Northern Ireland Itinerary: 7 Day Road Trip Guide (Belfast, Causeway, Derry)

Looking for a 6-7 Day Northern Ireland itinerary you can tailor to make your own? From our own experiences, and input from our Belfast-based friend Jenny, we’ve created this exciting itinerary to drive yourself around this enthralling small country.

Explore the capital Belfast first. Next its 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 means real flexibility to stop off in small seaside towns along the wild stunning coastline. Time to find your own hidden gems, and unique Irish memories.

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Itinerary Overview

Short on time? Here’s a quick summary of our 1 week Northern Ireland Itinerary.

Northern Ireland Highlights

Day 1 – Belfast

Belfast is not perhaps as outwardly aesthetically appealing at first glance as other European capitals. My first impressions, driving from the airport through mist rolling in from the Irish Sea, was a city of grey and a little unloved.

But to not spend time in the capital on any Northern Ireland itinerary, would be a mistake! Because beneath this rough industrial wrapper, I discovered a lively, historic city. Local gems included St George’s Market where the aroma of freshly baked Irish Soda bread filled the air as we wandered around.

My visit to the Titanic Museum, and signing the Peace Wall reinforced Belfast as the perfect starting point to explore Northern Ireland over the next six days.

Morning: Visit Titanic Museum & Adjacent Hotel

Pre book your Titanic Museum tickets and try to get there at opening time. We did this to avoid crowds because once bus groups show up, it’s a bit of a zoo. During summer weekends, tickets sell out!

Parking is easy in the large underground car park on site. Alternatively, you can walk from downtown (10-15 minutes). 

We spent almost 3 hours at the Titanic museum! The whole experience is a highly immersive journey depicting life before, during and after the April 1912 Titanic tragedy.

Don’t miss the Shipyard Ride which replicates sounds, smells and sights of the site where this giant vessel came to life.

It’s a fascinating and thought provoking exhibit for all ages, especially reading personal stories from survivors and families of those lost. I won’t lie, I cried reading the stories of people who perished in the depth of the ocean that icy cold night.

After exploring the museum, we took a short walk over to the adjacent Titanic Hotel. Do look at some of the original ship drawings on the walls. By this time, we were hungry, and so grabbed a comfy sofa in the drawing room and ordered lunch. Their seafood chowder is famous!

Afternoon: Belfast Black Cab Tour

I booked our Belfast Black Cab Tour before we arrived because my niece said it was a highlight of her visit. Growing up in nearby Scotland, the troubles that kicked off in the late 1960s were always on our news.

So being driven around by a local who lived through these times and listening to their perspective was a must.

🔍 Click Here to Book Your Belfast Black Cab Tour

We travelled to both ‘sides’ of the city, seeing where people still live with high walls and barbed wire barricades separating them.

We moved slowly along Shankill Road and Falls Road. Our driver/tour guide told us about his life during these times.

We stopped again a little later, getting out for a short walk to a specific point of interest, like the murals and Peace Wall. It was especially poignant to write our messages on the wall.

I was moved by the sadness of many young lives being lost. But I also felt positive about the future and efforts of the next generation to push for greater community integration. Barriers in town stay open later than even a decade ago.

After being dropped back at the Titanic Car Park, visit the SS Nomadic, moored just next door. 

Enter, and wander through the decks to see how people traveled in these ships. There is a good mix of personal belongings and ship’s fixtures on display.

Evening: Dinner in Central Belfast

Our friend Jenny has her best Belfast restaurants list which she kindly shared. For a first night, head to Mourne Seafood Bar, acclaimed for sourcing local seafood. Hours vary daily so use their online reservation system.

Alternatively, head to Michelin recognized Edo for a European Tapas style menu. Their unique flavours come from using a Bertha oven (cooking with apple and pear wood). It’s closed on Sundays! Book directly on Edo Restaurant Site.

We hadn’t planned that well in terms of pre-booking on our first evening! We turned up only to find out that these were booked solid! Lesson Learned: Pre-Book!

So, we got on our phones, and headed to the casual UK chain Bar and Block Steakhouse. On entering, we felt a cozy, local vibe to the bar and restaurant areas. Partly outdoors, it’s inviting on a sunny evening.

The beer and wine menu was solid. Being a steakhouse they offer a wide range of steaks, burgers along with chicken and seafood dishes. I wolfed down a tasty veggie burger with a glass of Albarino wine, and recommend coming for lunch too.

