Best Things to do with Two Days in Doolin, Ireland
Doolin, Ireland is the place to go if you’re looking for the perfect Irish village vibe. It punches way above its weight for such a small destination.
To the south of town are the Cliffs of Moher, about 30 minutes out to sea are the Aran Islands, and throughout Doolin’s boundaries are serene Irish landscapes and lively pubs where you can find trad music bursting out the doors.
Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect with a visit to Doolin, Ireland!
Updated January 2025
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Everything to do in Doolin, Ireland
Hike the Doolin Cliff Walk Along the Cliffs of Moher
Perhaps the main reason for staying in Doolin is to see the Cliffs of Moher, and the best way to see the Cliffs of Moher is to hike the 10-mile roundtrip route along the cliffs via the Doolin Cliff Walk.
It’s a long hike. It’s a little sketchy in parts where the trail is hugging some exposed edges. Despite those two things, the Doolin Cliff Walk is totally worth doing.
The hike itself is not overly difficult with the exception of a couple spots where you are very close to the edge, but as long as you take your time and watch your footing, you’ll be fine. That said, there is a detour you can take to avoid the riskiest sections.
The Doolin Cliff Walk takes you all the way to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre where you can see the most iconic cliffs you see in pictures. Don’t be fooled into thinking those are the only views you’ll see during your hike. The entire length of the trail is one epic view after another as you negotiate the trail.
Day Trip to Inis Mór from Doolin Pier
Take a ferry out of Doolin Pier for a day trip to the Aran Islands. There are three different islands to visit, but Inis Mór is definitely the one most worth visiting.
For such a small island, Inis Mór has some astounding sights from ancient Ireland to visit in addition to impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean. Some highlights include Dun Eochla, Dun Aengus and the Wormhole.
With the Doolin Ferry Company, if you leave at 10:00 a.m. you have about five hours on the island to explore the different sights Inis Mór has to offer. When you arrive, you can rent a bike from Aran Islands Bike Hire for an exciting way to explore the island.
Explore Doolin’s Killilagh Ruins
The Killilagh Church ruins can be seen atop the ridge to your left as you head north through Doolin. I had no idea these were despite extensive pre-trip research, but once I saw them when we arrived at our bed and breakfast, I knew I had to visit.
I woke up especially early the next morning just so I would have to have a good wander around them before we hiked to the Cliffs of Moher.
It was worth the early morning. The ruins themselves contain the actual church and several lichen-covered tombstones. Being there so early in the morning when everyone was still asleep was a unique experience. It wasn’t scary, but it had a certain haunting beauty to it.
The sun rising off to the east creates the perfect contrast to the ruins. I stood there admiring the views for way longer than I originally intended.
If you can’t visit at sunrise, it’s still worth checking out if you enjoy visiting old cemeteries. Otherwise, it probably isn’t worth taking the time to visit. If you do visit, be wary when walking around as the ground is soft and covered with high grass. It’s easy to trip over smaller tombstones or step in a hole.
Killilagh Church is a little difficult to get to. There’s a small, narrow road to the left just past McDermott’s Pub. It’s easy to miss because it doesn’t seem like a road that goes anywhere. Once you take this road, it’s about a quarter mile uphill to the ruins.
Explore Doolin in the Early Morning
My run through Doolin as the sun rose while everyone else was asleep was one of my favorite memories from my time there. Because the village isn’t particularly large and we were staying near the northern boundary of the main drag, I was able to go from one end of Doolin to the other, seeing basically everything in Doolin all by myself as the sun came up.
Don’t worry if you aren’t a runner. You can still get around Doolin reasonably quickly at a brisk walking pace.
Starting at the northern edge of the village’s main thoroughfare just past Flanagan’s Hostel, a great view of the sun rising over pastoral farmlands awaits you. Take a few moments to take in the views of the sun coming up and cattle out for their morning meal before heading further into town.
