19 Best Things to Do in Doolin, Ireland (2024)
If you’re visiting the Cliffs of Moher and looking for things to do in Doolin, Ireland, then you’re in the right place.
The majority of visitors to Ireland pass through this area to see the cliffs, but there’s so much to do besides that. Doolin is a picturesque small seaside village, with a welcoming, friendly community of only around 300 people. Its close to many attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Within a short drive from Doolin, you can find oceanside cliffs, hiking trails, castles, caves, Celtic ruins, outdoor activities and more.
The first time I went to Ireland, I didn’t really know about Doolin and although I was in the area, I missed visiting the town. The next time I planned a trip to Ireland, I didn’t make the same mistake.
There’s so much to do in the area, that I actually decided to stay in Doolin during my second trip to Ireland. The town itself is very small, but there are a lot of gems within a short drive that make it well worth a stop on your Ireland itinerary.
From the colourful main street and oceanside views, ruined castles and the stunning Cliffs of Moher – there are so many things to do in Doolin that I can’t wait to share with you.
Things to Do in Doolin, Ireland
1. Admire the colourful cottages on Fisher street
Distance from Doolin: right in town
A small section of Fisher Street has the bright coloured street that Doolin is famous for. You can park nearby, and take a short walk to visit some of the shops and pubs that are in this little corner of charm.
However, there’s more to see on this colourful section of Fisher street other than just the cottages. There are places to eat, and shop nearby.
Here are some places to eat and things to do on Fisher street and nearby:
- Enjoy some live music at The Attic
- Grab some ice cream at Doolin Ice Cream
- Enjoy traditional Irish food at Gus O’Connor’s Pub, or the Ivy Cottage, or fine dining at Glas Restaurant
- Visit the Irish Craft Store for some unique souvenirs
Pro Tip: Parking on Fisher street near the colourful cottages can be tight, and its all parallel parking on only one side of the road. I recommend finding parking nearby, as there are lots of joining streets.
2. Rent a bike
The Doolin area is a great place to go bike riding. Feel the breeze at your face as you explore the green Irish countryside.
Doolin Rent a Bike is nestled in with the brightly coloured buildings on Fisher street.
You can rent a bike for round trip (drop off at the same place) or one way, which is dropping it off somewhere else. They have both regular bikes, and electric bikes.
Inquire about bike rentals and check out routes on the Doolin Rent-A-Bike website.
Pro Tip: As per current rules, you’re not legally obligated to wear a helmet in Ireland – but it’s recommended.
3. Check out the Doolin Pier, and take a Ferry
Distance from Doolin: 2 km (1.2 miles)
From colourful corner of Fisher street, a 20 minute walk (or 5 minute drive) will bring you to the Doolin Pier where you can get views of the Atlantic ocean, and hop aboard a ferry.
The Doolin Ferry Company leaves from the Doolin Pier to take groups to the Aran Islands, and on tours of the Cliffs of Moher.
We decided to book the Animals at Cliffs of Moher tour, because I knew that my two daughters would love it. It’s a 45-50 minute tour, and allows you to see the cliffs from a different perspective.
Check out all the Doolin Ferry Tour options on their website here.
4. Admire Doonagore Castle from afar
Distance from Doolin: 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
Doonagore Castle is less than 1 km from Doolin. It is not an abandoned castle, but its on private land so its no longer open to the public.
However, you can still get a good view, and take photos of it from the road.
It’s an unusual castle. Doonagore was built in the 1500s, and has some sinister history which you can read about here.
One of the popular viewpoints for the castle can be found here: 2J56+FG, Doonnagore, Doolin, Co. Clare, Ireland. However, you’ll notice that the castle can be seen from many walking and bike trails in the area.
5. Marvel at Killilagh Medieval Church
Distance from Doolin: 1.1 km ( miles)
Killilaugh Church is a hidden gem near Doolin. It’s a medievel church is ruins, built in 1300s. I found it to have a haunting, peaceful presence, maybe because I love being around old buildings.
