Let’s start by pointing out that Northern Ireland and Ireland are two completely different countries. Northern Ireland is still a part of the United Kingdom, but the Republic of Ireland, a.k.a. Ireland, is it’s own separate country.
Northern Ireland is a beautiful country with a violent history. It wasn’t until 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement that this area established peace. Yep, you read that right. 1998. Since peace is still relatively new to the country, locals have plenty of stories to tell and opinions to share. With that said, this is their story to tell, and I’m sure they’re not interested in your opinions on the matter. Just listen, ask thoughtful questions, and learn. Northern Ireland’s history is an interesting tale of politics, religion, and human behavior. If history, politics, and religion don’t interest you, then bring your camera and be prepared to take tons of photographs of the beautiful landscapes!
1. Belfast
When starting your trip, Belfast would an easy starting point since that’s where the international airport is located. If you’re also going to be visiting Ireland, then you can easily drive into Northern Ireland from Ireland. Dublin is less than 2 hours away from Belfast.
Belfast is a smaller city with a population under 300,000. When we visited, we chose to stay at the Europa Hotel. We chose the Europa Hotel because of it’s location and it’s history. They claim to be the “most bombed hotel in the world.” Apparently, the hotel was bombed an astonishing 33 times during the period known as The Troubles. History aside, this place was within easy walking distance to many sites, pubs, and restaurants.
If you do choose to stay at The Europa Hotel, then simply walk across the street to visit The Crown Liquor Saloon, a pub that originally opened in 1826! If you want to visit an even older pub, then take a 9 minute walk over to Kelly’s Cellars. It was built in 1720!
For historical sites related to The Troubles, we’d recommend taking a tour by a local. We took a Belfast Political & Mural Tour with Black Taxi Tours. The 90 minutes flew by! We had a wonderful guide who did a wonderful job of telling both sides of the story. We had no clue which side of the wall he resided until the end when he told us. This is a tour we’d do again just to hear from another guide. History depends on who tells the story, right? While on the tour, you’ll see several murals as well as the Great Walls still standing that separate the Loyalist communities from the Republican communities.
For the Titanic lovers, then a visit to the Titanic Belfast, a museum all about the infamous ship, should be on your list.
2. Castle Ward
You’ll want to rent a car to get out of the city as well. Game of Thrones fans can opt to join an organized tour of filming locations or opt for a self-drive tour. If you only visit one Game of Thrones spot, make it Castle Ward, aka Winterfell. It’s only a 50 minute drive from Belfast.
3. Antrim Coast & Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Another out of Belfast spot to visit is the Antrim Coast. You can drive the scenic Antrim Coast Road from Belfast to Derry. Along the way, stop off at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a bridge that links the mainland to a tiny island. Fair warning, it’s a long walk and includes some stairs from the car park to the rope bridge.
4. Giant’s Causeway
If you’re following the Antrim Coast Road from Belfast to Derry, then your next stop after the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge will be Giant’s Causeway. Again, it’s a bit of a walk from the car park down to the Giant’s Causeway. Unlike the rope bridge, this place is set up with a bus system that you can pay a nominal amount for a ride down and back. Be sure to wear shoes with a good grip because the basalt columns you’ll be walking on are slick.
5. Dunluce Castle
Further up the coast is the ruins of Dunluce Castle, a medieval castle in a scenic location. This would be a great spot to visit at sunrise for a gorgeous photo.
6. Bushmills & Bushmills Distillery
If you have any interest in whiskey, then head back inland a bit to the village of Bushmills. This is where Bushmills Distillery is located. You can take a distillery tour to learn about how their whiskey is made. Add on a premium tasting so that you can try their different varieties. You’ll want to have a designated driver if you’re not staying within walking distance. We suggest staying at Bushmills Inn. It’s an easy walk from the hotel to the distillery.
7. The Dark Hedges
If you don’t mind heading a bit further inland, you can visit the Dark Hedges. It’s less than a 20 minute drive. There will very likely be other tourists there, so, if you’re hoping to have the place more to yourself, then go early in the morning.
8. Derry/Londonderry
The final stop along the Antrim Coast road is Derry, aka Londonderry. Derry is a city with a population less than 108,000. Driving through the street made the city feel very cramped, so finding a parking spot and walking is your best bet to see this city. The Derry Walls are probably the tourist highlight here. The Derry Walls surround the city with 7 gates.
Sample Itinerary: If you’re short on time, these spots can be visited in 4 days, not including your day of departure. Here’s what we’d recommend:
Day 1: Arrive in Belfast. Enjoy a Black Taxi Tour. Overnight in Belfast.
Day 2: Head out to Castle Ward. End the day eating and drinking in Belfast. Overnight in Belfast.
Day 3: Leave Belfast early to drive the Antrim Coast to Bushmills. Stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant’s Causeway, and Dunluce Castle along the way. End the day with a distillery tour at Bushmills Distillery. Overnight in Bushmills.
Day 4: Drive to the Dark Hedges. From the Dark Hedges, head to Derry. Overnight in Derry.
Also, keep in mind that, since Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, you’ll need to be prepared to have British pounds on hand…especially if you’re driving in from Ireland where they use Euros as currency.