6 Days in Northern Ireland Itinerary: Belfast to Giants Causeway

Looking for a Northern Ireland itinerary that you can tailor to make your own? From our own experiences, and local input from our Belfast-based long-time friend Jenny, we’ve created an exciting itinerary to take you around this enthralling small country.

After exploring the capital Belfast, it’s an easy drive to the UNESCO geological marvel that is the Giants Causeway. In good weather you’ll be standing on a beach on a clear day and looking at Scotland? – yes we’re pretty close!  

Driving yourself means you can easily stop off in small seaside towns along the wild stunning coastline.  Spend a day in the walled historical Derry (Londonderry) or take a few more days and head west to Donegal.

Itinerary Overview

If you’re short on time, here’s our synopsis of our recommended Northern Ireland Trip

Day By Day Itinerary

To help you, we first list suggested driving distances for each day along with a summary of the best things to see and do.  Also, scroll down for more details on each destination to help you choose which to build into your Northern Ireland road trip itinerary. 

The beauty of spending time in a smaller geographical region is you can get between places fairly quickly. This means shorter drives and you will be able to combine several activities in each destination daily.

But, we warn you now! Many of our suggestions are places you will most likely yearn to return to. Such is the draw and beauty – from the rolling green countryside to the rugged wild Giants Causeway Coast.

Belfast – Day 1

Arrive in Belfast. Pick up hire car and head to the Waterfront and Shipyard area of the city or wherever in town you’ve booked your accommodation. Driving will be less than 5 miles.

• Titanic Museum & Titanic Hotel
• Belfast Black Cab City Tour
• SS Nomadic Tour
• Titanic Trail

Belfast to Derry – Day 3

Drive from Belfast to Derry. The most direct drive is 114 km (70 miles) and it will take around an hour and a half.

• Belfast City Hall Tour
• Walking Tour of Belfast (Historic, Contemporary, Food)
• St George’s Market (Fri/Sat/Sun only)
• Derry Guildhall

Derry to Giants Causeway – Day 3

Driving Today: Derry to Portstewart -35 miles (1 hr) and after a break in Portstewart continue to Giants Causeway – 12 miles (25 mins). Take the coastal route for the best scenery – it’s well signposted.

• Derry Walled City Walking Tour
• Derry Tower Museum (Derry Girls TV Exhibition)
• Bogside Walk or Museum of Free Derry
• Portstewart Seaside Town via Causeway Coastal Route
• Giants Causeway

Giants Causeway, Bushmills & Galgorm – Day 4

Driving Today: Giants Causeway to Carrick-a-Rede – 20 mins drive; Carrick-a-Rede to Bushmills – 20 mins drive; Bushmills to The Dark Hedges – 11 miles (20 mins) and Dark Hedges to Galgorm Resort & Spa – 20 miles (30 mins).

After all the history, hiking and exploring over the first 3 days, we suggest you plan a little more relaxation on Day 4 of our Northern Ireland road trip itinerary. 

• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge & Short Hike
• Bushmills Whiskey Distillery
• Bushmills Inn Restaurant (Lunch)
• The Dark Hedges (Optional for Game of Thrones Fans)
• Galgorm Resort and Spa

Galgorm, Carrickfergus & Belfast – Day 5

Driving Today: Galgorm Resort & Spa to Carrickfergus (31 miles – 45 mins); Carrickfergus to Belfast (11 miles – 20 mins). 

• Enjoy resort activities Galgorm
• Carrickfergus Castle & Town
• Live Music & Last Night in Belfast

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Day 1 – Belfast

Belfast is not perhaps as outwardly aesthetically appealing at first glance as other European capitals. But to not spend time in the capital of Northern Ireland, would be a mistake. Sitting on the River Lough, it’s a vibrant city with a proud heritage and has moved forward from its shipbuilding fame to a modern city full of life.

