The Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland – A Local’s Guide

There are many beautiful places in Northern Ireland worth visiting. The whole of Ireland is a beauty actually and has a lot to offer visitors.

Since I grew up in the North of Ireland, I thought it would be good to list the best places to visit in Northern Ireland.

These locations are great for any type of traveler. Whether you are a backpacker, are traveling as a couple, a family or are looking for a fun trip with friends!

If you’ve got limited time in Northern Ireland (1 week to 10 days), then make these spots your “must-see” destinations.

The Best Places to Visit & Things to Do in Northern Ireland

1. Discover The Antrim Coast

The Antrim coast is one of the most scenic places in Northern Ireland, and in all of Ireland if you ask me. Not only that, but it’s filled with amazing spots to visit.

My favorite stops along the coast include the famous Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, and the Old Bushmills Distillery. Each of these locations offers something unique and beautiful.

The Giant’s Causeway is famous for the legendary and mythical giant Finn McCool. Legend has it he built the Giant’s Causeway as stepping-stones to Scotland, so as not to get his feet wet. But you’ll need to visit yourself to learn more about the story and witness the 40,000 massive black basalt columns rising from the sea.

Note: The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, which definitely makes it one of the must-visit places in Northern Ireland!

The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is picturesque and not for the faint-hearted. Not many can cross the bridge when it’s super windy, so the question is, are you brave enough?

Not far from the rope bridge is the majestic Dunluce Castle, which offers sweeping views of the coast as it towers above.

Lastly, the Irish are well known for their brilliant whiskey, and the North is home to the Old Bushmills Distillery which is worth a visit if you’re a whiskey fan. You can take a tour or simply visit the souvenir shop to buy yourself a bottle of whiskey.

It’s possible to see all these locations via an organized tour from Belfast city, but I personally think the best way to explore the Antrim Coast is by road trip.

Rent a car from the airport and get ready to see the stunning coast of Northern Ireland. Rates are competitive and the roads in Ireland are safe.

Much of this coastline forms part of the famous Causeway Coastal Route, one of the most scenic road trips in the UK.

2. Explore The Capital City: Belfast

Belfast is the bustling capital of Northern Ireland and it’s a city with charm, a unique history and so much more.

I actually think it’s one of the best cities in Europe. It’s fairly priced, easy to get around and there is so much to see and do.

The music scene in Belfast is thriving and you’ll never fail to find live music at one of the hundreds of bars in the city.

The summer months of Belfast also bring a host of festivals to the area, including Belsonic and Féile an Phobail, amongst many others.

Titanic Quarter is home to quirky restaurants and bars, and of course, the famous Titanic museum is located there.

The Titanic was built in Belfast and the interactive museum is perfect for lovers of both the history of the ship and the actual movie. They built a replica of the famous staircase from the movie, and on a Sunday you can have afternoon tea here (it books up quickly though).

For those interested in the history of Northern Ireland, you can take organized tours around the city to see the painted murals on the walls, and the Peace Walls that once divided parts of Belfast during the Troubles.

3. Visit The Coastal Town of Newcastle

Newcastle, a coastal town located in County Down, is definitely one of the best towns to visit in Northern Ireland. It’s a perfect seaside escape with charm and the beautiful Mourne Mountains as its backdrop.

You can hike up the Mourne Mountains, or if it’s warm, you can find waterfalls and pools within the mountain areas to relax at.

The seaside itself is lined with amusements, a delicious range of restaurants, authentic sweet shops, boutique stores, and much more. Newcastle even has outdoor rock pools along the promenade, something quite rare in Northern Ireland.

One of the best golf courses in all of Northern Ireland is located in Newcastle. And if you’re not quite a pro then you can try your hand at crazy golf. You can swim in the sea (if you can brave the chill) or discover the stunning sand dunes at Murlough Beach.

Newcastle has a unique charm, and you’ll probably find yourself wanting to return as soon as possible.

4. Get Lost In The Largest Permanent Hedge Maze in Europe

 

Just a short 15-minute drive from the coastal town of Newcastle, Castlewellan is a quaint town with traditional countryside charm.

The town is home to beautiful botanical gardens housed in a large forest, complete with stunning lakes, a wonderful castle and the Peace Maze.