It has drawn ‘graveyard tourists;’ people who are looking for the headstones of their ancestors from Ireland. I don’t have Irish ancestry, but I love visiting ruined buildings regardless. (Churches, castles and celtic ruins.)
You can park right in front of the church, and spend some time walking among the ruins. Remember to be respectful of the history of this church and burial site.
6. Go hiking in the Burren
Distance from Doolin: it depends on the trail
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark is a large area covered in limestone, with large creases in the ground.
It covers over 500 sqare kms, and includes the area of Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and the surrounding area. Not everywhere in the area is completely covered in the limestone ground – the terrain varries.
When planning a hiking adventure in the Burren, careful not to mix up the Burren UNESCO Geopark with The Burren National Park. (However, part of the geopark is included in the national park, which makes it easy to get confused.)
When people talk about hiking in ‘The Burren’ near Doolin, they’re referring to the UNSECO geopark. There are different hiking routes which you can find here, as well as some routes for biking too!
Most of the trails in the Burren Geopark range from 5km up to 14km (between 3 and 8.6 miles.) But, if you’re willing to drive out to the Burren National Park (30 minutes from Doolin) there are shorter, easier trails, which you can find details of here.
7. Explore the Doolin Cave
Distance from Doolin: 3.7 km (2.2 miles)
The Doolin Cave is a cave that you can visit on a 45-minute tour, just on the edge of the Burren. It’s one of the perfect things to do in Doolin in the rain, since the tour takes place in shelter of the cave.
The cave contains Europe’s largest stalactite (which is the icicle-like stone hanging from the ceiling.)
Not only is the inside of the cave so awe-inspiring to look at, but the guides tell interesting stories about how the cave was used long ago.
One important thing to note about touring the Doolin cave is that you’ll need to walk 125 stairs down to the bottom, and walk bent over during some parts of it, which may be a challenge if you have back issues.
We had to carry our youngest child for most of it, but we found the tour length to be perfect for a family. We found it chilly in the cave, so be sure to bring an extra layer.
Book your guided tour of the Doolin Cave here.
Good to Know: The Doolin Cave shouldn’t be confused with the Ailwee Caves which are a popular tourist attraction and are about 30 minutes from Doolin. If you’re in Ireland with kids, its helpful to know that kids only need to be 3 years old for the Doolin Cave, but 6 years old for Ailwee Caves.
8. Do a yoga retreat
Distance from Doolin: 4 km (2.4 miles)
Doolin Yoga does indoor yoga at their studio, as well as outddoors in the picturesque scenery of the area; such as the beaches, on the burren.
They have one off classes, a pass of 5 and also do retreats that include accommodation, food, yoga, coaching sessions and more. Check out their website, schedule and pricing on the Doolin Yoga website.
9. Experience the Cliffs of Moher
Distance from Doolin: 9 km (5.5 miles)
The Cliffs of Moher are 702 feet tall, and offer you dramatic views of the coastline, and even the Aran Islands in the distance.
The Cliffs of Moher are only about a 10 minute drive from the village of Doolin, which is one of the reasons why Doolin is a good place to stay near the cliffs.
You can visit the Cliffs any time of day, and can spend at least 2 hours enjoy the sights, and visiting O’Brian’s Tower which is on-site. The Cliffs of Moher is a place where you want to take your time.
I had my 3 year old with me, and we spent a lot of time job enjoying the ocean views and sounds.
If you’re staying in the Doolin area for at least a day, then there a few cool ‘extra’ ways to experience the cliffs, which are best for adult-only parties, or older children.
Unique Ways to experience the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin
- Do the Cliff Walk, which is a hike from Doolin to the cliffs -more on that below
- See the sunset at the Cliffs, which is much easier to do when you’re staying nearby
- Do yoga at the Cliffs of Moher (offered in the summer months)
10. Do the Doolin Cliff Walk
Distance from Doolin: 4.6 km (2.8 miles)
The Doolin Cliff Walk is a 9 km (5.5 mile) walk that takes you on a rugged dirt path to the Cliffs of Moher. On one side of the path, you have Irish countryside, and on the other – the rugged rocky shoreline, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The walk is relatively easy, but it takes about 4 hours in total. If you’re interested in doing to Doolin Cliff Walk, it can be booked on their official website.