Titanic Museum, Hotel & Launch Site

RMS Titanic Museum  – Open 9am-7pm in June & to 7.30pm in July and August. Check their site for times during the rest of the year. Entrance £24.95 (£11 for children aged 5-15, and £19 for students & those over 60).

Pre book your tickets for opening time if you can to avoid crowds later in the day. There is a large underground car park on site if you are driving here or you can walk from downtown (10-15 minutes). 

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here. The Titanic museum offers a highly immersive journey through life before, during and after the April 1912 Titanic tragedy. It’s a fascinating and thought provoking exhibit for all ages especially reading personal stories from survivors and families of those lost with the ship.

After exploring the museum, it’s a short walk over to the adjacent Titanic Hotel where you can see some of the original drawings. The drawing rooms are a great spot for a late morning coffee or early lunch. Check out the options and pre-book via Open Table. 

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Belfast Black Cab Tours

This 90 minute tour is a ‘must do’ if you are keen to gain a first hand understanding of historical civil rights issues here, and what triggered ‘the troubles’ back in 1969. You will visit both ‘sides’ including parts of the city still living with walls and barricades on their doorsteps. Cost: £50 for 2 people.

Visiting Shankill Road and Falls Road in West Belfast, your driver/tour guide will share a personal perspective, stopping frequently at important locations past and present.  We were especially struck by the murals that depict events and impact on lives here.  You can’t help but be moved by the sadness of many young lives being lost.

On this tour, you also get a detailed, first hand view of life today, and pause at the Peace Walls to add your own message. Although the tour is somber in parts, we also felt it was positive about the future and efforts of the next generation to push for greater community integration.

🎒TPOP Tip: Have the cab driver meet you/drop you back off at the Titanic Museum so you can safely leave your car in the parking garage here. 

When you return to the Titanic Car Park, take an hour to visit the SS Nomadic, moored just next door. 

Evening: Dinner in Central Belfast

Belfast has some excellent restaurants to enjoy during your visit. If you love seafood head to Mourne Seafood Bar in the heart of the city.  Another option is Edo. For a more casual dining option, we enjoyed Bar and Block Steakhouse which had a great veggie burger to complement its meat menu!

🎒TPOP Tip: Many restaurants are closed on a Monday so check before you head out.  We strongly suggest booking in advance during summer months or around local holiday dates.

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Day 2 – Belfast & Derry

Belfast City Hall Tour

Back in 1888, when Belfast received the royal status of a ‘town’ its leaders felt a need to reflect this with a grand civic building. It took a while but in 1906 this grand iconic landmark finally opened.

There’s a coffee shop here after you tour to have a short break before exploring more of the heart of Belfast. Entrance is £6 for adults/children are free but you need to reserve them a ticket in advance too.

Alternatively, spend a few hours taking in the ambience of the city center with a Self Guided Belfast Walking Tour. Another option – book a Hidden Belfast Walking Tour and be regaled with stories by locals who offer perspectives that bring the city to life from way in the past to today.

We’ve already mentioned the seafood here. If you’re a foodie, don’t miss some of the other ‘tastes’ of Northern Ireland including:

• Irish Cheese at Sawyers and Mikes Fancy Cheese Shop.
• Bread – wheaten, soda and potato!
• Chowder – at Cloth Ear or Titanic Hotel.
• Fudge (a shared love of this sugary treat with Scotland!).

St George’s Market is another delight if you are here on a Friday/Saturday or Sunday! Dating back to the late 1800s, you can browse 200 stalls of local produce, sampling many of the above mentioned delights!

Walled City of Derry

This welcoming city is situated on the River Foyle which runs 80 miles to the Atlantic.  Its location and waterways gave it a strategic point in history from Vikings to the USA Navy & much more in between.

Once you’re settled into your hotel, take a walk over the white Peace Bridge. If you’re staying in Ebrington (on one side) you’ll find yourself in Derry at the other.  

Derry Guildhall Peace Exhibition. Free Entrance.

Check out the red stone Guildhall on this side.  It’s free to enter so head inside to see the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the late John Hume, who is regarded as a pivotal leader of the civil rights movement.

