Hostels in Doolin, Ireland

Untouched by the tour buses that run rampant along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin is a wonderful little village that is a backpackers dream. While it does see a lot of traffic from tourists and holiday-goers, it still holds fast to a traditional Irish spirit. It is on the doorstep to the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and the Burren, and easy to reach if you are traveling on foot, hitchhiking, cycling, driving, or taking the bus.

There are plenty of hostels in Doolin, and most are very cozy and scenic. The village itself sits along a small river, and there are some great picnic spots and local walks that are very pretty. Be warned, however, that the closest supermarket is about seven kilometers away, although there is a small food shop ... it is very expensive and there aren't a lot of options. There are a few pubs along the street (some are better than others, as is the case with all places) -- here you will find traditional music sessions, with a variety of local musicians and singers all taking turns singing folk songs and playing tunes. Since there are often other Irish families on holiday who visit, as well as backpackers, the locals are pretty used to having a variety of visitors and are friendly and welcoming.

If you're ever in need of something to do, walk down to the coast and check out the small cliffs that stretch around the shoreline, or go to the pier and look for the resident dolphin. The Aran Islands are a ferry ride away from Doolin, and the Burren is a great place for some day hikes. You can also see the Cliffs of Moher from a boat or from land; both are a short distance away by bus or car. Galway is just north of Doolin, and easy to reach by bus or car as well.