Top Things To Do In Doolin Ireland

Doolin is one of the cutest villages in all of Ireland, and is a favorite destination among those visiting the West Coast of the island. It’s located in the county Clare, right on the Atlantic Ocean, and along the famous Wild Atlantic Way road. It’s also the closest village to the famous Cliffs of Moher, making it the potentially perfect place for a quick overnight stay. Doolin may be small in size, but it more than makes up for it with its friendly and welcoming people and rich Irish traditions. Doolin village is one of those places that will definitely make your visit to Ireland much more memorable. Doolin not only has some of the liveliest pubs that I have visited in all of Ireland, it’s also located in close proximity to some major Ireland tourism attractions, making the town the perfect destination to spend a few days exploring in the Irish countryside. If you are  planning a trip to the Emerald Isle soon, make sure to add Doolin, to your travel itinerary!

So since we just got back from the area last weekend and we are still obsessed over how we found so many great activities and cool places in and near Doolin, I have decided to put this comprehensive list together of top things to do in Doolin, Ireland, so you can enjoy planning your visit and discover the town’s Irish charm for yourself!

While the majority of people who come to visit Ireland will start their journey by flying into the Dublin international airport (the country’s largest and most popular) you definitely don’t need to constrain yourself to the east side of the island! There are lots of ways to go to the western portion, where many of the most famous attractions and sights to see are found. So everyone should plan to make a quick (or long) trip to the west coast while visiting Ireland.

Things to do In Doolin

Doolin Cliff Walk

If a big part of the reason why you are traveling to Ireland is wanting to see the Cliffs of Moher, there's just no better experience than doing so while going on a Cliff walk. It’s a one of a kind walk with dramatic views and dreamy scenery! The walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher is about 8km (~ 5 miles) depending on your specific starting location and the route you take. And visitors can either take the self guided approach, or book a tour with one of the expert guides in the area. We recommend booking a tour if you love to learn all about local stories, culture and traditions. The guides are very friendly and knowledgeable, and they’ll keep you so entertained that the walk will seem like it flies by. Probably the best of the best things to do in Doolin Ireland is to simply walk from the town to the famous Cliffs of Moher. You’ll get the chance to enjoy the Irish countryside and feel the crispy pure air on your face, especially if you decide to head out there starting  in the early morning. 

There’s something about the Irish countryside air that makes me feel alive, awake and incredibly happy, very at peace but at the same time ready to conquer the world! I imagine the feeling of breathing the air and enjoying the wind is exactly the same as it would have been hundreds of years ago… it just seems so pure and authentically fresh!

While on the walk, travelers will experience not only the calming and serene sound of waves crashing on the cliffs and the beautiful ocean scenery, but also will take in the magic greenery of the landscape. These views will be accompanied by a herd of cows and adorable calves, which can be found grazing on the brightly colored fields most days. They’ll make for the perfect travel companions to keep you company if you’re walking along the paths alone.

A few things you might want to know before visiting the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin:

The hike from Doolin to the Cliffs is one of moderate difficulty, as it has some slippery and steep parts. This can be especially true if it’s raining or rained recently, which can cause the trail to be muddy in places.

Definitely don’t forget to wear your sneakers, or even waterproof boots if you brought them, for your Cliffs of Moher exploration.The terrain can be quite rough at times along the Doolin Coastal Trail, so make sure you keep an eye on where you’re walking!

For travelers who can’t walk to the Cliffs but have selected Doolin as their home base in the area, there’s also a bus that runs from the town directly to the Cliffs of Moher. You can find more information about schedules and specific locations here https://www.transportforireland.ie/, making it easy and accessible to get there.

You can also drive yourself right to the Cliffs. You don’t have to pay to visit the Cliffs themselves, but you do have to pay to park. Nonetheless if you are planning to get to the Cliffs before 11am, you can purchase those tickets online for half the price.

As with any other popular destination around the world, the later in the day you arrive at the Cliffs, the more crowded it will probably get.

There are also boat tours that will take you to see the Cliffs of Moher from sea level (you can find tickets and information here). Many of these tour boats will leave from Doolin, but there are a few other towns in the area that also serve as launching points for the ferries. Oftentimes you’ll get to see not only the amazing cliffs from the boat, but also the nearby Aran Islands! Plan your ferry trip in advance and decide if you will want to stop off at any locations like this.

Bring a pair of sunglasses (even in the winter, on a clear day the sun is really bright), a pair of gloves, and a warm beanie, especially if you are visiting during the colder months or watching the sunset from the cliffs). It can get very windy in the area, so even if the temperature that day doesn’t seem too low it can still feel very cold with the windchill!