Evening: Relax.  Our hotel The Ebrington has an indoor pool area with steam and sauna rooms – a perfect way to relax after a busy day.

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Day 3 – Derry and Giants Causeway

Walled City Walking Tour with Martin McCrossan

Although Martin passed away at 52, he was a pioneer of opening up the city to visitors and his daughter continues this small business today. £6 (pay at the walk meeting point).

As you walk along this ancient 9 feet wide stone structure, you hear about pivotal points in the city. Learn about the 105 day siege through to events that led to the notorious Bloody Sunday killings in 1972.  Looking down at the area of Bogside with the many murals, you get a unique appreciation of how lives here were changed on that fateful day.  

Nearby is the Tower Museum – Location on Google. Open 9.00am to 5.30pm, with last admission at 4pm. If you are a fan of the hit TV show, head here for the Derry Girls Experience.  This costs £6 and we recommended to book a ticket in advance.

If the weather is good, don’t leave without heading to the 5th floor of the Tower to get the best views of the city. In fact, Derry was the UK’s First City of Culture in 2013 and it’s easy to see why when you visit.  

Although the realities of the past here, like in Belfast, are sobering and perhaps hard to fathom as a visitor, we felt an air of positivity here. For example, each summer the communities here in Derry organize an integrated ‘festival’ that brings communities together to celebrate their city. 

🎒TPOP Tip: If you have time, consider visiting the Museum of Free Derry which was created by those directly impacted to tell the Bogside’s peoples story of the civil rights fight that led up to Bloody Sunday’s events.  It’s open daily from 10am-4pm. Entrance £8.00 adults.

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Seaside Town of Portstewart

Portstewart is the perfect seaside town to stop off for an afternoon tea stop or a late lunch. Following the signs as you arrive into the centre of the town, park for free on the seafront Main Street.  

There are plenty of independent cafes to choose from for that morning caffeine refuel. Next, take a stroll along the harbour checking out the little boats moored here. The seaweed is visible as moves with the current in the clearest of waters that splash gently against the protective stone walls.  

If you have brought a picnic or want to stretch your legs a little more, head up to a quieter grassy bank above the harbour area. You will see a few picnic benches and areas for sitting here. On a sunny day, it’s bliss. You can stand here and see nothing but out to the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

🎒TPOP Tip: Portstewart boasts a 2 mile stretch of  sandy beach which we discovered you can actually drive onto! 

So if you are lucky to be here on a warm day, why not divert yourself over to this part of the inlet for an hour and soak in a few rays! It’s open dawn to dusk and is only a few minutes drive from the town center. Then continue from Portstewart to The Giants Causeway, a UNESCO heritage site.

Giants Causeway

Over 40,000 blocks of basalt rock column interlock to form an incredible geological coastline.  Taking you back 60 million years, it’s a sight that is hard to comprehend until you see it for yourself. Giants Causeway is a UK National Trust Property but being ‘nature’ it’s open for visiting at any time.

Cloaked in mythology between here and Scotland, there’s a few stories waiting to be discovered 🙂 but we won’t spoil the Finn MacCool tales ahead of time! It is extremely popular and probably one of the top things to do in Northern Ireland year round.

Start at the well run Giants Causeway Visitors Center for a general orientation, short film overview and information/tickets to the causeway itself. If you are a guest of the Causeway Hotel they include a ticket to the visitor center with your room booking.  To be honest the visitors hub is an impressive building but more of a shop once you’re inside. 

But, there are some good general information sections and lots of hands on interactive exhibits for kids. The real jewels are down by the sea!!

The easiest walk from the visitors center to the causeway is around 700 meters. There is an option of taking a short shuttle – via a Translink bus – for £1 (free for National Trust members).

The Causeway has 4 trails that you can hike during your visit, marked from Green to Yellow in level of difficulty. We followed them all on a summer’s evening and it was simply magical. Trails are well marked.

