northern ireland driving tour

• The ultimate Ireland travel planning guide

• Ireland Food and Drink
• Things to Do
• Destination Guides
• Itineraries
• Packing Lists
• Seasonal Guides
• Where to Stay

Destination Guides , Road Trips

13 incredible northern ireland road trip stops you won’t want to miss.

Even though I’ve been all over Ireland, I especially like the northern part. I have a soft spot for that area because my grandfather is from there, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places in the country. Almost everywhere you drive, you can see the ocean on one side. A Northern Ireland road trip is something I always recommend that people add to their itinerary.

While the rest of Ireland has its share of beautiful sights, Northern Ireland has a special kind of charm that can’t be found anywhere else. A road trip around Northern Ireland is a must for any tourist because of the stunning scenery you’ll see along the way and all the charming towns you can explore.

I last visited the area in the fall time, and a drive along the coast of Northern Ireland during that season was incredible. I loved taking pictures of the leaves changing colors and the misty mornings and smelling the fresh ocean air. This article will give you helpful tips on how to take a Northern Ireland drive and where to stop during your journey.

This post was first written in 2021 and last updated in March 2023.

Table of Contents

Tips for Driving the Northern Ireland Coastal Route

If you’re driving yourself around your Northern Ireland itinerary map, be sure to read up on road rules to avoid getting into any sticky situations. I have some helpful tips on how to drive in Ireland if it’s your first time.

• You’ll need a valid driver’s license to drive in the UK (but you don’t need any further permits besides that). You should also note that cell phone use while driving is not permitted, and you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road.
• Some of the roads up here are pretty narrow, so make sure to take your time when going around the corner. Like most places in Ireland, livestock on the road is a real threat, so you don’t want to speed and hit any sheep!
• You should also note that Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom, not Ireland . That means that if you’ve been driving around Ireland paying in euros, you’ll now be paying in pounds . The conversion is different, so take a minute to familiarize yourself with it before you buy something.

While I highly recommend renting a car so you can see all of these spots, there are plenty of tours in the area if you want someone else to drive you to a few of these destinations.

How many days do I need for Northern Ireland?

How long you spend on your Northern Ireland road trip depends on exactly how many activities you do, but I recommend spending at least three days in the area to fully explore it. That way, you can take your time at places you like on your road trip in Northern Ireland and not feel rushed driving around.

What’s the best time for a Northern Ireland road trip?

You can drive around Northern Ireland any time of the year – they don’t typically get snow, so you don’t need to worry about that. However, visiting Ireland during winter often brings windy, rainy days, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you mainly plan on being outside.

I’ve been here in the dead of winter before, and it was manageable when I brought all my essentials from my list of things to pack for Ireland in winter (especially a warm coat, raincoat, and rain boots!). Also, there’s no better place to end a rainy day than in a cozy Irish pub, which you can find anywhere you look.

How long does it take to drive around Northern Ireland?

If you choose to stick to the Causeway Coastal Route and follow the roads down all the way past Belfast, it will take you about six hours . Keep in mind that this is only sticking to the roads by the ocean, so there are many ways to make this shorter if you get onto a main highway. This time also doesn’t include any stops, which you’ll want to do on your Northern Ireland driving tour.

Northern Ireland road trip map

I find it helpful to look at a map when planning out a trip, so here’s a map of all the stops you’ll make on a Northern Ireland coastal route. You can use this to help you plan out your Northern Ireland road trip itinerary and decide how many of these stops you want to make, whether you spend 7 days in Ireland or longer.

13 Fun Stops on a Northern Ireland Road Trip

While the drive through Northern Ireland is an experience in itself, there are so many amazing places to stop and explore as you pass them by. If you’re looking for where to visit in Northern Ireland, we’ve compiled a spectacular guide of Irish landmarks , viewpoints, and other important places to see. 

This is by no means the complete list, but you definitely should not miss the following places. 

1. Mussenden Temple

Location : Sea Coast Rd, Coleraine

Open : 10 am to 5 pm 

Cost : From £5.00 per person

This striking, dramatic structure on a 120 ft cliff top offers unbelievable views over the Atlantic Ocean and is the first stop on your Northern Ireland scenic drive. It’s a popular spot for weddings and a great place to do an impromptu vacation photoshoot when looking for picturesque places to visit in Northern Ireland.

You can browse inside the temple and Hezlett House or enjoy the outdoor space. Family picnics, dog walks, and an easy 2-hour walk down the Downhill Demesne Walking Trail are all possible activities here. You’ll love putting this on a trip for 6 days around Ireland .

2. Glens of Antrim

Location : A region of County Antrim

Open : 24 hours

Cost : Free to explore

Found less than 50 kilometers north of Belfast and taking up around 130 kilometers of cliffs and open hills, the Glens of Antrim are a must-see on a North Ireland road trip.

This large area consists of 9 Glens, each with its own character and stand-out features. These include stunning beaches, miles of gorgeous hiking trails, and even a hotel that hosts a friendly ghost resident. 

The Glens and their name meanings are: 

• Glenarm – valley of the army
• Glencloy – valley of the dykes
• Glenariff – valley of the plough
• Glenballyemon – Edwardstown Glen
• Glenaan – valley of the little fords
• Glencorp – valley of the dead
• Glendun – brown valley
• Glenshesk – valley of the sedge
• Glentaisie – named after Taisie, princess of Rathlin Island

3. The Dark Hedges

Location : Bregagh Rd, Stranocum

Cost : Free (public road)

Way back in the eighteenth century, the Stuart family in Ballymoney planted a row of beech trees on either side of the road leading to their home. They did this in an effort to impress their visitors (which I’m sure worked).

Now, everyone living in and visiting Northern Ireland enjoys and admires this stunning road. The trees make such a pretty sight that they’ve attracted Hollywood attention as well. The Dark Hedges was used as a filming location for an episode of HBO’s Game of Thrones , making it a bucket list item for fans of the show when on a Northern Ireland road trip.

You cannot drive through the hedges anymore, so you’ll need to find a parking spot to stop at to take photos. I saw multiple people make this mistake before they were waived off the road (make sure to know what not to do as a tourist in Ireland before visiting).

Or, if you have some spare time, book yourself into one of the nearby accommodations, such as an Irish country house hotel , and enjoy easy access and free parking. 

This is one of the most popular Northern Ireland road trips, so get here early. I recommend going during spring in Ireland to beat the crowds.

If you want more knowledgeable information during your visit when looking for what to do in Northern Ireland, consider booking a guided tour of the Dark Hedges . 

4. Glenarm Castle

Location : 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm

Open : Every day, 9 am to 5 pm

Cost : £10 for adults for access to the garden

One of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful estates, Glenarm Castle, was first built in the seventeenth century by Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim. The castle has been the ancestral seat of the McDonnell family ever since. 

Today, visitors can stop by and explore the castle and its brilliant walled garden. The Woodlands Walk also offers a birds-eye view of the garden and plenty of opportunities to view wildlife. Sneak a peek at the resident Shorthorn cows, squirrels, rabbits, and beautiful flowers and plants.

On the castle grounds is also a tea room, milk parlor, potting shed, and a castle gift shop, so I recommend stopping here when driving in Northern Ireland.

While you can’t stay here, there are plenty of castle hotels in Ireland where you can book a room at.

Make sure to book your car rental in advance! I love using Discover Cars when I travel.

5. The Gobbins Cliff Path

Location : Turn off from Gobbins Road, Larne

Open : Tours available from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Cost : £20 for adults, £14.50 for children and seniors

The Gobbins Cliff Path is a stunning stop, providing unparalleled views and a slight sense of adventure, so you’ll want to stop here when touring Northern Ireland by car. You’ll park your car in one of the allocated parking spaces and then check-in for your tour, which you can reserve in advance . There are many steps and a steep incline at the end, so you’d need to be able to manage this. 

Do the walk with a tour guide, and you’ll get a detailed history and explanation of the area and its significance. If you’re an avid bird watcher, you’ll want to try and make this trip sometime between May and August in Ireland . This time of year is when you’ll be treated to a stunning sight of migrating birds. 

This is a popular day tour from Belfast that you can check out.

6. Carrick-a-Rede Bridge

Location : Near Ballintoy in County Antrim

Cost : Adults £13.50, Children £6.75

One of my favorite Northern Ireland places to visit, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge is picturesque and fascinating. Brave this 20m-long rope bridge hanging 30m above the sea and discover what life was like for Northern Ireland fishermen many years ago (as well as learn other fun facts about Ireland ). You can still see the remains of an old cabin there, which I couldn’t fathom living at with how windy it was when I visited.

The bridge was built as a way for salmon fishers to get onto the small island of Carrick-a-Rede. It was quite rickety and undoubtedly a little dangerous when people first used it 350 years ago. However, it’s now been restored, and although it may still feel rocky, it’s safe for visitors to cross (and a fun kid activity in Ireland ). 

You can reach the bridge from the striking Northern Ireland coastal route, which is wheelchair accessible. However, the bridge itself is not as accessible. You’ll love adding this to your list as one of the most scenic drives around Northern Ireland.

Note – it’s important to pre-book your ticket if you want to cross the bridge.

7. Cushendun Village

Location : County Antrim

Open : 24 hours, but best to visit during the day

This area is one of the most stunning places to go in Northern Ireland. It’s a quaint little coastal village in County Antrim that you’ll want to stop at on your Northern Ireland road trip. The entire town is in a conservation area that the National Trust manages. 

Although it’s small, there are many shops and pubs in the village (perfect for trying a traditional Irish drink ), so you can easily spend a day here getting to know the locals. Visit the beachfront, stroll one of the scenic paths, and stop by the harbor.

There are also the Castle Carra ruins and Cushendun Caves to add to your itinerary. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you may recognize the Cushendun Caves as one of the GOT filming locations in Ireland . You’ll love putting this on your Northern Ireland driving itinerary.

Book a room at Glenn Eireann House to explore the town more if you feel like staying the night. 

8. Rathlin Island

Location : Off the coast of County Antrim

Open : Ferry times vary between 8:00 am – 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Cost : Ferry costs are £12 per adult return and £6 per child return (5-15); under 5 are free

Take a break from scenic drives in Northern Ireland and hop on a ferry to Rathlin Island. Here, you can park your car and discover the island home to a growing population of around 140 people. 

The island is small but offers visitors the chance to cycle, do bus and walking tours, visit the Seabird Center, and check out the Boathouse Visitor Centre. There is also an outdoor gym, a children’s playground, and shops and restaurants.

Discover the island’s beauty, happen upon the many shipwrecks, and admire the basking seals as you make your way around this 10-kilometer-long piece of green land. 

9. Dunluce Castle

Location : 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills

Open : March to October daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm & November to February daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm

Cost : £6.00 per adult, £4 for kids 5-17 years old

A scenic and romantic Irish castle, Dunluce was built between the 1400s and 1600s. It was originally built by the most powerful earl of the time, Richard Od de Burgh. He selected a magnificent spot right on the cliff edge overlooking the striking Irish seas. 

The MacDonnell clan seized the castle and was also home to the McQuillans and a group of Scottish settlers throughout the years. History is abundant in these walls, and it’s like stepping through time when you visit here. 

The castle is mostly in ruins now, but there is still much left to admire and discover. It’s a great place to bring the family and spend a couple of hours soaking in the beauty. I loved walking through the ruins and trying to imagine what it was like living on this castle right on the cliff back in the day.

This is a good time in your trip to pull out your Irish voltage converter and charge your camera.

10. Roe Valley Country Park

Location : 41 Dogleap Rd, Limavady

Open : Daily 9 am to 7 pm 

Cost : Free entrance

Step out of the car and stretch your legs with an outdoor experience at Roe Valley Country Park. This large and open woodland area offers so much green space and fresh air, so it’s a must on any Ireland road trip . 

The park is home to part of the Roe River, and visitors can enjoy a load of fun activities here. These include fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, orienteering, and viewing the many cute critters living in the park. 

There is Ritters Tea Room for refreshments and a museum and countryside center that details the area’s heritage. 

11. Giant’s Causeway

Location : 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills

Open : Dawn to dusk

Cost : Adult £13.50, Children £6.75 for parking and tour, free to walk down otherwise

Just a little way from Cushendun Village, Giant’s Causeway is a wonder in its own right on your Northern Ireland road trip. This spot draws in thousands of visitors every year, attracting them with its unique look and picturesque views. 

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come here the first time I visited Ireland due to how touristy, but I do recommend it – this is definitely one of the more unique rock formations in the country. It was fun walking among the different rock columns, and I almost thought they didn’t look natural because they were so different.

Giant’s Causeway is an area made up of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created by the flow of balsamic lava around 6 million years ago. The hexagon shapes of these stone columns look almost other-worldly. It’s no wonder that the Irish know this as their own ‘8th World Wonder’.

To visit one of the best Northern Ireland scenic drives , you can park in one of the parking spots nearby and walk one of the three trails in the area. Stop to take in the scenery, snap photos, and fully absorb this wonder.  It’s also a fun thing to do with kids near Belfast.

If you’re visiting Ireland without a car during this trip (although I highly recommend it for this itinerary), there are plenty of tours from Belfast that will take you here.

This attraction is a popular place to go while on a guided tour .

12. Bushmills Village

Location : On the north coast of County Antrim

Cost : Free

Another welcoming village to visit on your Northern Ireland road trip is Bushmills. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve driven into a time-traveling portal as you enter the village, as it hasn’t fully joined the 21st century yet. However, this is what gives it all of its charm. 

The town is home to around 1,295 inhabitants and is about 100 kilometers from Belfast. There’s a whiskey distillery, a war memorial named The Diamond, and the Bushmills Railway tram, which can take you right to Giant’s Causeway for the day. 

If you’re visiting during June in Ireland , be sure to check out the annual Bushmills Live event at the distillery. There are plenty of places to buy Irish souvenirs if you need something to take home.

This is one of the best places to visit in Ireland in November , so you can stay a bit drier.

Book one of the hotels in Bushmills and spend some time exploring the streets as well as the beauty surrounding the village when you’re there.

13. Belfast

Location : County Antrim/County Down

A must-see is the Titanic Quarter, where you can stop at the very spot where the massive ship was built. There are also many shops, restaurants, and landmarks to be found – so a walking tour of the city is a great idea. You’ll love trying some of the traditional Irish foods you’ll find in the city, and you may want to know the difference between Dublin and Belfast before you go.

Stroll through the Botanical Gardens, see the Queen’s University, and go watch a Belfast Giant’s game at the SSE Arena. There are also many things to do with kids in Belfast that you’ll want to check out.

Spend more time exploring the area and stay the night at Radisson Blue Hotel Belfast , a modern hotel in the fun Gasworks neighborhood.

Whether you see all of these places or just some, you’ll remember your Northern Ireland road trip for a long time!

Marissa became obsessed with Ireland when she first visited in 2015, and has been back numerous times since to explore more of the Emerald Isle. She started this site to help others plan their trip to Ireland based off her experiences.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home » Itineraries » Northern Ireland and Ireland Driving Itinerary

Northern Ireland and Ireland Driving Itinerary

Ireland is a magical place full of striking landscapes, beautiful coastline, and the nicest people we’ve met anywhere in the world. There’s a reason it’s on so many people’s bucket lists. During our first Ireland trip, we hadn’t even left before we began talking about when we could return to see other parts of the country plus Northern Ireland, too. We finally had the opportunity to make our 11-day trip to the Emerald Isle a reality. Here’s our Northern Ireland and Ireland road trip itinerary to help you plan your travels.

An important note for drivers: a good GPS that allows you to input coordinates will go a long way with this route.

Driving Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Day 1: celtic ruins west of dublin, day 2: the countryside, day 3: dublin, day 4: powerscourt and dublin distilleries, day 5: belfast, day 6: belfast and portrush, day 7: drive the antrim coast, day 8: derry, day 9: donegal and lough eske, day 10: slieve league and sligo, day 11: back to dublin, ireland travel recommendations.

Arriving in Dublin, we immediately rented a car to head around Dublin on the M50 beltway and then the R115 (the Old Military Road) up over Sally Gap and into the Wicklow Mountains in the direction of Kilkenny. The landscape in this part of the country is beautiful, as you pass mountain streams and wind through patches of forest and up and down the undulating hills. Everything is just so green.

We stopped in the mountains to explore the Celtic ruins in the Irish countryside . Glendalough, known for its round tower, was a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century. Although it is a popular place, we were nearly alone as we explored the grounds of Glendalough, marveling at its old tombstones and Celtic crosses.

Our next stop was Baltinglass Abbey, a 12th century ruin which was once one of the richest churches in Europe. The first night was in the medieval city of Kilkenny at the Alcantra B&B.

Our Irish road trip continued as we headed out on the scenic R697 to the Priory of Kells. The 12th-century ruin—one of our favorites—was the largest and most important Augustinian monastic site in Ireland . Currently undergoing restoration, it’s a magnificent sight to see.

After a stop at Knockdrinna cheese shop in Stoneyford to pick up a picnic, we were off to our next destination on our Ireland itinerary. We took the picnic over to Jerpoint Abbey, eating under the majestic tower.

In the afternoon, our destination was the Rock of Cashel. We took the scenic drive R691 over to the ancient hilltop site where we walked the grounds for about an hour, seeing the Round Tower, the Romanesque Chapel, and other important ruins along the way. In the afternoon, we took the M8 back to Dublin.

With two tours and a an awesome dinner show, we squeezed every moment out of the third day of our Ireland travel itinerary.

The day began with a walking tour of some cool, unexpected sights in Dublin with Le Cool Dublin. The beauty of this tour is that it changes every time. Its goal is to show visitors what’s hip and now in the city, so you may meet artists, visit markets, and see street art like we did, or you may see something completely different. A Le Cool tour is an awesome way to experience the city.

Because we hadn’t gotten enough steps in yet, we set out on an informative historical walking tour of Dublin in the afternoon. We saw Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and many of the other can’t-miss Dublin sights. It was a perfect complement to our morning of more local Dublin experiences.

In the evening, we finished up our day of walking with entertainment. The Dublin House Party is a unique combination of a hearty Irish dinner and a show featuring some of the best Irish musicians and dancers in the city. What could be a cheesy experience is instead very well-done, showing visitors the importance of Irish music and the fun that goes along with it. The Dublin House Party is great for couples and families.

Our day began at the peaceful Powerscourt Estate and Gardens . About an hour south of Dublin, the sprawling estate is a brilliant place to enjoy nature. It tops National Geographic’s list of the world’s best gardens.

Punctuated by fountains, ponds, and an endless number of trees and flowers, the 47 acres of gardens at Powerscourt are a lovely place to wander. Amidst a setting of 200-year-old trees, you’ll even find Ireland’s highest waterfall.

In the afternoon, we returned to Dublin to imbibe at The Jameson Distillery Bow St. and the Guinness Storehouse …because that’s what you do in Ireland.

At Jameson Distillery, begun on Bow Street in 1780, we got a sense for the history of the place and what was required when John Jameson started distilling here over 200 years ago. It was a great crash course in making one of the whiskeys that Ireland is so famous for. Plus, we got to do a comparative tasting of their wares.

The Guinness Storehouse is the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin for good reason. This seven-floor experience takes you through all the steps of brewing Ireland’s iconic dark beer. We saw displays about all of its ingredients and the history of the beverage, culminating in the opportunity to pour our own pint on the top floor, which has a great view over the city.

We woke up early and set out driving from Dublin to Belfast on the M1. As soon as we arrived in Northern Ireland, we got busy sightseeing.

It was lunch time, so it was a perfect excuse for one of our favorite activities–visiting local markets around the world. St. George’s Market in Belfast has operated at the same site for an incredible 400 years. One of Belfast’s oldest attractions, St. George’s showcases the best in Northern Irish products. From food stands to fresh produce, the market has a little bit of everything delicious with a heavy dose of national pride thrown in.

The second stop on our Northern Ireland trip was Titanic Belfast. The leading tourist attraction in the world, the Titanic Museum tells the story of the ill-fated ship on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard (its builder). The fascinating museum has exhibits about the building and launch of the Titanic as well as vivid accounts of its sinking and the aftermath of the disaster.

Day six began with our highly-anticipated Black Cab Tour of the Troubles murals of Belfast with Paddy Campbell. Driving along the Shankill Road and other areas of Belfast, we saw mural after mural commemorating historical figures and participants in the decades of conflict that ripped apart communities in Northern Ireland.

Paddy presented an unbiased look at the issues on both sides–the mostly Protestant Unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, and the mostly Catholic Republicans who wanted Northern Ireland to become part of a united Ireland–which is a hard thing to do in a place that was as politically charged as Belfast. At the end, we got to guess his affiliation. We guessed wrong. We couldn’t recommend this eye-opening tour more.

After lunch, we left Belfast headed north on the M2/A26 in the general direction of the Antrim Coast. We took a brief detour to the Dark Hedges to take some photos in this spot made famous thanks to its haunting beauty and its cameo as the Kings Road in the Game of Thrones .

We arrived in Portrush for the evening.

We left Portrush heading even further north on the Causeway Road to Giant’s Causeway. In the drizzle, the spectacular basalt columns of the Causeway took on a moody feeling as we watched the waves crash nearby. We spent at least an hour just climbing up and down the unique formation. Giant’s Causeway is not to be missed on any trip to Northern Ireland.

Nearby, we visited the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. First erected by salmon fishermen in 1755, the bridge hangs (apparently precariously) between rocky outcroppings in the north Atlantic. Crossing is an adventure and not for the faint-hearted, but if the winds are calm, it’s not as scary as it looks.

After spending much of the rainy day outside, we visited The Old Bushmills distillery to warm up in the late afternoon. Unlike Jameson, which we visited in Dublin, Old Bushmills is also a working distillery, so the smell of sweet mash hung in the air as we toured the factory. We saw the whole distillation and bottling process and ended with a perfect hot toddy in their tasting room.

It was a long, windy, wet day of amazing sights, culminating at a night at the charming Caw Cottage.

We woke up in Derry and actually stayed there for the full day – one of the only nights on our whole trip that we spent two nights in the same town.

We began the day with a rainy but thought-provoking tour of the Troubles Murals of the town. As in Belfast, Derry is filled with murals depicting imagery from both sides of the conflict. There are the Union Jacks of the Unionists and murals showing Republicans alongside civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

Many of the murals in Derry are in the Bogside neighborhood where a group of artworks is dedicated to protesters who were killed on what is known as Bloody Sunday. British soldiers killed 14 people that day and wounded another 12—the incident is the subject of U2’s “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.”

After seeing the murals, we joined in on a great historical tour of the city which took us by the top sights and allowed us to walk on part of the city’s 17th-century walls.

In the evening, we decided it was time for a bit of Irish music and made our way to Peadar O’Donnell’s bar.

Leaving Derry (and beautiful Northern Ireland) on the N13/N56 road, we drove the rugged coast of the Donegal peninsula, part of the Wild Atlantic Way route . Our plan for the day was simply to drive and watch the landscape change, stopping in any village that caught our attention.

Along our drive, we encountered massive cliffs plunging into the ocean, small towns with picture-perfect harbors, and miles and miles of countryside turning from green to gold under the early autumn sun. It was absolutely gorgeous.

We spent the afternoon and night enjoying the luxurious Lough Eske Castle . This 5-star castle hotel, which traces its roots back to the 15th century, offers an immersive guest experience with an amazing spa, fabulous restaurant, and packages that include access to local parks and other castles. A night here is the height of luxury.

We spent the morning at Lough Eske Castle enjoying the sprawling grounds and their gourmet breakfast. Sooner than we were ready to leave (we would never have been ready), it was time to go again. This time, our destination was Slieve League.

Driving west along the N56/R263 road, we approached the giant cliffs of Slieve League (Sliabh Liag, in Gaelic), which are three times higher than their more well-known cousins at the Cliffs of Moher. From the top, there are magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains, and Donegal Bay. It’s one of the must see places in Ireland .

