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

The Burren National Park, the Aran Islands, and Cliffs of Moher, Ireland are among my favorite locations in Ireland. When I traveled through these locations, I realize 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 Cliff of Moher, Ireland are fabulous to see from a bus, hiking or by boat. The Burren is a nature area that is unique to Ireland, magnificent hills and grasslands that make up a walkway across Ireland. The journey to see three is a lovely destination. The drive rewards the visitor with idyllic locations along the way. Then to see the three famous breathtaking areas makes the perfect day trip.

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

The two areas are lightly inhabited and took 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 which 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 is 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. If you love nature. The Burren in 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. You might want to 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 its good to be in shape.

Best View of the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliff of Moher is a UNESCO site and a National Park.  The Cliffs of Moher, in my opinion, are one of the best designed National Park in the world. Or at the 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 doing a tour that shows you the two 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 sites habit. The wildflowers were in bloom in May, when I visited. As I walk, 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 allows 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