🎒TPOP Tip: If you stay overnight at the Causeway Hotel, wait until the crowds and tour buses have left after 5pm.  Then stroll down, continue along the trails to the amphitheater and marvel at nature’s legacy with just a few other guests dotted around.

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Day 5 – Causeway to Galgorm

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge: Hours dawn to dusk: Entrance is – £14 adults and £7 for children. Essential to pre-book as very popular.

One way to awaken the senses as the wonderful, fresh Irish coastal air hits your face is to hike to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge.  Head here for 9am-10.30am before bus tour crowds show up from Belfast and walk along a short coastal path to the bridge.

Why have a rope bridge in such a remote location you might ask? Well, it’s thanks to the salmon fisherman! Once you have safely crossed over to the island, keep walking and you will come across a tiny stone cottage with steps leading right down to the treacherous waves crashing below.  

This is where these hardy souls caught their hauls and then transported the fish back to the mainland via their rope bridge which has been there for 250 years. 

You might be reassured to know that today’s bridge is a bit more sturdy than its predecessor  and is regularly checked!

Bushmills Whiskey Distillery & Bushmills Inn Restaurant

Bushmills is a small town known globally for being the home of Northern Ireland’s whiskey.  You can simply visit the main tasting bar/shop area, or book yourself on a tour.  We suggest you book any tours well in advance because its super popular and it’s unlikely you can just turn up and tour in summertime.

After your tastings, have lunch at The Bushmills Inn Restaurant,  which is back down the road on the Main Street. If the sun is shining do sit outdoors in the flower filled gardens. Pre-book a table as the food and service is terrific so it’s very popular with visitors and locals year round. FYI, you can also stay here!

Continue on, by driving to Galgorm and you will find yourself in another world of country life!

The Dark Hedges is an optional stop as you head to Galgorm. Sadly due to a ferocious storm many of these ancient beech trees were snapped in half or lost major branches. However, the atmosphere portrayed in Game of Thrones remains in part. If you are a fan, go check it out. 

The original trees were planted in 1775 by James Stuart apparently to impress those visiting his home  – Gracehill House.

If you drive here, be thoughtful.  Due to inconsiderate tourism, the trees were already at risk before the storm. Now there is absolutely no parking on this road.  Instead park at the designated car park or at the Hedges Hotel.   From here, a path leads you to the road where the trees are. To be honest, we would not go out of my way to visit this again but we know it’s a draw for many fans.

Time for Relaxation

The final stop today is at the prestigious Galgorm Resort and Spa. After driving, walking or hiking quite a bit over the past few days, coming here is a perfect change of pace.  As soon as you turn off the main road and drive up to the entrance of the 250 acre grounds, you know you are at a special place.

Make your way to the outdoor spa area where there are hot tubs, saunas, salt rooms, steam rooms and much more waiting for your weary body to relax in!  Perhaps book yourself a massage or facial in the enormous treatment area or go for a swim in the heated pool.

Golfers will love this course (we’re not so didn’t visit it) and we met people here from as far away as Australia coming to test their skills! There’s also horse riding and actually when we were eating dinner, the stables were outside our window. Yes, horses popped out their heads to check us all out – fun!

Galgorm is full of choices for dining. Maybe visit the Gin Library with literally hundreds to choose from for a pre-dinner cocktail? Or take a gin class offered several days during the week.

There is a choice of dinner restaurants or if you prefer order room service. Don’t miss breakfast in the conservatory with serene views over the Maine river that runs through the property.

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Day 5 – Galgorm, Carrickfergus to Belfast

Linger over breakfast at Galgorm and squeeze in one more outdoor walk, gym workout or an indoor spa indulgence before checking out at noon.

Then take your time driving down to the coastal town of Carrickfergus. Use the harbour car park, which is right next to the town’s Norman castle, dating back over 800 years.

It’s worth taking an hour to tour through this fascinating piece of history before walking into town for a coffee. Open 9.30am to 4.30pm just buy your ticket on arrival.  Adults entrance cost is £6 with student, 60+ and child discounts.