Where to Stay in Belfast

Hotels in central Belfast can be surprisingly pricey, so we opted for an Air B&B. Here’s what locals recommend for a 2 night stay.

The Merchant Hotel and The Bullitt are quite different with the former in a gorgeous building that originally was a bank. The Bullitt has an industrial modern vibe, rooftop terrace and an artistic nod.

Even if you don’t stay at The Merchant Hotel, pop into the lobby area, and it’s really beautiful. If you do book a room here, you’ll enjoy many luxuries including fantastic city views from their rooftop hot tub!

A more affordable city center option is the global brand Holiday Inn, which is really good value for its location, and gets high marks for its breakfasts.

Day 2 – Belfast → Derry

We spent most of our Day 2 in Belfast, choosing to leave around 3pm to head north west to Derry.

There are many excellent Belfast Walking Tours, but we wanted freedom to explore some foodie spots as well as historic sights.

Morning: History City Walking Tour

We opted for the Self Guided Belfast Walking Tour (using our phones).

This a flat, relaxing stroll through the heart of Belfast. I loved that we had plenty of time to take photos along the way 🙂

I really admired the external architecture of Belfast City Hall, a contrast to the political murals and barbed wire barricades of the day before.

When you go inside, remember it’s a working building. With a guide, you can climb the Grand Stairway, enter the whispering gallery and get a first hand look at life inside.

Belfast City Hall tours are on a first come, first served basis. So, come for the first tour during busy times, and arrive 15 minutes beforehand. Tours at 11am, 2pm and 3pm Monday to Friday, and 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm on weekends.

🔍 Check Availability of Belfast City Hall Tour

It’s a must to have a morning coffee stop when we’re exploring. The Bobbin, in the City Hall Cafe, makes a delicious cappuccino. It was also cool to learn that this cafe got its name through a competition. Locals submitted ideas and The Bobbin won!

Arriving in the Cathedral District next, we took a couple of minutes detour to visit Mike’s Fancy Cheese shop. They’re open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and have a mouth watering selection of Irish cheeses.

I especially loved their raw milk philosophy, as it brought me back to childhood when mum made cheese from our milking cow. If you treat yourself to the 3 Cheese Hamper, you’ll get their special ‘Young Buck’ cheese, along with black butter, crackers and 2 other local cheeses – cow and sheep. Delicious!!

Our self guided tour ended at the ‘big fish’ sculpture, which you can’t miss as it is 10 meters high. At first glance it seems a bit odd, but take a closer look!

Each tile has a little piece of Belfast history and there’s even a time capsule hidden inside – love it!

To round off the morning, walk on 10 minutes from here for more food indulgences at Belfast’s St George’s Market! It’s only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday by the way. So if this appeals, make sure you plan your Belfast itinerary to be here on a weekend.

This is so much more than a city market. It’s a melting pot of goodness, flung together in a space that has operated since the 1600s.

What’s such fun is tasting samples from over 200 stalls (breads and cakes get my top vote). Then once you’ve got your goodies, buy a coffee.

If you’re here on Saturday mornings, find a seat, listen to live music, read the local paper or just soak in the coming and going of locals and tourists! A perfect local gem destination for lunch 🙂

This is where to come for local crafts too. Buy linen tea towels because the Irish quality is the best I’ve bought anywhere. I’ve found they wash so well too.

Oh, and don’t leave without checking out the 20+ stalls of local fish. This is some of the freshest fish you’ll see, just off the boat!

Afternoon: Drive to The Walled City of Derry

If this is your first time driving in Northern Ireland, you might find the roads pretty narrow. Being from Scotland, we’re used to rural roads and driving on the left. However, the main routes like M1 are multi-lane.

Realistically, it’s going to be around 5pm before you arrive in Derry. So we suggest a relaxed first evening, getting your bearings in this walled city by the River Foyle.

The sun was shining, bouncing off the river as we arrived. First impressions was that Derry was going to be a wee bit special. The colors of the rows of buildings reflected in the river and grassy areas, trees and hills surround the town.

We opted to stay in Ebrington (across the river from the main town) because it’s a little quieter here. Park up, check in, and stroll down 5 minutes to the Peace Bridge that connects these two towns together.