As you travel south towards Fisher Street and the Doolin Pier, this is a good opportunity to venture up to the ruins of Killilagh Church. It won’t be crowded, and the sunrise from here is superb.
Make your way along Fisher Street towards Doolin Pier before all the other tourists and their cars ruin the scenery. All the storefronts on Fisher Street are pretty to admire during the day, but there’s just something about seeing these buildings while the town is asleep that makes them that much better.
Eventually, you’ll make your way to the pier. From here, take a break from to amble over the seawall to make your way down among the boulders lining the shore. This is the perfect time to rest for a bit while you listen to the waves crash against the shore and cliffs beyond.
Behind you, the sky glows orange as the sun makes it ascent. In front of you is the misty, gray vista of the Atlantic Ocean. With luck, you’ll be in the only person here as you make this your own private memory of Doolin.
Visit Doonagore Castle on Doolin’s Outskirts
Ireland is estimated to have around 30,000 castles and castle ruins. With so many castles in such a small country, everyone will have their own favorites. If you ask me, I’ll tell you Doonagore Castle was without question my favorite.
Its location on top of the hill overlooking Doolin and the Atlantic Ocean creates the perfect setting for this 16th-century castle. It’s equally stunning when viewed from the Doolin Cliff Walk, dotting the hilltop to your left as you traverse those first couple miles.
Unfortunately, Doonagore is privately owned, so you can’t actually tour the castle. However, you can get close enough for spectacular views and photos.
As you drive south out of Doolin, you’ll come to a bend in the road with the castle on your left. Keeping it to your left, there are a couple pull-offs where you can get out to admire the castle up close. Be careful when parking at these pull-offs. The roads are narrow and because of the bend, it can be difficult for other drivers to see you.
Where to Eat and Drink in Doolin, Ireland
Doolin is considered by many to be the trad music capital of Ireland. With this accolade in mind, it makes sense that Doolin also has a stellar pub scene.
During our visit, we had the chance to visit three of Doolin’s more well-known pubs. I’d recommend all three, but my personal favorite was McGann’s. Besides these three, there are plenty other places to stop for a pint of Guinness, shot of Jameson or some food, so feel free to explore during your stay in town.
McGann’s Pub
McGann’s Pub has everything you could want from an Irish pub. There’s a relaxing beer garden replete with a trickling stream and seating tucked away in every hidden corner. The inside of the pub is cozy with lots of old pictures and knickknacks. The food was a mouthwatering mix of contemporary combined with traditional Irish fare. To top all that off, McGann’s had some great traditional Irish musicians performing as we finished our meals.
McDermott’s Pub
McDermott’s Pub was my least favorite of these three. It was fine, but it just didn’t seem to have as much personality as the other two.
It had some interesting old pictures along the walls and a good, old bar. Other than that, it was lacking something. We did have some very tasty food, though, so there is that.
What I will say to McDermott’s Pub’s credit is that it seemed to have a very lively music scene later in the evening. Both nights in Doolin we walked by McDermott’s while they had live music going on. The music we heard was good and the crowds were into it. I would have loved to grab a drink, but we were tired and had early plans.
Based on this, I would suggest trying McDermott’s Pub in the evening when they have trad music happening. Skip it during the day.
Gus O’Connor’s Pub
The best part of Gus O’Connor’s Pub is its prime location on Fisher Street. It’s one of the first things you see as you arrive back in Doolin after doing the Doolin Cliff Walk. You’ll definitely want to stop here to reward yourself with a pint or two to replenish those carbs after your hike.
As long as the weather permits, there’s a very nice beer garden at Gus O’Connor’s to relax with your beer while you do some people watching. It’s nothing special, but a good beer garden is always nice to have a beverage in.
I didn’t spend much time inside this pub except to order our beer. One feature I noticed were the American police badges pinned all over the trim along the bar. It was fun reading these to see where people have visited from.
