Causeway Coast
5
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Five days on the Causeway Coast takes you along the finest stretch of coastline in Northern Ireland and one of the most remarkable in Europe. The Giant's Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extraordinary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the remarkable Dark Hedges and the extraordinary Dunluce Castle perched on its clifftop are all within a remarkable 60-mile coastal stretch. Belfast nearby adds the extraordinary Titanic Quarter and the remarkable Cathedral Quarter. This route covers the complete Causeway Coast experience. The extraordinary basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway, the remarkable coastal path between Ballintoy and Carrick-a-Rede, the extraordinary Bushmills Distillery, the remarkable Glens of Antrim, the extraordinary Belfast Titanic museum and the remarkable Mourne Mountains of County Down completing the circuit.
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 extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago, is the finest natural attraction in Ireland. The remarkable geometric formations of the Grand Causeway, the Organ pipes and the Camel at the water's edge are extraordinary. Arrive before the visitor centre opens to have the columns entirely to yourself. The coastal path above the Causeway gives the finest aerial view. Entry visitor centre approx 14 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CAUSEWAY COASTAL PATH TO DUNLUCE
walk The Causeway Coastal Path between the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle is the finest coastal walk in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary combination of basalt cliffs, sea stacks, hidden coves and the remarkable Chimney Tops headland giving views of Scotland on clear days. The ruined Dunseverick Castle on the path is outstanding. The walk from the Causeway to Ballintoy takes about 3 hours and is the finest way to experience the coast. Free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
DUNLUCE CASTLE ON THE CLIFFTOP
Dunluce Castle, perched on a dramatic basalt stack above the sea with only a narrow bridge connecting it to the mainland, is the most extraordinary castle ruin in Northern Ireland. The 16th-century seat of the MacDonnell clan, the remarkable kitchen that fell into the sea in 1639 and the extraordinary views of the Causeway Coast from the castle walls are outstanding. The village of Portballintrae below is remarkable. Entry approx 6 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hamilton's Seat viewpoint, reached by a 20-minute walk from the Giant's Causeway car park 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: B and B near Bushmills Early start for the Giant's Causeway before dawn. | Lunch: The Nook, Portballintrae Excellent lunch with views of Dunluce Castle and the sea. | 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
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, suspended 30 metres above the sea between the mainland and a small island used by salmon fishermen since 1755, is the most extraordinary crossing in Northern Ireland. The views from the island across to Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and along the Causeway Coast are outstanding. The coastal path from Ballintoy to Carrick-a-Rede takes about 45 minutes and is the finest stretch of the coastal walk. Book online. Entry approx 14 GBP. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE DARK HEDGES OF BREGAGH ROAD
The Dark Hedges, a remarkable avenue of 18th-century beech trees arching over the Bregagh Road near Armoy, is the most photographed location in Northern Ireland and achieved worldwide fame as the King's Road in Game of Thrones. The extraordinary tunnel of intertwining branches is most atmospheric at dawn or dusk when the light filters through. The trees were planted by the Stuart family around 1775 to impress visitors arriving at their Georgian mansion. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
The Old Bushmills Distillery, founded in 1608 by royal licence and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, produces the finest Irish whiskey on the Causeway Coast. The extraordinary tour through the malting floors, the pot still room and the remarkable maturation warehouses concludes with an outstanding tasting of several expressions. The remarkable village of Bushmills below the distillery is outstanding. Entry approx 15 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Larrybane headland beside the Carrick-a-Rede car park, used as a filming location for Game of Thrones Renly Baratheon's camp, has the finest view of the rope bridge and coast from above. The remarkable chalk cliffs here are extraordinary. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Causeway Coast B and B Good breakfast before the Carrick-a-Rede bridge. | Lunch: Roark's Kitchen, Ballintoy Outstanding lunch in the finest harbour on the coast. Book ahead. | Dinner: The Bushmills Inn again or local pub The finest coastal pub dinner in Antrim.
DAY 3
GLENS OF ANTRIM AND CARRICKFERGUS
MORNING
THE GLENS OF ANTRIM
drive The nine Glens of Antrim cut through the Antrim plateau from the uplands to the sea in an extraordinary series of glacial valleys each with its own remarkable character. Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, has the finest waterfall walk in Antrim, its extraordinary triple falls accessible on a well-maintained 3km trail through ancient oak woodland. The remarkable Glenariff Forest Park and the extraordinary coastal scenery of the glen mouths are outstanding. Entry forest park approx 5 GBP. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CUSHENDALL AND THE COAST ROAD
The Antrim Coast Road from Cushendall to Larne, built between 1832 and 1842 to connect the previously isolated glens to the outside world, is one of the finest coastal drives in Ireland. The remarkable Cushendall curfew tower and the extraordinary Red Bay Castle ruins at the entrance to Glenariff, the remarkable Waterfood and Garron Tower above the road are all outstanding. The road gives the finest view of the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE AND BELFAST LOUGH
Carrickfergus Castle on Belfast Lough, built in 1177 by John de Courcy and one of the finest Norman castles in Ireland, guards the entrance to Belfast with its extraordinary 12th-century tower house and remarkable curtain walls. The castle is in remarkable preservation and the exhibition covers 800 years of history. William III landed at Carrickfergus in 1690 before the Battle of the Boyne. Entry approx 6 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Murlough Bay at the northern end of the Glens, reached by a single-track road through the extraordinary Fair Head cliffs, has the finest combination of sea view, ruined chapel and complete remoteness on the Antrim coast. Almost always empty. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Causeway Coast accommodation Good breakfast before the Glens drive. | Lunch: Harry's Restaurant, Cushendall The finest lunch in the Glens of Antrim. Outstanding local food. | Dinner: First night Belfast The Cathedral Quarter. The Duke of York for atmosphere and food.
