Cliffs of Moher if you’re driving is as early as possible. This can be a very popular attraction in the summertime, especially later in the day. If you can beat the crowds, you’ll have a more relaxed experience with not having to worry about finding a parking spot. The other option for seeing the cliffs with less crowds is to visit at the end of the day, and catch the sunset.
How much time should you spend at the Cliffs of Moher?
To see everything at the Cliffs of Moher, you should give yourself about two hours. Two hours gives you enough time to walk along the path and look at the cliffs from different view points, take all the photos you want
Why is the Cliff of Moher so famous?
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland. They’re a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, and have been used in movies (The Princess Bride and Harry Potter.)
What time is the sunset at Cliffs of Moher?
The timing of the sunset at Cliffs of Moher changes depending on the season. In June and July, the sun sets sometimes between 9:30 and 10:05 pm, so you need to be willing to stay there quite late to see them. Of course, this changes greatly throughout the year. Check out our timetable above for exact times.
How to book a tour to Cliffs of Moher at sunset?
There are many tours to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin and Galway, but they aren’t specifically planned to see the sunset. The best way to see the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher is to plan your visit according to the timing of the sunset, and drive there from Doolin or another nearby accommodation.
Sunset at Cliffs of Moher: Final Thoughts
The Cliffs of Moher are beauiful, daytime and evening. Its no surprise that this site of breathtaking natural beauty was used as the filming location for movies – Harry Potter, (the scene where him and Dumbledore are looking for a horcrux) and The Princess Bride. The Cliffs of Moher are an incredible sight to see in Ireland, and I can’t think of a prettier location to enjoy a sunset.
Seeing the sunset at cliffs of Moher gives you a surreal view, unique photos and an experience to remember forever.