🔍 Click Here to Book The Ebrington Hotel

As we walked into Derry, I felt a sense of excitement at exploring and especially walking the famous city wall.

Having crossed the river, we spied a large red stone building. As we had no firm plans, we decided to head that way. Within 15 minutes or so we were at the door to the Derry Guildhall Peace Exhibition.

It’s free to enter so we headed inside. It was quite the surprise to see the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize inside. It was awarded to the late John Hume, regarded as a pivotal leader of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland.

Evening: Hotel Spa and Dinner at Embankment Grill

Honestly, we were pretty tired after a full day. So we decided to make use of the spa facilities at our hotel that were free with our room price. After a sauna, steam room and dip in the pool, we headed to Embankment Bar and Grill, a 5 minute walk.

The menu is perfect for lighter meals like the goat cheese tartlet I had. But has more substantial options too, like very popular local fish and chips. The wine selection is impressive and although I didn’t taste the beer, it looked popular.

Being here in summer, it was still daylight after dinner. As the sun set over the hill, I was already excited to get to know this small town.

Day 3 – Derry → Giants Causeway

Morning: Walled City Walking Tour with Martin McCrossan

When we arrived at the meeting point, we learned that Martin, who passed away at 52, was a pioneer of opening up the city to visitors. His daughter Charlene took over this small business and led our walk. She’s a fantastic storyteller and balanced the facts of the past with a bubbling enthusiasm for the future.

🔍 Click Here to Book Derry Walled Walking Tour

The wall in Derry is fascinating because it’s so accessible. As we walked along this ancient 9 feet wide stone structure, Charlene took us back into time to pivotal points of the past. 

Listening to how locals lived through 105 days siege, I realized how much positive change there’s been here since 1972.

Our small group paused on the wall to look down the hill to the town district of Bogside. Like Belfast, there are many political murals, each telling a story of how lives changed here on that fateful day.  So many young people died.

Since we were so close we walked down to Bogside after the tour for a closer look. Up close it felt like the stories Charlene told us were relayed again by faces looking down on us.

We squeezed in a visit to Bogside’s Museum of Free Derry next. It was created by people directly impacted in the civil rights fight that led to Bloody Sunday. 

Honestly, it was eye opening and shocking to realize how people lived here, in the midst of such violence. Open daily 10am-4pm. Entrance £8.00 adults.

We must mention that if you love Derry Girls TV show, they also have a tour that takes you around places featured in the show.

Our tour ended near the Tower Museum, which when we visited, had a Derry Girls Experience, costing £6. The Tower is Open from 9am-5pm.

Although we had a short visit, I loved Derry; its laid back attitude and how it has moved forward, whilst remembering history.

Each summer locals organize an annual ‘festival’ that brings communities together to celebrate their city. In 2026, it is in late June. Find details in the Foyle Maritime website. I’d return for this experience for sure.

Afternoon: Derry → Portstewart → Giants Causeway

Portstewart is the perfect Northern Ireland seaside town to stop off for a late lunch. Follow the ‘P’ signs as you arrive into the centre of the town. You’ll see free parking right on the seafront Main Street.  

The sun was high in the sky as we parked, so we took a stroll to check out brightly painted fishing boats moored in the harbour.

Peering into the clear waters, we saw massive clumps of seaweed swaying in the current. This is a pretty small town, with a 2km long public beach you can drive onto.

Since we’d enjoyed breakfast in Derry, we headed to Warke’s Deli, on the waterfront for a takeaway coffee and sandwiches. We headed along Portmore Road from Main Street climbing 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 the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. It’s easy to forget you’re on the Atlantic Ocean on a warm summer day; it was actually a day for sunscreen 🙂

We spent 30 minutes or so here, then drove 11 miles from Portstewart to The Giants Causeway, a UNESCO heritage site.

Evening: Dinner at Giants Causeway

Although a little expensive, we decided to stay at The Causeway Hotel (literally 5 minutes from the entrance to the Causeway). With only 28 rooms, it felt very homely.

I’m glad to report this was a perfect stay, with fabulous views to the ocean. Rolling hills behind us with sheep grazing, and a on-site restaurant for dinner with amazing views from our window table.

🔍 Click Here to Book The Causeway Hotel

The bar has outdoor seating for a pre-dinner drink, and the menu was impressive with emphasis on local fresh produce. Quite traditional at its core with modern tweaks, we learned that this was originally the ballroom, dating back to 1836.