And last but not least, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures while on the doolin cliff walk, as you’ll get a totally different perspective than the one from the Cliff of Moher’s welcome center. It’s easy to get swept away just by being there, but don’t forget to grab a few pictures for your memories (and your Instagram!).

The Cliffs Of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher themselves  are definitely a highlight on the list, as most of us will actually be visiting and exploring  tbe village of Doolin while on our way to this iconic place. If for some reason the Cliffs are not on your itinerary, definitely change that right now!  It more than lives up to the hype, especially if you are lucky enough to go on a sunny day. 

Regardless of the weather, the Cliffs are a sight that you won’t want to miss. They stand tall and in such a majestic way that you’ll be dreaming about the sound of the wind and the birds and the beauty of the crashing waves against the cliff’s walls for weeks!

We have visited the Cliffs of Moher twice, once on a cold winter day at sunset and more recently on a beautiful and warm fall day. Although without a doubt the second time the sights gave clearer views, getting to experience the sun going down from the cliffs was a unique (though chilly!) experience. I don’t think there’s a bad time to visit the cliffs, so definitely add them to your trip plans no matter what time of year you’re visiting Ireland!

The Aran Islands

Another of the top things to do in Doolin is to take a cruise to the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands are a group of three islands found just off the main coast of Ireland, where millenary traditions, friendly locals and delicious food and spirits go hand in hand. Visiting the Aran Islands is going to be one of the most authentic Irish experiences that you’ll have while visiting the country, since the locals are very serious about preserving their ancient culture and traditions. You'll mostly hear them speaking in Irish while you’re exploring the Islands, which is such a cool experience. Everyone will also speak English fluently, so there’s no need to worry about difficulties communicating while visiting!

To get to the islands you’ll have to take a ferry from Doolin (many of them are seasonal, so make sure to check beforehand) and get off at the islands. Once on the island, make sure you don’t miss out on riding a bike along the winding countryside roads or just relaxing by the beach! A bicycle is actually one of the best ways to get around the islands, so we definitely recommend renting bikes for your visit. If you are exploring the area for a few days, you can always choose to spend a night at the Aran islands. They even offer glamping opportunities if you want a truly unique experience.

There is a ton of amazing archaeology and history found on the Aran islands. There is evidence of old settlements and defensive forts that date as far back as 1000 BC! Other highlights include monasteries, castles, and a ringfort. It’s definitely worth visiting some of these sights to learn a bit about the Islands’ past and the traditions of the local inhabitants.

The Burren National Park

There are so many amazing places to visit and explore near Doolin, so at this point you might not think there’s anything else nearby that can leave you speechless. But that’s because you haven’t stepped into the Burren region yet. With a landscape more similar to outer space than to planet earth, the Burren National Park has some amazing rocky and hilly scenery that is a ton of fun to explore!

The Burren National Park consists of approximately 1500 hectares of land, and is internationally famous for its rock formations, flora and fauna. The park has been part of the Irish landscape for  many years, and the site is open to the public all year around. Also did I mention that accessing the Burren is free? This time, you won't even have to pay parking fees. Voila!

The park has lots of cool things to see while you’re visiting, including some amazing examples of megalithic portal tombs. This is a great place to see one of these amazing ancient structures, which can date back to as much as 6000 years ago. That’s older than the great pyramids at Giza!

The Doolin Cave 

Another of the most exciting things to do in Doolin is to go adventuring inside the Doolin Cave. The cave is located just outside of the main Doolin village area, so you can easily stop here on your way to the Burren National Park.

The Doolin Cave is definitely an impressive attraction, and the main focus is The Great Stalactite hanging from the cave ceiling. It’s really quite impressive to see: the Stalactite is 7.3 meters (23 feet) long and is one the longest free-hanging stalactites in the world. There is a visitor center and a small cafe located at the cave site as well.

The Doolin cave itself is very easy to access, and all visitors will be able to enjoy it. More serious cave explorers will be happy to hear that there are a number of other more difficult caves in the area that are available for exploration. Doolin is a popular base camp for cavers adventuring in the area.

Fans of these kinds of outdoor activities will also appreciate hearing that there are a number of excellent rock climbing and bouldering sights found near Doolin. Ailladie is a famous cliff looking over the ocean that offers the chance for a high grade technical climb for those advanced climbers looking for a unique challenge. For a more accessible and casual climb, check out the Ballyryan sight more inland. 

Pro-tip: The Doolin Cave does have an admission fee, but you can always save some money if you purchase tickets online!