DAY 4
BELFAST CITY
MORNING
THE TITANIC BELFAST MUSEUM
The Titanic Belfast museum, opened in 2012 on the centenary of the sinking, is the finest visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. The extraordinary building designed as four ship's prows on the slip where the Titanic was built tells the remarkable story of the ship and the city that built it. The nine galleries covering the design, construction, launch and sinking of the Titanic are outstanding. The view of the original slipways from the museum is extraordinary. Entry approx 26 GBP. Book ahead. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CATHEDRAL QUARTER AND ST ANNE'S
The Cathedral Quarter is the finest historic district in Belfast, its extraordinary Victorian red-brick warehouses, the remarkable Crown Liquor Saloon, the extraordinary Merchant Hotel and the fine Cathedral of St Anne all outstanding. The Crown Liquor Saloon, owned by the National Trust, is the finest Victorian pub in Ireland with its extraordinary original gas lighting, ornate tiles and remarkable carved wood snugs. Entry cathedral free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
FALLS ROAD AND SHANKILL ROAD BLACK TAXI 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 telling the story of the conflict from both sides. The Peace Wall, the extraordinary painted gable walls and the personal testimony of the taxi driver guides create an experience unlike any other in Ireland or Britain. Entry approx 35 GBP per taxi.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Crumlin Road Gaol, a Victorian prison that held political prisoners throughout the Troubles and where the tunnel between the gaol and the courthouse still exists, is the most remarkable historic building in Belfast. Guided tours. Entry approx 15 GBP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Belfast city hotel Good city breakfast before the Titanic. | Lunch: The Crown Liquor Saloon Victorian pub lunch in the finest gin palace in Ireland. | Dinner: The Muddlers Club, Cathedral Quarter The finest restaurant in Belfast. Book ahead.
DAY 5
MOURNE MOUNTAINS AND NEWCASTLE
MORNING
THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS AND SILENT VALLEY
The Mourne Mountains of County Down, the finest mountain landscape in Northern Ireland, sweep down to the sea in an extraordinary combination of granite peaks, glacial valleys and the remarkable dry-stone Mourne Wall that runs 35km across the summits. The Silent Valley reservoir in the heart of the mountains, built between 1923 and 1933, has the most extraordinary setting of any reservoir in Ireland. The valley walk is outstanding. Entry approx 5 GBP. Drive: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK
Tollymore Forest Park on the slopes of the Mournes above Newcastle is the finest forest park in Northern Ireland, its extraordinary Gothic stone arches, remarkable hermitage and the outstanding River Shimna walk through ancient oak and beech woodland making it remarkable. Tollymore was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. The extraordinary combination of mountain backdrop, the forest and the river is outstanding. Entry approx 5 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
NEWCASTLE AND THE MOURNES COAST
Newcastle is the finest coastal town in County Down, its extraordinary setting below Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland at 850 metres, with the long sandy beach stretching south making it remarkable. The extraordinary Percy French song that made the town famous, and the remarkable Slieve Donard Hotel, opened in 1897 for the golfers of Royal County Down next door, are both outstanding. The golf course is one of the finest in the world. Entry beach free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Murlough National Nature Reserve sand dunes between Newcastle and Dundrum are the oldest nature reserve in Ireland, their remarkable ancient dune system and the extraordinary combination of beach, Strangford Lough and the Mournes behind making it outstanding. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Belfast hotel Good breakfast before the Mourne Mountains drive. | Lunch: Silent Valley Mountain Cafe Simple lunch in the extraordinary Mourne valley. | Dinner: The Buck's Head Inn, Dundrum The finest pub and restaurant near the Mournes. Excellent local food.
Where To Stay
Causeway Coast, Nights 1 to 3 Stay in Bushmills, Ballycastle or Ballymoney. Approx 80 to 150 GBP. Belfast, Nights 4 to 5 City centre hotel for Titanic and Cathedral Quarter. Approx 80 to 160 GBP. Booking ahead Book well ahead in summer. Causeway accommodation is limited.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at the Giant's Causeway before 9am. The columns at dawn with no other visitors are extraordinary.
2. Book Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge tickets online well ahead. They sell out in summer.
3. The Causeway Coastal Path between Ballintoy and the Causeway is 10km of extraordinary walking.
4. The Dark Hedges are best at dawn or dusk. Daytime crowds in summer make photography difficult.
5. Belfast Black Taxi Tours give the most extraordinary and personal account of the Troubles. 1 hour.
6. The Titanic Belfast museum is the finest visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. Book ahead.
Total Budget
150 to 275 GBP/day