Best Views in Ireland, The Burren, Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher

By Kate | April 17, 2020

The Burren National Park, the Aran Islands, and the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, are among my favorite locations in Ireland. When I traveled through these locations, I realized Ireland is a remote island with a tiny population. The views are lovely and take me back to a time when crowded cities didn’t exist. Farms lining the roadway, where most people live today, make a serene view. This area of Ireland takes me back to days gone by and simpler times. Here are my personal favorite views from The Burren, Aran Islands, Ireland, and the Cliffs of Moher.

My Favorite Views from The Burren, Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher

The Burren, Aran Islands, and the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, are fabulous to see from a bus, hiking, or by boat. The Burren is in Ireland, with magnificent hills and grasslands that make up a walkway across Ireland. The journey to see the three is a lovely destination. The drive rewards the visitor with idyllic locations along the way. Then the three famous breathtaking areas make the perfect day trip.

While the Aran Islands are a quiet set of three small islands, reached by local ferry, most people visit the island. It wasn’t a trip the day we went. I have heard that if the trip is too rough, the ferry postpones the crossing.

The two areas are lightly inhabited and take me back to the times when my family once lived in Ireland. The village on Aran Island is tiny with a pub and local shops.

Aran Islands Are Must-See Irish Locations

Here are the highlights of the sites. First of all, the island is very rocky. So you will be greeted by horse-drawn carriages.

You can easily walk the route to the rocky overlook or take a carriage ride as I did. As everyone pours into the carriages, I felt obliged to hop in with the other guests. Don’t feel pressured. You don’t have to take the carriage ride.

 

There are bikes available to rent also. The final destination is a rocky beach and pub for a sandwich. In the distance, you can see a lighthouse in the photo below. We didn’t have enough time on the tour to make it out to the lighthouse.

Favorite Views of Aran Islands

My favorite view is from the top of this ruin. If you choose not to take a tour, as I did, you can buy a ticket for the ferry and spend the day hiking the island. There is a ruin to hike to that is close to the ferry dock. It is up to you if you want to take a tour and see all three places in one day. Alternatively, you can hike in all three locations. Plan on taking a day for The Burren, Aran Islands, and The Cliffs of Moher if you are walking the three areas.

The Burren

The rocky-looking grey hilltop is The Burren. The Burren, a National Park, is known for lovely hikes, with wildflowers and gorgeous views of Ireland. If you are a hiker, it’s worth the day to hike the rolling hilltop. I went in May, and the wildflowers were there. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the extra days to walk the three areas. I wish I had done it. You can even hike The Burren without a guide. However, most people join a hiking group.

Best Views Of The Burren

The views from the road, the hilltop, and along the way are quintessentially Irish views. It was everything I hoped it would be.  You love nature. If you love nature, The Burren is the place for you.

Travel tip: Bring sunscreen. Remember to cover. Completely exposed, protect yourself from the sun. Nothing screens you as you hike the trails. Fully exposed, please dress for a successful hike. Start early to avoid the noon sun.

Travel tip: As you can see from the photos, the hikes don’t have a lot of elevation. However, they are long. To have fun on the walk, I feel it’s good to be in shape.

Best View of the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are a UNESCO site and a National Park.  The Cliffs of Moher, in my opinion, are one of the best designed National Parks in the world. Or at least, the best designed I have ever seen. The parking and visitors center, cut into the hill, keeps the area pristine and natural.

Cliff of Moher Tours

Our tour took us to the Cliffs by boat for a view from the water. Then the trip took us to the top and the visitor center so we could walk along the bank and see it from the top. I recommend both tours for the different perspectives. I found it exciting and unique. The experience was utterly remarkable and breathtaking by seeing both points of view. The tour I took was excellent. Here is a link to it, in case you want to book it.

The Views are By Design at The Cliffs Of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher, designed to maintain the natural beauty of the Cliffs and Ireland, is spectacular. The design reverently protects nature and the site’s habitat. The wildflowers were in bloom in May, when I visited. As I walked, I saw cattle grazing, birds flying, and the fantastic cliffs and overlooks. The wild Atlantic beckons the visitor to continue walking. Even though there are many tourists, unlike other Natural Park locations, the crowds, traffic, and tour buses are entirely managed, so they don’t distract from the experience.

The Cliffs of Moher allow visitors to walk along the path or to walk directly along the unprotected cliff banks. Indeed, you will get an up-close view of the wild Atlantic Ocean if you decide to walk on the wild side. You might decide to come back to walk the full Wild Atlantic Way.

Travel tips: If you like Ireland and my photos, you might want to visit or read my post on Iceland