Tour Seven: Belfast & Giant's Causeway Tour

1. Carrickfergus Castle - Our Giant's Causeway tour from Belfast begins with a visit to the magnificent Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles on the island of Ireland and one of Northern Ireland's most impressive historic attractions.

Standing proudly on the shores of Belfast Lough, this spectacular Norman castle dates back to the 12th century and has played an important role in over 800 years of Irish history.

Enjoy time to walk around the castle and picturesque harbour, learn about its fascinating history, and capture fantastic photographs before we continue our journey along the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route towards the Glens of Antrim and Giant's Causeway.

2. Scenic Coastal Drive - Our journey continues along the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route, one of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenic drives. Travel through picturesque seaside towns and traditional villages while enjoying dramatic coastal landscapes, rolling countryside and panoramic views across the Antrim Coast.

As we make our way through the magnificent Glens of Antrim towards the Giant’s Causeway, you'll have opportunities for scenic photo stops along the route. This unforgettable drive is a highlight of any Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast, showcasing some of the best scenery the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland has to offer. We are one of the few companies that do the coastal drive from Belfast.

3. Ballygally Castle - As we continue along the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route, we pass the historic Ballygally Castle, beautifully positioned overlooking the Irish Sea on the Antrim Coast.

Dating back to the 17th century, Ballygally Castle is steeped in local history, legends and fascinating tales — including the famous story of the Ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw, which has helped earn it a reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s best-known haunted castles.

Enjoy coastal views and hear stories about this historic landmark as we continue our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast through the beautiful Glens of Antrim.

4. Glenarm Village and Castle Walls - Continue along the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route to the charming conservation village of Glenarm, one of the oldest villages in the Glens of Antrim.

Travel through this picturesque coastal village and see the historic Glenarm Castle estate and castle walls, home to generations of the McDonnell family. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and rich in local heritage, Glenarm offers another fascinating glimpse into County Antrim's history and character.

It’s a beautiful part of our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast, as we journey deeper into the Glens of Antrim and along Northern Ireland’s famous Causeway Coast.

5. Carnlough Harbour - Discover the picturesque Carnlough Harbour, a beautiful fishing harbour nestled along the Causeway Coastal Route at the foot of the spectacular Glens of Antrim.

With its traditional stone harbour, colourful boats and stunning coastal setting, Carnlough is one of the most charming stops on our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast and a fantastic location for photographs.

Game of Thrones fans may instantly recognise Carnlough Harbour as a filming location used to represent Braavos in the hit HBO series. Walk in the footsteps of Arya Stark while enjoying one of Northern Ireland's most scenic villages on the famous Antrim Coast.

6. Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Viewing Point - Enjoy spectacular panoramic views towards the world-famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, one of the most iconic attractions along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route. Suspended approximately 30 metres (100 ft) above the rocks and Atlantic waters below, the bridge connects the mainland to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede.

Our standard Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast includes a scenic viewpoint and photo stop but does not include crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Guests wishing to cross the bridge must arrange this with us in advance, as it adds approximately 2 additional hours to the tour. The experience involves around a 1km walk each way from the car park, 240 steps and steep sections down and the same again back up, with additional time potentially required for queues and the bridge crossing itself.

Please note: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge tickets and any additional tour time must be arranged and purchased in advance. The bridge crossing is not included in our standard 9-hour tour.

7. Ballintoy Harbour - Discover the beautiful Ballintoy Harbour, a hidden gem nestled along Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coastal Route. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, dramatic rock formations, sea caves and breathtaking Atlantic scenery, this picturesque harbour is one of the most memorable stops on our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast.

Game of Thrones fans will recognise Ballintoy Harbour as one of the series’ most famous Northern Ireland filming locations, used to represent Lordsport on the Iron Islands, home of House Greyjoy and featured in scenes involving Theon and Yara Greyjoy.

Enjoy time to explore the harbour, take photographs and experience the dramatic coastal landscape that makes Ballintoy and the North Antrim Coast such a highlight of any Causeway Coastal Route tour.

 

8. Whitepark Bay Viewpoint - Whitepark Bay Viewpoint is perched above the stunning Golden Sandy beach on the North Antrim Coast and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the bay's sweeping arc. Looking across onto the village of Portbradden, this picturesque location is a highlight along the iconic Causeway Coastal Route.

9. Dunseverick Castle Ruins - Step back in time at the historic Dunseverick Castle, dramatically positioned on the rugged North Antrim Coast along Northern Ireland’s famous Causeway Coastal Route.

Although only a small section of the castle ruins remains today, Dunseverick has a fascinating history stretching back many centuries and is associated with the ancient Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata (Dalriada).

Surrounded by spectacular cliffs, rolling countryside, and Atlantic Ocean views, Dunseverick offers another beautiful photo stop on our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast as we continue toward the world-famous Giant’s Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. The Giant's Causeway - Experience the highlight of our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast — the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most famous natural attractions.

Walk among approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed by ancient volcanic activity around 60 million years ago, and discover the incredible landscape that has made the Giant’s Causeway famous worldwide. Often described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” this extraordinary stretch of the North Antrim Coast is unforgettable.

