2025 Northern Ireland Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#europetravel Northern Ireland is a road trip paradise, blending history, breathtaking landscapes, and cinematic wonders. Buckle up for an unforgettable journey! 🚗 Start in Belfast – Kick off with a visit to Crumlin Road Gaol, a Victorian-era prison packed with fascinating stories. Then, head to Victoria Square for shopping and the 360° Dome View of the city. 🌉 Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Dare to cross this swaying rope bridge suspended over the Atlantic, originally built by salmon fishermen. The views are incredible, and on a clear day, you might even spot Scotland! 🌳 The Dark Hedges – A must-visit for Game of Thrones fans, this eerie, tree-lined road is one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. Arrive early or late for a mystical, crowd-free experience. 🏰 End the Day at the Coast – Drive along the Causeway Coastal Route and soak in the stunning cliffs before heading back. 💡 Top Tips: Rent a car for the best flexibility. Book tickets in advance for Carrick-a-Rede, as it gets busy. Wear sturdy shoes—the coastal walks can be uneven but are worth every step!

The beauty of Northern Ireland is both majestic and melancholic🌊💔. Having traveled all over England, I ventured here, to see the echos of ancient history and the breathtaking natural landscapes intertwine. 🪨Giants Causeway The Giants Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity🌋 and glacial erosion🧊, stretching along the coastline for miles. This sheer power of nature's craftsmanship is just awe-inspiring✨. Legend has it that the causeway was built by an Irish giant🧌 to challenge a Scottish giant across the sea⚔️. 🥀Dark Hedges The Dark Hedges is a tunnel of over 150 beech trees, planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family as an impressive entrance to their manor. Over 300 years, these trees have grown freely, twisted forms🌲, their branches intertwining to create a canopy that shrouds the road from the sun light. The result is a hauntingly beautiful tunnel that feels timeless, serene, and a little bit mysterious🧝🏼♀️. 🌄Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge If you're seeking a thrill, look no further than the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a suspension rope bridge crossing a chasm in the North Atlantic Ocean. As you carefully make your way across🧗🏻♂️, you will feel the wind🌬 whiping around you, and the waves crashing against the cliffs far below. The stunning views of the surrounding coastline is unforgettable. 🔮Mussenden Temple Perched precariously on a 120-foot-high cliff⛰, Mussenden Temple is a small, circular building, originally built as a library in the late 18th century. Overlooking the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounded by rugged cliffs, weathered rocks, and circling seagulls🪶, it stands as a symbol of isolation and otherworldliness🍃. 🏛Dunluce Castle Dunluce Castle is a place where history's long-lost echoes pervades📜. It is an ancient and hauntingly romantic medieval castle perching on the coast, facing the endless sea🌊. Today, only the ruins remain, but they are no less impressive. As you wander through its stone walls, its ancient halls, and its roofless towers, you'll be transported back in time to an era of knights, kings, and epic battles🕯️. The site also features archaeological exhibits open to the public. 🏙Belfast No trip to Northern Ireland would be complete without spending a day of city walk🚶♂️in its capital city, Belfast. Start your day at Belfast City Hall, a testament to the city's history and success during the Industrial Revolution🏗️. From City Hall, take a leisurely stroll along the River Lagan, where you'll pass the iconic Big Fish sculpture🐠, a symbol of Belfast’s regeneration🎊. Continue along the river until you reach Titanic Belfast, a museum dedicated to the ill-fated RMS Titanic🛥. It offers an immersive look at the ship’s tragic story, from its construction to its fateful maiden voyage. #uktravel #nature #ireland #beauty #gameofthrones #northernireland

An UNESCO site since 1986, the Giant’s Causeway is one of the major attractions you should visit when you’re in Northern Ireland! It’s an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the end-result from an ancient volcanic eruption. It’s an hour drive from the capital city - Belfast, or you could take train to Coleraine Train Station and change to bus service 172. Hope I could return to the magnificent Northern Ireland for a road trip soon! #2023TravelWish #tripblazers #northernireland #darwintravel #belfast #giantscauseway

Giant Causeway - Northern Ireland: This area has a lot of interlocking basalt columns laying togather. This is truely amazing which I have never seen something like this before. This has also been claimed as World Heritage Site as well.

Me and my daughter have been fans of Game of Thrones for a long while, and after we found ourselves in Northern Ireland we decided to go on a tour around the main locations of filming. We got extremely lucky with our tour guide, but prepare yourselves for a whole lot of information! We saw the hills upon which the opening scenes had been filmed, the Wall, the area where the Battle of Bastards took place, and so much more. The Dark Hedges deserve a separate review, but it was absolutely beautiful. Recommend going to the Hedges immediately upon arrival, and eat later — that way you’ll get the best photos! The final stop of the tour was Giant’s Causeway, and it was a lot of fun. We climbed the stones and took amazing photos there. The best part about this is that it was absolutely free. Wherever we went we had a choice of either paying for the entrance or not. But you didn’t loose that much, if you didn’t pay. Huge thank you to Stephen for a great tour of NI!#northernireland #historicallandmarks #gameofthrones #Carrickfergus #Thedarkhedges #giantscauseway