Another beautiful drive south found us in county Sligo. It was already late afternoon by the time we arrived. We had planned to visit the ancient Sligo Abbey, but it was under construction, so we went to St. Columba’s Church in nearby Drumcliffe instead. The small church with the bright stained glass is the final resting place of literary giant W.B. Yeats.

Markree Castle Hotel, another brilliant, ancient castle, was our home for the night in Sligo.

In the morning, we visited Carrowmore, the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland. All the monuments here are estimated to be at least 5000 years old, which is mind-blowing. We didn’t find them quite as impressive as the huge megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange, but they are certainly worth a visit if your Ireland travels take you through Sligo.

After our visit to Carrowmore , we turned back on the N4 road toward Dublin. We returned the rental car at the airport and spent our final night in the capital. The evening was spent at the Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub, seeing a dinner show about the history, myths, and fairy tales of this beautiful island.

Hotels : Ireland is quite challenging in terms of accommodations. Unlike most countries, there are not a large number of big hotels. Instead, Ireland is full of a small, boutique hotels and B&Bs. We recommend looking at Booking.com for hotels, inns and B&Bs.

Rental Car : We recommend renting cars from brand name, larger international companies, or a comparison site like Auto Europe , which is known for its service. If you have a problem, they tend to be more reliable. Before you go, we recommend getting a copy of our book, The Essential Guide to Driving Abroad , which demystifies and simplifies the process of renting overseas.

Travel Insurance : Ireland is an amazing destination! While the country is extremely safe, car accidents are common. For this trip, we bought travel insurance from Travel Guard , which can provide you with coverage for unexpected medical expenses while on a trip because you never know what can happen.

Booking through these sites may earn us a few pennies, at no additional cost to you.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Karen Keene

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

Can you get around Ireland via train vs. renting a car to see the sights?

Lance Longwell

Thursday 1st of June 2023

Yes, but it really isn't recommended. The trains in Ireland connect most of the major cities and some spots in between. But they really don't service the countryside very well at all. If you want to see Ireland (AND you really don't want to drive), consider the bus. Bus travel in Ireland is efficient and inexpensive, and goes where the trains do not.

Abby Cooper

Sunday 15th of March 2020

This looks absolutely amazing! Very descriptive and your photos are beautiful. Giants Causeway is on my top ten list!

• United Kingdom
• Northern Ireland
• Plan The Ultimate Road Trip...

Plan the Ultimate Road Trip Through Northern Ireland

Bag a set of wheels – the coast of Northern Ireland is road-trip heaven. It’s reasonably sized, so your journeys are short, which means more time to stop and explore. Pack your swimmers and walking boots – there are beautiful beaches and nature reserves to explore – and don’t forget a smart outfit or two, the cities offer plenty of culture. To help you plan your next adventure, here is how to create the ultimate road trip in Northern Ireland.

Which route should i take.

Take the Causeway Coastal Route – the most exciting road trip in Northern Ireland – from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry. It hits many of the major coastal stop-offs, including National Trust sites and a handful of Game of Thrones filming locations. It’s also relatively short, meaning there’s flexibility should you wish to stay a day or two longer in a destination. The following five-day itinerary, though, will serve most road-trippers well.

Top tip: No matter when you plan to come – though you will aim for the summer months ideally – you’ll need to pack for a variety of weather conditions. Northern Ireland is famous for its unpredictable skies, so pack for light rain, afternoon heat, spring showers and wind.

Start your trip in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Stroll through the cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter and enjoy an Ulster fry-up in St George’s Market. Before you drive out of town, grab a picture of Samson and Goliath – two giant, yellow shipbuilding cranes that have become a quirky tourist attraction.

A 30-minute ride will take you to Carrickfergus, the first stop of the tour and a town home to one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland. Having survived 800 years – plus numerous assaults by the Scots, Irish, English and French – it now houses an interesting collection of historical artefacts and cannons.

Then head 20 minutes north to The Gobbins, a 2mi (3km) walk along the cliffs of Islandmagee. It’s a rather spectacular route carved into the cliffside more than a century ago for Edwardian tourists.

See the route for Day 1 .

Day 2: Discover the Glens of Antrim

Day 2 starts at Glenarm Castle and Gardens , a horticulturist’s dream. You can explore the oldest walled gardens in Ireland and enjoy a 19th-century afternoon tea in the Mushroom House. Come in May to walk among thousands of tulips during the annual tulip festival.

Next, head to the Glens of Antrim. There are nine glens to explore; stop at Glenarm and tackle the walking trails of Glenarm Forest. If you stroll by the river, keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers and otters.

Then travel to Cushendun, a beautiful harbour town modelled on Cornish villages, to visit Glenmona House, a grand estate and home to the endangered red squirrel.

See the route for Day 2 , including several alternative routes through the Glens of Antrim.

Day 3: Head up North

Things are about to get windy as you head north up the coast. Your first stop of the day is at Torr Head, an enchanting cove only 13mi (18km) across the sea from Scotland. This was a lookout for Atlantic and transatlantic ships two centuries ago, and has fantastic views of Rathlin Island. Bring your binoculars to spot the puffin population on Rathlin and dolphins and porpoises in the water.

Your next destination, Ballintoy, the fictional capital of Pyke and (in real life) home to beautiful church buildings and a harbour, actually featured in a Game of Thrones episode. White Park Bay, a short walk from Ballintoy, has a sandy beach, rocky shores and views of the Causeway coast.

See the route for Day 3 .

Day 4: Explore myths and legends at the Giant’s Causeway

Day 4 will see the longest drive on the entire Causeway route, at just under four hours. However, you’ll also arrive at Unesco-listed heritage site the Giant’s Causeway, a phenomenal 40,000-basalt-rock formation. Legend says that it was created by Irish giant Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill in Gaelic) to meet his Scottish enemy.

Top tip: park in the nearby town of Bushmills and take the shuttle bus – it will save time. Also remember, you don’t need to pay to visit the Giant’s Causeway. Enter via the alternative route by the Visitors Centre to avoid the fee.

When you have fully explored the site, drive to Dunluce Castle, another Game of Thrones location. Today it’s one of the most photographed ruins in Northern Ireland and a favourite for location scouts (it also hosted Jackie Chan’s 2003 film The Medallion ).

See the route for Day 4 .

Day 5: Finish the trip in Derry/Londonderry

First up today is Downhill Demesne, a National Trust site with the ruins of an 18th-century mansion, the cliffside Mussenden Temple (modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Rome) and a walled garden. From here, travel inland to Roe Valley Country Park, with more wildlife than you can count and more forest than you can hike. The park is on the outer region of Limavady, on the west coast.

The last stop is the border city of Derry/Londonderry. Explore the 400-year-old city walls and step across the S-shaped Peace Bridge (an acknowledgement that the road to peace is never a simple one).

See the route for Day 5 .

Where to stay on a road trip in Northern Ireland?

1. the fitzwilliam hotel, for a cosy start in belfast.

Upon entering the Fitzwilliam, you’ll be greeted by an open fire framed by tall bookshelves and beige sofas – it feels like a home from home. The location is perfect too; just a couple of steps from the grand Opera Hall and only five minutes to Donegall Place, the main shopping street in Belfast.

2. Slieve Donard Hotel and Spa, for countryside relaxation

The award-winning Slieve Donard Hotel and Spa, sat at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, is on 2.5ha (6 acres) of beautiful private gardens. If you can drag yourself from the hotel, you’ll find heaps of local attractions and nature spots showcasing the best of the Northern Irish countryside. After a day exploring, fuel up on grub from one of the many hotel restaurants.

Start planning your adventure in Ireland today.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

See & Do

Slow adventures on the island of ireland: the best bits.

The Best Coastal Walks in Northern Ireland

Food & Drink

The dirty onion: the irish bar with a menu for dogs.

The Story Behind Northern Ireland's Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail

Architecture

Scandi style comes to belfast with henning larsen's copenhagen-inspired waterfront plan.

Northern Ireland's Stunning Global Geopark Gears Up for International Visitors

Places to Stay

11 hotels in northern ireland for a summer staycation.

Games of Thrones Meets BMX in Phenomenal Photo Series

Causeway Coastal Route Destinations

The Best Day Trips in Northern Ireland

Beaches Worth a Visit in Northern Ireland

Incredible Places to Stay in Northern Ireland

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1187519
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Northern Ireland Self Drive 8 Day Adventure

• What's Included
• Available Tours
• +353 667186181
• [email protected]

Introducing our New Northern Ireland Self Drive Tour. This Self Drive Vacation Ireland will take you from Ireland Capital city, Dublin, north to Belfast City and then all the way north to drive the Antrim Coast.

Savour the magic of Ireland’s north on our 8-day Northern Ireland Self-Drive Tour. In this itinerary, we’ve combined the must-see urban experiences of Dublin and famed Belfast with the picturesque National Parks of Connemara and Glenveagh, breathtakingly scenic views along the Atlantic Way and atmospheric villages like Westport and bohemian Galway.

For more information about this tour & to explore all your other options please contact a member of our team here.

The ancient streets and vibrant food, drink and music scene of Dublin and Belfast, famous for the Titanic and iconic scenes from  Game of Thrones

Beautiful Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast

Charming villages of Galway, Westport and Donegal

What's Included?

Package Options

Prices quoted are for the Digital Option. If you would prefer the Traditional Pack please let us know your booking form page.

AVAILABLE TOURS

Departure dates.

To book your tour choose your preferred Departure Date and click on Next Step.

Similar Trips

Northern Ireland Self Drive 10 Day Adventure

South Ireland Self Drive 8 Day Adventure

Our location.

Ireland Walk Hike Bike, PO BOX 372, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Important Links

• Cookies Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Pay Booking Balance
• Guided Tours
• Self Guided Hiking
• Self Guided Cycling
• Self Drive Tours
• Custom Tours Payment
• Custom Tours Planner

The Perfect Northern Ireland Road Trip

I can’t express how much I love Northern Ireland , every time I have been there I am blown away by just how lovely it is. How welcoming the people are, how interesting it is and its incredible natural beauty. One of the best ways to experience all this is on a Northern Ireland road trip, visiting the stunning coastline, vibrant cities and independent food and drink producers and tour operators. Read on, for what I think is the perfect Northern Ireland itinerary below.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase something I’ve recommended I may earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay but helps me to run this site. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here.

Flying into Belfast , I picked up a hire car and headed straight out of the city. My route would take me through all six of the Northern Ireland counties over five days.

Hire a car in Northern Ireland.

Belfast to County Armagh – Day 1

Long meadow.

Armagh is also known as the Orchard of Ireland, due to the volume of apples grown there. More than 4000 acres are covered by orchards! My first stop was Long Meadow Farm, a family-run orchard that has been growing apples for three generations and recently made the move into cider production. Pat McKeever and his son Peter produce 3 different ciders, as well as juices and apple vinegar. Pat offers tours through the farm where you can learn the cider-making process and then sample some of the delicious cider!

Pat showed me around the farm and explained how cider is produced. As I was driving I wasn’t able to try the cider on-site – but Pat gave me some to try later that day and it was delicious!

Close to Long Meadow is the city of Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. I stopped off here for a little wander around. Armagh has a number of museums and the beautiful Palace Demense Park, which is a great spot to stretch your legs before the drive to the next county on the Northern Ireland road trip!

County Armagh to County Fermanagh – Day 1

Lough erne (sleep here).

Bordering Armagh is county Fermanagh, home to Lough Erne (pronounced ‘lokh airn’). Lough Erne is made up of two lakes (upper and lower), which are technically part of the river Erne and flow into the Atlantic. The town of Enniskillen separates the lakes and they contain hundreds of tiny islands.

On the upper lake is Lough Erne Resort , one of Northern Ireland’s most well-known hotels. The resort has two impressive golf courses and is set in stunning grounds overlooking the Lough. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more budget-friendly, try Slieve Rushen or Silverhill House Apartment .

Even if you don’t stay at Lough Erne Resort, it’s worth stopping by for a meal at the restaurant – Catalina. Head chef Noel McMeel is a bit of a local celebrity, having appeared on Masterchef, as well as cooking the wedding banquet for Sir Paul McCartney. The food is all locally sourced and incredibly tasty.

A great way to explore the lough is by boat. I took a tour with  Erne Water Taxi . The tour, run by Barry Flanagan, stops at a number of islands to explore ancient castles and monastic sites and also includes an impressive picnic. Barry sources all the food from local suppliers and this changes depending on the season, but mine included black pudding, bacon, steak, cheese, 3 different kinds of bread and beer. It was delicious!

County Fermanagh to County Derry – Day 2

From here I drove up along the border through County Tyrone to the walled city of Derry, the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. Derry has a complicated history but is now a thriving city with a great food scene. To understand what the people have been through, it’s worth taking a city tour , which will give you an overview of the last 1500 years. To learn even more about the city, head to the Tower Museum, which contains two exhibitions; The Story of Derry and the Armada shipwreck – La Trinidad Valencera, which sunk in Kinnego Bay, Donegal in 1588. Close to the museum is the Guildhall , which is free to enter and contains some spectacular stained glass windows.

Derry has plenty of great places for lunch, including Pyke’n’Pommes . It’s also home to the Walled City Brewery , a bar, restaurant (and brewery) on the Waterside of the River Foyle, and offers tours and beer of course! Even if you don’t stop for a drink, it’s worth heading over the bridge as the views of the old walled city are wonderful.

Causeway Coast

Next on the route was the Causeway Coast. This was one of my favourite parts of the trip, and the drive is incredibly picturesque. I headed to Downhill, a tiny village with a spectacular beach known as Downhill Strand. It was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones and is recognisable from Mussenden Temple on the hills to the east. You can visit the temple for free, along with Downhill Demense, which was once an impressive mansion and is now in ruins on the clifftop.

Inland and uphill from Downhill is Gortmore Viewpoint, which offers incredible views along the coast. On a clear day, you can even see Scotland! A sculpture of Manannan Mac Lir, (an Irish sea God) marks the lookout.

Portstewart (Sleep Here)

I spent the night in the town of Portstewart, which also has an impressive beach and is a popular place for surfers. On the beach is a seafood restaurant Harry’s Shack – which I would definitely recommend. All the seafood is locally caught and expertly cooked. Watching the sunset on the beach from the shack with a delicious dinner was a lovely way to spend an evening!

There are some beautiful B&Bs in Portstewart, such as Cul-Erg House and Me & Mrs Jones , or you could rent an apartment such as Portstewart Central Loft Apartment .

Find accommodation in Portstewart

County Derry to County Antrim – Day  3

The next day, I was up early and headed to Portrush for a ‘Catch and Sea’ boat trip with Causeway Coast Foodie Tours . We sailed out of the harbour on the Causeway Lass and watched the sunrise over the coast, stopping to fish along the way.

We caught Whiting, Mackerel and Coalfish while enjoying some locally made bread as an early morning snack. Once back on land, we went to local café Babuska , to eat our catch. Chef George Nelson cooked the fish and served them on toast with a poached egg, bacon, smoked salt and smoked dulse (seaweed). All the products were locally sourced and it was delicious.

Bushmills Distillery

Not far from Portrush is Bushmills, home to the famous Bushmills Whiskey Distillery . Bushmills is thought to be the oldest distillery in the world and has been making Whiskey since 1608. I took a tour of the distillery, which explains how Whiskey is made and ends with some Whiskey tasting.

Giant’s Causeway

One of Northern Ireland’s most well-known attractions is the Giant’s Causeway. This World Heritage Site is a short drive from Bushmills and a must-stop on a Northern Ireland road trip. It’s very popular, so expect lots of people and coaches full of tourists. Wear shoes with a good grip as the rocks can be slippery, especially in wet weather.

Ballintoy is next on the coastal route and is the filming location of the Iron Islands from Game of Thrones. It’s a quick stop for a wander around the harbour and some pretty rock pools.

Another iconic landmark is the Carrick–a–Rede Bridge . A rope bridge dating back to 1755! It’s a beautiful spot, especially on a sunny day. Unfortunately, both times I’ve visited it’s been very windy with torrential rain, making it slightly more wobbly when crossing the bridge!

From here you have two choices, follow the coast back round to Belfast, or head inland. I chose the latter and drove to the Dark Hedges, a tree-lined street that has become one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland and has also been used as a filming location in Game of Thrones.  

County Antrim to Belfast – Day 3

Belfast (sleep here).

I was looking forward to spending some more time in Belfast, as I had enjoyed it so much the first time around. This time I stayed in the famous Europa Hotel – the most bombed hotel in Europe! It’s a gorgeous hotel and I was lucky enough to be staying in a suite. The hotel has had some famous guests over the years including Sir Bob Geldof, Bill Clinton and Lionel Richie.

For something more budget-friendly try Vagabonds or ibis Belfast City Centre . Two other really beautiful hotels in the city are the 5-Star Merchant Hotel (go for the cocktails even if you don’t stay) and Titanic Hotel Belfast.

Find accommodation in Belfast

Belfast has some excellent restaurants and plenty of things to do, which you can read about in my city guide here . This was to be a fairly short stay in the city for me, and I headed out for dinner to Ox .

Ox is one of two Michelin star restaurants in Belfast and has an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing which I was very excited to try. The food is seasonal and all locally sourced and I have to say it one was of the best meals I’ve had. The food combinations were unusual and delicious and the wines to match were wonderful.

Belfast to County Down – Day 4 

Strandford lough.

I left Belfast early the next morning for the final destination of the Northern Ireland road trip: County Down. The scenery here is incredibly beautiful and I drove along the gorgeous Strandford Lough to meet Tracey – the owner of Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen . Tracey runs a variety of tours across the county, working with local producers and suppliers. I spent the morning at her house learning to make bread with Irish bread expert Fred. He taught me how to make potato bread, soda bread and pancakes.

Then we headed into Killyleagh, a lovely little town on the lough to try some cider. Kilmegan Cider is brewed by a husband and wife team in the beautiful Mournes Mountains of County Down. Tracey offers tours to the brewery, but I was sampling the cider in The Dufferin Arms , along with some delicious local cheese. Killyleagh is also home to the annual Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival, which happened to be on the weekend I was there, held in the grounds of Killyleagh Castle.

Killough Bay

The next stop of the Northern Ireland road trip was Killough Bay. Here we met French oyster farmer Patrice Bonnargent and his son Luc, who own Killough Oyster Ltd. Patrice took us on his tractor to see where the oysters are farmed and then back to his small factory where the oysters are treated (to kill off any bacteria). Patrice supplies oysters and mussels to restaurants across Europe.

You have the option of spending the night in Country Down , or you can head back to Belfast as I did.

County Down to Belfast – Day 4 / Day 5

Spend a full day in Belfast before you leave Northern Ireland (or more if you have time!). There is plenty to do here, including a visit to Titanic Belfast and a Black Taxi Tour . Read the full Belfast city guide here .

It was a great five day Northern Ireland road trip with some amazing food and gorgeous scenery. If you have the time, I would recommend taking a week to drive the route for a more relaxed trip. The second time around I love Northern Ireland even more than the first and will definitely be back.

Thanks to Tourism Ireland for hosting A Lovely Planet on the perfect Northern Ireland road trip.

Travelling to Northern Ireland? Check out our guide to Belfast.

You may also like

Things to do in belfast, game of thrones northern ireland filming locations, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Banda Islands
• North Sulawesi
• United Arab Emirates
• Emilia Romagna
• Northern Ireland
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• New Zealand
• Cook Islands
• French Polynesia

Jervis Bay Itinerary – 3 Days in Jervis…

A foodie bologna itinerary – 3 days in…, puglia itinerary – 3 days in puglia, byron bay itinerary – 3 days in byron…, clare valley itinerary – a weekend in the…, 3 week mexico itinerary, 10 day tuscany road trip itinerary, perth to exmouth road trip itinerary, the perfect 10 day samoa itinerary, rome to venice road trip itinerary – 10…, sydney to byron bay road trip itinerary, the great southern – adelaide to brisbane aboard…, the best tacos in mexico city, the best sydney avocado dishes, things to do in tuscany, italy, the best sydney speakeasy bars, the best wineries in mclaren vale, reef magic review – a great barrier reef…, the best sardinia beaches, french polynesia itinerary – two weeks in french…, tasmania road trip – 2 week tasmania itinerary, kakadu itinerary – 4 days in kakadu and…, how to have a finnish lapland summer adventure, queenstown activities – things to do in queenstown, 5 ski resort alternatives to skiing and snowboarding, a beginners guide to skiing & snowboarding, skiing the three valleys, the darling, sydney – hotel review, an overnight yacht stay in sydney, vibe hotel canberra – review, stillwater seven, tasmania – review, the ship inn stanley review, how to travel japan with a baby and…, how to have the perfect holiday in fiji…, essentials for travelling with a baby, tips for travelling with a baby, on the road: tips for a nomadic lifestyle, how to make the most of your money…, the amalfi coast on a budget, long term travel checklist, choosing a travel backpack, my favourite travel gear, 10 essential items to pack for a round…, sustainable hotels – how to choose eco-friendly accommodation, tanja lagoon camp – review, responsible tourism – how to be a sustainable…, volunteering – a different way to travel.

• About A Lovely Planet
• Personal Posts
• Work With A Lovely Planet

11 Best Road Trips in Northern Ireland for Scenic Drives

September 18, 2023

For such a small place, Northern Ireland is home to a surprising number of excellent and impressive on-road odysseys. So in this guide, I’ve brought you the best of them, with a big list of the 11 best road trips in Northern Ireland .

I’ve covered short drives, long drives, coastal routes, mountainous rides, and everything in between. But whatever and wherever they are, they’ll all want to make you hop in your car and come join the fun!

Looking for the 11 best drives in Northern Ireland? You’ve found them!

1. The Causeway Coastal Route

2. strangford lough, 3. the ards peninsula, 4. lough neagh loop, 5. the mourne coastal route, 6. high mournes scenic loop, 7. the north sperrins route, 8. the east sperrins route, 9. the south sperrins route, 10. the central sperrins route, 11. belleek to teemore, before you go.

The most famous Northern Irish road trip by a very long way, the Causeway Coastal Route runs between Derry and Belfast, the two most famous (and significant) settlements in the whole of Northern Ireland.

The route runs across the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Ireland for almost its entirety, and takes you to countless famous places. Some of the best include Dunluce Castle , Carrickfergus Castle , lots of beaches, some excellent coastal walks, and Derry and Belfast themselves.

But for most people, the major highlight is of course the Giant’s Causeway . The most famous attraction in Northern Ireland (and the attraction which gives this route its name) , this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a bizarre geological oddity made up of around 40,000 basalt columns.

In addition to the main Causeway Coastal Route, there are nine mini loops which you can add to your itinerary for even more fun and adventure. Dotted along the entirety of the drive, these are all relatively small… but if you tackle them all, they’ll make your route way longer (and much better!) .

In short, if you’re going to attempt only one road trip in Northern Ireland, it should be this one. Yes, it’s very famous… but it’s very famous for a reason.

If you like the idea of visiting these sites but want to go on a guided tour instead to fully enjoy the experience, then get any of the following tours, they are highly-rated by travelers and include many stops along the way. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

• Itinerary: Linear route from Derry to Belfast along the northern and eastern coasts
• Distance: 130 miles/212km
• Time: 3-7 days
• Highlights: Dunluce Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, the spooky Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, all the potential walking detours, and hitting the most famous road trip in Northern Ireland

More water! But this time, we’re following the perimeter of a lake (or ‘lough’, since we’re in Northern Ireland) instead of a seaside coastline.

Because this route follows the whole perimeter of one entire lough, it’s perfect for pedantic completionists who like feeling as if they’ve seen the entirety of one place.

The most logical starting point is the town of Newtownards, at the northern tip of the lough. From here, head to the eastern side of the shore, and return in a big ol’ loop to exactly where you started.

Along the way, you’ll pass countless highlights… but some of the best include Mount Stewart mansion , Portaferry Castle , loads of great beaches, more than 300 tiny islands (some accessible, some not), lovely Greyabbey village, and some of the quietest, cutest and underrated settlements that Northern Ireland has to offer.