Where to Stay in Doolin, Ireland
Nellie Dee’s was perhaps my favorite accommodation during our 2-week trip through Ireland. The room itself was pretty barebones, but everything else more than made up for that.
The best part of Nellie Dee’s is the small yet elegant dining room. Each morning in Doolin, I enjoyed getting up early to get a seat next to the window where I could relax before anyone else woke up. From here, I had lovely views of Killilagh Church while I did some journaling.
Then breakfast came. It was the best full Irish breakfast I had in all of Ireland. These mornings were perfect.
The only downside to Nellie Dee’s is it is relatively far from the village center compared to most other lodgings. Still, it is only about a 1-mile walk to Fisher Street, so it really isn’t that far.
Unfortunately, Nellie Dee’s no longer offers breakfast. While I enjoyed Nellie Dee’s, the included breakfast was a big part of the experience. If they resume breakfast, I wholeheartedly recommend staying here. Until then, you might want to find another place to stay. I’ll update this if I learn of any changes.
Two-day Doolin Itinerary
If all that sounds like the perfect Doolin trip for you, here is a rough itinerary for you to follow in our footsteps.
Day One in Doolin
- Arrive in Doolin. Take a 10:00 a.m. ferry via Doolin Ferry Company to Inis Mór
- Land in Inis Mór at approximately 10:45 a.m., pick up a rental bike and explore the island
- Return to Doolin around 5:00 p.m., and check in to your lodgings
- McGann’s Pub for drinks and dinner
Day Two in Doolin
- Go for an early walk or run around the village
- Have breakfast either at your lodging or one of the restaurants around town
- Start the Doolin Cliff Walk by 10:00 a.m.
- Explore the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
- Stop at Gus O’Connor’s Pub for a post-hike Guinness
- Time permitting, take a quick nap in mid-afternoon to recover from the hike
- Take the rest of your evening to explore some of the shops and other pubs Doolin has to offer
Frequently Asked Questions About Doolin, Ireland
Are two days enough time for Doolin, Ireland?
Definitely. More than that and you may find yourself running out of things to do. On the other hand, visiting for less than two full days will have you rushing around a bit, especially if you’re planning on doing either the Cliffs of Moher or the Aran Islands. Two days is the perfect amount of time to do both of those attractions while leaving you plenty of time to explore Doolin.
When is the best time to visit Doolin, Ireland?
The summer months from June to August are the best time to visit Doolin if you’re looking for good weather. Unfortunately, everyone else will be visiting Ireland during that time, too. Winter months offer the lowest crowds and cheapest rates for travel. However, your visit will likely be impacted by bad weather. Many places may also be closed during the winter months.
The shoulder months between summer and winter tend to be my preferred time for traveling. Weather tends to still be reasonably comfortable and crowds are usually manageable.
Could I do Doolin as a day trip?
I suppose you could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. By coming only for a single day, you miss out on a lot of what makes Doolin so charming. Doolin is best experienced in the evening when the pubs have live music going or early in the morning when you can enjoy the sun rise over the gorgeous landscape around town.
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30 Comments
Mitch - Very Tasty World
Doolin is a very picturesque place and the photos at sunrise are wonderful. Good to know about how many things there are to do in the area. It’s a shame that you can’t visit Doonagore Castle. It was also great to have a pub guide. I didn’t know that Doolin was the capital of the Irish music scene!
paulpassingthrough
That’s what the internet tells me at least! The music we heard was great. We happened to be there the day Ireland started allowing live music again which was pretty convenient.
Barry
Those photos in the Killilagh Church ruins are siperb. I Love the ones with the celtic crosses in the foreground and the orange/yellow of the emerging dawn sun in the background. All kudos to you as I don’t think I could ever go for a early morning jog at 6:30 am and your description of the secnery was so clear it was like I was there,
That two dat Doolin itinerary looks great and I particularly like that it includes stop=offs at the various pubs! Great info here to ensure anyone gets the best out of the area.
paulpassingthrough
The cemetery/church so early in the morning was one of the best surprising parts of the whole trip. It was so beautiful watching the sunrise from that historic setting. This itinerary was probalby the easiest I’ve written because I enjoyed those two days so much!
