From Galway: Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour

About This Tour

Starting from Galway rather than Dublin means you spend far less time on the road and far more time actually standing at the edge of something extraordinary. This guided day trip gets you to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren with a total travel time of just a couple of hours each way, leaving the bulk of your day for the sights themselves.

The Cliffs of Moher need little introduction. Rising 214 metres above the crashing Atlantic, they stretch for eight kilometres along the Clare coast and are one of the most visited natural attractions in Europe. What photographs never quite capture is the sheer scale of the place, or the sensation of standing at the clifftop with nothing between you and the Aran Islands but open ocean and a very long drop. You get a generous two hours here, which is enough time to walk the cliff path in both directions and visit the underground exhibition at the visitor centre.

The Burren is the surprise highlight for many visitors. This vast limestone pavement looks like the surface of another planet, with deep fissures, exposed rock, and an almost complete absence of soil. Yet somehow, wildflowers thrive in the cracks, including Mediterranean and Arctic species growing side by side in a combination found nowhere else on Earth. Your guide will explain the geology and point out details you would walk straight past on your own.

A brief stop in Doolin rounds off the day. This tiny village punches well above its weight as the unofficial capital of traditional Irish music, with live sessions happening in its pubs most evenings.

What’s Included

• Return coach transport from Galway city centre
• Professional local guide with live commentary
• Stop at the Burren with guided walk
• Entry to the Cliffs of Moher and visitor centre
• Break in Doolin village

What’s Not Included

• Meals and drinks
• Tips for the guide
• Hotel pick-up outside of designated meeting point

Good to Know

• The cliff path can be exposed and windy, so dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket even on sunny days
• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential for the Burren’s limestone surface
• The tour is significantly shorter than Dublin-based Cliffs of Moher tours, making it ideal if you are already staying in Galway or the west
• Cameras and phones should be secured with a strap as the wind at the cliff edge can be strong
• The Burren is especially beautiful in May and June when the wildflowers are at their peak