Northern Ireland might be small, yet it has so much to offer for tourists. It is definitely a must visit for anyone interested in history, outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking castles perched on high cliffs.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and comprises 6 of 32 counties of the entire island of Ireland. Since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which effectively ended the Civil War known as The Troubles, Northern Ireland has bounced back onto the tourist radar as one of the destinations you need to visit at least once in your lifetime.
Why don’t you travel along the Causeway Coastal Route, which can easily rival its western sibling, the Wild Atlantic Way, and discover the spectacular coastal landscapes, stunning beaches, historic castles, cosy villages and a lot more.
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, where you can experience an outlandish landscape of approximately 40,000 basalt columns, is definitely a must.
Close-by, near Ballintoy, you can cross the 20 metres (66 ft) long Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which links the mainland to a small island. It is staggering and fun, once you are not afraid of heights!
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you definitely have to check out some of the filming locations. Don’t miss out on visiting the Dark Hedges!
There are also so many historic sites to discover on the north coast of Northern Ireland. About 10 min drive from the Giant’s Causeway, you will find Dunluce Castle perched on the edge of the cliffs. Or if you fancy a memorable day trip to another world, then check out Rathlin Island. Here you can enjoy fantastic walks along the cliffs and reconnect to nature.
Another top pick would be a visit to Lough Erne in County Fermanagh and enjoy its forest park.
If you are looking for urban things to do, then a tour of Belfast City needs to be on your list.
The Titanic Belfast Experience is a state-of-the-art museum (we find it arguably one of the best museums on the island of Ireland!) that is a must-see attraction, particularly if you are interested in the actual place where the RMS Titanic was built. If you want to learn more about the Irish connections of the Titanic, then check out our Cobh post here.
A visit to The Crumlin Road Gaol tour may be one of the experiences that you won’t easily forget, as a tour will lead you through its captivating history.
Another must-do is to see the city walls of Derry, which are the most spectacular and most completely intact city walls in the whole of Europe. If you are looking to discover more about the history of Irish emigration, then we can really recommend a visit to The Ulster American Folk Park, which is an open-air museum in County Tyrone.
Last but not least, don’t worry about accommodation, the hotels in Northern Ireland are top class and the Northern Irish friendliness will let you leave this country with a smile.
Ireland Destination Guides
Find our guides for each destination in Ireland by clicking on the images below.