If you want waterside villages and under-the-radar locations, this is the road trip for you.

At the southern point of the lough, where the water reaches into the sea, there’s a small gap between Strangford and Portaferry. To get between them, you need to drive your car onto a small passenger ferry, for one extra adventure. Make sure you book in advance!

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in countless potential places (but usually Newtownards)
• Distance: 60 miles/96km
• Time: 2-3 days
• Highlights: Lots of quiet villages, some tiny accessible islands, brilliant historical sites, exploring Strangford Lough, and seeing the entirety of one big body of water

Just to the east of Strangford Lough, you have the Ards Peninsula, which is formed by the small inlet which creeps from the lough into the sea.

If you want a compromise between loughside views and seaside views, this route is an excellent option… and I think it’s one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland.

Again, the most popular (and logical) place to start is Newtownwards. And just like the route above, you’ll follow the eastern shores of the lough until you reach pretty Portaferry. But instead of heading west to Strangford, you instead drive east to the tiny (and charming!) village of Kearney .

From Kearney, follow the seaside all the way to Donaghadee, a pretty and popular tourist destination. You then head west back to Newtownards… and your loop is complete!

This part of Northern Ireland’s east coast is hugely underrated. If you’re looking for a cute ride with friendly faces, tiny villages, and very few tourists, it’s a perfect option. Make sure you visit Portavogie (a wonderful fishing settlement) , Donaghadee Lighthouse (one of the best in Ireland) and Ballycopeland Windmill (a remote old-school windmill in the middle of nowhere) .

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in many potential places, but Newtownards is best
• Distance: 55 miles/88.5km
• Highlights: The eastern shores of Strangford Lough, the eastern shores of Northern Ireland, Donaghadee, Portavogie, lots of friendly people, and seeing the entirety of Ards Peninsula

Another big lough!

The largest freshwater lake in all of the British Isles (measuring in at 391 square kilometers/151 square miles) , a ride around the perimeter of this place is absolutely brimming with highlights.

Plonked right in the middle of Northern Ireland, the route around Lough Neagh is different to a ride around Strangford Lough. It’s more populated, more popular, and much less remote. Sitting just west Belfast, there’s plenty to do here, no matter what you’re looking for or who you’re traveling with.

If you’re a fan of big towns, you’ll really enjoy this one. Some of the best en-route settlements include Antrim (which is the best and most logical starting point) , Ballyronan and Lurgan, but there are also lots of adorable tiny villages.

But it’s not all cities and towns. You’ll see endless wildlife (with lots of woodlands, meadows and bird-watching hides) , along with many fishers and boat-trippers. You’ll also hit bays, beaches, nature reserves, some tiny loughs, and lots of perfect picnic spots.

Try to stick as close to the shore as you can, at all times.

And here’s a pretty unique feature of the ride: Northern Ireland has six counties. And if you tackle the perimeter of Lough Neagh, you pass through an impressive five of them (the only one you won’t see is Fermanagh) .

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in the town of Antrim
• Distance: 110 miles/177km
• Highlights: Lakeside beaches, endless nature, Antrim, Ballyronan, Lurgan, and seeing five of Northern Ireland’s six counties

Waymarked, official, and in the very south of the nation, the Mourne Coastal Route is popular and impressive, and it’s one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland.

Starting in the capital city of Belfast , and sticking to the coast for its entirety, you follow the Ard Peninsula all the way to Portaferry. From Portaferry, you and your car jump on a ferry before riding along the coast to Ardglass, Newcastle, Annalong and Warrenpoint, then finishing your journey in Newry.

If you want a long coastal alternative to the Causeway Coastal Route, this offers a great compromise between coasts and mountains.

For the first stretch, you drive east of Belfast in the direction of Donaghadee, hitting some of the most popular coastal towns in villages in the entire nation. I recommend stopping in both Helen’s Bay and Groomsport.

You then ride down the eastern side of the Ard Peninsula (which we’ve already covered above), before heading west and driving in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains. Northern Ireland has many mountains, but I think these are the most interesting, rugged and action-packed peaks in the nation.

Before you begin this drive, make sure you explore Belfast—it’s a brilliant city with excellent history, heritage and music.

• Itinerary: Linear route from Belfast to Newry via the Ard Peninsula, and following the coast all the way
• Distance: 102 miles/164km
• Time: 3-5 days
• Highlights: Belfast, Newry, the Ard Peninsula, the Mourne Mountains, seeing a lesser-known part of the Northern Irish coast, and squeezing peaks, beaches and a big city all into one mighty road trip

A loftier alternative to the route we’ve just outlined above, the High Mournes Scenic Loop takes you to some of the highest parts of the Mourne mountains.

While the coastal route shows you the peaks from a distance, this one drives you right through the heart of them. If you want to see endless summits and panoramas without ever having to use your own two feet, you’ll absolutely love this route.

You start in Newcastle, before following the B180 and the B27. Once you hit the tiny village of Attica, turn east, and you’ll wind up in Annalong. This whole section is brimming with mountain views, with some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic vistas. The best part is (arguably!) the section in and around Spelga Dam.

When they reach Annalong, most people end their journey there. But I recommend extending your drive by around 8 miles (13km) and driving back to Newcastle along the coast. Loops are always more satisfying, and this stretch of the shoreline is fantastic.

I can’t think of any other short drive that packs this much beauty and variety into its tiny confines.

If you’re looking for an en-route hike, hit Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the nation—the road runs right around it.

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in Newcastle
• Distance: 32 miles/51km
• Time: 1-3 hours
• Highlights: Excellent peak-packed views of the Mournes, some of the best mountains in Northern Ireland, climbing up lofty Slieve Donard, and the pretty coastal section between Newcastle and Annalong

The first of four so-called Sperrins routes (all four of which we’ve featured, and all four of which run around various parts of the Sperrins region) , this is arguably the most well-known of them all.

The Sperrins region is in the western part of Northern Ireland, and features a huge range of mountains. Taking up around one quarter of the entire nation, there’s plenty to explore… and that’s exactly why there are four official driving routes in this part of Northern Ireland.

Though the Sperrins aren’t the biggest peaks in Northern Ireland (the tallest of them all is Sawel Mountain, which measures in at 678 meters/2,224 feet) , they’re great for anyone seeking outdoor adventures.

The North Sperrins Route runs around 50 miles (80km) of this territory, through forests, valleys, and lots of history. Some historical highlights include Tirkane Sweathouse , Tirnoney Dolmen , and Banagher Old Church .

If you want to attack some high-level intense hikes, this isn’t the route for you. But if you like pretty woods, ancient relics, and insight into heritage, you’ll likely love it.

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in various potential places, but the most logical choice is Garvagh
• Distance: 50 miles/80km
• Time: 1-2 days
• Highlights: Dungiven, Garvagh, low-level hiking, some ancient ruins, and an accessible but beautiful ride through some of the Sperrins

The East Sperrins Route is one of the most popular and best road trips in Northern Ireland, as it’s perfect for many different types of people.

It’s close to lots of exciting hikes (perfect for outdoor adventurers) , but it also offers access to lots of kid-friendly stuff, which is great if you’re traveling with little ones.

If you’re looking for outdoor excitement, you get Iniscarn Forest (with lots of surprisingly-challenging wooded trails) , Slieve Gallion (one of the best ascents in the area) , a great walk around Lough Fea, the trails of Dava Forest, and decent proximity to Sawel Mountain (if you don’t mind taking a little detour) .

For people with kids, I recommend checking out The Jungle NI (the best kid-friendly outdoor activity center in the entire nation) and Drum Manor Forest Park . But along the whole route, you’ll find lots of play areas, picnic zones, and fields and forests for your young ones to play in.

And no matter who you are or who you’re traveling with, make sure you take the tiny detour to OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory , one of the best stargazing spots in the whole of the UK.

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in many potential places, but the logical choice is Cookstown
• Distance: 63 miles/101km
• Highlights: Iniscarn Forest, Slieve Gallion, Lough Fea, Dava Forest, OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, and loads of excellent attractions for kids and families

The South Sperrins Route begins and ends in Omagh, one of the biggest settlements in this part of Northern Ireland, and a pretty place to spend a day or two.

Make sure you also spend some time in the village of Gortin, one of the prettiest places along this route. Nearby Gortin Glen Forest Park has lots of trails, both for hikes and mountain biking… but there’s a five-mile (8km) stretch of this road trip which runs through the area, and it has excellent panoramas. It’s one of the best parts of the route.

You should also check out Ulster American Folk Park , a living history experience where you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Other highlights include Bolaght Mountain (which sits at only 345 meters/1,132 feet, but the views are much better than you’d expect), Baronscourt Estate , and the Abingdon Collection .

Overall, this isn’t the most exciting or exhilarating Sperrins route, but it has some quaint highlights, and plenty of cute, quiet places to spend some time. If you’re interested in history, small settlements, and hopping between tiny villages, this is definitely one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland.

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in endless possible places, but the most popular choice is Omagh
• Distance: 64 miles/103km
• Highlights: Omagh, Gortin, Gortin Glen Forest Park, Bolaght Mountain, and some excellent insights into the history and heritage of Northern Ireland

The last of the Sperrins drives we’ve featured, the Central Sperrins Route is the biggest of them all, measuring in at 90 miles (145km). If you want to see as much of the region as you can, this is of course the choice for you.

It’s also a good choice for outdoor adventurers, as the route takes you past lots of great hikes and trails. Some of the best walks include jaunts in Baronscourt Forest, Gortinglen Forest, and the Glenelly Valley—while the ascent up Mullaghcarn is one of the best walks in the whole of Northern Ireland.

But for most people, the hiking highlight is the ascent up the lofty peak of Sawel—this route (of all the four Sperrins rides) takes you closest to it. You can climb it from both Sperrin and Cranagh, which are both official stops along the route.

Some other highlights include the villages of Donemana and Sion Mills, the Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone (with its medieval alphabet) , and the pretty town of Strabane, which, by the way, is the best start and end point for the loop.

All in all, this is one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland, and it’s an excellent way to explore lots of the Sperrins.

• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in various possible places, but the best choice is Strabane
• Distance: 90 miles/145km
• Highlights: Being close to Sawel’s peak, riding around the longest Sperrins route, lots of great hiking opportunities, climbing to the top of Mullaghcarn, and some interesting medieval history

Last up on our list of the best road trips in Northern Ireland, we have the linear route from Belleek to Teemore.

The most underrated and unknown entry on our list, it covers a part of the nation we haven’t yet touched… and it’s outrageously scenic.

But you don’t want to take the shortest route. Instead, you should head out of Belleek on the A46, which runs across the southwestern shores of Lower Lough Erne. On this stretch of the journey, you’ll find the Cliffs of Magho , Blackslee Waterfall , Tully Castle , lots of tiny islands, and (of course) the beautiful shores of Lower Lough Erne. If you like lakes, you’ll love this route.

Once you hit endearing Enniskillen (the biggest town in this part of Northern Ireland) , drive on a meandering route taking in Lisnaskea and Teemore. On this stretch of your ride, you’ll cross Upper Lough Erne and lots more lovely views.

If you want an underrated journey in an overlooked part of the world, or just a ride you can tackle in a day, this is one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland.

• Itinerary: Linear route from Belleek to Teemore, via Enniskillen
• Distance: 38 miles/61km
• Highlights: Exploring a lesser-known part of Northern Ireland, endless lakeside views, the Cliffs of Magho, the bizarre island-based Hare Krishna Temple, and hopping over to the Republic of Ireland for even more adventures

At this point, we pull over, put the handbrake on, have a well-deserved rest, and reach the end of our guide on the 11 best road trips in Northern Ireland. Thanks for following our adventures and thanks for reading!

For even more revving and roads, don’t miss our guides to the best drives in Scotland , the best drives in England , the best drives in Wales , and all of the best road trips in the entirety of the UK .

About the author

Senior Travel Reporter

Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He's hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he's always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he's lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.

Latest Posts

VisitScotland to Shutter All 25 Tourist Information Centers Amid Shift to Digital Strategy

Read more →

Father and Son Embark on 5,500 Kilometer Charity Bike Ride from Newcastle to Istanbul

Harry Potter Jacobite Steam Train Suspended with Immediate Effect

Travel Guides You Can Trust

About Travelness

Brand Assets

Recent Posts

Tours & Activities

Tours in Europe

Digital Security

© 2024 Travelness. All Rights Reserved.

Terms of use - Privacy policy

Things to Do in Belfast

Best Museums

Coolest Murals to See

Food to Try

Top Restaurants

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Belfast International Airport Guide

Public Transportation

Safety in Northern Ireland

48-Hour Itinerary

One Week in Northern Ireland

Touring Northern Ireland in a Week

Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images

Northern Ireland has a turbulent political history and incredibly beautiful scenery. So beautiful, in fact, that there are several "Game of Thrones" filming locations across the region. Whether you want to see what Belfast has to offer, or if you're interested in gorgeous views, Northern Ireland delivers.

If you only have a week to explore the best of Northern Ireland, fear not. This complete itinerary will guide you around the area with suggestions for where to go and what to do.

Day 1 - Arriving in Belfast

The best way to arrive in Northern Ireland for your week-long vacation is to fly directly into Belfast International Airport . Most flights arrive during the day, meaning you will have enough time to pick up your rental car and make your way to Northern Ireland's capital city, Belfast . The airport is actually located near Lough Neagh and you should expect at least 30 minutes drive to the city. Have a look around the city center and maybe enjoy a drink in style at the historic Crown Liquor Saloon. Plan for an early night in order to rest up for the true Irish vacation to come.

Day 2 - Drive the Coast Road to the Giant's Causeway

Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images

Start early from Belfast and take the winding coastal road up north. You will soon reach Carrickfergus with its magnificent medieval castle. Carry on northwards via Larne, following the A2 to Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway , one of Ireland's most important sights . When you arrive it is time to stretch your legs. You have the option to take the Cliff Walk and enjoy the view of the Causeway and (if you are lucky) the Scottish coast to the Northwest. Or stroll down to the Causeway proper, a bus will take you back up again to the visitor center if you can't face the steep road back up or (even worse) the hundreds of steps up to the Cliff Walk. If you have some time drive to the Old Bushmills Distillery, tours are offered every day. Spend the night in or near Bushmills in a B&B or book ahead to stay at the classic Causeway Hotel, overlooking the 40,000 basalt columns that make up this must-see natural wonder.

Day 3 - Tour the Antrim Coast to Derry

The next day, leave the village of Bushmills and take the coastal road westwards, staying on the A2 all the time. You will soon pass Carrick-a-Rede with its incredible rope bridge, Dunluce Castle, the famous white rocks, some pretty seaside resorts, and the huge Downhill Estate with its precariously located Mussenden Temple (" Game of Thrones " fans take note—this was one of the Irish filming locations). With only a week to see Northern Ireland, keep driving on to Derry and have a walk on Derry City's historic walls . An overnight stay in or near Derry will give you an opportunity to recover.

Day 4 - Down to Omagh and Enniskillen

Alain Le Garsmeur / Getty Images

Midway through your one week in Northern Ireland, take the road south via Strabane, the A5 will bring you to Omagh. Here you can visit the quirky Ulster American Folk Park with its Irish and American homesteads and the truly impressive recreation of an emigrant ship. Then take the N32 to Enniskillen and enjoy the Lough Erne scenery, maybe taking in a boat trip to Devenish Island as well. Enniskillen usually has some lively evening entertainment in the pubs, making it a good place for an overnight stay.

Day 5 - Via Armagh to Belfast

Shaun Egan / Getty Images

With a few days left to finish your road trip tour of Northern Ireland, you might decide to visit the Marble Arch Caves or Florence Court in the morning or drive straight on. Take the N34 south and cross the border into the Republic of Ireland. A look at the round tower in Clones and at the market town of Monaghan are a good idea—as is stocking up on petrol for the lower price. From Monaghan take the N12/A3 to Armagh, the "Cathedral City". After visiting one (or indeed both) cathedrals hit the A3 and then the M1 to bring you back to Belfast. Note that the next day is optional depending on your schedule—you might want to take the A26 straight to Belfast International Airport and stay nearby if you are short on vacation time.

Day 6 - Belfast

Reading Tom / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Unless you are already flying out today you should take a closer look at the City of Belfast and its attractions—including the celebrated Titanic museum . Or drive out to Holywood and visit the huge Ulster Folk and Transport Museum , stepping back in time. In the evening drive out towards Belfast International Airport and stay nearby to save yourself the trouble of having to make the traffic-prone drive the next day.

Day 7 - Flying Home

cuppyuppycake / Getty Images

Seven days in Ireland go too quickly! Today you will be heading back on a flight out of Belfast International Airport—have a last look at the huge Lough Neagh when taking off, with a little luck and a bit of sunny weather, you might also get splendid views of the Irish coastline, any which direction you are going!

Your Trip to Ireland: The Complete Guide

A Guide to Airports in Ireland

The 7 Best Day Trips from Belfast

The Top 10 Things to Do in County Antrim

Ireland's 20 Largest Towns and Cities

The Complete Guide to the Giant's Causeway

Dunluce Castle: The Complete Guide

Carrick-a-Rede: Ireland's Exhilarating Rope Bridge

Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains: The Complete Guide

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Plan Your UK Trip

Getting Around Belfast: Guide to Public Transportation

The Top 22 Things to Do in Ireland

The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Ireland

The Top 20 Places to See in Ireland

48 Hours in Belfast

Northern Ireland Coast Road Trip: The Best Causeway Coastal Route Itinerary

By Discover More UK

Published: 11 November 2021

Sharing is caring!

You’ve heard of the Giant’s Causeway, but it’s not the only stunning location on the Northern Ireland Coast. This Causeway Coastal Route Itinerary outlines the best things to do on this famous driving route to make the most of your Northern Ireland Coast road trip.

The Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal Route stretches 120 miles from Belfast to Derry-Londonderry, with several additional inland scenic drives to extend your journey too.

This guide aims to showcase the best of this world-famous scenic driving route and which stops to include on your Northern Ireland road trip.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won’t cost you anything, they will help us to keep this site up and running! See the full disclosure policy for more details.

How long does it take to drive the Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal Route Drive?

Ideally around 5 days would be perfect to see the stops on this Causeway Coastal Route itinerary and enjoy the leisurely scenic drives and quaint Northern Ireland seaside stops along the way.

But if you’re pressed for time, you could cover the main sights along the coast of Northern Ireland in 3 days.

The best stops and things to do on a Causeway Coastal route itinerary

Derry-londonderry.

Usually shortened to Derry, Londonderry is the second biggest city in Northern Ireland after Belfast and is located to the far west of Northern Ireland, close to the Ireland border with Donegal.

There’s a huge amount of history in Londonderry and no trip to the city would be complete without walking the historic 17th century walls of this walled city.

You’ll also see countless murals around the city, hear live music playing and see there are always events going on, so it’s no surprise that Derry has been awarded the City of Culture award. If you’re visiting during October, look out for the famous Derry Halloween event!

Derry is also where the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Routes meet, so it’s the ideal stop to add to your Irish road trip!

Of course if you’re a fan of the Derry Girls TV show then a visit to the city is a MUST.

Downhill Beach

This lush, long stretch of sandy beach is perfect for families and fun beach days. 

This beach is not only stunning, but it also has unique features like the Mussenden Temple perched on the top of the clifftop above the beach. Or the train line that runs between the beach and the main road which passes through a rock tunnel beneath the temple. And the beautiful views across the sea to County Donegal which curves around in the distance.

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing morning walk or a full day at the beach, this is a Blue Flag beach that’s perfect for families and relaxation, with public toilets at the car park and cafes right nearby.

Mussenden Temple

You can see Mussenden Temple from Downhill Beach below, but it’s also possible to visit the Temple itself up on the cliff.

Mussenden Temple is a National Trust property that’s free to visit. You’ll find parking and the entrance along Mussenden Road, just up from Downhill Beach, opposite the Downhill Forest Trail.

From the entrance, walk through the wooded area and out onto the cliffs where you can see and explore the ruins of the 18th century Downhill mansion of Earl Bishop who was believed to be rather eccentric. He designed the house himself in an Italian style and he built the Mussenden Temple on the cliff edge as a library which was kept warm all year round by a fire below the building.

The views from the Temple along the rugged coastline are absolutely stunning and well worth visiting and taking in the property’s history along the Northern Ireland coastal path.

Portstewart

Portstewart is a popular town to base yourself in for visits to the Northern Ireland coast, it’s also a popular spot for locals taking a holiday too. With the beautiful Portstewart Strand being ideal for families, sun-worshippers and water sport enthusiasts.

The town itself is also home to an impressive range of cafes, restaurants and shops. Don’t miss Roughans Gelato for amazing ice cream, or treat yourself to dinner at Amici Restaurant with ocean views.

Find places to stay in Portstewart.

Portrush is another Northern Ireland seaside resort town which is small, but packs a punch for places to stay, places to eat and drink and a lovely family-friendly beach at Whiterocks Beach and West Strand Beach.

This coast is also a great option if you’re looking for golfing holidays in Northern Ireland, with several Antrim golf clubs located along the Causeway Coast.

Find places to stay in Portrush.

Dunluce Castle

Really, Dunluce Castle isn’t necessarily a castle you need to stop and spend a long time exploring (it’s £5.65 per adult at the time of writing), although you can if you want to! But the medieval castle ruins are dramatically located on a rocky outcrop that’s accessed by a bridge from the mainland.

The epic location of the castle just makes it well-worthy of being one of your Causeway route stops to take in the view and snap a photo or two (you can pull into the car park for free).

Giant’s Causeway

Of course, no Northern Ireland coastal drive would be complete without visiting the iconic Giant’s Causeway.

How was the Giant’s Causeway formed?

There are over 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway and their unique appearance are recognised worldwide, making it the most visited attraction in Northern Ireland. And it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The columns were formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago and the unique shape happens as lava cools and fractures. 

The area is also shrouded in myth and legend as ancient tales tell of Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill who challenged Scottish giant Benandonner. In order to fight Benandonner, Fionn mac Cumhaill built a stone path across the water to reach Scotland but Benandonner ripped it up and the Giant’s Causeway is all that remains.

With dramatic craggy cliffs, the wild Atlantic ocean crashing against the rocks and the towering basalt columns looking like an optical illusion, a stop at this unique destination on your Northern Ireland coast itinerary is a must-do.

Visiting the Giant’s Causeway on your Causeway Coastal Route Itinerary

While the Visitor’s Centre is run by the National Trust which charges a fee to visit, you don’t need to pay to visit the Giant’s Causeway if you’re just visiting the Giant’s Causeway itself and not the visitor centre. There is a free public right of way path for access. If you want to park for free, please park responsibly and consider local residents. Otherwise there is a car park which is a £5 fee.

It’s also worth knowing that the car park is open 24 hours a day and there is only staff there during the visitor centre opening times, so if you’re perhaps a photographer or walker wanting to experience summer sunrise at 4am, or late sunsets at 9.30pm, you’ll be able to park and walk down for free.

Of course if you’re a National Trust member then you can also visit the Visitor’s Centre for free, National Trust membership works the same in Northern Ireland as it does in the rest of the UK.

Many people aren’t prepared for the walk down to Giant’s Causeway. From the car park it’s just under 1 mile (1.2km) downhill to the Giant’s Causeway, and the same uphill to return to the car park. The walk is also very open to the elements, so dress appropriately if you’re visiting on a windy/rainy day.

Portbradden Harbour

This cute little harbour village is an ancient fishing village and is particularly popular in the summer months for the numerous walking trails, fishing trips and cave exploring that you can do from this quaint little village.

The village is at the far end of White Park Bay, a National Trust stretch of coast with a stunning sandy bay and sand dunes and turquoise blue water.

The car park is fairly small, so arrive early to guarantee a spot or later in the day as people are leaving.

Also don’t miss the Bothy Coffee, the White Park Bay Cafe which you’ll come across on the main Causeway Coastal Route road – the coffee and food are great!

An absolute gem on the Causeway Route, Northern Ireland, made famous by Game of Thrones.