Local Donegal salmon, Irish steak and my choice a vegetarian tart were on our summer menu, along with irresistible desserts like Sticky Toffee pudding.

All this and we hadn’t seen the actual Causeway yet!

Day 4 – Giants Causeway UNESCO Heritage Site

A year or so before our Northern Ireland trip, we took a boat from Scotland’s Iona to Staffa. It is an uninhabited island formed of the same volcanic basalt as the Giant’s Causeway.

This was an unbelievable experience entering caves and watching wild waves splashing high on the rocks. On the boat back from that visit, I decided my next trip had to include the Giants Causeway!

This first stop is Giants Causeway Visitors Center which contrasts traditional architectures of the area, a cleverly designed modern building, with a grass roof, almost hidden from sight.

Inside, I enjoyed the short film overview as it explained the geology simply for visitors. We spent around 30 minutes walking through other exhibits explaining coastal wildlife, how erosion is a risk.

Although you can visit the site for free, you do have to pre-book and pay for parking (if not a hotel guest), which is £12. EV charging is also on site and the car park is open 5am to 8pm.

Use the National Trust Site for all bookings, including guided hourly tours & audio guides.

As guests of the Causeway Hotel, tickets to the visitor center are complimentary. 

Walking down to the Causeway in summer I caught subtle scents of wild flowers, long stemmed grasses and even a rabbit! It’s wild to think this was once a massive volcanic area, stretching to Scotland across the sea!

As we got closer, gigantic grey/black basalt towers interlocked forming an incredible geological spectacle, some 12 meters tall.

As I stepped onto my first hexagon stone, I felt so small, in awe of nature’s footprint. Waves splashed hard, and peering across I could see outlines of distant islands.

Cloaked in Giant mythology, Benandonner (Scottish) challenged Fionn (Irish) to a fight. But once Fionn saw how huge Benandonner was, he retreated flinging stones to prevent the Scot following him, creating the causeway!

But, back to today’s Causeway 🙂

There are 4 trails marked from Blue (easiest) to Red, a cliff top hike of 3.2km. Most visitors start with Blue, and definitely take this route if you’re short on time, or have less mobility.

We walked every trail during our stay. My favourite was at sunset when we ambled along an almost deserted path to the amphitheater with the last rays of the day shimmering on the cliffs.

Don’t try this if you’re less comfortable with heights or fairly vertical wooden staircases.

Regardless of which trails you take and especially when you’re on the Causeway, be careful with your footing.

Crowds and tour buses leave around 5pm. Within 30 minutes, we felt like we had the place to ourselves. We walked to the amphitheater seeing only a few other guests and fields of resident sheep. Relaxing sounds of the ocean waves filled the air.

Getting back from our evening walk around 8pm, we had time for a light dinner at the hotel bar, before bed. The combination of awesome sights, fresh air and hiking meant I had a fantastic night’s sleep.

With rope bridges and Irish whisky tasting ahead, I needed it!

Day 5 – Carrick-A-Rede → Bushmills → Galgorm

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); Dark Hedges to Galgorm Resort – 20 miles (30 mins). Activity Level: 1-2 km of walking on mostly flat surfaces, with some steps at Carrick Bridge.

Morning: Cross Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

I woke up thinking it would be hard to beat our day of adventure around the Causeway but we had another full day of Irish fun.

Our first stop was to cross the famous Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. We wanted to get here early (9am-10.30am) to avoid the inevitable tour groups.

🔍 Check Carrick-A-Rede Bridge Availability

We hiked 1km from the large car park along a short coastal path to the rope bridge. It does get rougher with stairs and steps for the last 0.5km of this walk. Glad we had our windproof jackets on as it was a bit chilly first thing.

Why have a rope bridge in such a remote location you might ask? Well, it’s thanks to local salmon fisherman back in the 1700s who came to this island point for their catch.

After they transported the fish back to the mainland via this 20 meter long rope bridge. I was reassured to hear today’s bridge is a bit more sturdy than its predecessor and is regularly checked!

Still, I was a little tentative walking onto the bridge as it was swaying a bit in the wind, but heck I wasn’t going to back out. Within a couple of minutes, I was over, with a quick (and I mean really quick) glance down to waves 30 meters below.