Continuing on the coastal route, you can either return to Belfast if there are things from earlier on your trip that you didn’t see. Perhaps, if you missed the city’s St George’s Market and you’re returning when it’s open (Fri/Sat/Sun), go visit!  

If you’re after more Titanic experiences, then consider walking some of trail through parts of the city. It’s well signposted.

For live music in Belfast, you have plenty of choices. The city was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2021 and offers a huge array of music from traditional to emerging artists. For example:

The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is in the oldest building in Belfast. Or maybe head to Granny Annies with a range of great live music and food on offer. Visit Belfast Website has current lists of music events for your visit dates. 

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Useful Facts About Travel to Northern Ireland

Cost and Prices

What’s the currency in Northern Ireland is a common question! It’s simple enough – the British Pound (£) is the legal currency used throughout the region. Be aware when withdrawing cash from an ATM; you’ll get notes issued by Northern Irish banks vs. Banks of England or Scotland.

Regarding prices here, central Belfast is a more expensive destination for hotels and restaurants. However, this is true in most capital cities around the world. Look for best deals that fit your budget and location preferences.

🎒TPOP Tip: Some hotels charge for parking and/or direct you to a public overnight car park. Try looking for those which include parking on site and which is free of additional costs!

Transportation and Food Costs

We found food and transport prices similar to other parts of the UK. Outside the main cities, you’ll find excellent value for eating out if you venture beyond obvious ‘tourist’ spots.

Getting around the region will work out cheaper if you rent a car or bring your own (if coming from the mainland UK). As distances are short, you’re not going to spend a fortune on petrol (gas). On our last trip here, we drove for 5 days and only filled up our rental car once! 

Entrance costs to places run by the National Trust are very affordable and listed in this post. The most expensive sight is probably the Titanic Museum but it’s totally worth the pricier ticket!

Climate

Northern Ireland’s climate is dominated by the Atlantic Ocean and the weather will be mixed.  Summer days are long and pleasant but always have a rain jacket to hand!

You can be on the receiving end of some pretty blustery weather and Atlantic Storms here year round. Some may cause structural damage but outside of this there are no natural disaster risks to be concerned about.

Spring months (April/May) can be chilly and winters cold. In our opinion, the best months to come here are May, June & September.

Food

If you love seafood, you can eat your way around Northern Ireland with a fresh catch of the day available in every town. Quality is excellent and more and more, there is an emphasis on seasonal, locally grown produce on menus.

The other food affair of ours here is the Northern Ireland Wheaten Bread. It’s a mouthful of cake and bread, magically mixed into deliciousness. Just add a touch of Irish butter and it melts in your mouth! It’s available everywhere from supermarkets to most restaurants.

Soda Bread (beloved across Ireland) is also served here and equally yummy so don’t miss out on these traditional treats.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free diets are all well catered for. You won’t have any problems finding choices in all the locations in our Northern Ireland road trip itinerary.

Culture

We’re not going into depth on the historic civil rights troubles in this post. We will leave this for locals and guides to share. Suffice to say the culture here can be complex and confusing to outsiders.  However, the people you meet are some of the most helpful, friendliest, musically gifted and fun you will encounter.

Our advice is to slow down, engage and enjoy stories and conversation with local residents. Make a new friend and they might just share their special place that tourists don’t know about over a Bushmills whiskey with you.

Alcohol features heavily in the culture and going down to the pub is a daily ritual for some. You may be surprised how many pubs and bars there are even in small villages. But it’s a way to come together, socialise, play music and keep traditions alive.

International trade brought a multi-cultural dimension to the city through shipping, ship-building and today newer industries like film production are growing. If interested, you can tour the film studio in Belfast.

Geography

With a population of 1.9 million and just under 6% of the UK landmass, it seldom feels crowded here outside of the top tourist spots.

The region is the same size as South Carolina state making it a perfect size for driving around in 5 days!  