The Doonagore Castle

Ireland is known for its green landscapes, the beauty of its countryside, and of course the castles! There are lots of castles of various sizes and ages along the Atlantic Way and relatively near to Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, though the closest in proximity to the village is the Doonagore Castle. The castle is located on a hill halfway between the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin village, so you can hike there and enjoy the magnificent vistas of the Atlantic and surrounding areas. It’s a good place to stop if you are walking from Doolin to the Cliffs!

O’Connors Pub

The Doolin region is well known for its traditional Irish music, and there are many great pubs in the area where you can stop by to enjoy a good beer or whiskey while listening to live music and having fun with the locals. O’connors Pub is one of the most well known pubs in the area, and also one of the best. They have delicious traditional food, lots of beers to choose from, and of course live music every day starting around 9:30pm. Just make sure you head there early, as the place is really popular and can get a bit crowded during peak times of the year.

Pro-tip: If you decide to head to O’connors for the music, you can always try some of the delicious food that they serve nearby at Riverside Bistro Doolin or at The Ivy Cottage Cafe! There should also be some classic pub food found at O’Connors itself if you prefer to just stay there.

Walk around the town

Another super fun experience to have whenever you choose to visit a small town in Ireland is to just walk around the Main Street. You’ll get to see the small shops, cafes, and restaurants, and you might even strike up a conversation or two with the locals. This small town is perfect to do just that and it’s one of the coolest things to do in Doolin! Stop by one or two shops along the way, get an Irish coffee in between, and buy some cute local souvenirs to take home with you!

The Wild Atlantic Way

It’s definitely hard to choose a favorite adventure to have in and around Doolin, as there are just so many amazing places and fun experiences. I feel like choosing just one would be unfair to the rest, but I do want to make a special note that driving along the Wild Atlantic Way was one of the best experiences of my life. It’s definitely a top three road trip for me, and I would say that renting a car and driving around the area is one of the best things to do in Doolin, Ireland. The Wild Atlantic Way is a road that actually stretches from the northern tip of the island all the way down its west coast, which takes several days to fully drive. You can experience it by driving a small part of this route on your way to the town, on your way back out, or maybe even both! You’ll have the opportunity to truly appreciate the soul of the Irish countryside while also taking in the beautiful panoramic views. It’s always fun to stop at one of the little cafes found by the ocean to have a coffee, tea and some lunch. Even in the coldest winter days there’s that crispness in the Irish air that would make you relax and feel like you have come to the right place!

The beach

Many Irish beaches are stunning, but those on the west coast of the Island are especially visually captivating. The west coast tends to be known for its white sands and pristine waters, making for an amazing scenery. Regardless of the time of the year, you’ll love going on a long walk along the Irish coastline or the beach itself. Adventurous and sporty travelers can try their hand at surfing, which is quite popular in the area, as well as kayaking or canoeing. 

Some of the beaches we have been and recommend from the area are: Lahinch Beach, Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay and the Spanish point Beach.

For lovers of the sport of surfing, Lahinch in particular is a very popular resort style town that draws surf enthusiasts from all over Ireland and the world. There will be plenty of small businesses to rent you a board and wetsuit (which is definitely needed in the cold Atlantic waters) so don’t worry if you didn’t bring your own! Doolin itself is actually another popular destination for surfing, and in fact boasts a fantastic break near the Cliffs that creates Ireland’s biggest wave!

Nature lovers would enjoy camping on one of the nearby beaches. We have done it once while living on the island and we loved it! It’s very popular with the younger locals, so chances are you might even have some company while camping.

A Few More Tips On Things To Do In Doolin, Ireland

I hope this guide of things to do in Doolin has made you as excited about your future Emerald Isle trips as we are everytime we explore a new destination on the island.  Among other things you might find useful to know while planning and organizing your trip are:

Best Time To Visit

The most popular season to visit Ireland is always the summer, starting at the beginning of June and running through early September. Bloggers often recommend visiting during these warmer  months, though I personally think the Spring and fall are actually better options. I recommend these times because Ireland is not really meant to be a tropical summer destination. Although the island has breathtaking beaches, the waters typically stay cold throughout the whole year, including during peak summer months. Ireland's driest month is April. So you won’t really be missing out on anything in cooler weather, and there’s just something about Ireland when there’s a bit of a chill in the air… it’s just magical! 