#ridesharingtravel Think Northern Ireland is all remote landscapes and country roads? Think again. Whether you’re city-hopping between Belfast and Derry or venturing to the dramatic coastlines near Giant’s Causeway, ride-sharing in Northern Ireland is a flexible and surprisingly affordable way to explore beyond the usual routes. ⸻ 📍 Where Ride-Sharing Shines in Northern Ireland 🏙️ Within Belfast City Use Uber, Bolt, or local apps like Value Cabs to zip around the Titanic Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, or Queen’s University area — fast, cheap, and great when it’s raining (which happens!). 🚆 From Train & Bus Stations to Accommodations Arriving via the Enterprise train or a long-distance bus? Grab a ride-share from Belfast Lanyon Place or Europa Bus Centre to your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb — especially helpful if you’re staying in South Belfast or near Ormeau Park. 🌉 Day Trips to Coastal Hotspots Split a ride to places like Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, or The Dark Hedges with friends. It’s faster and often cheaper than group tours, especially with 3–4 people. 🎭 Evenings Out Whether you’re enjoying live music in Derry or heading to a Game of Thrones filming location, ride-sharing offers a safer, hassle-free way back to your stay. ⸻ 🚖 Ride-Share Services to Use 📱 Uber – Available in Belfast with decent coverage and pricing. 🚕 Bolt – Gaining popularity for short city rides. 📞 Value Cabs (Belfast-based) – Reliable, local, and offers advance bookings — useful when heading into rural areas. 💡 Tip: Always compare ride-share rates with Translink buses or trains to see which makes more sense for your route and budget. ⸻ 💸 Ride-Sharing on a Budget in Northern Ireland 👫 Split the fare – Grab a travel buddy and share rides to save, especially on long routes like Belfast to Ballintoy. 📆 Travel off-peak – Avoid rides during commuter hours (7–9 AM & 4–6 PM) for cheaper fares. 📍 Use public transport for part of the trip – Take the train to Coleraine or Larne, then ride-share the last stretch to cliffs, castles, or coastline gems. 🗺️ Map out scenic stops – With ride-share flexibility, you can pause at spots like Cushendun Caves or Mussenden Temple that aren’t included on standard tours.

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📅 Itinerary - Belfast City Hall - Albert Memorial Clock - The Big Fish - Belfast Harbour Marina - Titanic Belfast - Cathedral Quarter - Ulster Museum - Belfast Castle 🥣 Food Recommendations - Frankie & Benny’s : it’s located in the victoria square — hard to find the restaurant cuz it’s located in blind spot 😭 the food is perfect and all staff are very friendly tho 💖💖 🏨 Accommodation - Botanic Rest Queens Quarter : 1 bedroom with shared bathroom (breakfast included)

💡Follow me, and when you go out to play, you can get the guide directly from me, isn’t that great? 💡 130 miles of wild romance of the Atlantic Ocean Once rated as the world's No. 1 road trip destination by foreign travel media Follow my experience to enjoy the Causeway coastline! 🚗 Itinerary suggestions Recommended days: 3-5 days (2 days in Belfast + 1 day in Derry + 2 days along the way) Start and end: Belfast → Londonderry (counterclockwise loop) Best way to play: self-drive! Stop and take photos along the way 🌟9 must-see attractions 1️⃣ Giant's Causeway 40,000 hexagonal stone pillars piercing the sea! Science says it was a volcanic eruption, and legend has it that it was a battlefield of giants. It is recommended to stay at Causeway Hotel to enjoy the sunrise and sunset 2️⃣ Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge The waves are crashing against the shore 30 meters below your feet, and you are a true brave man if you walk across the 90-meter rope bridge! If you are lucky, you may even see a basking shark 3️⃣ Dark Hedges The prototype of the King's Road in Game of Thrones! The magical tunnel woven by 90 beech trees has a fairy-like filter in the morning mist 4️⃣ Dunluce Castle The medieval ruins on the cliff, the same as the cover of the Led Zeppelin album. Don't miss the postcard camera at the corner 5️⃣ Ballintoy Harbour The filming location of the Iron Islands in "Game of Thrones", the waves exploded into fireworks on the reefs. A hidden secret away from the crowds 6️⃣ Portrush Beach Three white-gold beaches + a golf resort, remember to try freshly-opened oysters with whiskey 7️⃣ Bushmills Distillery A time-honored brand that opened in 1608! 16-year-old whisky is now a legend 8️⃣ Belfast Titanic Museum is a must-visit! Recommended to stay at Ten Square Hotel, walk to the Peace Wall & City Hall 9️⃣ Londonderry Ireland's only complete walled city, 1.5 km circular walkway to see 400 years of wind and rain 📸Exclusive route for "Game of Thrones" fans Dark Hedges→Ballintoy Harbour→Cushendun Caves→Magham Mourne Quarry, get a complete set of filming location guides 💡Practical TIPS ✅ Choose the right lane when driving! Some sections of the road are so narrow that tractors have to give way ✅ The best time is from May to September, but you may encounter magical weather of "four seasons in one second" all year round ✅ There are one-day tours from Belfast, which are suitable for kids with tight schedules ✅ You can rent a car directly with a Chinese driver's license + translation, remember to buy full insurance! This epic coastline certified by the BBC has both the shock of a world heritage site and the romance of a fairytale scene. Do you dare to challenge the most beautiful road on the Internet this summer?