Once safely on the tiny rocky island, we kept walking until we came across a tiny stone cottage with steps leading right down to the treacherous waters below.

The actual cottage was out of bounds due to instability, and I’ll admit I was relieved not to try and climb all the way down.

Then, it was back over the bridge, a little more slowly this time, and a gentle walk back to the car park. There are bathroom facilities and a cafe here, perfect for a warm up hot chocolate before jumping back into the car.

Late Morning: Bushmills – Distillery & Restaurant

When we were kids in Scotland, we often brought visitors to our local distilleries like Glenfiddich, or Aberlour. So, I just assumed we could turn up and do the same at Bushmills.

That was a mistake because when we turned up at 11am, tours were already sold out for the day. As the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608), it’s a pretty special destination on any road trip in Northern Ireland.

But, one thing we’ve learned on our travels, is that there’s usually a Plan B so we visited the tasting bar, gift store and had fun, with a chance to taste Bushmills’ best.

Since I wasn’t the designated driver, I jumped in and found my favourite – a 12 Year Distillery Reserve Single Malt.

After our tastings, we headed for lunch at The Bushmills Inn Restaurant,  highly recommended by our local friend Jenny. If the sun is shining sit outdoors in the flower filled gardens.

Luckily, we had pre-booked a table here. The locally themed menu and service is terrific so it’s very popular with visitors and locals year round. FYI, you can also stay here!

The Dark Hedges

Although not a mega fan of the show I was keen to stop here en route to our hotel in Galgorm. Sadly, due to a ferocious storm, many of these ancient beech trees planted back in 1775 were snapped in half or lost major branches.

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 Dark Hedges again but we know it’s a draw for many fans.

Time for Relaxation

The final stop today was the prestigious Galgorm Resort and Spa. After driving, walking or hiking quite a bit over the past few days, coming here was 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!  It’s open from 8am – 10pm. This was where I had my first and only ice tub plunge 🙂

For gentler pampering, book a massage or facial in the enormous treatment area after a refreshing swim in the heated pool. There are numerous spa packages to book ahead of time and 15 treatment rooms, available from 10am to 8pm.

Not surprisingly, the resort is a top spot for weddings and one was going on in the gardens when we arrived.

Golfers will love this course (we’re not so didn’t visit it) but 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.

Day 6 – Galgorm → Carrickfergus → Belfast

Driving Today: Galgorm Resort & Spa to Carrickfergus (31 miles – 45 mins); Carrickfergus to Belfast (11 miles – 20 mins). Activity level: climbing stairs at Castle, and short walks in Carrickfergus & Belfast.

Morning: Galgorm Resort

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. Head to the harbour car park, which is right next to the town’s medieval castle, dating back over 800 years. Open 9.30am to 4.30pm just buy your ticket on arrival. 

This is a stunning location right on the Belfast Lough and views over the waters to the hills that surround. It’s fantastic value with tickets costing £5.00 for adults, and £3.00 for 60+.

We spent an hour touring this fascinating piece of history (I loved the kitchens best) before walking into town for a coffee.

Looking out from the external walkways we spotted a ferry likely heading into Belfast, and one of the most popular ways to get here from Scotland & England.

Afternoon: Return to Belfast

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.

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. They are well signposted.

Evening: Dinner and Live Music in Belfast

Don’t leave Northern Ireland without listening to live Irish traditional music. In Belfast, you have plenty of choices as the city was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2021.

Musicians often gather in small pubs and like in Scotland, I feel these folk tunes are best heard in small, more intimate places, where you’ll sit next to a local. Check Visit Belfast Website for current lists of music events for your visit dates. 

Although I haven’t been, The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is in the oldest building in Belfast and people love that they can go upstairs for chicken dinners, then pop downstairs for music.

Maybe you walked by Granny Annies pub on your Walking Tour, as its 5 minutes from the Town Hall. With a summer garden, sports TV screens and live performances, come for dinner, stay for the music.

Getting to 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 is 112 miles (180 km). Travelling by a fast train from Dublin to Belfast takes 2 hours.

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.

FAQs

Wrap Up

So, there you have it – our detailed Northern Ireland 1 week road trip.

Why not think about a 2 destination adventure. Our Ultimate Scotland Road Trip itinerary gives you a natural extension, with easy ferries between our two countries.

Finally use our helpful links to get your Northern Ireland trip into shape: