Doolin is a lovely little coastal village on the Atlantic coast of Ireland. It is approx. 2.5 hours by drive from Galway, keeping in mind that this would depend on how many stops you take along the way. Lets be honest – it can get pretty hard to stick to a schedule here, for it is Ireland after all! There’s beauty all around you, stunning landscapes, narrow winding roads; your heart is going to force you to stop constantly and take it all in.
When planning this trip, I was told by a friend that Doolin is a must-visit Irish village, and my love for small towns left me very sad to leave. Even though it is quite small, there is SO MUCH you can do to have the best time – even if you are only there for less than 24 hours like we were.
Here is our guide to the 6 best things to do in Doolin.
1) Shopping on Fisher Street
Traditional looking cottages, some with thatched roofs make for the sweetest spaces to set up shop. Stop by this traditional music shop, the old books store, there is a sweater shop, and more. These are perfect for browsing, or to chat with the locals. You are bound to find a book or record that will make for the best souvenir!
2) Try artisanal fudge and chocolate
This little shop has some of the most delicious artisanal fudge and chocolate bars, all locally made. They are the perfect gift to take home as presents, or to enjoy on your road trip!
3) Walk down to the pier
You can either drive or walk down to the Doolin Pier from Fisher street. Its an approx. 20-minute walk each way so not too long. Its beautiful, with lots of cows and sheep grazing along the way. You may have to battle some wild winds though.
The Doolin Pier is where you can take a ferry to visit any of the three Aran Islands. It was on our list of things to do but we were late and so missed the boat (literally)! Check the schedule in advance as the boats aren’t frequent. For example, Inis Mór Ferry and Inis Meáin Ferry have only two departures per day – one at 10am and the other at 1pm, with the latter being an over-nighter. If you do make it out there, you can see ancient stone forts and churches, fishing villages, seal colonies, or hike the many trails.
If you aren’t interested in the checking out the islands, or you just didn’t plan your timing to the tee *cough* like us *cough*, not to worry. Head over to the limestone rock formations at the end of the pier, take a seat on the rocks, enjoy the mighty sounds of the ocean, and watch the ferries go by. If you want to stay there late enough (9 pm in the summer at least), you can watch the sunset. If you are really smart like me, you can enjoy a bag of Taytos as you take in the view.
4) Visit the Cliffs of Moher
There are several ways to visit the mighty Cliffs of Moher. You can drive, do a crazy long hike, or you can take a boat. Doesn’t matter which way you go, it just matters that you see this place. It’s mind blowing!
We decided to drive around 5pm (yay for late sunset!) It costs 8 Euros per person to park your car. There is a visitor centre onsite which we skipped, and headed straight to the main viewing deck.
The Cliffs of Moher were recognised by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2011. The staggering height of the cliffs is breathtaking, you can hear and see the waves crashing down below, watch birds soar through the sky. The wild Atlantic wind blowing a chill through the air, the lush greenery meets sky meets mighty ocean in the distance – the magnitude of it all is surreal.
After taking in the views from the main viewing deck, we decided to turn left and keep walking. There are 600 meters of clearly marked walking trail throughout the cliff. Past that, there is a sign that states that the park maintained path ends there, and we should proceed at our own caution. Proceed we did!
5) Dinner at Ivy Cottage
Doolin isn’t very big so there are limited options when it comes to restaurants. Also, you may have to wait at most places to get a seat. Plan accordingly. If you do get to eat at the Ivy Cottage, the mussels in cider and smoked bacon sauce is to die for!
6) Traditional Irish music
Beer + music + the most cheerful atmosphere = ’nuff said.
Doolin is in County Clare, known to be the traditional Irish music capital of the country. So its no doubt that Doolin has several pubs playing live traditional music. We went to Gus O’Connor’s which is a few doors down from the Ivy Cottage. The atmosphere was lively and it was a such a fun experience! Live music starts at 9:30pm daily (except 6pm on Sundays).
WHERE TO STAY –
We stayed at the most delightful Doolin Inn. The room was comfortable, tastefully decorated, and had a lovely view of the main street. Your stay includes a complimentary breakfast which was delicious, with a fabulous playlist! We would highly recommend staying if you are visiting Doolin.
Doolin has reignited a fire in my heart for road trips and small towns.
Do you enjoy a big city holiday or are you also a fan of little towns? Any favourites you recommend we visit?