Fransic verso
Wow this place is amazing. Who doesn’t like waking up to this view. Thank you for sharing!
paulpassingthrough
I couldn’t agree more! As always, thanks for reading 🙂
Shireen
I think Inis Mor and Doolin would be great trips to do from the same base. Would this be possible ot a trip to all three islands?
I love going to places for sunrise.
paulpassingthrough
You would probably need to add another day or at least an additional night on one of the islands. You could stay a night on Inis Mor. Then, take the ferry to the next island, hang out there for a bit and then another ferry to the next island. I’m not sure what the ferry schedule is like, though, from those smaller islands. They are smaller so it takes much less time to visit, I think.
Wanderingkellers
You had me at pub scene and a great run. Those photos of your run really got me excited. Great post. Seems like a place with a lot to do and see.
paulpassingthrough
Sounds like it might be worth a trip 😉
Peggy Zipperer
I so wish I could have spent time in Doolin, we just did a drive-by and it was so darling! I will carve out a couple of days next time, for sure!
paulpassingthrough
Did you drive through it on the way to the Cliffs of Moher? Definitely sounds like your next Ireland trip!
kmf
Ireland is high on my list. And now Doolin, Ireland is also! It looks like a perfect quintessential Irish village.
paulpassingthrough
I’d have to agree with that! At least based on the places we visited or drove through
Travel for a while
I was already convinced to visit Doolin, but now I’ll use your post to plan a trip, hopefully for this summer. I would also love to visit Aran Islands while in the area.
paulpassingthrough
Let me know if you have any specific questions on anything. I hope the B&B’s kitchen is open for when you visit!
Carina | bucketlist2life
Not sure if a village is allowed to look this cute with it’s pubs and ruins and cliffs…
paulpassingthrough
It may exist but I’d be shocked if there’s a better village with all these things to do in Ireland.
Steven Jepson
Don’t you just love early mornings in a foreign land? It’s one of my favorite things when I travel. Having the wonders of a new place to yourself before the throngs arrive
paulpassingthrough
I couldn’t agree more. I used to hate how I can’t sleep in anymore but now I love it because I get to do things with no one else around. Pretty excited for this in Italy!
Sydney Brown Travels
The Doolin Cliff Walk seems like something right up my alley… Would love to indulge in some good cliff views! Seems very enjoyable. Putting that on my bucket list! Great post, per usual!
paulpassingthrough
Thanks, Sydney!
wendy white
Would love to do the Doolin Cliff walk. To see the Cliffs of Moher would be an incredible experience. Of course, the Doolin pubs would be in our itinerary too.
paulpassingthrough
The pubs will be the star of the show after you get done with the hike!
Elena at TravelByExample
It’s a beautiful region of Ireland. Would be nice to visit it on a nice and sunny day (it was rainy and stormy weather when we visited, unfortunately)!
paulpassingthrough
That seems to be the case with so many people I’ve talked to who visited. We were really lucky with the weather!
Chalk and cheese travels
One of my favourite places in Ireland so far. We are going back in August really want to do the Doolin cliff walk. You said it was a bit sketchy in places would you get a push chair along there ?
paulpassingthrough
I’ve never pushed a stroller, but I have to imagine it would probably be pretty difficult. Your best bet would be some kind of child carrier (I don’t have kids so I don’t know the technical name for them! But basically a baby backpack haha)
Stephen & Andie
That I recall, I haven’t heard of Doolin before(?), which is what I love about this post. As someone else mentioned, the sunrise photo is just dreamy! Keeping Doolin in my back pocket now as a consideration whenever we might make it to Ireland.
paulpassingthrough
I honestly would recommend a stop here above anything else we did during the whole trip because the village is so great and its easy access to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher.