The village may be tiny, and there may only be so many things to do in Doolin–but the moment we set foot in this gorgeous village along the Wild Atlantic Way for the first time, we were enchanted with it.
… And that impression didn’t change as we based ourselves there on multiple trips!
If youâre planning to visit Doolin, be sure to make time to explore the village (and County Clare as a whole) beyond the famous Cliffs of Moher.
It may be small, but this tiny village is home to far more fascinating sights than you might notice at first blush.
Here are some of the best things to do in Doolin and the stunning surrounding area!
Table of Contents
Fun Things to Do in Doolin, Ireland
Marvel at the Cliffs of Moher.
Of course, how could visiting the Cliffs of Moher not be at the top of any list of the best things to do in Doolin?
World-famous and stunningly beautiful, the Cliffs of Moher are the crown jewel of County Clare’s tourism scene and one of the most famous and beloved sights in all of Ireland, so be sure to allow plenty of time in your schedule for exploring them.
Several of the Doolin attractions we’ll cover in this guide feature the Cliffs of Moher in some capacity, but the most traditional way to visit is to start at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor’s Center.
Here, you’ll be close to O’Brien’s Tower, the small tower perched on the edge of the cliffs that you can climb.
While the view from the top isn’t anything to write home about, the tower itself makes a beautiful addition to the landscape!
Take a (long) walk.
A trip to the area surrounding the Cliffs of Moher visitorâs center not enough for you?
The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk runs 18km from Doolin to Liscannor–but if youâre staying in Doolin and want to enjoy a hike without completing the entire trail, you can simply hike from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher.
The hike between the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin takes about 2 hours in each direction.
Alternatively, hiking from the Cliffs of Moher visitorâs center to Hagâs Head and back is a doable, non-strenuous way to enjoy the cliffs while leaving the bulk of the crowds behind.
Pay a visit to the Burren.
Drive into the Burren, and youâll suddenly feel like youâve left Ireland behind entirely.
This rocky, otherworldly environment certainly doesnât look like the Emerald Isle of tourism brochures!
If you want to get beyond the most iconic vistas when visiting County Clare, add visiting the Burren to your list of places to visit near Doolin.
Chill out in a traditional Irish pub.
A dark, cozy pub, a pint of Guinness, a congenial crowd, and plenty of traditional Irish music: you canât leave Doolin without experiencing such an evening at least once!
There are only a few pubs in Doolin–really, itâs impressive that there is even a selection to choose from in a village so small–but McDermottâs, McGannâs, or Gus OâConnorâs would all be happy to have you for an evening.
Personally, we started going to McDermottâs by happenstance on our first trip to Doolin, and have just kept returning instead of mixing it up.
The food is good and the atmosphere is cozy, which is everything we could want in an Irish pub!
Enjoy a day on the Aran Islands.
Located an easy ferry ride off the coast of Doolin, the Aran Islands are a downright interesting place to visit.
Take the smallest (and closest) of the three, for example: Inisheer is home to less than 250 full-time residents, Irish is the main spoken language on the island, and highlights include a castle, a ship that was wrecked on the island 50+ years ago and is still sitting on the beach, and a 9th-century church that sunk into the ground.
If youâre looking for a great day trip from Doolin, any one of the Aran Islands (or even a combination of two if you feel like really pushing yourself) is a fantastic option.
Plus, the trip there and back can be lovely as well: on our recent trip to Inisheer, we were lucky enough to see both a full rainbow and several dolphins from the boat on our way back to Doolin!
Take a cruise.
Loved hiking along the top of the Cliffs of Moher, but want to experience them from below as well?
One of the most popular things to do in Doolin is to take a boat cruise along the cliffs!
The cliffs are extremely majestic when admired from below, and the bird-watching is lovely from down there too (though we recommend bringing along a pair of binoculars if you want to enjoy the bird-watching).
We loved our Cliffs of Moher cruise and highly recommend it.
Enjoy some truly delicious food.
Doolin and the surrounding area are home to some incredibly tasty Irish food, and thereâs no doubt you can eat very well there.
In addition to the pubs mentioned above, you might like to try Doolin Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dessert, either to eat in or take away.
And if youâre looking for a quick coffee and/or scone (because why say no to a scone in Ireland?) when visiting the Cliffs of Moher, Moher Cottage is an excellent choice.
Sadly, the long-running Stonecutter’s Kitchen that we used to recommend is now permanently closed (RIP to their phenomenal Banoffee dessert).
Russells Seafood Bar is on our list of places to try on our next trip to Doolin!
Go horseback riding.
Our horseback ride through the Irish countryside near Doolin remains one of our favorite travel memories of all time!
Thereâs truly no better way to appreciate the landscape than on horseback, and it offers a completely different perspective on sightseeing than travel by car or even by foot.
Whether youâre an experienced rider or a novice whoâs simply curious, thereâs a horseback ride near Doolin thatâs right for you.
Step inside Doolin Cave.
Home to one of the largest free-hanging stalactites on the planet, a visit to Doolin Cave is absolutely one of the best things to do in Doolin.
It also makes a great rainy day option in the area, so if the weather looks less-than-stellar during your trip to Doolin, be sure to make a note of it.
Check out Doonagore Castle.
Sadly, you canât tour the interior of Doonagore Castle (itâs a private building these days), but thereâs no doubt that itâs worth stopping by for the views at least once when youâre traveling between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher.
Try your hand at surfing.
Ireland probably isnât the first place that comes to mind when picturing epic surf destinations around the world… but head down to the area near Doolin Pier in the summer, and youâll find plenty of enthusiastic surfers enjoying the waves (while wearing wetsuits, of course).
Not experienced, but want to try your hand at surfing?
There are a few surf schools in the area that would be happy to teach you!
Where to Stay in Doolin
Budget
Aille River Hostel â This popular hostel in Doolin is located right next to the city centerâand is housed in a 300-year-old cottage!
If youâre looking to visit Co. Clare on a budget, you canât go wrong with the tried-and-true Aille River Hostel!
Check rates & book your stay at Aille River Hostel!
Mid-range
Killilagh Accommodation â Though the name has changed slightly since then, this is the property we fell in love with in Doolin during our first visit!
The location is truly perfect (right across the street from Doolin Cafe and less than a 5-minute walk from Doolinâs two of Doolin’s most popular pubs), and the building and rooms cozy and lovely. Weâd be thrilled to stay again!
Check rates & book your stay at Killilagh Accommodation!
Luxury
Fiddle + Bow Hotel â Featuring comfortable, modern rooms and a beautiful property with an on-site restaurant, you canât go wrong with a stay at the popular Fiddle + Bow Hotel, which features an on-site restaurant.
A relative newcomer on the scene (it opened in 2019) Fiddle + Bow has quickly racked up hundreds of wonderful reviews.
If youâre looking for a soft place to land at the end of the day during your stay near the Cliffs of Moherânot to mention an extremely popular included breakfast to start your day withâthis is the hotel for you.
Check rates & book your stay at the Fiddle + Bow Hotel!
Getting Around Doolin
Doolin is small bordering on minuscule, and if you stay within the town itself, youâll likely be able to walk to the pubs and cafes that are scattered around town.
However, youâll definitely want to have a car with you to explore the greater area.
Sights like the Doolin Cave and the Burren are not within walking distance of Doolin, and while the Cliffs of Moher technically are, thatâs not the kind of hike you want to use as a regular source of transportation!
Assuming that you’ll need to rent a car like us, we recommend renting the smallest car you can fit your belongings into through Discover Cars, which will allow you to compare prices and inclusions of multiple companies at the same time and choose the best car for you from there.
Weâre serious about opting for something small, too: tiny Irish country roads (occasionally lined with wandering sheep) will leave you thrilled to have a petite set of wheels with you!
Check prices and shop rental cars for your trip to Doolin today!
How Long to Stay in Doolin
On both our trips to County Clare, we based ourselves in Doolin for several days, and we donât regret it for a second!
While the village is tiny, there are plenty of fun things to do in Doolin to keep you busy for days, so donât worry about staying too long!
Read More About Visiting Ireland
If you found this Doolin blog post helpful, weâd love to continue being part of your travel planning here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse all of our Ireland blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- 10 Cool Things to Do in Cobh, Ireland
- 11 Best Day Trips from Dublin (+ Tips!)
- How to Plan the Perfect 10 Day Ireland Road Trip
- Belleek Castle, County Mayo: A Cozy Getaway in Ireland’s Countryside
- How to Plan Your Magical Ireland Honeymoon
I was originally supposed to be named after my great grandmother, but my mother thought Mary was too old-fashioned, so she named me after where Mary Moynihan was from, Co. Clare, and on one of the documents from my father’s side, I think my paternal grandfather lived in Doolin!
I’m 76 years old and my Uncle took me to Doolin. This is where you are going to hear the best traditional Irish music. You had to wait for the local farmers to wash up and come to the pub. For the next three hours, there were sets going on in all corners.
These were men of the earth that shared with you the thing that they love best.
Sounds like a wonderful experience to be part of!
We spent a delightful few nights at Sean OâConnerâs Dollâs Cottage a few years ago. We were traveling with our son and his wife and two little girls.
Sean is the son of Gus OâConner. He and his wife were lovely.