The harbour of this quaint village is the star of the show, with picture perfect views of the rocky coastline, contrasted with the quaint harbour cottage perched on the water’s edge.

The harbour is also a popular spot for sea kayakers and paddle boarders to launch from.

You’ll also find caves to explore, rock pools to enjoy and as you come down the Harbour Road, before it curves around to the left, look out for a beach on the right. From here, you can climb over the rocks and discover Ballintoy’s Secret Beach, to really enjoy this hidden gem all to yourself.

Carrick-a-Rede Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is another spot on the Northern Ireland coastal road that has become incredibly popular in recent years and it’s unique location and of course, the rope bridge, make it a popular attraction.

The rope bridge has existed for over 250 years for fishermen to reach the island which is home to a single fisherman’s cottage. The rope is suspended 100ft above the Atlantic and it’s definitely not an attraction for those who don’t have a head for heights!

Unfortunately the rope bridge is currently (2021/2022) closed for safety repairs and preservation, obviously necessary for a 250 year old rope bridge! Check their website for updates on when the bridge will reopen.

The car park is still open to access the walk along the coast here, if you’d like to see the rope bridge from a distance. Parking is £1 per hour.

Kinbane Castle

Kinbane Castle is a great free stop on the Northern Ireland coastal road. There isn’t much remaining of the castle, just the outline of a few remains. But the location is beautifully dramatic and if you walk out onto the headland and look back towards the castle and the coast, you can really appreciate the dramatic Causeway coastline and the sweeping sandy bays on either side.

A word of warning, the steps to the castle are narrow and steep and extra caution should be taken in bad weather.

The Dark Hedges

This is a stop that’s slightly inland by around 15 minutes but well worth visiting to see this unique tree lined avenue. Especially if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, as this location was also made famous by the hit TV series.

The Dark Hedges is a road lined by eerie beech trees that twist and curve into the road and above your head.

The location has become especially popular with tourists after appearing in the Game of Thrones series, so visiting in low season, during the week or early in the morning is recommended, otherwise expect crowds.

Due to the crowds, there is now a large designated car park that’s free, please do not park on the road and block access for residents.

You can find the exact location of the Dark Hedges here . And the car park is just on the adjacent road here with an access path so you don’t have to walk along the busy main road.

Ballycastle

An underrated seaside town which we recommend you base yourself in during your Causeway Coast road trip. Its central location along the Causeway coast makes it perfect for reaching all the main sights: Giant’s Causeway is just 20 minutes away, Ballintoy Harbour is 10 minutes, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is just 9 minutes away.

Click here to see places to stay in Ballycastle and the best places to stay for your Causeway Coastal route itinerary.

You’ll find a lovely stretch of beach, a large children’s play park, great views, a quaint harbour with plenty of fresh fish restaurants from the fresh catch that comes in daily.

Also don’t miss the amazing Ursa Minor bakery – the best baked goods in the whole of Northern Ireland!

A spectacular rugged stretch of coast with views of the Mull of Kintyre (see if you can’t stop yourself singing the song while you’re here!)

The scenery here was also used in Game of Thrones filming but you’ll also find fort ruins, amazing views and walking trails which are well worth a detour from the main Causeway route.

There is a small car park at Torr Head and from here you can walk out to the fort and coastal path.

This small village is mostly recognisable by its colourful buildings which line one side of the bay and harbour. There’s also a great, easy circular walk here, about 2km long. Start from this car park.

Glenariff Forest Park

This is a much-loved local park area covering 1000 hectares in county Antrim.

It’s another great option if you’re looking for relatively easy or short walks, as the park has a variety of loop walks and trails depending on how much walking you’d like to do.

The lush scenery is well-worth the short detour from the coastal road.

Park at the main Glenariff Park car park. The Waterfall trail from here is probably the most scenic and rewarding, taking in the beautiful falls in the park and it’s relatively short at about 3km. Although it is steep in some places and the stairs and climb back up might be challenging for some.

Alternatively there is a car park at the restaurant with quicker access down to the falls although the steep steps back up again are unavoidable!

Summary: The Best Stops on the Northern Ireland Coastal Route

There are so many gems on the Causeway Coastal drive, Northern Ireland really does spoil you with so much to see in a relatively short stretch of coast. Hopefully this guide will aide you in picking the best stops for your own Causeway Coastal Route itinerary to suit your own Northern Ireland Coast itinerary and build your perfect Causeway Coastal Route driving tour.

Pin this to save it for later and help plan your future trip!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

https://visitbelfast.com/article/road-trips-from-belfast-northern-ireland/

• What's On Homepage
• Art & Exhibitions
• Children’s Events
• Food & Drink
• Free Events
• History & Heritage
• Learning Experiences
• Lectures & Talks
• Markets & Fairs
• Music & Concerts
• Nature & Wildlife
• Pubs & Clubs
• Shows & Displays
• Virtual Events

• See & Do Homepage
• Arts & Entertainment
• Attractions
• Green Attractions
• Green Spaces
• Sightseeing Tours
• Information & Services
• Travel & Transport
• Competitions

• Eat & Drink Homepage
• Afternoon Tea
• Restaurants
• Food and Drink Experiences
• Pubs and Clubs
• Visit Belfast Food & Drink Voucher

• Ideas Homepage
• Belfast Plus
• Family Friendly Belfast
• Free Things To Do in Belfast
• Game of Thrones
• Titanic & Maritime
• Music in Belfast
• Embrace a Giant Spirit

• Stay Homepage
• Camping and Caravans
• Serviced Accommodation
• University Accommodation
• Green Stays

• Plan Homepage
• Getting Here
• Belfast Visitor Map
• Accessibility in Belfast
• Sustainable Belfast
• Getting Around Belfast
• Green Travel
• Belfast Visitor Pass
• Car Parking
• Brochures and Downloads
• Visitor Apps
• Neighbourhoods
• Sign Up to Mailing List
• Visit Belfast Welcome Centre

• Offers Offers
• Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods
• Game of Thrones Game of Thrones
• Search Enter your search above to discover things to do, events, offers and more... Close

Road Trips in Northern Ireland

Jump in your car and discover hidden gems, geological wonders of the world, secluded bays and real-life fantasy locations, just a short drive from Belfast.

Northern Ireland is an epic destination for a road trip. It’s small, beautiful and packed with things to do. Here’s everything you need to know.

Belfast to giant's causeway coast.

This Belfast sightseeing itinerary takes in the best of Belfast City, the surrounding area, and the Causeway Coastal route, the perfect combination of city break and outdoor exploring.

Galgorm Resort

Northern Ireland's premier luxury hotel and spa, situated only 30 minutes from Belfast.

Giant's Causeway

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant's Causeway is a magnificent, mysterious geological formation on the North East coast of County Antrim.

Dunluce Castle

One of the most famous castles in Northern Ireland, and a regular feature on Game of Thrones.

Explore the Real Life Westeros

Game of Thrones is one of the most popular and successful fantasy TV series ever made. Our rugged coast lines, historic castles and breathtaking scenery are the perfect setting for this epic story.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Step inside the Seven Kingdoms and explore the world of Game of Thrones like never before at the only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

Game of Thrones Tours

Full day coach tours to Game of Thrones locations throughout Northern Ireland. Stark cloaks, Iron Island costumes and replica swords add to the adventure.

Game of Thrones Film Locations

Take in the beauty of our coastal roads, craggy castles and sprawling glens as a backdrop for the Seven Kingdoms in the hit TV show, Game of Thrones.

Bunk Campers

Experience Ireland with the freedom and independence of campervan hire with Bunk Campers!

Hillsborough and Lisburn

Explore the official Northern Ireland residence of HM The King, Hillsborough Castle, the historic city of Lisburn and a family owned brewery. Enjoy breathtaking gardens and discover Hillsborough Castle’s unique history.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and discover Northern Ireland’s royal residence.

Hillsborough Forest

Hillsborough Forest is set in the picturesque Georgian village of Hillsborough and sits just a few minutes’ walk from Hillsborough Castle, adjacent to Hillsborough Fort.

High Rise Indoor Adventure Centre

Make sure High Rise is top of your list for a day out with family or friends – with Clip ‘n Climb, soft play and sensory rooms there’s something for all ages!

Hinch Distillery Tours

The Hinch Distillery sits in the heart of the County Down countryside. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about local distilling traditions on guided tours.

Belfast to Strangford Lough & Ards Peninsula

Strangford Lough is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, in the east of Northern Ireland. It is the largest inlet in Ireland and the British Isles, covering 150 km².

Scrabo Tower and Country Park

Scrabo Tower is located to the west of Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Mount Stewart

Discover a place of enchantment at Mount Stewart, the Irish family home of the Marquesses of Londonderry.

Exploris Aquarium

Located in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough, you can enjoy a diver's view of marine life from around the world.

The Old Inn

Nestled in the charming village of Crawfordsburn, located just 15 minutes from Belfast and five minutes from the seaside town of Bangor, The Old Inn is the perfect escape for your next rural retreat.

Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion

Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion region in the south east of Northern Ireland is an open-air playground, providing coastal drives, rock climbing, nature rambles, photography, canoeing, fishing and world class golf.

The stunning Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion region of County Down is a veritable open-air playground.

The Royal County Down Golf Club

Royal County Down Golf Club is located in one of the world's most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve.

Killeavy Castle Estate

Killeavy Castle Estate is the perfect antidote to the modern fast paced world.

Explore County Tyrone

County Tyrone is Norther Ireland’s largest county. Explore the ancient Hill of The O’Neill at The Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre or the spectacular Harry Avery’s Castle.

This handsome Irish gentry house is surrounded by its 130-hectare (320-acre) wooded riverside estate.

Ulster American Folk Park

Journey back in time and discover the stories of Irish emigration to the New World in the 18th and 19th centuries

Hill of The O'Neill and Ranfurly House

The Hill of The O'Neill and Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre is the perfect starting point for an exploration of Dungannon and Tyrone.

Need assistance planning an itinerary?

Visit Belfast has a team dedicated to assisting travel professionals planning individual or group travel programmes. If you have questions about the itinerary above, would like to be introduced to the trade contacts at any of the venues, or would like further ideas to customise your clients itinerary, then contact the travel trade team today for more information:

Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0) 28 9023 9026

Little Amal Events

Between 16 - 19 May, Little Amal will be welcomed to Belfast with a series of free family…

Belfast 2024 Events

Discover the exciting events that are happening as part of Belfast 2024.

Outdoor Sports in Belfast

Your guide to outdoor sport in Belfast and beyond, including golfing, fishing, archery, cycling and more!

Outdoor Adventures

If you have a taste for adventure and challenge, or just like fantastic scenery, Belfast has all the…

Al Fresco Dining in Belfast

Enjoy sunny weather and long evenings with a bite to eat in the fresh air at one of…

Easter in Belfast

This Easter enjoy wonderful walks, delicious food, family fun and time with friends. Discover what is going on…

Easter Events

There's lots happening in and around Belfast this Easter, with fun for all the family.

Urban Exploring

Take a walk through Belfast city and learn something new. Here are the top self-guided tours, walking trails…

Things to do this Spring

Enjoy fun-filled family days this spring with these top ideas of places to go in Belfast and beyond.

Day Trip to Lisburn and Castlereagh

The Lisburn and Castlereagh area lies 6-9 miles from Belfast. Discover historic villages, walks and fun activities to…

We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a really odd question, then we're here for you.

Visit Belfast Newsletter

Sign up to the Visit Belfast newsletter and receive inspiring ideas, events and offers which showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Ask a Question

" * " indicates required fields

Choose a date

• This Weekend

If you select a location more than 15km from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, your location will be set to Belfast City Centre.

Hide this tool

The Ultimate 7 and 8 day driving tour of Ireland

Last summer we took a road trip around Ireland with the aim to see as much of the country as possible with the limited time we had. Overall we wanted to spend around 7 or 8 days in Ireland, and we wanted to use that time to drive around and see the sights. Ireland is the perfect place to do a road trip, even if some of the roads are narrow and, you have to wait a good 10 minutes to let a farmer and his cattle cross to the other side on occasion (true story). But the things you will see are unforgettable.

Starting in Dublin and ending in Sligo we have put together this 7 and 8 day Ireland itinerary. We list all the key spots that we think you should visit, as well as where to stay and how much money you might need.

Here is our ultimate driving tour of Ireland to help you plan your own trip in the future. We have included a, 7 days in Ireland itinerary as well as an 8 day Ireland itinerary if you do have a little extra time. 

Disclaimer : This post contains affiliate links, so if you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Ireland Itinerary Factsheet

7 days in ireland or 8 days how long do you really need, 8 day driving tour of ireland, less time what about a 7 day ireland itinerary, ireland 7 & 8 day self drive itinerary and tips on renting a car, tips for planning your ireland 7 & 8 day self drive itinerary, day 1, wicklow mountains & glendalough, day 2, kilkenny , day 3, rock of cashel & cork, day 4, blarney castle, bantry, & killarney , day 5, killarney national park, ring of kerry & tralee, day 6, cliffs of moher & galway, day 7, aran islands & galway, day 8, sligo  , how much money do i need for my 8 days in ireland, what currency do i need for my 8 days in ireland, ireland itinerary 7 & 8 days- a recap.

Capital: Dublin

Currency: Euros

Famous for: Guinness, Whisky, Greenery, Pubs

Visit if you like: Quaint places, enjoying nature, folk stories,

  Also known as: The Emerald Isle

Ireland is known as the Emerald because of its rolling green fields, and if you love nature, and the great outdoors then you really should start planning your 7/8 days in Ireland immediately.

Ireland might not be big especially compared to say the likes of the USA, but there are hundreds of different accents in the country. Also, there are two official languages in Ireland, Gaelic and English. Don’t worry though English is spoken pretty much everywhere, but you will notice road signs in both languages.

And if you are wondering if Ireland is worth visiting this is a handy post.

If you are wondering how long you need in Ireland well the honest answer is the longer the better. 7 days in Ireland seems to be the more common timeframe among people we speak to. It allows for a full week of exploring the country, and tasting the delicious food and drink on offer, before heading home. We did a full 8 days before flying back to the UK but seriously we could have spent way longer here. 

Here is a quick plan of our 8 day Ireland itinerary which we will go into more detail about below:

Day 1- Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough

Day 2- Kilkenny

Day 3 – Rock of Cashel & Cork

Day 4- Blarney Castle, Bantry & Killarney

Day 5 – Killarney National Park, Ring of Kerry & Tralee

Day 6 – Cliffs of Moher & Galway

Day 7 – Aran Islands and Galway

Day 8 – Sligo

For more Irish inspiration you can also check out our Ireland bucket list .

A lot of people tend to spend 7 days in Ireland rounding their time off to a solid week. If this is the case then you will need to cut out a couple of the stops we have listed above. We will go into more detail below on each stop and provide suggestions on where to save time, but we would recommend cutting out a day in Kilkenny if you want to plan a 7 day Ireland itinerary. 

7 Days in Ireland Day 1- Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough (Great for a break if you are driving from Dublin)

7 Days in Ireland Day 2 – Rock of Cashel & Cork (Cork is an absolute must when visiting Ireland so you don’t want to miss out if you can help it)

7 Days in Ireland Day 3- Blarney Castle, Bantry & Killarney (The Blarney Castle should be high on your list, especially if you are after the ‘gift of the gab’. If you are short on time though you can skip Bantry as it is a little further out.)

7 Days in Ireland Day 4 – Killarney National Park, Ring of Kerry & Tralee (Killarney National Park, and Ring of Kerry are great for hikes and gorgeous scenery, and Tralee is a good place to rest your head for the evening before heading towards Galway). 

7 Days in Ireland Day 5 – Cliffs of Moher & Galway (The Cliffs of Moher are absolutely stunning, and even though they are super touristy a trip to Ireland would not be complete without a visit).

7 Days in Ireland Day 6 – Aran Islands and Galway (For a real Irish experience you should see the Aran Islands, although this does mean another night spent in Galway, so again if you are short for time this might be worth skipping).

7 Days in Ireland Day 7 – Sligo (Sligo might be a small town but the county itself is full of natural beauty and it really is Ireland’s best kept secret. If you are looking for an Irish experience with few tourists Sligo is a must). 

Before you start to plan your Ireland 7 & 8 day self drive itinerary here are a few tips that you should bear in mind when renting a car.

☘ The majority of cars in Ireland are manual (use a gear stick) so if you want an automatic car arrange this in advance.

☘ If you are planning to drive in Northern Ireland be aware that it is kilometres in the Republic and miles in the North.

☘ Bigger is not always better in terms of car size in Ireland. The roads can be quite narrow at times so keep this in mind.

☘ If you rent a car and return it at a different location as mentioned in this post then you will be charged a fee for dropping the car off in a different location. It was not a big deal during our 8 days in Ireland but with shorter trips you will notice the cost.

☘ We recommend booking your accommodation in advance. We then knew where we were staying each night and didn’t have to worry about places being full. You can book your accommodation through hotels.com for some great deals.

☘It is better to plan your 8 day Ireland itinerary in advance so that you have a clear idea of where you want to go and how to get there.

☘Allow time to make unscheduled stops too.

What to see in Ireland in 7 & 8 days

Here is our guide on what to see in Ireland in 8 days and a sample itinerary for you to use. If you are looking for a 7 day Ireland itinerary you will need to cut one of the days out.

After an incredibly delayed flight we landed in Dublin Airport and collected our rental car. If you do rent a car remember that bigger isn’t always better. Some of the roads in Ireland are rather narrow so our advice is pick something economical and small.

On this trip we decided to give Dublin a miss mostly because we were short on time, and had been there several times in the past. In fact you can read about that  right here .

After navigating the motorways we left Dublin with haste and began our drive through the Wicklow Mountains. We stopped a lot to take pictures and soak up the views of this rugged hilly land. The drive really is beautiful and what made it even more special was that we passed so few cars on the journey. Although that is probably a good thing considering the width of the road in some parts.

Things to do in the Wicklow Mountains

Some of the top things to do in the Wicklow Mountains/ County Wicklow that you can add to your 7/8 Day Ireland itinerary are:

• Climb Sugarloaf Mountain
• Drive to the Blessington Lakes for some quiet time
• Head to Ballinastoe for some incredible views. There are a number of scenic walks you can do around here.
• Explore Powerscourt House and Gardens and visit the Powerscourt waterfall

Eventually we arrived at Glendalough which literally means Valley of the two lakes. The site is probably best know for its monastic heritage. It’s a great place to walk around especially by the lough and it is one of those places that gives you a sense of inferiority that can only be felt by standing next to something so beautiful. Glendalough also makes for a great day trip from Dublin too .

Things to do in Glendalough

Here are some of the top things to do when visiting Glendalough:

• Glendalough monastic site
• Hike the upper and lower lakes
• Visit the Whiskey Distillery

Where to stay

We spent the evening in Avoca, a very small town in County Wicklow. Avoca was great because it was very quiet and not massively touristy. It kind of had that whole Irish countryside vibe. Alternatively you can stay closer to Glendalough though but do make sure you book well in advance as accommodation can fill up quite fast.

We decided the spend the second day in Kilkenny and spent the morning driving to the town. It was a great opportunity to explore the city and participate in a well earned pub crawl. One of the most prominent sights in Kilkenny is the Castle, which also has an incredible rose garden you can walk around in. If you are looking for a drink, we stumbled upon Kyteler’s Inn (and stumbled back out of after a few drinks) which was recommended to us by the locals. Kilkenny is a great place to explore and has a fantastic cafe culture. So don’t forget to walk around those back streets for a true taste of the town. Read more on Kilkenny here.

Things to do in Kilkenny

Here is a rundown on some of the best things to do in Kilkenny that you can add to your 8 days in Ireland.

• Visit Kilkenny Castle and wander around the gorgeous rose garden
• Do a boat tour and admire the views
• Do a historical walking tour to learn more about this medieval city
• Do a hysterical historical walking tour!
• Visit the National Design and Craft Gallery
• St Mary’s Cathedral
• Medieval Mile Museum
• Explore the Rothe House and Gardens a historical museum
• St. Canice’s Cathedral

Where to stay in Kilkenny

Kilkenny is only small so if you stay in the centre you won’t be far from the main tourist spots. There are a range of accommodation options from high end hotels to budget B&Bs.

Another early start as we drove towards the Rock of Cashel, a historic site located in County Tipperary. But of course not before stopping for a traditional Irish Breakfast close to the site.

We clambered up to the entrance alongside the dozens of passengers who were emptying out of the tourbuses. It was a beautiful site and we were lucky enough to be standing in the ruins of the cathedral when a choir broke out into full song.

If you love history then you will love visiting the Rock of Cashel. Just make sure you try and arrive early because it does get swarmed with tourists. It really is a beautiful place to explore and take in some of the history that makes Ireland what it is. There are a few walks you can go on around the Rock of Cashel as well, so don’t forget your camera and some walking shoes. Oh and it is Ireland after all so maybe an umbrella too!

Moving on we headed to Cork, a very colourful and contemporary city located in the Southwest of Ireland. It’s also a vibrant city full of quirky bars and restaurants. Our highlights included a visit to the English Market where they sell locally produced foods. If you have time we recommend doing a historical walking tour in the city to learn absolutely everything you can.

We also visited St Anne’s Church where you can ring the bells, and make your way to the top of the church for a 360 degree view of the city. Just a word of warning this is not ideal if you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights (or both). It can get pretty tight climbing up and I’m pretty sure at some point we had to negotiate our way around a giant church bell. You do get giant noise cancelling headphones to wear as the bell is still in use so make sure you use them. One of our favourite things though was ringing those church bells. There is a book and it tells you which rope to pull to play certain songs. I tried my hand at Walzting Matilda and failed miserably.

Things to do in Cork

Here are the highlights of things to do in Cork:

• Stroll through the English Market
• Visit the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
• Visit Cork City Gaol
• Do a food tasting tour
• Explore St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
• Enjoy a harbour cruise
• Ring the Bells at St Anne’s Church
• Do a Cork Harbour cruise
• Do a historical guided tour

If you are tossing up between Dublin and Cork , here is a handy guide.

For more Cork tips make sure you read our post here .

Where to stay in Cork

This 7/8 day Ireland itinerary only really covers a day in Cork. Because of that we recommend staying in the city centre. You are smack bang in the middle of all the hustle and bustle as well as several bars and restaurants. Make sure you book accommodation in advance for the cheapest rates.

On to day 4 where I have to stress no trip to Ireland is complete without a trip to Blarney Castle. The weather wasn’t great when we arrived but this did not deter us. The must do thing at Blarney Castle is of course kissing the Blarney Stone. To get to the stone you must first walk up to the top of the castle via a very narrow and winding staircase. Once at the peak you join a line of fellow kissers and wait. You lay on your back and reach out to kiss the stone which is suspended over a severe drop. Unfortunately my fear of heights got the better of me, although Dave did manage to do it. His reward was ‘the gift of the gab’ or so it is foretold (which he hasn’t shut up about).

It is also worth exploring the Castle grounds. There are some beautiful gardens to get lost in, and being Ireland a lot of green places to take pictures.

Armed with this new gift of the gab though we left Blarney castle and we drove to the seaside town of Bantry. We parked up and got to spend a little bit of time walking around breathing in the sea air and feasting on some very fresh fish and chips. We were then mobbed by seagulls and had to eat the rest of the food in the car.

Bantry is a really beautiful place to visit. There are so many seaside walks to go on, and if you get the chance make sure you explore some of the quaint back streets.

Things to do in Bantry

• Bantry House and Gardens
• Get a ferry to Garnish Island
• Whale watching

Traumatised by our seagull attack (and yes I know it was my fault)  but still going strong we drove to Killarney, a very touristy and quaint town. The town was filled with pubs and restaurants and you could even travel by horse drawn carriage around the town if you really wanted to. It was the perfect place to have a nice traditional Irish meal and sip a few pints before going to bed. If you are looking for more ideas for things to do in Killarney we have this post .

Where to stay in Killarney

Killarney might be small but it certainly has a fantastic atmosphere. We wanted to stay in the centre for this reason, but unfortunately because we had a car we had to stay about a 10 minute walk away from the centre. Just something to think about when planning your own 7/ 8 days in Ireland.

Killarney is the perfect place to base yourself if you plan to drive the Ring of Kerry. We woke up early had a full Irish breakfast and set off to do the Ring of Kerry. You can read about it in more detail here.

But first when you leave Killarney you will find yourself driving through Killarney National Park. Driving through you are surrounded by giant trees and moss covered rocks. There are so many walks you can do around the park and our highlight was walking around Torc Waterfall which is at the base of Torc Mountain.

Also not to be missed is Ladies View, where you can stop off and enjoy some sweeping views of the mountains and lakes that make up Killarney National Park. There is a conveniently located cafe here too in case you need some sustenance on your journey.

Things to do in Killarney National Park

• Muckross House and Gardens
• Torc Waterfall
• Ross Castle
• Ladies View
• Do a Lakes of Killarney boat cruise
• Gap of Dunloe tour

The national park also forms part of the Ring of Kerry route. The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Penninsula in County Kerry. You pass through incredible mountainous terrain, as well as crystal clear ocean water. This was one part of the drive where we stopped a lot and had to switch up the driving frequently.

We trailed off before completing the full ring and spent the evening in Tralee which gave us a good start for the following days journey.

Another must see in Ireland are of course the Cliffs of Moher. At a maximum height the cliffs are 214 meters high. The day we visited was quite overcast and they do allow you to use your ticket on another day if this is the case. As we were pushed for time we couldn’t take advantage of this, but luckily the rain cleared up for a short time while we visited.

You can read all about our adventures at the Cliffs of Moher here .

Leaving the cliffs and the rain behind we then headed to Galway. A stunning harbour city, Galway is an excellent place to experience some Irish culture. From its fine dining and seafood restaurants to it’s quirky Irish bars, Galway is a popular tourist destination. The Latin Quarter is one of the more lively places to go out and experience some of these bars and restaurants. It is also full of buskers and jovial tourists enjoying this fine city.

Things to do in Galway

• EAT! Galway is a foodies paradise – here is a great food tour you can do
• Enjoy the pub culture – particularly in the Latin Quarter
• Listen to the buskers along Quay Street
• Galway City Museum
• Do a hidden gems bike tour
• Enjoy a Lake Cruise
• Visit Salthill
• Do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour
• Do a walking tour
• Go to a trad music session

Where to stay in Galway

You definitely want to stay somewhere in the centre of Galway especially around the Latin Quarter. There is a lot of entertainment here and it makes for a great night out.

Galway is also the perfect gateway to the Aran Islands . We left our car at the hotel and took a bus out to Rossaveal where ferries depart frequently to the Aran Islands.

We visited Inishmore which is the island accessible from Galway. Once you are on the ferry it usually takes about 45 minutes to reach Inishmore. Do be prepared for choppy waters, as the Atlantic Ocean can be a little fierce at times.

The best way to see the islands in our opinion is to do a bus tour. The guides really know their stuff and will let you in on some insights to what life is really like living on the islands.

After spending the day we arrived back in Galway in the evening, just in time for a few pints and some fantastic seafood. Because of its close proximity to the sea Galway is one of the best places in Ireland for seafood so if you are a fish fan do take advantage.

Our final destination was Sligo, a town along the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route that exudes natural beauty. Sligo is also Yeats Country and this is where the poet was inspired to create some of his best work. Sligo is one of our favourite places in Ireland and really is a hidden gem.

One of the best things about Sligo is that it is not over run by tourists. So you can explore its natural beauty without having to share it with a bus load of tourists.

From serene lakeside walks to forests that are worthy of a thousand picnics for us Sligo is the perfect place to spend your last few days in Ireland.

Sligo is also pretty famous for its surf school, located at Strandhill one of the many beaches Sligo boasts .

It’s about a 40 minute drive to Knock Airport which has regular flights to the UK as well as other European destinations so if you are travelling from the UK its an easy base to fly home from.

Things to do in Sligo

Visit the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery

• Admire Benbulben
• Climb Knocknarea
• Explore Lough Gill
• Visit Sligo Abbey
• Walk around Rosses Point
• Enjoy the surf at Strandhill
• Visit W B Yeats grave at Drumcliffe Parish Church
• Admire the Gleniff Horseshoe

Where to stay in Sligo

We would recommend staying either around Strandhill or Rosses Point, particularly if you want to be close to the beach. Otherwise base yourself in the city centre – just make sure you check if your hotel has parking.

You might be wondering how much money you will need for your 8 days in Ireland. A lot of that is going to depend on what you want to see and do. Ireland can be expensive particularly in places like Dublin.

Keep in mind you will have to budget the following:

Hotels : Average at €90 – €120 per night

Rental Car – €600 average for a week but consider what insurance you are getting and any additional costs

Petrol : Petrol prices are pretty high these days, and it’s hard to gauge the exact cost. This will depend on where you go to fill up (smaller towns are often cheaper) but also how economical your car is.

Other : For things like tourist activities, food, shopping etc, we would probably budget about €100 – €150 between 2 people per day. Again this will depend on where you go to eat, how many activities you want to do, etc.

Ireland is part of the EU and therefore the currency is Euro. One Euro is equivalent to 100 Cents. Euros are made up of a mixture of coins and notes. The coins tend to be Cents so you get 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 Cent coins, as well as a 1 and 2 Euro coin. Notes are made up of 5,10,20,50,100,200, and 500 Euros. With the notes we don’t recommend carrying around the higher denominations as some places won’t take anything over a 50 for security purposes. And honestly, I don’t think we have ever seen a 200 or 500 Euro note! So if you do find one let us know.

You can pay on card for most things in Ireland, but we do recommend carrying some cash on you especially in the smaller towns as some places may only accept cash.

Whether you are looking to spend a full 7 days in Ireland or 8 days in Ireland we hope this itinerary is useful for you. And so our Irish road trip came to an end. We saw and learnt so much, and of course Dave now has the gift of the gab so expect plenty more blog posts on Ireland in the future.

If you have found this guide to 7/ 8 days in Ireland useful please make sure that you pin it for later.

Wanderlust and Life is a blog for those that love to travel.

Similar Posts

A 3 day Paris itinerary to help you plan the perfect romantic weekend break

If you are looking for a detailed itinerary for 3 days in Paris, you have come to the right place. Paris is one of our favourite European city break destinations. It’s full of romance, history, fabulous architecture and so much more. To help you plan your next trip we have put together a 3 day…

Reasons to visit Cornwall in the winter

Winter breaks are our favourite kind of breaks. You know the ones, where you rent some cosy accommodation, go for brisk winter walks, and snuggle up in a nice pub afterwards. We recently did one of these in Cornwall when we stayed at Fallen Angel in Mousehole. I know traditionally Cornwall is a summer destination. It is…

15 Reasons Hamburg Should Be Your Next German City Break

We have recently visited Hamburg for the second time this year, and we have to say each time we visit, we are even more impressed. A lot of people mention Berlin or Munich when planning a German city break, but we are here to tell you that you should definitely not overlook Hamburg! Here are…

The best things to see and do in 3 days in Kyiv

Ukraine has recently been attacked by Russian Forces. After we win the war hopefully you will come back and see how beautiful Ukraine really is! Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes! Growing up with Ukrainian grandparents has meant that I have a deep fascination and love for the country. Unfortunately, growing up in Australia…

Everything you need to know on spending 3 days in Edinburgh

To us, Edinburgh is probably one of the most magical cities in the world. For starters there is a ton of history which can be seen when walking down the atmospheric streets of the Old Town. It honestly feels like another world, with its cobbled streets, spooky cemeteries, and incredible architecture.  So here is our…

What to expect when visiting the Santa Pauli Christmas Markets – the sexiest Christmas Markets in Germany

As the Christmas season draws in, it has us thinking about Christmas markets. And Germany is of course home to some of the best festive markets where you can sip on mulled wine, and feast on bratwurst. But it is also home to one of the more unusual Christmas markets to visit. Located in the…

6 Day Northern Island Tour

The perfect way to tour northern ireland.

Tour Northern Ireland and the northwest coast on this relaxed journey of discovery, featuring excellent hotels, unforgettable sights and fun activities.

Explore the wild backroads of Mayo, medieval castles in Donegal and the epic Giant’s Causeway in Antrim. Overnight in a charming Irish castle hotel and visit the world’s biggest Titanic attraction.

Shop for authentic crafts and meet local people in friendly Irish villages, before visiting Northern Ireland’s cities: Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "We had an amazing driver (Danny). He was entertaining and fun. He also was flexible and took folks to places their ancestry was from when it was on the route. Small tours can get to places the big coaches cannot plus with a smaller group, you get to know people better and it takes less time getting on/off." Guest Review - Sept 2023

August 2024

September 2024, october 2024, august 2025, september 2025, october 2025.

*Price displayed is the discounted price for Mar, Apr and Oct.

If the date you want is full please contact us  and we will do our best to accommodate you.

A €250 deposit per person is all we need to secure your tour online. All our departure dates are guaranteed .

**All tours are charged in EURO. Exchange rates quoted are online rates and may differ to the rate our payment partner Flywire and banks offer.

Single Supplements apply to Single Room Occupancy.

Genuine Guest Reviews

Driftwood chose great hotel stays, a good variety of stops along the way and the vans were super comfortable to travel in.

We saw so much of Ireland that we probably wouldn't have experienced if we had tried to do this on our own. Driftwood had little surprises around every corner and the guides were open to some flexibility with the itinerary.

We would highly recommend travelling with Driftwood or Vagabond and would love to come back one day for more adventures.

We enjoyed every minute of this tour!

We enjoyed every site and location that we visited - and I learned so much about Ireland from our knowledgeable tour guides.

The level of activity was excellent - the tour was very well paced.

Accommodations and food were excellent ... I highly recommend Vagabond Tours!

We had an amazing driver (Danny)... He was entertaining and fun.

Small tours can get to places the big coaches cannot plus with a smaller group, you get to know people better and it takes less time getting on/off.

Danny set us up with an app where we could share photos with others in the group and message when we find something in the evening — like when we found good traditional Irish music in a pub that evening, we messaged and some folks joined us.

Find answers to questions about the 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour itinerary.

What Currency Will I Need On Tour?

Euro is the main currency you'll use while touring in the Republic of Ireland.

If your tour visits Northern Ireland, you'll also use Pound sterling (£).

Which Small Group Tours of Ireland Visit Donegal?

Donegal is one of our favourite places to visit in Ireland. We know you'll love it too!

The following tour itineraries explore Donegal.

When & Where Do Vagabond/Driftwood Tours Depart From?

All of our tours leave from our pick-up/drop-off point at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin .

Our pick-up times from the Grand Canal Hotel vary by tour:

Who Guides The Tours?

All of our tours are fully guided by our team of expert driver guides.

We call them VagaGuides .

What Activities Have Weight Limits?

We always put guest safety first on Vagabond Cultural Adventures.

For this reason, when engaging in kayaking and horseback-riding activities, the following personal weight limits apply:

🐴 Horseback-Riding

Male weight limit: 238lbs / 17 stone / 108kg

Female weight limit: 225lbs / 16 stone / 102kg

Per person Double Kayak weight limit: 110kg / 17.5 stone / 245lbs

Total Double Kayak weight limit for 2 guests: 190kg / 30 stone / 420lbs

Per person Single Kayak weight limit: 92kg / 14.5 stone / 200lbs.

Are There Any Luggage Restrictions?

Yes, we do operate a limit on luggage.

Owing to the compact nature of our small-group tour vehicles , your luggage limit is one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).

Which Small-Group Tours Visit Northern Ireland?

We love introducing our guests to the wonderful cities and surprisingly wild coastline of Northern Ireland.

The following four small-group tour itineraries visit Northern Ireland:

What Day Do Tours Return To Dublin?

To help you plan your return flights, here are the days and times that our tours return to Dublin.

The return point for all tours is Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel

Where Can I Do Laundry On Tour?

Serviced laundry facilities are available on tours that stay 2 nights in the following towns:

• 🧺 Dingle - Check which tours visit Dingle

Do All Hotels Provide Separate Bathrooms?

Yes, all hotel rooms on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland are ensuite.

Expect your own separate bathroom with toilet, sink and shower and/or bath.

Where Is My Luggage Stored On Tour Vehicles?

The answer depends on which tour style you have chosen.

Driftwood vehicles have space for luggage onboard. Vagabond vehicles tow a trailer.

Which Small Group Tours Visit The Wild Atlantic Way?

The Wild Atlantic Way is one of our favourite routes to tour.

Here are all of the small-group tour itineraries that explore the Wild Atlantic Way.

A hot shower after a woodland stroll. A real fire. A pint. We assure you that wherever you stay with us, you’ll love it.

We put great effort into selecting accommodation on Driftwood tours. Your tour will overnight in locally-owned establishments (in some cases for generations). Receive a heartfelt welcome, often from the hoteliers themselves. No hotel chains here!

Mount Falcon Estate Hotel

Situated in the heart of the Moy Valley, the 4 star Mount Falcon Estate offers 100 acres of magical woodlands to add to the adventure of the day.

If you have time, make sure you experience the hotel's spa and a falconry experience

This Victorian Gothic manor house was originally built as a wedding gift.

It's widely recognised as one of the the most romantic historic hotels in Ireland; perfect if you have an anniversary while on tour.

Ocean Sands Hotel

The Ocean Sands is located in Sligo, in Ireland's northwest.

This modern hotel is nestled on a pristine beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The seaside Ocean Sands Hotel reflects the best of Irish hospitality.

After fun days on the road with Vagabond & Driftwood, you can enjoy delicious cuisine and breathtaking ocean views from the restaurant, bar or one of the comfortable guest rooms.

Abbey Hotel Donegal

Enjoy the charms of Donegal town at the comfortable Abbey Hotel.

Relax in superbly appointed bedrooms before savouring delicious food and lively traditional Irish music performances.

You're guaranteed a warm Irish welcome at the Abbey!

Ebrington Hotel

A contemporary spa hotel located just a stone's throw from the Guildhall Square in Derry/Londonderry.

The original building dates to 1842. However the Ebrington Hotel has been fully refurbished in 21st century style.

Make sure you pack your swimwear and make use of the hotel's luxurious spa facilities, including a pool.

Ballygally Castle Hotel

Ever stayed the night in a haunted castle? Now you can.

Sitting proudly on the scenic Northern Ireland coast, Ballygally Castle Hotel features a 400 year old tower house which is home to a friendly ghost. Spooky!

Ballygally is the only 17th century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today.

This elegant and welcoming hotel has become a firm guest favourite on our small-group tours of Northern Ireland.

The boutique Cuan has been in the heart of Strangford village since the early 1800s.

This is a unique hotel destination in a stunning setting.

The immediate area is a delight to explore. Strangford is home to beautiful sandy beaches that are perfect for a relaxing stroll at the end of the day.

All Driftwood tours are flexible. Your 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour is no different.

Unmissable activities are included. Where there are great options, we’ve left the final decision up to you. Feel free to choose your evening meals and lunches. All additional tour options are marked clearly below.

Brexit Notice: Please note all tours travelling into Northern Ireland will continue to run as normal and scheduled. Please contact us with any direct concerns you may have .

• A journey of discovery in a super-comfy, slick Mercedes mini-coach
• The services of a highly-trained and professional VagaGuide tour guide
• 6 full days on tour
• 5 nights' accommodation
• 5 delicious and filling hot Irish breakfasts
• Most daily activities and essential attractions
• A one night stay in a castle hotel
• Entrance into the world famous Giant's Causeway, Donegal Castle, Dunluce Castle and Hillsborough Castle
• A guided walking tour of Derry/Londonderry
• A guided sheepdog demo in Sligo
• Shuttle bus in Glenveagh National Park

All details of prices and suppliers listed here are correct at time of publication. Our suppliers occasionally increase prices for optional tour activities during the touring season. This is a rare occurence. In the unlikely event of a major price increase, we will do our utmost to update you.

** Cash is required for this activity. No card payment available.

• Slieve League Boat Trip** €25.00 Guided boat trip in the shadow of 2000ft high sea cliffs. Cash required.
• Entrance to Donegal Castle €5.00 Self-guided tour of 15th century Donegal Castle.
• Glenveagh Castle Tour €7.00 Guided historic tour of Glenveagh Castle Tour in Donegal
• Bushmills Whiskey Tasting £10.00 Tasting at the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery.
• Giant's Causeway Shuttle Bus** £1/€1.20 Shuttle bus from Giant's Causeway visitor centre to the stone formation.
• Black Cab Tour** £20.00 Guided Belfast tour. Recommended. Cash Required (£GBP Sterling).
• Titanic Experience £24.95 Self-guided tour of the world's largest Titanic visitor experience.

6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour Intro & Highlights

• Experience the historic cities and spectacular natural scenery of Northern Ireland and the rugged northwest region.
• Visit the geological wonder that is the Giant's Causeway , Northern Ireland's World Heritage site.
• Board a boat trip to Slieve League , the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe.
• Traverse mountain passes and pristine beaches in Donegal , one of Ireland’s most beautiful but undiscovered counties.
• Take a history tour with a local guide to see street murals and learn about the 'Troubles' in Belfast , capital of Northern Ireland.
• Relive epic battles on a historic walking tour of Ireland’s only fully intact walled city; Derry/Londonderry .
• Overnight in high quality guesthouses and locally-owned hotels .
• Take a guided tour of the castle where the British Royal Family stay in Northern Ireland.
• Meet master craftspeople and skilled artisans in working craft studios.
• Encounter authentic culture and local experiences in off the beaten track destinations.

Day 1: Let’s Hit The Prehistoric Road!

Begin your Driftwood Journey of Discovery from Dublin , bound for Mayo in Ireland's northwest .

• Discover an Iron Age trackway at Corlea . Europe's oldest oak road was constructed nearly 2200 years ago.
• Explore Ireland’s rich rural heritage at the Museum of Country Life ; a modern exhibition space set amid landscaped gardens.

Accommodation tonight is at The Mount Falcon Estate & Spa or The Ocean Sands Hotel.

The average driving time today is 4 hours 30 minutes.

Day 2: Donegal Boat Trip & Sheepdog Demo

Travel from Mayo to Donegal in Ireland's remote northwestern corner.

• Watch shepherd and dog working perfectly in tandem during a sheepdog demo (Fee Included).
• Scenic coastal drive to Slieve League  with the option to take a boat trip under these towering sea cliffs (Optional Extra).
• Alternatively, shop for crafts in Donegal town with the option of a self-guided tour of Donegal Castle (Optional Extra).

Accommodation tonight is at The Abbey Hotel.

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Day 3: National Park & Walking History Tour

Northward, ever northward! We travel today from Donegal to Derry/Londonderr y in Northern Ireland .

• Watch for wild deer in Glenveagh National Park  with the choice of an historic castle tour (Optional Extra).
• Enjoy panoramic 360° vistas from the Celtic stone ringfort, Grianán of Aileach .
• Take a guided walking tour of Ireland’s only walled city, Derry/Londonderry .

Accommodation tonight is at Ebrington Hotel.

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Day 4: Castle Hotel Stay & Giant’s Causeway

Touring Northern Ireland, we move from Derry/Londonderry along the Antrim coast .

• Walk in the footsteps of Finn McCool at the legendary Giant's Causeway (Fee Included). Shuttle bus available (Optional Extra).
• Game of Thrones fan Alert! Look out for Theon Greyjoy stepping ashore at tiny Ballintoy Harbour.
• Whiskey tasting at Bushmills, the world's oldest licensed Irish whiskey distillery (Optional Extra).

Accommodation tonight is at Ballygally Castle Hotel.

Day 5: Belfast History Tour & Royal Castle

• Sea cliffs and a welcome spa hotel, travelling from Antrim to Newcastle via Belfast city.
• Explore the vibrant history of Belfast on a historical Black Cab Tour (Optional Extra).
• Visit the Titanic Centre , the world's largest Titanic visitor experience (Optional Extra).
• Guided tour of Hillsborough Castle & Gardens , the British Royal Family's residence in Northern Ireland (Fee Included).

Accommodation tonight is at The Cuan Hotel.

The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.

Day 6: Mountains, Castles & Celtic Crosses

Headed south from Down to Dublin, there’s still time for some of Ireland’s top highlights on your final day

• Step back in time to imagine kings, earls and lords battling over Dundrum Castle .
• Revel at the Celtic high crosses of Monasterboice .
• Farewell hugs all round for your new Driftwooder friends in Dublin between 5-6pm.

Similar Tours

☘️ Worry-Free Bookings. ONLY €250.00 DEPOSIT PER PERSON. See Our Flexible Terms

The Perfect 3, 4 or 5 Days in Northern Ireland Itinerary

Last Updated on February 12, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning out a Northern Ireland itinerary is an excellent option for those who want to see more of this area than a simple day trip along the Causeway Coastal Route or a day or two exploring Belfast.

If you have 3, 4 or 5 days to dedicate to exploring Northern Ireland, you can see a lot of the country and experience some of the island of Ireland’s most incredible scenery and learn about the heartbreaking recent history.

If you’re planning on visiting Northern Ireland and are curious about what to see and do here, this route will help you map out up to five days of exploring this corner of the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Northern Ireland?

Before jumping into this route, you’re likely wondering how many days to spend in Northern Ireland. This can really depend on what kind of trip you’re after, however, if you’re interested in spending time in the city along with seeing the iconic natural sites, then plan to spend at least 3 days in Northern Ireland.

With 3 days, you will have the time to explore Belfast and learn about that city while also having time to get to take in the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway and some of the other highlights of the Antrim Coast.

However, if you have 4 days in Northern Ireland, you will have more time to take your time on the Causeway Coast and to spend time at attractions other than the Giant’s Causeway.

For those who want quite a holistic experience, then plan to spend 5 days. This will allow you to add on a visit to the city of Derry and learn about the history here.

Getting To & Around Northern Ireland

There are a range of options available for you when it comes to arriving in Northern Ireland. First and foremost, Belfast is home to its own international airport that connects it to a number of destinations within the UK, Europe and further afield.

Though flying into Belfast is certainly an option, you will find that there are far more flight options going into Dublin airport. Dublin is located only about a 2-hour drive from Belfast and there are also lots of stops along the way . The two cities are also well-connected by bus or train.

It’s worth noting that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and it is likely you won’t even notice that you’ve crossed. However, if you are driving, keep in mind that speed limits in Northern Ireland are listed in miles per hour while they’re listed in kilometres per hour in the republic.

It’s also possible to arrive into Belfast via ferry from Liverpool in England and from the village of Cairnryan in Scotland.

Once in Northern Ireland, you’ll be wondering how to get around whilst there. In Belfast and Derry, you can certainly plan to get around on foot and via public transport – in fact, it’s probably easier than planning on driving.

Those venturing outside of the cities have a couple of options. The easiest and most convenient option to get around is by having your own vehicle as it will give you the flexibility to visit where you want when you want without having to reckon with bus timetables and routes. Doing a Northern Ireland road trip is easygoing, fun and incredibly scenic and generally the most recommended option.

And if you’ve decided that a Northern Ireland road trip itinerary is the choice for you, you can browse car hire options on Rentalcars.com to compare prices across major companies.

However, you can also get around regional Northern Ireland by bus and train, where applicable. For instance, there is a regional bus system connecting the sites along the coastline so it is possible to travel independently in this area even if you don’t drive.

3, 4 or 5 Days in Northern Ireland Itinerary

Without further ado, here is how to spend 3 to 5 days exploring Northern Ireland. This route is meant to be built upon each day so if you’re only seeing Northern Ireland in 3 days, then plan to spend the first 2 in Belfast before heading onto the Causeway Coast. And if you’re spending 4 days, it’s best to leave a visit to Derry for another time.

Day 1 – Belfast

Begin your time in Northern Ireland in the capital city of Belfast . Though this city has a bit of a dark reputation and something of a rough-around-the-edges vibe, it’s very much worth exploring and it has a lot to offer visitors – especially for those interested in learning more about its recent history.

On your first day in Belfast, make sure to learn as much about the history of the city as possible by embarking on a black cab tour . On these tours, you can learn about the Troubles from knowledgeable guides and also get a good feel for the geography of this divided city.

After your tour, head to Belfast City Hall and then visit the historic Crumlin Road Gaol before rounding out your day.

Where to Stay in Belfast

The Warren Belfast – Those looking for luxury will love this plush, centrally-located hotel in the heart of Belfast. They have several luxe rooms to choose from, great amenities, breakfast each morning and an unbeatable location in the Queen’s Quarter

Central Belfast Apartments: Citygate – If you’re looking for a self-catering option while visiting Belfast, then these apartments are the perfect choice. Centrally located, they have many fully-furnished flats available along with free parking for guests.

Vagabonds – Budget and solo travellers will love this cool, highly-rated hostel in Belfast. Offering both private rooms and dorms, there are also clean facilities and great common areas making it easy to meet other travellers.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Belfast hotels!

Day 2 – Belfast

On day 2, it’s time to visit one of the Northern Irish capital’s top museums – the Titanic Belfast. The infamous ocean liner was actually constructed in Belfast before it embarked on its fateful 1912 journey across the Atlantic.

This iceberg-shaped museum will take you through a range of exhibits explaining all there is to know about the Titanic and the history surrounding both the construction of the ship itself and also some information about the crash and its repercussions. It’s truly a great experience to have while in Belfast. You can book tickets in advance here.

Spend the rest of your day in Belfast exploring some of the sites that you didn’t make it to the first day. For instance, you can grab a bit to eat at St George’s Market, get the views from the Victoria Square Dome or even head to CS Lewis Square to take in some statues dedicated to the late children’s author and theologian.

Day 3 – Causeway Coast

On day 3 of this trip, it’s time to head out of the city and make your way to the north of the country – to the iconic Causeway Coast. We highly recommend leaving Belfast as early as possible to make it to the Giant’s Causeway before the tour buses arrive – it takes about an hour to drive here from the capital.

If you don’t have a car, there are a number of guided tour options such as this full-day tour or this full-day tour that will pick you up from Belfast in the morning.

The Giant’s Causeway is the name for a collection of roughly 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that were likely formed as part of an ancient volcanic eruption.

However, in Irish myth, it is said to have been formed when an Irish giant built a causeway in order to fight a Scottish giant — there are similar rock formations on the island of Staffa just off the Hebridean Isle of Mull in Scotland.

Note that the Causeway is free to enter, however, it is not free to park at the visitor’s centre or go inside unless you’ve paid for that. If you’re up for a bit of a (beautiful) walk, we recommend parking at the Salmon Rock Beach car park in the town of Portballintrae and walking to the Giant’s Causeway – that way you can visit entirely for free!

Plan to spend a couple of hours at the Giant’s Causeway as there is more here than just the rock formations. Take the time to walk on all of the trails and really take in the views of this gorgeous place. It’s a truly spectacular experience and an essential inclusion on any Northern Ireland road trip itinerary.

After visiting the Giant’s Causeway, you can take the time to take in some other sites on the Northern Ireland Coast. Head over to the town of Bushmills and tour the Bushmills distillery. You can also make your way over to some viewpoints and maybe even go on a few more walks.

If you’re only spending 3 days in Northern Ireland and want to maximise your time here, you can take in some of the other sites in this area, such as the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges. However, if you are planning a 4- or 5-day itinerary, then you can take your time more at go at a slower pace.

End your day in the town of Portrush. This makes a great base in the area and the town itself is a popular seaside resort complete with its own amusement park and lovely beach. There are also plenty of pubs and restaurants to unwind in at the end of the day with a pint of Guinness and a good meal.

Where to Stay on the Causeway Coast

Anvershiel House – Located in the town of Portrush, this bed and breakfast is an excellent mid-range option for those exploring this part of Northern Ireland. They offer several clean and bright rooms, an excellent breakfast available in the mornings, and a location within walking distance of the beach and town centre.

Elephant Rock Hotel – Those looking for a luxury hotel while on the Causeway Coast will love this chic hotel in Portrush. Centrally located, they have a range of lovely rooms to choose from, an on-site restaurant and bar along with plenty of other great amenities.

Causeway Hotel – If you’d like to stay within a stone’s throw of the Giant’s Causeway and see it without the tour buses, then this hotel is a great option. Located adjacent to the visitor’s centre, booking a night here will also grant you free entry to the centre along with plenty of other perks.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Causeway Coast hotels!

Day 4 – Causeway Coast

Those who have more time to devote to the Causeway Coast will be energised to hit the road early and start exploring again.

Start your day by touring the lovely and striking Dunluce Castle. This ruined castle is perched on striking cliffs not far at all from the town of Portrush and it makes for an excellent place to visit.

Next, you can make your way over to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. This place was used as a filming location for the HBO series Game of Thrones and it is now very popular amongst visitors – so make sure to book your tickets online in advance and also to arrive relatively early if you want to beat the crowds.

You can spend a fair amount of time hiking around here and it’s worth doing this on your second day so that you don’t feel rushed.

Of course, no visit to this area of Northern Ireland is complete without heading to the Dark Hedges. Again, this was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones and it is an incredibly popular tourist attraction. It’s simply a country laneway that is lined with intertwining trees.

Keep in mind that it is definitely a lot more beautiful in the late spring and summertime when there are leaves on the trees and it can seem a bit lacklustre in the winter to about mid-May.

Day 5 – Derry

If you’ve got five days to devote to your Northern Ireland road trip, then make sure not to miss the city of Derry (Londonderry). As Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, Derry can be overlooked by visitors here, however, it has a lot to offer visitors and can provide important cultural context.

Though the city has been popularised as a destination because of the sitcom Derry Girls (you can even tour filming locations ), it doesn’t get the same amount of attention as Belfast.

Derry is a small city and you can certainly take in the majority of the sites and points of interest within the confines of a day. Take the time to walk the city walls – Derry is, in fact, the only walled city in Ireland and this is a great thing to do here.

Of course, no visit to Derry is really complete without taking the time to learn about the city’s more recent history and what life was like during the Troubles. You can visit the Bloody Sunday memorial to learn more about the 1972 massacre and you can also opt to take a walking tour of the Bogside murals with a knowledgeable local guide.

Those who want to learn even more about the city’s history will also find the Free Derry Museum interesting.

Another top Derry attraction is the Peace Bridge. The pedestrianised bridge connects the majority Unionist east side of the city to the majority Republican west side of the city and was meant to be an emblem of bridging the gap of a centuries-long political divide.

Have More Time?

If you have more time after this Northern Ireland itinerary, why not continue on from Derry into the Republic and visit County Donegal ?

If you’re coming from Northern Ireland and only have a day, then driving the Inishowen 100 is an excellent way to explore this part of northwestern Ireland. However, you could easily spend more time exploring this area, as well.

You can reach the town of Muff in County Donegal in about 15 minutes or you can drive north and take the ferry across Lough Foyle to the town of Greencastle. The latter option would also give you the opportunity to make a stop at Mussenden Temple.

For those who want to tour more of the Emerald Isle, then consider heading further south and enjoying some of (or the entirety of) the Wild Atlantic Wa y. County Donegal is absolutely gorgeous, but other highlights include Benbulben in County Sligo, Achill Island in County Mayo, Connemara in County Galway and more.

When planning a trip to Northern Ireland, you may not realise just how much this small country has to offer visitors. From vibrant and historic cities to some of the most spectacular natural scenery there is to offer in this world, spending a few days exploring Northern Ireland is never a bad idea.

Are you planning to visit Northern Ireland? Have any questions about this route? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Dublin or Belfast: Which Irish City to Visit?

7 Best Stops on the Dublin to Belfast Drive

The Ultimate Giant’s Causeway Day Trip from Belfast

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Hi, I enjoy reading your travel blogs and find them informative. Living in Northern Ireland I’d like to let you know that not only do we have an airport some 20 miles away from the city centre but there is also George Best Airport less than 2 miles from the City Centre and is great for those arriving to the city for its convenience. Also please note that St George’s market is only open from Friday to Sunday . I have seen many disappointed tourists arrive to the market on other days only to find it closed. Finally if you are travelling from Britain and have a National Trust membership this will allow free entry at the Causeway centre and other attractions – their website would provide more detail.

Thanks for those insights, Barbara!

Thank you so much Barbara Would not have thought about our N T membership. We are thinking about driving, any suggestions??

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Want travel inspiration sent straight to your inbox?

By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Site Preferences

Sign up for our newsletter to get 15% off sitewide! 

One Week in Ireland: Northern Ireland Driving Tour

One week in Ireland is perfect to take in the coastal highlights of a Northern Ireland driving tour, plus a few wonderful places in Donegal not covered by the 10-Day Galway and Northwest Ireland Itinerary . At the finish you’ll be traveling from Donegal back to Dublin by air, so you’ll need to use Enterprise , the only car rental company at tiny Donegal Airport. (Otherwise, you’ll be driving back to the capital.)

Heading north from Dublin, take a scenic drive through the Mourne Mountains in County Down, have lunch in Strangford , a lovely village on an eponymous lake, and spend the night at Anna’s House in Lisbane , unofficially the best B&B on the island.

Arrive in Belfast and take a Black Taxi tour for an exceedingly vivid history lesson. Spend the afternoon at the Botanic Gardens or Cave Hill Country Park if the weather’s fine, but if not, take the Belfast City Hall tour. After a terrific meal at one of the city’s many outstanding eateries, see what’s on at the Grand Opera House or Ulster Orchestra .

Traveling northeast from Belfast on the A2, head for The Gobbins Edwardian-era cliff walk (be sure to book your tickets ahead of time). Continue on through the Glens of Antrim , spending the night in quiet Ballintoy or cheerful, family-friendly Ballycastle .

Clamber across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, once traversed daily by local salmon fishermen but now a worthwhile tourist draw, before continuing on the Causeway Coast route. Have lunch at The Nook before ambling down to Giant’s Causeway with its 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Stay the night in the Bushmills area rather than rushing through all this gorgeous scenery.

Return to the coastal route for the precariously situated Dunluce Castle . Drive on to Downhill to check out the ruins of Bishop Hervey’s estate and the charming Mussenden Temple . Arrive in Derry City .

Walk the Derry City walls and view the Bogside peace murals. Continue west into Donegal, pausing at the hilltop ring fort of Grianán of Aileách before driving north to the Inishowen Peninsula . Spend the evening at the fabulous McGrory’s pub in Culdaff , where you can catch a well-known musical act any night of the week.

Another long but rewarding day’s drive: Get an early start from Inishowen down to Glenveagh National Park , where you can walk through a numinous landscape of lakes, mountains, and moor grass to 19th-century Glenveagh Castle . Continue west to Gweedore , with its dramatic Bloody Foreland viewing point and friendly Irish-speaking locals.

Drive to Donegal Airport just south of Gweedore for your flight back to Dublin.

Related Travel Guide

Pin for later.

Photo of the Giant’s Causeway © Diro/Dreamstime.com.

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Northern Ireland

See All Northern Ireland Tours

Trending Northern Ireland tours

Save up to $843

Best of Ireland and Scotland

21 Locations

3 Countries

Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

Save up to $547

Britain and Ireland Highlights

15 Locations

5 Countries

Short on travel time but want to see all the Britain and Ireland highlights? This trip delivers the genius of Shakespeare, Waterford crystal creations in Ireland and a hearty Welsh dinner at a local vineyard, with a side of ancient history, in just over one week.

Save up to $543

Irish Experience

2 Countries

Explore the Emerald Isle on this most in-depth of Irish experience trips, filled with tales of mythical creatures and the troubled history of an island split in two. Beyond soul-stirring landscapes, there’s time with a local ‘Cabbie’ who’ll guide you through Belfast.

Save up to $498

Shamrocks and Leprechauns

13 Locations

A favorite Ireland trip for families combining happy travels with the luck of the Irish. Find your own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, cuddling sheep on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ever wondered if boats can fly? See it firsthand in Foynes, all with no schoolbooks in sight.

See More Ireland Trips

5 million happy guests and counting

Pound sterling

Capital City

Good morning

Good Morning

Good evening

Good Evening

"From the stunning, secluded lakes of Fermanagh to the monumental steps of the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland affords luscious green scenery, charming countryside, vital cities and friendly locals"

Emma, Travel Director

See the City Hall in Belfast

Originally built to celebrate Belfast’s new status as a city, the City Hall is one of the most beloved   Belfast tourist attractions. We’ll show you around this grand monument to history, or you can relax on the grassy grounds, with the Belfast Wheel in the background.

Walk on the Derry City Walls

We’ll take you on a journey through history to the Derry City Walls, one of the most historically important   places to visit in Northern Ireland. Surrounding the old city center of Derry, the city walls are a 17th-century fortification with panoramic views of the region. Incredibly, most of the original structure is still standing.

Feel the Irish Spirit at St George's Market

Completed in 1896, St George’s Market is the last surviving Victorian market in Belfast and one of the oldest   Belfast attractions. There are markets every Friday and Sunday and you can explore local produce, secondhand treasures, traditional arts and crafts, Irish homewares, and live music in this beautiful building.

Explore the town of Donegal

With its wild mountains, sandy beaches and glittering lakes, Donegal is one of the most remarkable places in Europe. The scenic highlight of any Northern Ireland travel experience, we’ll take you through pretty Donegal Town, with a serene harbor, the 15th-century Donegal Abbey and the ancient Donegal Castle.

Admire 40,000 basalt columns at Giant's Causeway

Take a drive with Trafalgar up the gorgeous Antrim coastal road to the Giant’s Causeway, where you can see the natural spectacle of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. It’s one of the most iconic things to do in Northern Ireland, and your trip will also ‘Make a Difference' by helping to preserve this natural wonder.

Our top 5 things to do in Northern Ireland

We show you the best things to do in Belfast and beyond, from the ancient Derry City Walls to the spectacular natural columns of the Giant’s Causeway.

Ulster Museum

Located in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, the Ulster Museum is a vast display of fine art, botany, geology, culture and local and European history. It’s the largest museum in Northern Ireland with everything from dinosaur skeletons to an ancient Egyptian mummy.

The Titanic Belfast is an incredible museum, dedicated to telling the story of the Titanic, from her design and construction in Belfast in the early 1900s to her disastrous voyage. Located in the Belfast docklands, where the original Titanic was launched, you can explore over nine interactive galleries.

Downpatrick

Down County Museum

We’ll take you back through 9,000 years of history at the Down County Museum, a former prison now dedicated to documenting the history of Downpatrick. You can visit the original cells used to house prisoners in the early 1800s, and learn the legendary history of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Best museums in Northern Ireland

Our  Belfast tours  take in the best museums and galleries in Northern Ireland. See an ancient Egyptian mummy at the Botanic gardens and discover the vivid history of the Titanic.

Ardglass potted herring

This classic Northern Irish dish consists of Ardglass herrings rolled in a dish with vinegar, spice berries, raw onions, salt and pepper. It’s baked until the top of the fish becomes crispy, then served with crusty bread and butter to mop up the tasty juices.

One of the most well-loved dishes in Northern Ireland, Ulster fry is a traditional cooked breakfast with griddle breads (potato bread and soda bread fried until golden), small pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes and mushrooms, served with tea and toast.

Traditionally found in the north midlands such as Fermanagh and Donegal, Boxty is a Northern Irish potato pancake made with a blend of grated raw potatoes and cooked mashed potatoes with flour and buttermilk. Served with a smear of butter, this is a delicious favorite.

Best food in Northern Ireland

Our trips will let you in on the best places to try Northern Irish cuisine, filled with grilled bread, potato pancakes, bacon and sausages, and generous dollops of creamy butter.

What to pack for Northern Ireland

Water and windproof jacket

Northern Ireland is one of the wettest and windiest regions in Europe, with temperatures averaging just 15°C (59°F) in summer. Stay cosy with a sturdy jacket and warm layers.

A big appetite

With a hearty cuisine filled with delicious breads, meats, pancakes and potatoes in every form, you’ll need to bring your appetite for a tour of Northern Ireland.

Although the Republic of Ireland (the southern partition of Ireland) uses the Euro, Northern Ireland uses the Pound sterling, so you’ll need to change currencies at the border.

An adaptor plug

Voltage in Northern Ireland is 230V, and the sockets are of Type G, with standard British 3-pin plugs.

Northern Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and you’ll want to bring a camera to capture all of this wild beauty.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and reusable toiletry bottles.

Our Europe & Britain destinations

Bosnia Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

North Macedonia

Netherlands

Switzerland

Other worldwide regions we visit

Africa the Middle East

Australia and New Zealand

North and Central America

South America

Get your free brochure

Find your next escape with the world's leading travel brand

Request A Brochure

Award winning tours

Every year, we're proud to win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world - from the Travel Globes to the Agent's Choice Awards

Search Our Tours

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Media & Press Room

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

• [email protected]
• (US / Ca) 011 353 21 237 9006
• (EU) 00 353 21 237 9006

Find Your Tour:

• England, Ireland and Scotland Tours
• Ireland Castle Tours
• Tour for max. 8 guests
• Tours for Solos
• Adults Only Tours
• Wild Atlantic Way
• Ireland's Ancient East
• Ireland Tours from Dublin
• Wild Atlantic Way Tours
• Ireland's Ancient East Tours

Arrange a Tour:

• Private Tours
• Private Tour Attractions
• Example Itineraries
• Genealogy Tours & Family Tree
• Golf Vacations
• Garden Tours

2024 Tour Packages:

• All Ireland Tours & Vacations
• Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour 18 Days | From €4390 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Britain Tour 10 Days | From €2490 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour 14 Days | €3690 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 14 Days | From €2890 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 10 Days | From €1690 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 8 Days | From €1590 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 6 Days | From €990 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour 10 Days | From €2790 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Historic Irish Castle Tour 7 Days | From €1790 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour 13 Days | From €5390 | 2024 | Max 8 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland Tour 8 Days | From €3390 | 2024 | Max 8 ppl.
• Discover Northern Ireland 6 Days | From €995 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.

2025 Tour Packages:

• Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour 18 Days | From €4590 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour 14 Days | €3990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Highlights of Ireland & Scotland Tour 9 Days | €2490 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 14 Days | From €2990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 10 Days | From €1990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 8 Days | From €1690 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour 10 Days | From €2890 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour 13 Days | From €5690 | 2025 | Max 8 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland Tour 8 Days | From €3290 | 2025 | Max 8 ppl.
• Discover Northern Ireland 6 Days | From €1090 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Tour Guides / Drivers
• Reviews of our Tours

Further Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Travelguide

About tour packages

• Choosing a Tour
• The Tour Hotels
• The Tour Buses

About private tours

• Arranging a Tour
• Private Tour Accommodation
• Private Tour Vehicles

Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2024

• Tour highlights
• Dates & prices
• What's included

The best of Northern Ireland in under a week

Over six comfortably-paced days, the Discover Northern Ireland Tour introduces you to the culture and countryside of Northern Ireland. Immerse yourself in the lives and histories of its people. Witness with wonderment the beauty of the wild northern coastline. This tour is fully inclusive, with no hidden extras or optional extras. Six days of discovery, and five nights of relaxation in the luxury of our hand-picked four-star hotels.

• 26 guests maximum
• Fully Inclusive Package
• Arrival & Departure in Dublin

Tour Gallery

• Belfast City Tour

On Day Two you will visit the the City of Belfast. The only city on the island of Ireland to have embraced the Industrial Revolution. You will meet up with your local Belfast City Guide who will explain all about the history of this once troubled city.

Titanic Exhibition

On Day Two you will also visit Titanic Belfast. You will have the opportunity to learn the history of the world's most famous ship, The Titanic. Completed in 1912 on Harland & Wolff's shipyard.

Derry/Londonderry

On Day Three you will visit Derry/Londonderry, a captivating city enclosed within ancient walls, possessing a rich and diverse past.

Old Bushmills Distillery

On Day Three you will also visit the Old Bushmills Distillery. It is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Given a Grant to Distil in 1608 but thought to have been producing whiskey 200 years prior to that.

The Giant's Causeway

Day Three will also take you to The Giant's Causeway. One of Northern Ireland's most stunning sights. No amount of photographs can ever do the Giants Causeway justice. 37,000 basalt columns extend from cliffs down into the sea.

• Ulster American Folk Park

On Day Four you will visit the Ulster American Folk Park. Here you will hear the reasons why 2 million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.

Cruise Lough Erne

On Day Five you will embark on the Lough Erne Cruise. Here you can enjoy the natural and historic sights of Northern Ireland on a leisurely cruise on picturesque Lough Erne.

• Devenish Island

On Day Five you will also visit Devenish Island. A stand-out feature of your cruise of Lough Erne. During the 6th Century, St. Molaise founded a monastery here which later became a centre of scholarship.

• Trim Castle

Day Five will also take you to Trim Castle. This is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30 year period until its completion in 1206.

Tour Itinerary

Six days of remarkable locations and unforgettable experiences await on the Discover Northern Ireland Tour. Click on the days below to find out what adventures you can look forward to on each day of your tour.

Day 1: Arrival (Dublin)

Day 1 itinerary.

Welcome - On arrival in Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet your Irish tour guide (who is also your driver). There will be three group transfers this morning between 7:00 am and 1200 noon. To ensure a smooth start to your tour, it is advisable to aim for an arrival time in Dublin Airport before 11:00 am, as clearing immigration and reclaiming baggage typically takes around 1 hour.

Board your luxury air-conditioned coach and make the short transfer to your hotel where you can relax and unwind after your flight.

3:00 PM Check-in time. Hotel reception will store your luggage prior to Check-in.

At 6:00 PM this evening all participants will gather for dinner in the hotel restaurant where you can become acquainted with your fellow travellers.

Dine & Overnight at the Clayton Hotel Charlemont .

Included Today

• Welcome Dinner

Clayton Hotel Charlemont

Day 2: titanic belfast & belfast city tour, day 2 itinerary.

After some much-needed sleep and a hearty full Irish breakfast, we will depart for Northern Ireland. The province of Northern Ireland was created with the partition of the island of Ireland in 1921.

Your destination today will be Belfast City , the only city in Ireland to fully experience the Industrial Revolution. Linen, rope making, tobacco and most famously shipbuilding including the building of the Titanic Belfast on the Harland & Wolff shipyard, were the main industries. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past fifteen years of peace have returned much prosperity, while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.

Travelling north, your route today will take you through County Meath & County Louth. On arrival in Belfast, visit the Titanic Belfast . The world’s largest Titanic-themed visitor attraction, located on the very slipways where she was built in the heart of Belfast. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Belfast City with a specialised step on local Belfast City Guide to see and hear all about the history of this once troubled city — including the Belfast Murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road.

Tonight you will overnight & dine at the Clayton Hotel Belfast in Belfast City .

• Irish Breakfast
• Evening Dinner
• Titanic Belfast

Clayton Hotel Belfast

Day 3: bushmills distillery & giant's causeway, day 3 itinerary.

This morning after breakfast, you will depart for Derry/Londonderry City .

Our route today will take you via the spectacular Antrim Coastal Route through the nine Glens of Antrim and picturesque villages of Ballygalley, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun to Ballycastle. Continue onto Bushmills.

Here you will visit the Bushmills Distillery . Known around the world as the oldest licensed distillery. We will stop here for a whiskey tasting. Its grant to distil whiskey was given in 1608, but it is believed that the spirit was probably made here 200 years before that!

Further north, on the coast, you will visit Giant's Causeway . This prehistoric geological phenomenon is the subject of many myths and legends. There are an estimated 37,000 basalt columns extending from cliffs down into the sea.

This afternoon you will continue west to Derry/Londonderry City for an overnight stay at the Maldron Hotel Derry . Dine at the hotel tonight.

• Bushmills Distillery
• Giant's Causeway

Maldron Hotel Derry

Day 4: derry city tour & ulster american folk park, day 4 itinerary.

This morning, after breakfast, you will be joined by a specialised local guide for a walking tour of Derry/Londonderry City . The city fortifications are amongst the best preserved in Europe and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal.

We will depart for the beautiful town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, which occupies an island between Upper and Lower Lough Erne.

Your route will take you via Strabane and Omagh in County Tyrone, to the Ulster American Folk Park . An open-air museum located on the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. The Park's permanent exhibition, called 'Emigrants', examines why two million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.

Dinner and overnight will be in the Westville Hotel located in the heart of Enniskillen's waterside historic quarter.

• Derry Walking Tour

Westville Hotel

Day 5: lough erne cruise & trim castle, day 5 itinerary.

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a Lough Erne Cruise . Boasting a rich combination of natural and historic sights, a haven for many species of water birds.

You will visit Devenish Island, where St. Molaise founded a monastery in the Sixth Century. The most spectacular sight on this tiny, windswept island is a perfectly preserved Twelfth Century round tower that stands 82ft high.

Your journey through Northern Ireland ends today when you cross the border into County Cavan and travel through the rounded hills called Drumlins that are typical of the border region between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The route will take you through Meath, known as the Royal County due to its history as the seat of the High King of Ireland. Your last stop today will be at Trim Castle . The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30-year period and finished it in 1206. Trim Castle was also a film location for the movie "Braveheart".

• Lough Erne Cruise

Day 6: Departure (Dublin)

Day 6: departure.

Today marks the end of the Discover Northern Ireland Tour.

After the final Irish breakfast this morning transfer by taxi (not included) to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. Turas sàbhailte dhuibh (safe journey).

• View detailed map (opens new tab)

Printable Version:

• Printer-friendly Itinerary

Also on this page:

• Tour attractions
• Accommodation & Vehicles
• What's Included

Other tours you might like...

6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

Experience the true essence of Ireland's history and culture in under a week. Read more...

• From €4,390

Iconic Britain & Ireland

Our biggest and our best, covering all the top attractions from London to Dublin. Read more...

• From €2,490

Iconic Britain Tour

This 10-day adventure through England and Scotland takes you to Britain's most iconic destinations. Read more...

• From €3,690

Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour

Compare the cultures of Ireland and Scotland during a magical fortnight. Read more...

We are still Ireland's best-reviewed tour operator, with 97.3% five-star reviews.

herb chemerika

October 2023  •  Discover Northern Ireland

we did the discover northern Ireland tour on September 6Th Coln Clarke was the Bus tour guide /driver he was wonderful very knowledgeable about Irish history he also had a great sense of humor the trip was great the hotels ,meals and services was top notch the Tours in Belfast , the walking tours of Derry all gave a insight to the troubled times the tours of the titanic memorial was super all in all well worth the price and would recommend this trip

Robin Henry

We took the Northern Ireland tour this time and to our amazement, Colm Clarke was again our driver and guide. It truly felt like returning to see old friends. The tour was great, again Colm was so and made things so fun. Our guide in Belfast, Nollaig, was full of information and kept things lively even while talking about things like The Troubles. In Derry, our guide was Theresa, again a knowledgeable and passionate guide. We loved Bushmill's and Giant's Causeway. The Lough Erne Cruise and the trip to Devinish Island was almost magical with the mist rising up off the river as the sun got higher. Shannon set us up with a private tour from our wish list after Northern Ireland and it was everything we could have hoped for. We got to stay in the places we wanted to explore, stayed at great placed and the food was unbelievable good. We saw a lot in 6 days - Kilkenny Castle, Cobh and the Titanic Museum and the statue of Annie Moore, then on to Kinsale and the Lusitania Museum and Old Head, all the shops (such wonderful little hidden gems. Then we went to Dingle Peninsula and spent 2 days in a delightful BNB and explored. Our last days, we revisited the Cliffs of Moher and then to Galway and a day on the largest Aran Island. We couldn't have asked for a better day - water calm, no wind, and sunny. Our driver and Guide, Pat C. was great. He stopped for photos and had suggestions for others, always made sure we were well settled in our hotels and knew his stuff. Thanks for making our trip to Ireland, once again, a delightful and experience packed trip. We'll be back!

Alan Leathem

September 2023  •  Discover Northern Ireland

This is my second tour with this company. I did the Northern Ireland tour in September and Colm was the guide driver of the bus. He brought Irish history alive. The additional guides we had in Belfast and Derry were fabulous sharing their knowledge of these two cities and 'The Troubles'. Great hotels and meals also included in the tour. I would recommend this company and this tour.

Philip Mcmahon

July 2023  •  Discover Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland tour was great!

Steve Warfield

We took the Northern Ireland tour in early July 2023, and it was a fantastic experience. Setting aside the fantastic price, our tour bus was spacious, clean, and, comfortable, as were all our hotel accomodations. The breakfasts and dinners were consistently excellently tasting, and there were numerous choices for both. Our driver/tour guide, George, was definitely one of the best we have experienced in our travels, as he was personable, highly knowledgeable, and a very skilled driver. The excursions were included in the tour price (as was the lodging and morning/evening meal) and there was more than enough time at each location to do some exploring after the day had come to an end.

Jennifer MacLeod

October 2022  •  Discover Northern Ireland

My husband and I travelled to Northern Ireland with My Ireland Tours in September 2022. Our driver/tour guide, Garey, provided very concise instructions as well as informative commentary every step of the way. We had two interesting activities every day. While I booked the tour primarily for the Giants Causeway, every part of the trip provided us with fabulous scenery. The drive along the Antrim coast was spectacular. The Step-on Guides in Belfast and Derry were very informative, as they helped us to understand the turmoil in their cities. The travel between each stop was reasonable and we always arrived at our final destination in good time. Having our breakfast and evening meal included in our tour simplified everything. Lunch stops included the Titanic Experience, the Giants Causeway and the Ulster American Folk Park. We cannot praise Garey enough for the way he took charge of our group and his amazing talent for maneuvering the full-size coach. It would have been a far more stressful journey if we had attempted to do it on our own. The ease with which our booking was managed was also great. Kevin kept us posted on the payment deadline and ensured that our arrival and departure information was complete. Although we arrived two days early, he arranged for us to remain in the same room when we joined the tour group. If you haven't been to Ireland before I would highly recommend using My Ireland Tours. Your vacation will be trouble free.

July 2022  •  Discover Northern Ireland

In the past five years I have used My Ireland Tour twice, and they do not disappoint. First you can design your own itinerary, if you desire, if you do they will help you with suggestions, that will enhance your trip. They will book you into hotels that have great reputations, sometimes even 5 star at a reasonable trip cost. Last, they provide well respected tour guide drivers in great coaches. A great tour guide/driver makes all the difference in a tour. The most recent tour of Northern Ireland with driver guide Raymond Wilson was truly a great experience. The support and communication with the office staff was always helpful and professional. I would never consider a trip to Ireland without using My Ireland Tours.

Michael Hughes

May 2022  •  Discover Northern Ireland

Delayed by the pandemic, we've finally been able to take our THIRD tour with My Ireland Tour. This time we went to Northern Ireland and the experience was as wonderful, if not more so, than our previous two tours. As has been the case in all of our previous tours with My Ireland Tours, the superb service came into play even before our trip began. The staff provided all of the assistance we needed to arrange our journey and guided us skillfully through all of the new processes and procedures for travel. The tour itself was absolutely delightful! Our driver / guide, Garey, was knowledgeable and entertaining. He demonstrated great skill driving the coach on the sometimes narrow roads of the countryside and through the congestion and tight quarters on the cities. The schedule provided ample time to enjoy each of the sites that we visited and the walking tour of Derry was a highlight of the tour. We continue to prefer My Ireland Tour because of the value for money, excellent customer service, well crafted tours, smaller group sizes and superb driver / guides. When it comes time for our fourth visit, we won't look to any other tour company for our travel needs!

My very first trip with my ireland tours..booked a northern Ireland tour with them..was a little apprehensive as being a single elderly lady traveling on my own was not sure how it would be..I can't tell you it was one of the best tours I have taken..from the very start..the prompt interaction with eric via email was very reasureing as all my questions were answered promptly..it was good to be met by our guide/driver Garry at dublin airport..after that it was smooth sailing all the way to Northern Ireland! He took good care of us and gave us a full insight into the Irish way of life with stories and historical details of the places we visited..we were kept at very good comfortable hotels each night..all in all..a great memorable trip..will definitely book with them again..many thanks

October 2019  •  Discover Northern Ireland

Tour of Northern Ireland. Brilliantly organised, right amount of time in each place. Led by Kieran who was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Very safe and professional driving. Good attention to detail throughout. Hotels of good standard. May well choose your company for another trip. Thank you.

Bob and Verna Wiebe

August 2019  •  Discover Northern Ireland

Our experience with our My Ireland tour of Northern Ireland was very good. We appreciated the well planned itinerary, which included interesting stops as well as some down time each day. The accommodations and food exceeded expectations. Our specialty guides were very informative and personable. Our bus driver/guide was outstanding, one of a kind – do you get me? We will take a piece of Northern Ireland home with us in our hearts.

Julie Heiple

March 2019  •  Discover Northern Ireland

What a marvelous experience! My husband and I were on the 5 day Northern Ireland tour from March 20-25, 2019 and enjoyed every minute of it! Our tour guide, Nigel O'Connor, was so professional and attentive to the group, always conscious of our schedule for the day but also allowing for slight changes as necessary. For example, two guests wanted to attend St. Michael's early mass one morning and that request was accommodated with an alternate pick up location for them. Thanks so much for a terrific, memorable vacation!

Brenda Holden

October 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

On our 24 day trek through the UK, Chuck and I picked up the Northern Ireland Tour through My Ireland Tours at the Belfast Titanic and continued on with the group of 26. Our driver /guide Nigel was entertaining and knowledgable about the history of the area we travelled through and answered questions for us. The countryside was spectacular, the people of Ireland warm and welcoming and the bus family entertaining. This was our first group trip in our 64 years and we both enjoyed leaving the thinking to a well organized company to do that for us for part of our trip. Cead Mile Failte is just one Gaelic saying we learned, but to all of you Go Raibh Maith Agat.

Alice Williams

September 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Northern Ireland with My Ireland Tours. Accomodations were excellent and the driver was very knowledgeable and entertaining.

July 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

What a great tour. We were fortunate enough to meet our daughter and son-in-law for the Northern Ireland tour. The weather was great, the food was good, and the scenery was fantastic. Our driver guide was David Breen. His knowledge and driving skills were brilliant. He was patient, informative, and funny. Not mentioned on the website is an included train ride along the coast from Coleraine to Derry-beautiful. We met some very nice people on our tour, as well as in the places we visited.

Teresa Donohue

30 October 2019  •  Discover Northern Ireland

We took a tour of Northern Ireland, and it was wonderful! Harry (the hat) our tour guide and bus driver was very good. He was knowledgeable, had a great sense of humor, and was totally unflappable. The tour guide we had in Derry (Ronan) was also very good during our walking tour. The hotels were great - very nice rooms and meals. Although, the menu offerings at each hotel were either the same or very similar so we were definitely ready for something else by the end of the tour. We will definitely utilize this tour company again!

Julie Magee Heiple

29 March 2019  •  Discover Northern Ireland

What a marvelous experience! My husband and I were on the 5 day Northern Ireland tour from March 20-25, 2019 and enjoyed every minute of it! Our tour guide, Nigel O'Connor, was so professional and attentive to the group, always conscious of our schedule for the day but also allowing for slight changes as necessary. For example, two guests wanted to attend St. Michael's early mass one morning and that request was accommodated with an alternate pick up location for them. The tour was just the right pace with drives no more than 2 hours at a time with an opportunity to stop and stretch once during the drive. The sites we visited were beyond our expectations... Titanic museum in Belfast, Giants Causeway, Derry/Londonderry wall tour, boat tour on Loche Erne, and Trim Castle were all highlights. Our accommodations and the meals were exceptional every night. Thanks so much for a terrific, memorable vacation!

Rita Donahue

10 October 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

I usually travel on my own with friends, but this Northern Ireland tour was way beyond my expectations. Nigel was an excellent tour guide and Peter, our guide in Derry, explained everything for me about The Troubles and how the area has moved forward. All the hotels were top notch, and plenty of choices for breakfast and dinner. I especially liked the train ride from Coleraine to Derry. I chatted with a Irish woman on her way home from work. The people on this tour were so friendly and fun to be with on each of the outings and we had wonderful conversations at meal times. I highly recommend this tour and My Ireland Tour.

Joanne Philips

25 August 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

We were thrilled with our Northern Ireland Tour thanks to our fantastic guide and driver, Barry Loe. He took excellent care of us and provided great information. We highly recommend both the tour and Barry to anyone considering touring Northern Ireland. Also,there were only 12 of us on the tour, making it a great experience.

Margie Boeangiu

09 August 2018  •  Discover Northern Ireland

After a lot of research with different tour companies, we decided to book the 6 day Discover Northern Ireland tour with .My Ireland Tour.. It was well worth it. Very well organised from the moment we were picked up from the airport. All local guides that the company used were amazing, as we were also pleased with our driver/guide Roy. The sights were well chosen, and the country is absolutely fascinating. It was a wonderful trip, also because we got to meet other group members from all over the world.

Popular on this tour

Acting as a memorial of the ill-fated ship and a symbol of Belfast's past. Read more...

See how Belfast grew from its past political & religious divisions. Read more...

Derry City & Walls

Enjoy a tour of this historic city alongside a specialist guide. Read more...

Enjoy a little taste of history in Ireland's oldest licensed distillery. Read more...

40,000 basalt columns make up this UNESCO World Heritage site. Read more...

Cruise the serene waters of Lough Erne to the holy Devenish Island. Read more...

Prices, Availability & Payment

Reviews • What's included • Other tours

Payment terms

For payment terms click here . Alternatively, you can also view our full terms and conditions .

Flexible Cancellations

We have added extra flexibility to our cancellation timeline. This means you can now make unlimited changes to your chosen tour up to 60 days before your arrival . Our cancellation timeline is as follows. For more details, see our terms and conditions .

Up to 60 days before the start of tour:

The Deposit is non-refundable. However, before 60 days you can make unlimited changes for free, including changing your tour dates (including transferring to a tour in 2025), changing your tour and changing tour participants.

59 to 40 days before start of tour:

25% of total price is forfeited on cancellation

39 to 14 days before start of tour:

50% of total price is forfeited on cancellation

Less than 14 days before start of tour:

100% of total price is forfeited on cancellation

The Deposit for the Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2024 is €250 per person.

Single Occupancy Supplement

For guests who are travelling alone and are therefore not sharing a room, the single occupancy supplement for the Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2024 is €250.

Balance Payments:

The full balance is due 60 days before your tour.

All payments are in Euros.

Credit Cards & Fees:

We do not charge any fees for paying by credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Children's Rate:

Children ages 8 yrs - 17 yrs inclusive receive a 10% discount on the prices. Children must share a room with a least 1 adult. Our tours do not cater for children 7 yrs or younger. You must be 18 or over to travel on our adults-only tours.

Participant Cancellation:

Once a partial or full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing (either by email or standard mail) to My Ireland Tour. Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to tour commencement. Cancellation fees apply as indicated below. All cancellation fees include the initial deposit.

About your Tour Guide

45% of our reviews mention their tour guide by name

Perhaps the most vital ingredient of any tour is your tour guide. Acting not only as your guide but also as your driver, their knowledge and experience, passion and personality form the foundation on which any successful tour is built.

That's why we only work with the very best guides in Ireland. As our past guests know, our tour guides are a big reason why we're Ireland's best-rated tour operator, with 1291 five-star reviews out of a possible 1327.

Irish born and bred

All of our driver-guides were born in Ireland and have lived here all their lives. What's more, they are passionate about our country, its culture and its heritage.

Qualified and experienced

Our driver-guides are qualified, experienced professionals who are committed to impeccable customer care and making your vacation memorable for all the right reasons.

Experts in Irish history & culture

Our driver-guides are true experts in their field. Their knowledge of Irish history, culture (and where to get the best pint of Guinness) is second to none.

Committed to your safety and care

Your safety and comfort are paramount to us and to all our driver-guides. All our guides are experienced coach drivers with impeccable safety records.

Tour accommodation

The hotels on this tour offer amazing quality and value to match. We are very selective in getting just the right accommodation for each specific tour, and we are very proud of the selection of hotels we have put together. Some of these hotels are family-owned, just like ourselves, and we have a long-standing relationship with them all.

Tour Vehicles

On a tour vacation, the journey can be just as important as the destination. That's why our tour buses are all of the highest standards, both in terms of luxury and reliability.

We choose our tour vehicles carefully. All our tour buses offer plenty of space to spread out, tinted windows, air conditioning and on-board fridges. It's what you should expect.

We deliberately leave some seats empty. In fact, we use 34-seater coaches, but limit the number of participants to 26. That's because we want all of our guests to be able to spread out, relax and enjoy the journey. This smaller group size is a core principle in our tours.

Please note: the bus shown in the gallery is one of the 34-seater coaches used on our tours for max. 26 guests. For any reason, should one of these become unavailable for your tour, we will endeavour to provide an equally luxurious and comfortable touring bus.

What's included in my vacation?

Tour attractions, hospitality.

• 5 nights accommodation
• 5 Full Irish Breakfasts
• 5 Evening Meals
• Irish Tour Guide
• Airport Arrival Transfers
• All local taxes
• Porterage of one suitcase per person
• Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach

Not Included

• Airport Departure Transfer on Day 6
• Airfares to and from Ireland
• Gratuity for your Tour Guide
• Travel Insurance (required)
• Beverages, except Tea / Coffee with Breakfast & Evening Dinner
• Room Service
• Telephone Charges

• Sample Itineraries
• Transport Options
• Genealogy Tours

Other 2024 Tour Packages

• Iconic Britain and Ireland (18 Days)
• Iconic Britain Tour (10 Days)
• Iconic Ireland and Scotland Tour (14 Days)
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (14 Days)
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (10 Days)
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (8 Days)
• 6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (6 Days)
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour (10 Days)
• Historic Irish Castle Tour (7 Days)
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour (13 Days)
• Ancient Ireland Tour (8 Days)

2025 Tour Packages

• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour (14 Days)
• Highlights of Ireland and Scotland Tour (9 Days)
• Discover Northern Ireland (6 Days)

Adare Village and Thatched Cottages

About Adare Village and Thatched Cottages

Adare is a small town in Co. Limerick, known for its quaint and colourful thatched cottages. Adare is considered to be one of Ireland's most beautiful towns so stop and take in the view. Don't forget your camera today - the perfect chance to capture the essence of old Ireland.

Explore Adare Village along the Wild Atlantic Way .

• Belfast City

About Belfast City

Since peace returned to Belfast in the late 1990s, Northern Ireland's capital has undergone an astonishing transformation. Once tied in with sectarian violence and, perhaps cruelly, lumped in with Bosnia, Beiruit and Baghdad on the list of places for globe-trotting tourists to avoid, the city is now a modern, thriving and cosmopolitan hub of hotels, restaurants and family-friendly attractions.

Find out more

Belfast Tour & Murals

About Belfast Tour & Murals

You will be joined by a local specialist guide on a city tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. You will see and hear all about the history of this once troubled city including the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road.

Black Taxi Tour Belfast

About Black Taxi Tour Belfast

Take a journey through this once troubled city. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past ten years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.

• Blarney Woollen Mills

About Blarney Woollen Mills

Originally built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was mainly used for the spinning and weaving of wool. After it closed in 1973, it reopened in 1975 — as an Irish heritage shop.

Visit their website...

About Bushmills Distillery

In the village of Bushmills, you will visit the old distillery, which was first permitted to distill whiskey in 1608 by King James I. Enjoy a whiskey tasting in what is thought to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Although its grant to distill was given in 1608, it is believed that the spirit was probably made here 200 years before that!

Culloden Battlefield

About Culloden Battlefield

The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.

Derry / Londonderry City

About Derry / Londonderry City

Although Derry's recent transformation is perhaps less dramatic than that of Belfast, visitors who come to Derry expecting a city still darkened by the long shadows of The Troubles will almost certainly be pleasantly surprised. In anticipation of the city's status as UK City of Culture 2013, Derry received considerable investment and underwent a rejuvenating makeover. The famous city walls are up to 8 metres in height and, in places, are 9 metres wide. They were completed in 1618 and were never breached.

Derry City Tour & Fortifications

About Derry City Tour & Fortifications

You will be joined by a local specialist guide on a city tour of Derry and the famous city walls. The city fortifications are among the best-preserved in Europe and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal. Standing at up to 25 feet tall and thirty feet wide, it is little wonder that these fortifications were never breached.

About The Giant's Causeway

Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage site, known in Gaelic as Clochán na bhFomhórach or Clochán an Aifir, The Giant's Causeway is an area of 40,000 basalt columns, formed into a regular interlocking pattern by an ancient volcanic lava flow.

Glenveagh Castle

About Glenveagh Castle

Located within Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair between 1870 and 1873. Having made his fortune through land speculation in America, Adair return to Ireland and began large amounts of land in County Donegal. The castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by a garden and commands stunning views of the nearby mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys.

Highland Folk Museum

About Highland Folk Museum

About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people.

King John's Castle

About King John's Castle

Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.

Lough Erne Boast Cruise

About Lough Erne Boast Cruise

To reach the Devenish Island monastic site, we will be travelling by boat across the beautiful Lough Erne, a journey taken by all visitors to this sacred place across the centuries, from faithful pilgrims to marauding invaders.

About Moriarty's

Located close to the Killarney National Park, Moriarty's is an Authentic Irish Gift Store and Restaurant. Hand crafted Irish jewellery, Waterford Crystal and classic and modern tweed fashions and furnishings are all on offer at the gift store. The restaurant is an 85 seater offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Mount Congreve Gardens

About Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Congreve Gardens. Located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is an 18th century Georgian estate and mansion. It was designed by the same architect that created both of Waterford's cathedrals, John Roberts.

Mount Stewart House & Gardens

About Mount Stewart House & Gardens

Recently recognised as being one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart is a rich tapestry of planting plant life and stunning walking trails. The house dates back to the 19th century, and was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family.

Muckross House

About Muckross House

Located on the grounds of the expansive and idyllic Killarney National Park. Muckross House, and its 11,000-acre grounds, was donated to the Irish state in 1932.

Muckross House Traditional Farms

About Muckross House Traditional Farms

Located on the grounds of the picturesque Muckross House and its impeccable gardens. Take a step back in time and see the Irish farming lifestyle of the 1930s and '40s. A time when the horse was responsible for much of the labour and the weather was the be all and end all in terms of production.

The Quiet Man Museum

About The Quiet Man Museum

The Quiet Man Museum. A reproduction of the quaint thatched cottage from the John Wayne starring, John Ford directed movie of the same name. all costumes, artefacts and furnishings have been recreated in precise detail, to reflect the setting of the 1952 classic. Located in the picturesque village of Cong, County Mayo.

Titanic Belfast Exhibition

About Titanic Belfast Exhibition

An extensive multimedia tribute to the world's most famous ocean liner. The Titanic Experience is located at the top of the slipway from which the ship made its first and only descent into the Belfast Lough and the waters of the Irish Sea beyond. Opened in 2012 for the centenary of the ship's launch and tragic demise, the museum has rapidly become Ulster's most visited tourist destination, outstripping even The Giant's Causeway.

About Trim Castle

Located in County Meath, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30 year period, finished in 1206.

About Ulster American Folk Park

Ulster American Folk Park, in County Tyrone, is an open-air museum located on the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. The Park's permanent exhibition, called 'Emigrants', examines the reasons why two million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.

About Clayton Hotel Belfast

Clayton Hotel Belfast is located a short walk from the centre of Belfast City, close to the Botanic railway station and the Grand Opera House. Warmly decorated rooms and a fitness centre with an indoor pool and hot tub.

About Clayton Hotel Charlemont

With a location along the Grand Canal and a short walk to the city centre, Clayton Hotel Charlemont is a modern hotel in an ideal location for visitors to the city. Warm, comfortable rooms, a chic bar and a top class restaurant.

About Maldron Hotel Derry

Maldron Hotel Derry is a laidback, casual hotel in the centre of Derry City. Ideal for a quick stop or for a relaxing weekend stay. It's also the ideal location for anyone exploring the attractions of the city.

About Westville Hotel

Located just outside the idyllic town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Westville Hotel is a modern, stylish hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, a cosy bar and a chic terrace restaurant.

18-Day Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour

• 34 attractions
• Max. 26 ppl

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime 18-day adventure as you behold the most famous and captivating attractions that Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England have to offer.

• Free time in London
• Shakespeare's Birthplace
• Manchester River Cruise
• Tour of York City
• York Minster
• Jedburgh Abbey
• Tour of Edinburgh City
• Holyrood Palace
• Tour of Glasgow City
• Tour of Belfast City
• Kylemore Abbey
• Cliffs of Moher
• Ring Of Kerry
• Blarney Castle
• Irish Emigration Museum
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Guinness Storehouse
• Departure flight home

10-Day Iconic Britain Tour

• 14 attractions

Embark on a unique and unforgettable 10-day journey as you explore the most renowned and captivating attractions that England and Scotland have to offer.

• Roman Baths
• Broadway to Cheltenham Railway
• Afternoon Tea at Broadway Hotel
• Chatsworth House
• Edinburgh Castle
• Stirling Castle
• Loch Lomond Cruise
• Glasgow City

14-Day Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour

• 25 attractions

Discover the best of Ireland and Scotland with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Compare the cultures of these historic Gaelic nations during a magical fortnight.

• Arrival at Edinburgh Airport
• St. Andrews Golf Club
• Kingsbarns Distillery Tour
• Loch Ness cruise
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Belleek Pottery
• Sheepdog Demo
• Blind Piper Pub
• Rock of Cashel

14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

Discover the Island of Ireland, North and South with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Spend 4 days in Ulster, and 10 more in Eire.

• Belfast Murals
• Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
• Derry City Walls
• Jameson Distillery Midleton

10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• 22 attractions

Experience all that is Ireland in this 10-day adventure. Ireland's best-loved attractions and its best-kept secrets, including the Wild Atlantic Way.

• Dublin Airport
• Clonmacnoise
• Free time in Galway City
• Killary Fjord
• Free time in Cork City
• Charles Fort
• Irish National Stud
• Traditional Farm Lunch

8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• 17 attractions

Take in the essence of captivating Ireland as you embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure, immersing yourself in the Emerald Isle's beauty and charm.

• Mikey Ryan's Bar
• Killarney National Park
• Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory
• Galway City
• Free time in Dublin City
• St Patrick's Cathedral

• 13 attractions

Experience the true essence of Ireland in under a week. Ireland's unmissable destinations and the Wild Atlantic Way in one unforgettable hub-and-spoke tour.

• Glendalough Monastic Site
• Ring of Kerry

Ancient Ireland Tour

• 19 attractions

An exclusive tour capped at max. 8 guests, travelling through the idyllic scenes of The Wild Atlantic Way. Including an overnight stay in an Irish castle.

• Dublin Airport arrival
• Waterford Crystal
• Kilkenny Castle

Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour

• 24 attractions

Embark on a unique and intimate journey through the Celtic heartlands of Ireland and Scotland on this exclusive tour designed for a maximum of 8 guests.

• Arrival in Edinburgh Airport
• Edinburgh City tour
• Dalwhinnie Distillery
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Isle of Skye
• Glasgow City tour
• Belfast City tour
• Derry City tour
• Dublin City tour

Deluxe Castle Tour

Live like royalty for 10 days across Ireland, staying in real Irish castles and country manors. Enjoy the finest all-inclusive tour Ireland has to offer.

• Lough Eske Castle
• Derry City Tour
• Free time in Derry City

Historic Irish Castle Tour

• 15 attractions

A truly unique tour of Ireland. Visit the must-see attractions whilst discovering unique experiences beyond the tourist trail. All woven together by Ireland's historic castles.

• Pearse Lyons Distillery
• Traditional Music Night

Discover Northern Ireland Tour

• 8 attractions

Northern Ireland's natural beauty awaits on this six-day fully-inclusive tour of Ulster. Picturesque towns, untamed coastlines and friendly locals await.

• Derry City walking tour

9-Day Highlights of Ireland & Scotland Tour

Explore the wonders of Ireland and Scotland on this remarkable 9-day tour. Immerse yourself in the rich cultures of these historic Gaelic nations as you embark on a captivating journey.

• Cruise Loch Lomond
• Clydeside Distillery Tour
• Glasgow City Tour
• Ferry to Belfast
• Glenshane Country Farm
• Giants Causeway
• Hillsborough Castle
• Carlingford Lough Ferry
• Farewell dinner and show

My Ireland Tour:

My Ireland Tour is a family business based right here in County Cork. Thanks for visiting our website: we're thrilled that you're interested in visiting the country we call home. As an independent Irish business, we're proud that we can give each guest the kind of service that has made us Ireland's top-rated tour operator. We hope to offer you a real Irish welcome soon. Our family business (My Ireland Tour Limited) is registered in Ireland, Company Number 547775.

Contact Us:

• 5 Church Hill  Carrigaline  Co. Cork  P43 X376  Ireland

Useful Links:

• My Ireland Tour Home
• Ireland Tours
• Ireland & Scotland Tours
• Singles Tours of Ireland
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Terms and Conditions
• Sustainability Policy
• Book a Tour

Ireland Self Drive Tours

WE TAILOR DRIVING TOURS TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS

Quality self drive tours with excellent service & backup

• We tailor our self drive tours to suit your individual travel requirements, tastes and preferences.
• Each of our vacation packages come with a personal travel advisor and backup service
• We provide a number of specialist driving tours to cater for all your vacation tastes, such as the Gourmet Tour of Ireland, the 3 Centre Tour of Ireland and the Irish Pub & Folk Tour
• All of our self drive tours are specifically designed to deliver an authentic and rich experience of Ireland.

How to select the right driving tour for your vacation

Begin your tour selection by choosing a duration and interests that suit your requirements.

When you find a tour that interests you, simply send us an enquiry and we will contact you to begin the process of tailoring your dream vacation.

If you do not have time to browse our driving tours you can contact us directly using the details provided at the bottom of this page, and we will help you to select a driving tour that meets your exact requirements.

Holiday Duration? Pick one or more

What kind of experience are you looking for?

History & Heritage

Honeymoon & Romance

Scenic Attractions

What style of tour are you looking for?

• Self Drive Tours Ireland
• Honeymoons in Ireland

87 tours met your criteria

We know that thinking of perfect gift ideas for loved ones can be a chore so why not take the stress out of gift buying with an Irish Tourism gift voucher. An Irish Tourism Gift Voucher is the ideal way for friends and family to join together to give the gift of an unforgettable vacation in Ireland. Our gift vouchers can be purchased up to any amount, they can be used for 3 years from the date of issue and can be used against any Irish Tourism service including self-drive tours, escorted tours, private group tours and tailor made vacations. Please use the form below to send us a gift voucher request, please make sure to include your own contact details so that our sales representatives can contact you for all the necessary information.

IRELAND GIFT VOUCHERS

Stay in some of our finest Irish Castles and Manor Hotels including Ballynahinch Castle, an oasis of calm and luxury in Connemara in Ireland's Wild West!

10 Night Irish Castles and Manors Silver Tour

Stay in some of our finest Irish Castles and Manor Hotels on this 9 day vacation to Ireland complete with ferry trip to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands.

8 Night Irish Castles and Manors Silver Tour

Stay in some of our finest Irish Castles and Manor Hotels , a highlight will be the complimentary guided tour of the 15th Century Castle ruins beside Ballinalacken House by the owner

Irish Castles and Manors Silver 7 Night Tour

Highlights of the Irish Castles and Manors Gold tour will be attending the Dunguaire Castle Banquet in Kinvara, the Smithwick’s Brewery Experience Tour in Kilkenny, the Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange and much more.

10 Night Irish Castles and Manors Gold

7 Night Irish Castles and Manors Gold Tour

Stay in some Ireland's Best Castles and Manor Hotels on this 9 day vacation to Ireland complete with ferry trip to the Aran Islands.

8 Night Irish Castles and Manors Gold Tour

This tour has everything!! Stay in the most luxurious of our Irish Castles and Manor Hotels on this vacation to Ireland complete with ferry trip to the largest of the Aran Islands.

10 Night Irish Castles and Manors Platinum Tour

Stay in some of the very best Irish Castles and Manors on this 9 day platinum vacation to Ireland complete with ferry trip to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and home to the spectacular pre-Christian Dun Aonghus Fort.

7 Night Irish Castles and Manors Platinum Tour

Our most popular Ireland self drive tour - See Ireland’s best attractions and most scenic locations on this 10 night/11 day best of Ireland tour

Best of Ireland Tour (10 Night)

This Best of Ireland Tour, our most popular tour, can be accessed using any of the Irish Airports and is a 12 night tour based on Ireland’s most famous sights.

Best of Ireland Tour (12 Night)

This tour will leave you with a wonderful array of memories of the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter from one side of the country to the other.

Best of Ireland Tour (14 Night)

This tour based on Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Powerscourt House and Blarney Castle, Killarney & much more!

Best of Ireland Tour (7 Night)

See Ireland's best attractions and locations on this comprehensive 8 night best of Ireland self drive tour

Best of Ireland Tour (8 Night)

By far our most popular Ireland vacation, the Best of Ireland tour allows you to appreciate Ireland’s best attractions and most scenic locations in the shortest amount of time.

Best of Ireland Tour 6 Nights

Irish pubs are known throughout the world for the friendliness and warmth of their hospitality and also for being the meeting place for like minded souls who find themselves in search of quality conversation, humour, music and food.

Irish Pub & Folk Tour (12 Night)

Irish Pub & Folk Tour (14 Night)

Irish pubs are known throughout the world for the friendliness and warmth of their hospitality and also for being the meeting place for like-minded souls who find themselves in search of quality conversation, humor, music and food.

Irish Pub & Folk Tour (8 Night)

This Irish Pub & Folk Tour will help you discover great pub locations that are famous for their great atmospheres, food, drink and of course terrific traditional Irish music.

Irish Pub and Folk Tour (6 Night)

The Irish Pub & Folk Tour takes you to towns that offer numerous great pubs renowned for their atmosphere, food and superb traditional music.

Irish Pub and Folk Tour (7 Night)

Discover ireland’s best pub locations on this 10 night Ireland self drive tour. Pubs are well-known for their great atmospheres, food, drink and great music.

Irish Pubs & Folklore 10 Nights

This tour is a seven night tour based on Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Blarney Castle in Cork, Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher and the ‘Burren Landscape’ as well as the Aran Islands.

Best of Ireland Self Drive Tour & the Rock of Cashel (7 Night)

Your 10 Night Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Self Drive Tour includes the best that Ireland has to offer in terms of service, location and gastronomy. Tasting menus are also available upon request.

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (10 Night)

This luxury tour of Ireland includes overnights in Ireland's premier five star hotels and Castles allowing you to spend your dream Ireland vacation relaxing like a true king or queen.

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (12 Night)

With our Luxury Ireland Vacations you don’t just get to visit many of Ireland’s history laden Castle’s. You stay in some of Ireland’s most prestigious five star castle’s and luxury hotels.

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (6 Night)

This luxury tour of Ireland includes overnights in Ireland's premier five star Hotels and Castles allowing you to spend your dream Ireland vacation relaxing like a true king or queen.

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (7 night)

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (8 Night)

You will have plenty of time to discover the true romance that Ireland has to offer honeymoon couples! Spend time in city of Galway, Kerry, Cork and Clare.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 10 Night Tour

Discover why Ireland is the best honeymoon location on this Romantic 12 Night Tour of Ireland. Spend time in Connemara and vibrant Galway City, Kerry & the luxurious Dromoland Castle.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 12 Night Tour

This tour will give you ample time to discover our most romantic spots including gorgeous Galway, Cork City & Beyond, Waterford, Clare and the super luxurious Dromoland Castle.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 14 Night Tour

This 6 night honeymoon tour of Ireland includes a romantic getaway in the super luxurious Dromoland Castle and five other magnificent days to tour Ireland.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 6 Night Tour

This 7 night romantic getaway will allow you to explore Galway, Kerry and Clare and it includes an overnight stay in luxury Dromoland Castle.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 7 Night Tour

Explore Galway, Cork, Kerry and Clare on this wonderful 8 Night Romantic Tour of Ireland. Spend your final day in the lap of luxury at Romantic Dromoland Castle.

Irish Romance with luxury Irish Castle Stay 8 Night Tour

This 5-Star Ireland honeymoon package includes the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford, The Park Hotel in Kenmare, Dromoland Castle and Ashford Castle

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 10 Night Tour

12 Nights in Ireland gives you plenty of time to discover Ireland’s greatest treasures from the Ring of Kerry in the South to Connemara in the West. Stay in the best 5-star hotels as you travel.

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 12 Night Tour

On this 5-Star studded tour you will stay in some of the best hotels in Ireland including the Merrion Hotel in Dublin, The Park Hotel in Kenmare, Dromoland Castle, Ashford Castle and more!

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 14 Night Tour

Discover Dublin, Waterford, Kerry and Clare on this 5-Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon. On this tour you will stay in some of the best hotels in Ireland.

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 6 Night Tour

On this luxury honeymoon tour of Ireland you will stay in some of our finest hotels including the Shelbourne Hotel In Dublin and the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford, the Park Hotel in Kenmare and Dromoland Castle

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 7 Night Tour

8 nights gives you plenty of time to explore the areas of Dublin, Waterford, Clare and Connemara. In each location you will be staying in some of the finest 5-Star hotels in Ireland.

Five Star Deluxe Ireland Honeymoon 8 Night Tour

10 nights in Ireland gives you great scope for exploring Ireland’s best honeymoon locations on this affordable but unforgettable Irish honeymoon!

Irish Romance 10 Night Tour

This affordable honeymoon tour of Ireland gives you the opportunity to explore Ireland’s most romantic sites from Kylemore Abbey to Blarney Castle in Cork and much more.

Irish Romance 12 Night Tour

Discover romantic Ireland on this 14 night affordable honeymoon tour. Explore Galway with its outstandingly beautiful Connemara area and Kerry including Ring of Kerry.

Irish Romance 14 Night Tour

Discover Kerry, Clare and Galway on this Romantic yet affordable Ireland honeymoon package. Includes a romantic cruise on the lakes of Killarney and a horse and carriage journey through Killarney National Park and much more!

Irish Romance 6 Night Tour

Start 7 Night Irish Romance Tour in Ireland’s largest county, Cork. Famous for Blarney Castle where the stone of eloquence is said to grant the gift of the gab to those that kiss it!

Irish Romance 7 Night Tour

Discover the romance in Cork, Kerry, Galway and Clare on this affordable honeymoon tour of Ireland. Discover the remote Dingle Peninsula, the romantic Connemara region and the stunning Cliffs of Moher and much more

Irish Romance 8 Night Tour

Immerse yourself in one of the top driving routes in the world - The Wild Atlantic Way and discover the Wild Magnificent Ireland of your dreams!

Best of the Wild Atlantic Way (10 Night)

This Best of the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Tour is accessed through Shannon airport and is a 12 night tour based on the highlights of the spectacular coastal route that is the Wild Atlantic Way.

Best of the Wild Atlantic Way (12 Night)

This Best of the Wild Atlantic Way Tour is accessed through Shannon airport and is a comprehensive 14 night tour based on the highlights of the spectacular coastal route that is the Wild Atlantic Way.

Best of the Wild Atlantic Way (14 Night)

This Best of the Wild Atlantic Way Tour is is a 7 night self drive tour based on the highlights of the spectacular coastal route that is the Wild Atlantic Way.

Best of the Wild Atlantic Way (7 Night)

This 10 night tour features one of Ireland's best kept secrets, our northern territories, taking in Belfast, Causeway Coast, Derry/ Londonderry and Donegal & much more.

Northern Territories 10 Nights

A 7 night tour based on Ireland's best kept secret, our very own Northern Territories. Stay in Sligo, Donegal, the North Antrim Coast and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Northern Territories Tour (7 Night)

Discover Northern Ireland's greatest treasures on our Northern Territories 8 night tour.

Northern Territories Tour (8 Night)

This comprehensive All-Ireland tour can be accessed via any of the Irish Airports and encompasses all regions of the country, including Northern Ireland.

All Ireland Tour (12 Night)

This tour does entail quite a bit of driving but it will leave the traveller with a wonderful array of memories of the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter from one end of the country to the other.

All Ireland Tour (14 Night)

9 days - 8 nights Self Drive Vacation & Tour in Ireland This 3 Centre Tour is perfect for the traveler who prefers to explore the countryside from a number of bases rather than switch accommodations every night or two.

3 Centre Tour of Ireland (8 Night)

Ireland’s South West region offers its visitors a great diversity of scenery, culture and plenty of leisure activities to enjoy. This rugged and mountainous terrain is steeped in ancient history and folklore!

Scenic South West Ireland Tour (6 Night)

This popular driving tour of the picturesque counties of Cork and Kerry, including the towns of Kinsale, Killarney and Dingle has the perfect mix of sightseeing and welcoming pubs, restaurants & hotels.

Scenic South West Ireland Tour (7 Night)

This 5 Centre Tour is perfect for the traveller who prefers to explore the countryside from a number of bases rather than switch accommodations every night or two.

5 Centre Tour of Ireland 14 Nights

The 4 Centre Tour is ideal for the traveller that wishes to see the best parts of Ireland, but would prefer not to be in different accommodation every night.

4 Centre Tour of Ireland 12 Nights

The 3 Centre Tour is ideal for the traveller that wishes to see the best parts of Ireland, but would prefer not to be in different accommodation every night.

3 Centre Tour of Ireland (10 Night)

This tour includes time in some of the most historical and picturesque areas of the southern half of the country.

Southern Tour (12 Night)

This easy-going and relaxing tour includes time in some of the most historical and picturesque areas of the southern half of Ireland

Southern Tour (14 Night)

This driving tour package includes time in some of the most historical and picturesque areas of the southern half of the country.

Southern Tour 10 Night

Explore Ireland with us on this family vacation which includes a combination of our favourite family hotels and an unforgettable overnight family stay in the 5* Dromoland Castle

Ireland with Kids – 5 Star Castle Adventure

This package includes seven nights’ in Adare’s most family friendly hotel and on booking your package with us you will receive a comprehensive tour pack which will include several day tours that you may choose to take from this historic location. .

Ireland with Kids - Adare

Ballycotton Bay in East Cork is your base location for this Ireland Family Vacation. With a rich maritime and historical heritage, East Cork has a unique variety of attractions to offer the discerning family.

Ireland with Kids - Ballycotton 7 Nights

For this Irish Tourism family vacation we have chosen Dingle as your base location. The Dingle Peninsula offers some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery from the towering Brandon Mountains to the spectacular seascapes of Dingle Bay.

Ireland with Kids - Dingle 7 Nights

Kilkenny is famous for its medieval building and castle. The atmosphere and character of this unique city makes it a great base for touring Ireland with kids.

Ireland with Kids - Kilkenny

As well as cosmopolitan Dublin City and traditional Irish music loving Galway City, this tour includes the renowned Cork Film Festival which runs from 09-17th of November.

6 Night Ireland’s Cities Vacation Including Cork Film Festival

Get away from it all to the unspoilt West of Ireland and explore rugged Connemara, Galway City, Cliffs of Moher, Westport & much more!

Way out West Tour (7 Night)

Get away from it all to the unspoilt West of Ireland. By day enjoy the magnificent scenery including, The Cliffs of Moher, The Aran Islands, Killary Harbour and the stark Burren Landscape of County Clare.

Way out West Tour (8 Night)

Spend 10 nights exploring Ireland while staying in the comfort of some of our best 4-star hotels. Highlights include the stunning Waterford Castle and Greagan's Castle Hotel.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 10 Night Tour

Spend time in the cosmopolitan city of Dublin, Romantic Waterford, Historic Cork, Beautiful Kerry, Clare, Connemara and the Garden of Ireland, Wicklow. Stay in beautiful 4-star hotels and castles.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 12 Night Tour

Ireland will give you a great opportunity to see all aspects of our culture and history. Spend time in the city of Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 14 Night Tour

Experience some great 4* luxury hotels on this honeymoon tour of Ireland. Package includes Dublin and scenic Kerry as well as an overnight stay at Waterford Castle.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 6 Night Tour

This honeymoon tour of Ireland will help you experience some great 4* luxury hotel. Package includes Dublin and scenic Kerry as well as an overnight stay at Waterford Castle and Gregan's Castle in Clare.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 7 Night Tour

Discover Dublin, Waterford, Kerry and Clare on this honeymoon tour of Ireland. The accommodations we have chosen for this tour are all four star luxury and you will stay at the authentic Waterford Castle.

Irish Delight Luxury Getaway 8 Night Tour

Our Irish Welcome tour will give you a taste of both traditional community life and the spectacular natural scenery that it nestles in.

10 Night Irish Welcome Tour

See locations associated with Ireland's contribution to world literature. Many world famous writers, poets and playwrights were born and lived here and were inspired to write about the spectacular beauty, culture and history of their native isle.

Literary Tour of Ireland (8 Night)

Join us in Dublin for St. Patrick's Day and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, feel the energy, enjoy the sights and sounds and marvel at the spectacular performance of the parade participants. .

St. Patrick’s Day Festival Tour

Get involved and celebrate being Irish with the Gathering Ireland. Ireland will open its arms to the many millions of friends, family, loved ones and connections overseas, inviting them home to celebrate.

The Gathering Ireland Tour (8 Night)

Discover Viking Ireland for yourself on this six night tour of Ireland.

6 Night Viking Tour of Ireland

Discover how the Vikings influenced the development of the modern Ireland that we know today.

7 Night Viking Tour of Ireland

This 8 night/9 day tour of Ireland will take you through Ireland’s Viking heritage beginning in the city of Dublin where our Viking history can easily be seen.

8 Night Viking Tour of Ireland

The counties of Cork & Kerry, including the towns of Kinsale, Killarney and Dingle lay claim to some of the most varied and spectacular scenery in the country.

Scenic South West Ireland Tour (8 Night)

If so, Go-As-You-Please Ireland B&B Vouchers are for you. The ideal alternative for the independent traveller, Go-As-You-Please Ireland B&B Vouchers provide total flexibility.

Bed and Breakfast Vouchers Ireland

Nothing captures the romance, architecture and history like the castles of Ireland do.

Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (14 Night)

Can't find what you're looking for?

Create your own tour

Let us show you the magic of Ireland

See what people say about the vacations we plan

"Just wanted to let you know we had the best time on our vacation to Ireland. Everything went smoothly. Does you company handle other destinations besides Ireland by chance?"

Debbie from Canada

"Rest assured, when I visit Ireland again (and I will) you will be the first people I call."

Mak from California

"Thank you so much for planning such a wonderful trip! We enjoyed every aspect of it."

Janet from California

"Just wanted to send you a big Thank You. We returned from our Ireland vacation yesterday afternoon and we had a wonderful time!"

John from Massachusetts

"Our trip that you arranged was fabulous! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay."

Camille from Minnesota

"I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip. You are just the best. When I show my pictures "everyone" wants to visit Ireland."

Carol from New York

Subscribe to our newsletter.

• Terms & Conditions
• Travel Agents
• The Irish Tourism Group Sustainability Policy

RU | Site built by Granite Digital & Crafted by Artisan

How do you like to travel?

• Escorted Bus Tours Ireland
• Private Group Tours Ireland

How much time do you have have to spend in Ireland?

Food/Dining

Talk to our Irish experts

Let us help you create that dream Irish vacation that you will remember forever.

Call us here in Ireland to discuss your plans.

Let's keep in touch

Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers.