Causeway Coast
3
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Three days on the Causeway Coast covers the finest stretch of coastline in Northern Ireland. The Giant's Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site at dawn, the extraordinary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the remarkable Dark Hedges and the world's oldest whiskey distillery at Bushmills are all within a remarkable 60-mile stretch of the most dramatic coast in Ireland. This route combines two full days on the Causeway Coast exploring the extraordinary basalt columns, the cliff path walk, the rope bridge and the Bushmills Distillery with a day in Belfast for the extraordinary Titanic museum and the remarkable Cathedral Quarter.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly into Belfast International (BFS) or George Best (BHD)
Getting Around
Rental car essential for the coast
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, coastal cliff paths
DAY 1
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY AND DUNLUCE
MORNING
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY AT DAWN
The Giant's Causeway, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed 60 million years ago, is the finest natural attraction in Ireland. The extraordinary geometric formations of the Grand Causeway, the Organ and the Camel at the water's edge are remarkable. Arrive before the visitor centre opens to have the columns entirely alone. The cliff path above gives the finest aerial view of the Causeway from Hamilton's Seat. Entry visitor centre approx 14 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CAUSEWAY COASTAL PATH
walk The Causeway Coastal Path between the Giant's Causeway and Ballintoy is the finest coastal walk in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary combination of basalt cliffs, sea stacks, the remarkable Chimney Tops headland and the views of Scotland on clear days all outstanding. The remarkable ruined Dunseverick Castle perched on its sea stack is extraordinary. The walk from the Causeway to Ballintoy takes about 3 hours on the finest stretch of the entire coastal path. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DUNLUCE CASTLE ON THE CLIFFTOP
Dunluce Castle, perched on a dramatic basalt sea stack connected to the mainland only by a narrow bridge, is the most extraordinary castle ruin in Northern Ireland. The remarkable 16th-century MacDonnell seat, the kitchen that fell into the sea in 1639 and the extraordinary views of the Causeway Coast from the castle walls are outstanding. The remarkable village of Portballintrae below is outstanding. Entry approx 6 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hamilton's Seat viewpoint, 20 minutes walk from the Giant's Causeway along the cliff path, gives the finest aerial view of the basalt columns from directly above. Almost always much quieter than the Causeway itself. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bushmills B and B Very early start for the Causeway before the coaches. | Lunch: The Nook, Portballintrae Outstanding coastal lunch with Dunluce Castle views. | Dinner: The Bushmills Inn The finest restaurant on the Causeway Coast. Outstanding local produce.
DAY 2
ROPE BRIDGE, DARK HEDGES AND BUSHMILLS
MORNING
CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE AND COASTAL WALK
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, suspended 30 metres above the sea between the mainland and a salmon fishermen's island, is the most extraordinary crossing in Northern Ireland. The remarkable views from the island of Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland are outstanding. The coastal path from Ballintoy Harbour to Carrick-a-Rede takes about 45 minutes and is the finest stretch of coastal walking on the Antrim coast. Book online. Entry approx 14 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE DARK HEDGES OF BREGAGH ROAD
The Dark Hedges, the remarkable avenue of 18th-century beech trees arching over the Bregagh Road near Armoy, is the most photographed location in Northern Ireland and was used as the King's Road in Game of Thrones. The extraordinary tunnel of intertwining branches is most atmospheric at dawn or dusk. The trees were planted around 1775 by the Stuart family to impress visitors arriving at their Georgian mansion. Free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
The Old Bushmills Distillery, founded by royal licence in 1608 and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, produces the finest Irish whiskey on the Causeway Coast. The extraordinary tour through the pot still room and the remarkable maturation warehouses concludes with an outstanding tasting of several expressions including the remarkable Black Bush and the extraordinary 16-year-old single malt. Entry approx 15 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Larrybane headland beside the Carrick-a-Rede car park, a Game of Thrones filming location, has the finest view of the rope bridge and coastline from above and is far less visited than the bridge itself. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bushmills hotel Good breakfast before the Carrick-a-Rede coastal walk. | Lunch: Roark's Kitchen, Ballintoy Harbour The finest lunch on the Causeway Coast. Book ahead. | Dinner: Distillers Arms, Bushmills Outstanding pub dinner at the world's oldest whiskey village.
DAY 3
BELFAST CITY
MORNING
TITANIC BELFAST MUSEUM
The Titanic Belfast museum on the site where the Titanic was built is the finest visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. The extraordinary building designed as four ships' prows tells the remarkable story of the Titanic and the city that built her across nine remarkable galleries. The view of the original slipways where the ship was launched from the museum building is extraordinary. Book ahead online. Entry approx 26 GBP. Drive: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BELFAST CATHEDRAL QUARTER
The Cathedral Quarter is the finest historic district in Belfast, its extraordinary Victorian red-brick warehouses, the remarkable Crown Liquor Saloon and the extraordinary St Anne's Cathedral all outstanding. The Crown Liquor Saloon, owned by the National Trust and the finest Victorian pub in Ireland with its extraordinary gas lighting and carved snugs, is the most remarkable building in the quarter. A pint of Guinness here is essential. Entry cathedral free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
BLACK TAXI TROUBLES TOUR
The Black Taxi Tours of the Falls Road and Shankill Road give the most extraordinary and personal account of the Troubles in Belfast. The remarkable murals of both communities, the Peace Wall and the personal testimony of the taxi driver guides create an experience unlike any other in Ireland or Britain. The extraordinary insight into one of the most complex political conflicts in modern European history is remarkable. Entry approx 35 GBP per taxi.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, a Victorian prison where political prisoners were held throughout the Troubles, has the most remarkable guided tours of any building in Belfast. The tunnel to the courthouse is extraordinary. Entry approx 15 GBP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Belfast hotel Good city breakfast before the Titanic. | Lunch: The Crown Liquor Saloon Victorian pub lunch in the finest gin palace in Ireland. | Dinner: Final dinner, Belfast Cathedral Quarter The Muddlers Club or Ox for a farewell Belfast dinner.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bushmills, Nights 1 to 2 Finest base for the Causeway and coast. Approx 80 to 150 GBP per night. Belfast, Night 3 City centre for Titanic and Cathedral Quarter. Approx 80 to 160 GBP per night. Booking ahead Book well ahead in summer. Causeway accommodation is limited and popular.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at the Giant's Causeway before 9am. The basalt columns at dawn with no crowds are extraordinary.
2. Book Carrick-a-Rede bridge tickets online well ahead. They sell out fast in summer.
3. The Dark Hedges are best at dawn or dusk. Daytime summer crowds make photography difficult.
4. The Titanic Belfast museum is the finest attraction in Northern Ireland. Book ahead online.
5. The Causeway Coastal Path walk between Ballintoy and the Causeway is 10km of extraordinary scenery.
6. Belfast Black Taxi Troubles tours take about 90 minutes and are the finest way to understand the city.
Total Budget
150 to 280 GBP/day