Doolin is such a gem! I fell in love with this little town on the West Coast of Ireland. It’s the perfect location to check out the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher. I would base yourself in Doolin for a night, or two, if you really want to experience this area’s offerings. I suggest planning one whole day visiting one of the three Aran Islands so that you aren’t in a rush. You can also stay overnight on one of the islands if you want a truly remote experience.
The Cliffs of Moher are everything I expected them to be. It’s generally everyone’s number one destination in Ireland and for good reason. I thought it couldn’t possibly be as cool as everyone says but luckily I was wrong. I actually had a take-my-breath away kind of moment when I first saw the cliffs. I’ve been a few times since and I always enjoy the experience.
We’ve booked tickets in advance online to save a few euro and we have also just showed up with no issues. I’ve been in April and May which were great months to go with fewer crowds than high season. I don’t know if I would have had such great experiences if we were surrounded by other tourists but I’m sure it’s grand all the same.
One of the most appealing things to me about Doolin is the simplicity of the town. You don’t have to search online for the best restaurant or make sure to check historical sights off your list. There are 4 pubs that all play traditional Irish music most nights of the week and serve typical Irish pub food. You’ve got McGann’s, McDermotts, Gus O’Conners, and Fitzpatrick’s to choose from. The only one I haven’t made it to yet is O’Conners but my favorite is McGann’s. I think they have the best live music and it’s super cozy, casual, and friendly. I grabbed lunch with my friend Ashleigh and Matt once at the Stone Wall Cafe and that was excellent. The beet root salad and Ashleigh’s fancy coffee drink were out of this world.
On one of our trips to Doolin, I went out to Inishmore with my friend Sam and sister Chels. We rented bikes as soon as we got off the ferry and explored the island all day. Riding a bike around the island was a special experience. The ferry on the way over was completely full but once we peddled out of the harbor area it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The population on the island is small and there are only a few main sights to see. The island’s biggest attraction is the natural beauty with ocean views, beaches, and farm animals along the road.
Most people stay in Galway and take a ferry to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands but if you want a more rural experience Doolin is the better place to stay. Don’t get me wrong, Galway has a lot to offer and it’s a fun town but it’s always packed with tourists and the main attraction is really the pub life which you can get anywhere in Ireland. If you do decide to stay in Galway, it’s a ton of fun walking up and down the main drag. Grab a few bar stools by a window and people watch. On a sunny day a walk along the promenade is a must! If you want to see or stay in both Galway and Doolin the drive along the Wild Atlantic Way is beautiful. You will enjoy ocean views and the road also takes you through a part of the Burren.