The Peace Maze is one of the world’s largest permanent hedge mazes. It represents the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

The maze consists of 6,000 yew trees and it’s really fun to discover. Once you reach the top, you get to ring a victory bell! It’s also free to enter, making it one of my top recommendations for free things to do in Northern Ireland.

Castlewellan Forest Park is a place you could relax for hours with a picnic, or even a BBQ and you can camp in the park too if you wish.

5. Scout Out Game Of Thrones Filming Locations

Thanks to the success of Game of Thrones, Northern Ireland has firmly been put on the map for awesome GOT filming locations.

There are lots of themed tours that will take you to the top spots throughout Northern Ireland, but you can also just rent a car and discover them yourself.

These are my top 3 GOT filming locations in Northern Ireland:

1. Castle Ward: The home of Winterfell Castle

If you want to visit the famous home of the Starks of Winterfell, then take a trip to Castle Ward.

The castle itself is beautiful without Game of Thrones, but now you can take a full Winterfell tour, learn archery where Bran did and even dress up in a traditional Stark costume.

2. TollyMore Forest Park: The Haunted Forest

This is actually located in Newcastle, which I mentioned earlier as one of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland.

This is where the White Walkers began their march onto the realm of men, where Ramsay Bolton hunted Theon, and where the Starks found their direwolves (including the famous Ghost!).

3. The Dark Hedges: The road to King’s Landing

Although it only made an appearance a few times in the show, the Dark Hedges is probably the most photographed site in Northern Ireland related to Game of Thrones. This is because it is very picturesque and you can see why it made the final cut.

Tip: Go super early to avoid the crowds from tour buses!

There are countless other locations around Northern Ireland (more than 25!) that were used for filming, so a car is the best way to discover them all on a Game of Thrones road trip.

6. Visit the Historic City of Derry (Londonderry)

Derry, also known as Londonderry, is one of the most historic and interesting places to visit in Northern Ireland.

The city is famous for its impressive 17th-century walls, and it’s the only completely walled city in Ireland as well as one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe.

You can walk the full circuit of the walls, which stretch for about 1.5 km around the historic city center, and enjoy views over the rooftops, the River Foyle, and the surrounding countryside.

While the history here is fascinating, Derry is also a lively and welcoming city. The Bogside murals are well worth seeing if you want to understand more about Northern Ireland’s past, and the Peace Bridge is a lovely place for a walk along the river.

The city also has a fantastic pub and music scene, so it’s a great place to spend an evening after a day of exploring. With its mix of history, culture, and atmosphere, Derry is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Northern Ireland.

7. Take a Day Trip to Rathlin Island

If you want to experience a quieter side of Northern Ireland, I highly recommend taking a trip to Rathlin Island. Located just off the north coast of County Antrim, this small island is known for its rugged scenery and incredible wildlife.

You can reach Rathlin by ferry from Ballycastle, and the journey itself is part of the adventure.

Once you arrive, you’ll find peaceful landscapes, dramatic sea cliffs, and plenty of opportunities to spot seabirds. During the warmer months, Rathlin is especially famous for its puffin colony, which attracts wildlife lovers from all over.

One of the island’s most interesting sights is the Rathlin West Lighthouse, which is built directly into the cliff face rather than on top of it. Because the light shines from the bottom of the structure, it’s often described as an “upside-down” lighthouse. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean.

Rathlin is the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and experience a very different side of Northern Ireland.

Getting Around Northern Ireland

All the places to visit I’ve mentioned above can be seen via organized tours or bus rides.

However, I think renting a car is the best decision. It gives you far more freedom and since public transport can be a little on the slow (and delayed) side, you’ll get to see much more with the time you have.

Either way, make sure not to miss these beautiful places to visit in Northern Ireland!

Whilst you wander you’ll find new castles, lakes, and stunning mountain ranges with almost no one around. Northern Ireland is a truly wonderful place with lots to offer.

I’m sure you’ll find yourself wanting to return as soon as possible!

Also Read:

• Interview With an Expat About Living in Dublin, Ireland
• Tips for Driving Abroad for the First Time
• The Perfect Road Trip Along Scotland’s North Coast
• What Makes the UK Worth Visiting

Map of the Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland

 

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