In terms of terrain, Belfast City center is fairly flat. There are multiple hills surrounding it, so for some, walking a distance may be more difficult. Derry was built on a hill originally so be prepared for more cobbles and walking up and down around town.

Overall, the region is a mix of lowlands and hills like the Sperrins popular with walkers. The most famous are the granite Mourne Mountains in the southwest and the subject of another trip!

Where is Northern Ireland?

This region, located at the northeast of Ireland and south west of Scotland, is part of the United Kingdom’s (UK) 4 nations.

The travel distance between Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and Belfast it is 112 miles (180 km). Travelling by a fast train it takes just over 2 hours from Dublin to Belfast.

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How Many Days to Spend in Northern Ireland?

Ideally, give yourself 5 full days to follow your version of this itinerary. If you want to combine time in Dublin, Ireland or perhaps Explore the Best of Scotland, or London add time on vs. deducting it! 

In terms of a route for your road trip through Northern Ireland, we suggest starting and ending in Belfast as this will likely be your main ferry, flight or train arrival point. 

5 Nights: Belfast- City Center | Derry (Londonderry) | Giants Causeway | Galgorm Resort | Belfast – City Centre or Waterfront

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Road Trip vs a Tour of Northern Ireland?

There are numerous popular group and private tours from Belfast to ‘top destinations’ returning to the capital at the end of a day.  Alternatively there are multi-day tours by bus where you can stay in different parts of Northern Ireland. 

However, we feel that for a more authentic experience into local history, culture and modern life, driving yourself around is hard to beat! So, if you can, do it!

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Getting to Belfast, Northern Ireland

There are 2 airports serving Belfast. We suggest flying into George Best City Airport only 5 minutes from the city center! This airport has far more flight choices from within the UK including major hubs like Heathrow, Edinburgh and Manchester. If you plan to come from further afield, there are international flights from Amsterdam (KLM) and Frankfurt (Lufthansa), both also great international hubs. 

Alternatively, Belfast International Airport is around 18 miles north west of the city and does have low cost flight options so check it out. Main carriers are EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and a couple of ‘package holiday’ operators like Jet2.

Another way to make your way to Belfast is via the ferry services. These run from Douglas (Isle of Man, England), Liverpool Birkenhead (England) and Cairnryan (Scotland). Therefore there is a lot of choice with almost 50 crossings a week to choose from.

If you want to bring your car or bikes with you, a ferry ride is a more flexible option.  For details on daily schedules and costs we suggest using Direct Ferries Schedule Site which we use to book our own ferry tickets around the world. They will also advise on any paperwork required for bringing your car.

Bus services within Ireland to Belfast cost from as little as £12. You can find a comprehensive summary of current bus fares from Dublin to Belfast here.

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Hotels We Recommend

These are some of the best and our favourite hotels that we stayed in and/or have eaten at in Northern Ireland.  As prices and availability fluctuate, check with hotels directly or booking.com for best deals for your budget. 

Belfast: Marriott Waterfront Hotel or Central Hotel The Bullitt.

Derry: The Ebrington Hotel

Giants Causeway: The Causeway Hotel

Galgorm: Galgorm Resort and Spa

We have also used Air B&B in Belfast but found central locations quite pricey for the facilities provided.  More traditional Bed and Breakfasts are great – just reserve early as the best book up months in advance. 

Beyond these options, you will find additional self catering options. These Irish Landmark Trust Properties are recommended for renting for longer stays.

FAQs

Northern Ireland’s Scottish Equivalent

The smallest of the four nations of the United Kingdom is a stunningly beautiful region. Miles of wild, rugged coastlines, ancient castles, small towns and some of the freshest food await you! The local people are friendly and love visitors.

If you are coming to Northern Ireland specially to see the Giants Causeway, think about sailing to the island of Staffa in Scotland on a future trip.

This tiny uninhabited island has the same basalt magic. Check out this great 3 day Mull, Iona and Staffa Itinerary for all you need to plan this amazing trip.