Other things to consider are that if you are traveling from a North American destination, you might not be used to the long summer Irish days. Here on the Emerald Isle, the sunset happens around 10 pm or later during the peak of the summer months! Adjustments like that can always affect your trip, and you might feel a bit more jet-lagged than usual due to this. Visiting during the Spring or the Fall will have the chance to add the experience of seeing the changing colors of nature first hand, while still enjoying agreeable temperatures and not too much rain. My favorite part is that you’ll beat the summer crowds and miss the worst of the hefty flight and hotel prices, as long as you're not trying to visit around St Patrick's Day!

Languages

Ireland's official languages are Irish and English! English native speakers and those who fluently speak the language will have no issues communicating throughout the island. There are a small number of places that put a lot of effort into maintaining the traditional Irish language, so the locals will tend to speak this exclusively to each other. These areas, known as Gaeltacht districts, are mostly found on the west coast of the island. While it sounds like communication would be an issue, the locals all speak English perfectly as well and you shouldn’t have any trouble visiting as a tourist. They’re the perfect places to try out an Irish phrase or two that you’ve been learning in preparation for your trip! The Aran Islands are a great example near Doolin. These areas are vital for the preservation of the Irish language, which has seen a sharp decline in the number of fluent speakers in the last century. Visiting a Gaeltacht region is a great way to support local businesses and towns while also getting a truly authentic Irish experience!

Transportation Tips 

The most common way to come to Ireland is by plane, and the most popular airport to fly into is Dublin. Travelers can also fly into Shannon, which is on the western half of the island and thus is closer to Doolin. If you choose Shannon, a rental car is the best and fastest way to get to County Clare.

 If you are traveling into Dublin airport, the city center is just an easy bus, taxi or car ride away, taking around 30 minutes or so to reach. Bus tickets start at 8 euros per person, depending on the stop and destination, and a taxi can go from anywhere from 20 to 40 euros. 

Once in the country, there are many ways to get to Doolin depending on where you are coming from. While multiple bus tour operators schedule trips all year long from all mg the major Irish cities (Dublin, Galway, Limerick etc) I would, of course, recommend that you drive yourself!

The Irish countryside is filled with an incredible beauty, and regardless of how well you plan your itinerary you’ll definitely want to make some spontaneous stops: when you come across some castle ruins not mentioned in any travel guide, or simply want to appreciate the greenery of the hills and the beauty of the scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way! Having a rental car gives you the freedom to do just that whenever you decide that you see a place worth stopping to explore.

If you decide to drive, just keep in mind that some of the small Irish countryside roads have a strangely high speed limit. Even though the locals drive very fast on them, I would recommend being careful and take it slow, especially if it's your first time in the area. Going around corners should be done with caution on smaller roads in the countryside!

Also, Americans should keep in mind that the Irish drive on the opposite side of the road! While this sounds like a big deal, it’s actually not too bad to make the adjustments. You should very quickly be used to the new conditions, allowing you to enjoy the drive in peace!

What to Wear

Keep in mind that Doolin is very close to the coast, and the wind coming off the ocean means you will want to pack some warm layers. This is especially true if you are planning a trip to the Aran Islands or to watch the sunset on the Cliffs of Moher. This is doubly true during wintertime!

A good windproof jacket will be a great item to pack no matter when you’re visiting. The longer the jacket is, the better…your legs will get cold too!

Hotel Recommendations

Although I recommend that everyone plans ahead and books their stay well ahead of time, when you’re in the Doolin village area you don’t absolutely need to arrive with a pre-booked hotel. There are hundreds of B&Bs in the area, and many I could not even find on the internet. I find it quite adventurous and fun to just go with the flow and stay at the B&B that catches your eye in the evening while you’re exploring the area. If there’s a place where you can “go with the flow,” it’s Doolin Ireland, especially if you are traveling during the off-peak season. Even on the busiest days of the year you’ll be able to find places with a vacancy sign. I would always recommend having a few hundred euros in cash if you’re planning to do this, as some smaller businesses might not be able to accept a card. This is actually a good practice in general when traveling in many parts of more rural Ireland!

If you prefer to arrive with your stay pre booked, you can find several nice B&Bs and hotels on Hotels.com. Remember that if you have an account, after booking 10 nights through the site you’ll get one night free!

General Travel Tips

Have you ever been to Doolin, Ireland before? If you have, please let me know in the comments if you enjoyed it and what was on your list of “top things to do in Doolin, Ireland”. If you haven’t, make sure to Pin this guide for later, you never know where the wind will bring you next!

Below, I’ve linked to some other Ireland related travel articles that we recommend you read if you are planning a visit to other parts of Ireland:

A Dublin Itinerary with secret local tips

The Best Things To Do In Dublin!

A Guide from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher

Besitos from Doolin Ireland,

Laura

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