And then there’s the legend! Hear the famous story of the Irish giant Finn McCool and discover how folklore offers a different explanation for the Causeway's creation.

Access to the Giant’s Causeway stones is free, so you don't need to buy a Visitor Centre ticket to experience the famous basalt columns. Admission to the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre is not included in our standard tour, and you will pay any applicable parking or additional attraction charges locally.

Enjoy time to explore, take photographs and experience Northern Ireland’s most famous natural landmark before continuing our journey along the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route.

11. Causeway Hotel - Savour a delicious lunch at the historic Causeway Hotel, known for its character and delightful culinary offerings. Indulge in freshly baked scones, hot meals, and beverages, including their renowned Baileys hot chocolate and Baileys coffee. (not included in price)

12. Dunluce Castle Viewing Point - Continue through the historic village of Bushmills before arriving at the spectacular Dunluce Castle viewpoint, one of the most dramatic and photographed locations along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route.

Perched high on rugged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle create an unforgettable sight on the North Antrim Coast. Take time to photograph the castle and hear the fascinating history, legends, and stories surrounding this iconic Northern Ireland castle.

Our standard Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast includes the Dunluce Castle viewpoint but does not include entry into the castle ruins.

Guests wishing to explore inside Dunluce Castle should contact us before booking, as they may need to purchase additional tour time and arrange attraction tickets in advance.

Please note: Entry to Dunluce Castle is not included in our standard 9-hour tour.

13. Bushmills Distillery - Visit the world-famous Old Bushmills Distillery, located just a short distance from the Giant’s Causeway in the historic village of Bushmills on Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast.

Bushmills traces its whiskey-making heritage to 1608, when a licence to distil was granted in the area, giving the brand its famous claim to one of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey traditions.

Our standard Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast allows time to visit the Bushmills Distillery shop and, where available, enjoy an Irish whiskey tasting at your own expense.

The full Bushmills Distillery Tour is not included in our standard 9-hour itinerary, as the complete experience takes approximately 90 minutes and may require advance booking.

Guests wishing to include the full distillery tour should contact us before booking, as additional tour time may need to be purchased in advance and distillery tickets are subject to availability.

Whether you’re a whiskey enthusiast or simply want to experience one of Northern Ireland’s most famous attractions, Old Bushmills Distillery is a fantastic addition to our journey along the Causeway Coastal Route.

14. Dark Hedges - Our final stop on the North Antrim Coast is the world-famous Dark Hedges, one of Northern Ireland’s most photographed and instantly recognisable locations.

This spectacular avenue of beech trees, planted by the Stuart family in the 17th century, creates an atmospheric natural tunnel that has attracted visitors and photographers from around the world.

Game of Thrones fans will recognise the Dark Hedges as the filming location used to represent the King’s Road in the hit HBO series, making it one of the most popular Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.

Enjoy time to walk beneath the trees and capture memorable photographs before we begin our return journey to Belfast, bringing the Causeway Coast section of our Giant’s Causeway tour from Belfast to a memorable close.

 

15. Small Political Tour Belfast - As we make our return journey to Belfast, we include a brief but powerful Political Highlights Tour. This experience takes you through the historically significant streets of the city's divided communities. We begin on the Loyalist, Protestant, and Unionist Shankill Road, marked by its red, white, and blue colours and striking murals that tell stories of identity and history. From there, we travel along the Peace Wall, where you can stop, take photos, and even leave your own message of hope. Crossing the divide, we enter the Catholic, Nationalist, and Republican Falls Road, adorned in green, white, and orange, with powerful political murals depicting the other side of Belfast's story.

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16. Titanic Quarter  - The final part of our tour takes us past Belfast's iconic Titanic Museum and the city's famous Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath — towering symbols of Belfast's proud shipbuilding heritage. If time allows, we can drop you off at the Titanic Museum so you can explore at your own pace. You can then easily return to your ship by taxi — it's just a short 10-minute ride away.

Please note that the tour lasts approximately 9 hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on weather, queuing, and mealtimes. However, we strive to make the most of our time together and provide a fulfilling experience.

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FAQs:

• How long is the tour?

The tour is approximately 9 hours from pickup to drop-off.

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• Pickup Locations​ ?​

We pick up and drop off at the Belfast Cruise Ship terminal at no extra cost, or at any Hotel in Belfast.

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• Are tickets required in advance?

  • No Tickets are required for this tour. But there is a £10.00 parking fee at the Giant's Causeway.

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• Can the tour be adjusted?

  • If you have booked this tour as a private tour, absolutely! We're flexible to accommodate your preferences and interests.

  • If we have arranged this tour as a shared tour, then I am afraid it can only be customised if all the passengers agree.​

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• Is the tour accessible for those with mobility issues?

  • Yes, but only to certain sites. We can provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles on request, and you can walk as much or as little as you wish. Also, during peak hours, a bus runs to and from the Giant's Causeway stones at an additional cost of £1.00 each way, paid locally.

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• Tailored Experiences:

If there's something not on our list that you're keen on, or if you wish to adjust the itinerary, please let us know. We also offer tailored experiences, including specialised tours across Northern Ireland.

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Embark on Your Adventure Today!

• Phone: +44(0)7732961974

• Email: info@belfastcausewaytours.com

• WhatsApp: +447802902296