19 Best Things to Do in Doolin, Ireland (2025)
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.
My first time visiting Cliffs of Moher, I didn’t know about Doolin and all the things there are to do in the area.
Doolin has around 300 people, and is 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 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.
So, let’s jump in – things to do in Doolin!
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. It’s these cottages that make Doolin one of the prettiest small towns in Ireland.
You can park nearby (just up the street), and take a short walk to visit some of the shops and pubs that are in this little corner of charm.
There’s not a ton to see on this colourful section of Fisher street other than just the cottages, but there are a few things:
- Enjoy some live music at The Attic
- Grab some ice cream at Doolin Ice Cream. A bit pricy, but good
- Enjoy traditional Irish food at Gus O’Connor’s Pub
- Have an amazing meal at the Ivy Cottage (the yellow building in the photo). We ate at Ivy Cottage and it was fantastic
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, but there is a larger lot just up the road.
2. Catch a sunset
The sunsets in Doolin and the surrounding areas are incredible. On a clear day, the view of the sun setting over the ocean is breathtaking.
If you’re lucky enough to be higher up in the hills, then you’d see it with green countryside as well!
3. 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, and they’re a great way to find some great quality Irish souvenirs.
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 Store is open every day except for Sunday.
Pro Tip: They used to have a coffee store right inside this craft shop, but sadly it closed last year.
Side note: You can find Doolin-specific souvenirs!
If you’re looking to shop for souvenirs, then you can find them at the Irish Craft store or on Fisher street.
There are magnets, sweaters and other things that say ‘Doolin’ on them. Might be a nice reminder if you spent a chunk of time here.
4. Rent a bike
The Doolin area is a great place to go bike riding, as long as you’re careful of cars as it can be a busy – especially in summer.
Doolin Rent a Bike is nestled just past 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.
5. Check out the Doolin Pier, and take a Ferry
Distance from Doolin: 2 km (1.2 miles)
Head to the Doolin Pier where you can get views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher (from a distance) and hop aboard a ferry if you want!
The Doolin Ferry Company leaves from the Doolin Pier to take groups:
- to the Aran Islands
- on tours of the Cliffs of Moher (or both – I saw some passengers that were doing tours that combined the two)
The closest Aran Island to Doolin is Inis Oirr (pronounced ‘Inisheer’) and it’s only a 15-minute ferry ride from Doolin.
We decided to spend the morning on Inis Oirr since it was only a 15-minute ferry ride from Doolin. We loved it there, and are so glad we explored it.
Check out all the Doolin Ferry Tour options on their website here.
6. 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 the 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.
Book your guided tour of the Doolin Cave here (50 minutes long, around $30 USD per person.)
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.
7. Visit the Cliffs of Moher
Distance from Doolin: 9 km (5.5 miles)
The Cliffs are probably a big part of what drew you to Doolin in the first place!
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.
The best part about staying overnight in Doolin is that you have so much more flexibility in visiting the Cliffs.
They’re the #1 tourist attraction in Ireland, so they can get packed during the day, especially in the summer. We stayed overnight in Doolin and it was so much nicer to visit in the evening with less crowds.
If you’re staying in the Doolin area for at least a day, then there are 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
- 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)
- Do the Cliff Walk, which is a hike from Doolin to the cliffs -more on that below *currently closed*
9. Admire Doonagore Castle from afar
Distance from Doolin: 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
Doonagore Castle is less than 1 km from Doolin, you can see it from many parts of town.
We drove up as close as we could get to it on a beautiful day and got some amazing photos.
Doonagore was built in the 1500s, and has some sinister history which you can read about here.
It is not technically an abandoned castle, but it’s on private land so it’s no longer open to the public. However, you can still get a good view, and take photos of it from the road.
You’ll notice that the castle can be seen from many walking and bike trails in the area as well.
8. Search for nearby 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 fascinating, and is one of the things I love about Ireland.
Here are a few of the ancient ruins that you can find near Doolin:
- Doonmacfelim Ringfort (there is even said to be a small cave here)
- Teergonean Ringfort + souterrain
- Ballycahan ringfort and souterrain
Some of them may be harder to get to than others. Here’s a map (the ruins are in blue)
Of course, Doolin isn’t the only place in Ireland where you can find these ancient ruins. There are countless ones around Ireland.
However, if you have some extra time in Doolin and want to do something a little ‘off the beaten path’ then this might be a fun thing to do!
10. 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 led by Peter, who is so friendly and tells stories of the history of the land during the horseback rides.
My 12-year-old daughter and I decided to book their mountain trek. I never would have gone horseback riding if it wasn’t for her, but now I’m so glad she suggested it.
Mountain View Horse Riding was great. We loved the staff – Peter and his team were all so helpful and friendly. They were very supportive to people who aren’t used to riding, and they were welcoming to my 4 year old (who’s too young to ride but wanted to just meet the horses.) I couldn’t recommend them enough.
They also care well for the horses; the horses seem content and are well taken care of (this was important to me.)
You can view information and book on their website. I recommend booking as soon as you can, as they do fill up.
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. Be aware of their cancellation policy – non-refundable within 7 days.
11. Check out Killilagh Medieval Church
Distance from Doolin: 1.1 km ( miles)
Killilaugh Church is a hidden gem near Doolin. It’s a medieval church in ruins, built in the 1300s.
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.)
I found it to have a haunting, peaceful presence, maybe because I love being around old buildings.
You can park right in front of the church and spend some time walking among the ruins. Parking is very tight – only room for 1 or 2 spots.
Remember to be respectful of the history of this church and burial site.
12. Go for scenic hikes 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 limestone ground – the terrain varies.
When planning a hiking adventure in the Burren, be 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.
13. Do a yoga retreat
Distance from Doolin: 4 km (2.4 miles)
Doolin Yoga does indoor yoga at their studio, as well as outdoors 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.
14. Do the Doolin Cliff Walk
Distance from Doolin: 4.6 km (2.8 miles) *currently closed*
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.
15. 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 fascinating 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.
16. 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 perfumery, it’s good to know that you can also shop on their website, and they’ll ship worldwide for FREE for orders over €70.
17. Visit a petting farm (summer months only 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 allows you to meet and feed several types of farm animals.
But it wasn’t just a petting farm – they have playgrounds, a fairy trail, and a farm museum.
You could easily spend the whole day here, because in addition to all of the above, they also have a café on-site. It was a nice place, and very close to Cliffs of Moher.
There are donkeys, highland cows, sheep, rabbits, horses and more. We all had such a great time there, and at 10 am we had almost the whole place to ourselves.
Tickets for the Moher Hill Pet Farm are €12 for adults and €10 for kids. Toddlers under 3 are free. You pay when you show up.
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. Get views of the ruins of 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 stands on its own in the middle of a field – all that remains is a wall.
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.
Where to Stay in Doolin
During my most recent trip to Doolin, we stayed at Doolin Village Lodges, which was perfect for our family of 4. We rented a house that had 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and was a 10-15 minute walk to the centre of Doolin! Good customer service, and attached to the restaurant Russell’s.
You’ll notice though that Doolin and the surrounding are are absolutely full of accommodations. So, as long as you book early, I don’t think it should be too hard to find a place -especially if you aren’t picky.
Here are some other options for places 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 10-minute 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.
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)
- 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 famous 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.