If you don’t want to do the walk – there are also lots of dirt pathways at the cliffs of Moher site that you can spend as much or as little time walking as you choose.
11. Take a ferry to the Aran Islands
Distance from Doolin: 2 km (1.2 miles)
The Aran Islands have a quaint atmosphere and are in touch with their traditional Irish heritage and culture. In fact, its one of the few places left in Ireland where the Irish language is still used.
Inis Mor, the main Aran Islands, can be visited overnight or even just as a day trip.
There are a couple other ways to get to the Aran Islands, but Doolin is the closest port. The ferry only takes 35 minutes to reach Inis Mor, from Doolin.
To book the ferry from Doolin to the Aran Islands, visit the Doolin Ferry website.
12. Check out Celtic Ruins
Distance from Doolin: several within 3 km (2 miles)
There are a number of ruins in the Doolin area – ring forts and stone circles. I find these places in Ireland facinating, and is one of the things I love about Ireland. one of them is the
Here are a few of the ancient ruins that you can find near Doolin:
- Doonmacfelim Ringfort (there is even a small cave)
- Teergonean Ringfort + souterrain
- Ballycahan ringfort and soutterain
You could check out a few of them on the same walk, as they’re located pretty close together – see map:
I visited every stone circle I could find. I find them underrated and fascinating. Of course, Doolin isn’t the only place in Ireland that you can find these ancient ruins. There are a number of other well known ones, such as the Staigue Fort in the Ring of Kerry.
13. Visit the Irish Crafts store
Distance from Doolin: right in town
There is a small Irish Crafts Store just outside the main village of Doolin. Not only are they the best place in the area to find authentic Irish souvenirs, but they also have an in-house coffee van!
The coffee van sells fresh scones, teas and coffee, all day breakfast, and some light lunch items. I was really excited to see that there are even vegan options, and alternative milk options.
They recently closed their online store, so everything in the store you can only buy there. Most of it is made in Ireland, supporting Irish jobs. It’s a family owned business as well – great to support, and a wonderful visiting experience.
The Irish Craft House is open every day except for Sunday.
14. Check out the Moher Tower at Hag’s Head
Distance from Doolin: 15.3 km (9.5 miles)
The Moher Tower is one of the many fascainting ruins near Doolin. It’s the remains of an old Napoleonic-era watchtower, built in the early 1800s.
Walking from Hag’s Head to Cliffs of Moher (or vice versa) is actually a pretty popular way for people to experience the cliffs. From Hag’s Head, its a 6 km (3.7 mile) walk to the Visitor Centre at the Cliffs of Moher.
Otherwise, you can simply get views of this mysterious tower, which has an interesting legend attached to it too.
Pro Tip: If you want to walk to the Cliffs of Moher from Hag’s Head, you’ll need to park at Kilconnel car park (On Google Maps, we found it under Cliffs of Moher Liscannor map) and follow signs for the cliff walk.
15. Visit the Burren Perfumery
Distance from Doolin: 28 km (17 miles)
The Burren Pufermery makes much more than just perfume! It is also a café with an array of teas and home-baked goods, and a gift and cosmetic shop.
It’s such a great place to relax with a cuppa or get a nice gift for someone. Even just the outside of the building makes it worth checking out – all stone and rustic. The inside is very chic and the staff is so kind and friendly!
All the cosmetics and fragrances they make are organic, plus you’re supporting a family business.
I personally do not like fragrances, but I found so many other things there that I was interested in – hand creams, lip balms and facial serums. The scents they do have are more of a ‘natural’ tone, such as woodland, garden, and Irish limestone.
Pro Tip: If you don’t make it to the perfurmery, it’s good to know that you can also shop on their website, and they’ll ship worldwide for FREE for orders over €70.
16. Go horseback riding
Distance from Doolin: 6 km (3.7 miles)
Mountain View Horse Riding Centre offers horseback riding in the scenic area surrounding Doolin. It is family run, and often lead by Peter, who is so friendly and tells stories of the history of the land during the horseback rides.
There are many trails in the rugged coastline, giving you views of the ocean and the Burren landscape. You can view information and book on their website.
Pro Tip: The horseback riding at Mountain View is only currently offered to adults and kids who are 8 years old and over. Their simplest ride is 1 hour long.
17. Step into history at Dough Castle
Distance from Doolin: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Dough Castle is an abandoned castle near Doolin that dates back to the middle ages. It survived the English attack on Ireland in the 1600s due to a political deal that was made, although right now only a wall is still standing.
It has some violent stories behind it too, which you can read about here.
There are thousands of abandoned castles in Ireland, and I made sure that we visited Dough Castle while we were in the Doolin area.
Dough Castle stands on its own in the middle of a field – all that remains is a wall.
We weren’t there for very long, as you don’t need a long time to see it – 5 to 10 minutes, if that! It’s just another one of those fascinating pieces of history to admire in the area.
18. Go golfing (summer only)
Distance from Doolin: 1.5 km (0.9 miles)
Golfing is a very popular activity in the Doolin area. There are a few different places to golf in the area, but the closest place is the Doolin Pitch and Putt which has 18 holes. It’s very family friendly and kids are welcome.
If you prefer a larger golf course, there’s Lahinch Golf Club which has 36 holes and is a bit further away – about a 17 minute drive south of Doolin.
Both of these golf courses, of course, have great views of the Wild Atlantic landscape.
19. Visit a petting farm (summer only)
Distance from Doolin: 8.4 km (miles)
If you’re in the area with kids, then this is the perfect activity for a family. The Moher Hill Open Pet Farm is a petting zoo where you can meet mainly farm animals.
There are donkeys, highland cows, sheep, rabbits, horses and more. It was a nice ‘break’ for our youngest daughter to do something she really enjoyed.
Tickets for the Moher Hill Pet Farm are €10 for both adults and kids. Toddlers under 3 are free.
Where to Stay in Doolin
- Budget: Dubhlinn House Offers everything you need, including a delicious breakfast, and only steps from Doolin for a bargain!
- Mid-Range: Fiddle + Bow Hotel Boutique hotel in a stylish, rustic building. Has a restaurant and bar on site, and serves breakfast
- Luxury: Aran View Country House a Victorian building just 10 minutes walk from Doolin village; offers a free buffet breakfast and has a wine room
Day Trips from Doolin
One of the reasons that Doolin makes such a good base for exploring Western Ireland, is because of its location.
Not only are there plenty of gems within a short driving distance, but if you’re willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, there is so much to see!
This is part of why during my second trip to Ireland, I decided to spend three nights in Doolin. To be honest, I felt like we could even have spent longer.
Here are some places to visit within an hour or so drive from Doolin, and their distance from Doolin:
- The Pinnacle Well – a small heritage gem to check out – 25.6 km (15 miles)
- Ennis, a small town known for its foodie scene – 38 km (23 miles)
- Doughmore Bay Beach 39 km (24 miles)
- The town of Kinvarra, pictured above – 40 km (24 miles)
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park – 64 km (39 miles)
- Galway city – 70 km (43 miles) or Limerick – 77 km (47 miles)
Final Thoughts on Visiting Doolin
By now you know about all the things to do in Doolin. You really can’t beat the lanscape in this part of Ireland. It’s one of my favourites. Most people come to this area only for the Cliffs of Moher, (which I did my first time) and understandably – since its the most famouns attraction in the area.
But Doolin has many things to do, and is a charming place to visit – four the surrounding attractions, as well as the many things to do within a short drive.