#uktrip Northern Ireland is a unique region of the United Kingdom, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. It boasts stunning natural attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, and the Causeway Coastal Route. Belfast, the capital, is a vibrant city with a complex past, highlighted by landmarks like the Titanic Belfast museum and the Peace Walls. Historically, Northern Ireland has been shaped by sectarian divisions between unionists (mainly Protestant, who support remaining part of the UK) and nationalists (mainly Catholic, who advocate for a united Ireland). The Troubles, a violent conflict from the late 1960s to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, deeply impacted society. While tensions persist, Northern Ireland has experienced significant political and economic progress in recent decades.

#uktrip Newry Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Colman, is a Catholic cathedral located in Newry, Northern Ireland. 📍 It is the seat of the Bishop of Dromore and the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore. The cathedral is a notable landmark in the city and a significant place of worship for the Catholic community.

#uktrip Northern Ireland is a land of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the Giant’s Causeway to Belfast’s vibrant streets, it offers stunning landscapes and rich heritage. The region has moved beyond the Troubles, with the Good Friday Agreement bringing relative peace and economic growth. Cities like Belfast and Derry are cultural hubs, while the countryside boasts castles, mountains, and scenic coastal routes. The local food scene, warm hospitality, and festivals attract visitors worldwide. With a growing economy, strong arts scene, and historic landmarks, Northern Ireland is an exciting destination blending past and present in a uniquely compelling way.

#uktrip The region has a thriving arts and music scene, producing talents like Van Morrison and hosting events such as the Belfast Film Festival. It has also become a key filming location for productions like Game of Thrones. Economically, industries such as tourism, technology, and agri-food play vital roles. Despite its complex history, Northern Ireland today is a place of resilience, culture, and opportunity, attracting visitors and investors alike.

#voyagevibes Begin your Game of Thrones tour at Dark Hedges, one of the most recognizable spots in Northern Ireland, serving as the Kingsroad for many iconic moments. Afterward, drive to the Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre performed her infamous shadowy birthing scene. Finally, visit Ballintoy, the dramatic location of Pyke, home of the Ironborn. Walk along the coastal cliffs and explore the village’s harborside views before wrapping up your day in this breathtaking area.

Begin your journey with a visit to Dunluce Castle, where you can see the dramatic cliffs that served as the Iron Islands in the show. Then, head to the Dark Hedges, where Arya Stark traveled along the Kingsroad in the opening episodes. Spend some time walking through the tunnel of beech trees, soaking in the atmosphere. End your day with a trip to Cushendun Caves, where the magical, shadowy birth of Melisandre’s child took place. Explore the caves and enjoy the wild coastal beauty.

serene and breathtaking views!

This trip saw me venturing out to Belfast & Derry for a weekend. Not particularly an obvious or popular tourism destination, it's surprisingly overlooked but honestly it's stacked up to be one of my favourite breaks. Arriving late hours of the Friday night, I arrived at the hotel in Belfast City Centre. Rising early on the Saturday and not wishing to waste time, I caught the earliest train over to Derry / Londonderry, the whole railway route is incredibly scenic (picture 1) but mostly so when nearing Derry City. I walked the circumference of the City Walls, just over a mile in distance, taking in a bit of historical detail at each point marked by signposts (picture 2). 'Derry Girls' fans will easily spot the Derry Girls mural on the side (picture 3). I had a full Ulster breakfast in a local cafe and looked at the local shops before heading back to Belfast to rest late afternoon after not much sleep on the Friday night. 9:30pm I then visited a fantastic Indian restaurant for the most delicious curry. Sunday saw me do a full day tour from Belfast covering the local castles, views of the breathtaking coastline of Northern Ireland and experiencing the wonderful 'Giant's Causeway' (pictures 4-7) - the full day tour is a must-do and leaves you mind-boggled as to why Northern Ireland is overlooked. After arriving back in Belfast I stopped back at the hotel for my luggage and went on my way back home. On reflection, Northern Ireland is definitely somewhere I'd look to return to explore it further and can definitely recommend it to solo travellers or those looking for somewhere less 'touristy'. #100waysoftravel 📍Address: Belfast, Northern Ireland 💞Reasons to Recommend: Nature, History

Loved this place, got to experience the culture and was so lucky as the weather was so lush, enjoyed the sunshine. The food was great, I loved the Titanic Museum!

#freehotelstay

#mytripvlog Northern Ireland coastline

What an amazing place! #northernireland

Holywood, there is a way to experience the various past life in Ireland and experience a different way of life. See how people lived in the past What kind of house do they live in? bank is what it looks like convenience store what some delicious is here/ Hh/ everything becomes different # yearning for life#Where to go to New Year's Day