Sunset at Cliffs of Moher: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
Hoping to catch the Cliffs of Moher at sunset? Great choice – seeing the sunset at the cliffs is a unique experience, as the park is (usually) closed by the time the sun sets.
During our last trip to Ireland, I wanted to see Cliffs of Moher with fewer crowds. We showed up at the park in the later part of the evening, and it was much quieter than during the day. As a bonus, we got to enjoy watching the sun set over the ocean horizon from the cliffs.
The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland are cliff rock formations standing 702 feet (214 metres) that span about 14 km (8 miles). The long shoreline allows visitors to see the ocean and cliffs from endless viewpoints, so there are so many places to spread out, take photos and enjoy some serene views – especially in the evening.
The glow over the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs is a stunning, mesmerizing sight. The Cliffs are some of the tallest in Ireland, making the view over the ocean incredible. If you want to see the sunset at Cliffs of Moher, then here is 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 special the Cliffs of Moher are, so we don’t need to ramble on too much about that. Here’s what you need to know about trying to see them at sunset:
- There are a lot fewer people at the Cliffs of Moher in the evening so visiting for sunset is a bonus, not just because of the beauty of the sun setting but because of not having to worry about crowds
- There is no fee to visit Cliffs of Moher after a certain time (which varies by year) so if you JUST want to see the cliffs at sunset, you may be able to do it for free. We visited in May, and paid the entrance fee as it was before the closing time at 8pm. But, we didn’t mind paying. Seeing the cliffs at a time when there were way fewer people made it worth it. The only downside is that some of the shops were closed by the time we went in (however this didn’t bother us)
- The Cliffs of Moher opening hours change throughout the year. If you visit AFTER closing, then you can visit for free. Closing doesn’t mean that the cliffs are closed, just that the services are. Here are the current 2026 Cliffs of Moher opening and closing hours:
| 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 |
- Keep in mind – the sunset at the cliffs can vary in how beautiful it is, depending on the weather. It isn’t always a clear, vibrant sunset. On cloudy days it’ll be much more toned down. Our last visit was in May, and it was a little cloudy when we were there, but the vibrant pink line by the water’s horizon was still very beautiful.
- The sunset time CHANGES throughout the year – you’ll need to keep that in mind for when you visit! In the summer months, the sun doesn’t set in Ireland until around 10pm 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.
What Time is The Sunset at Cliffs of Moher?
The timing of the sunset will depend on the time of year. We visited in May, and didn’t stay until the sunset was at its peak, as we were travelling through Ireland with kids, the youngest being only 4 years old. So, we saw the earlier part of the sunset, and then went home before it brightened (however, we saw the sky become more intense from our house in Doolin.)
Here are the sunset times for each month throughout the year.
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.
One convenient thing to do is to stay somewhere near the cliffs. There are bed and breakfasts, glamping, and luxury accommodations within a 10-minute drive of the cliffs. This is what we did – we rented a family house in Doolin, so that the cliffs were just a short drive.
How to get to the Cliffs of Moher at Sunset
1. Driving to the Cliffs
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. 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.
However, even though you can park for free after hours, I’d still recommend that you come earlier, and just pay for a ticket. 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.
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.
3. Cliffs of Moher Tours
There are countless Cliffs of Moher tours, but none that specifically bring you to see the sunset. Part of what is amazing about seeing them in the evening is the lack of tour buses there, which creates a completely different atmosphere.
Places to Stay in Doolin
Doolin makes for a convenient place for exploring Cliffs of Moher and other attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way too. Doolin is a touristy village just 8 km (5 miles) from Cliffs of Moher. It’s very popular, but its still one of the cutest towns in Ireland. You can hike between the two (via the Doolin Cliff walk) in 90 minutes, or drive in just 13 minutes.
Doolin is a worthwhile place to stay for more reasons than just the cliffs. You can also take a ferry to the Aran Islands (Inis Oirr is only 15 minutes away)
- Budget: Dubhlinn Guesthouse -Free parking, plus offers breakfast
- Mid Range: Doolin Village Apartments (ideal for families) this is where we stayed. Free parking, and full kitchen to cook and store your own food. We allocated 3 nights to the Doolin area on our Ireland itinerary and it was definitely worth it because there’s so much to do in the area.
- Luxury: Fiddle + Bow Hotel – Upper scale experience, excellent breakfast. They actually own the Doolin Village apartments I mentioned above, they’re just a short walk from eachother. From Fiddle and Bow, you can walk to the colourful cottages on Fisher street.
Check out my YouTube video on visiting the Cliffs at sunset:
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.