The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond
Countries,  Europe,  Northern Ireland

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond

(Last Updated On: January 6, 2024)

We know very few people who don’t like road trips, especially when they come bundled with stunning coastal views, castles, cute countryside pubs, and UNESCO world heritage landscape. Northern Ireland is one such destination and a road trip is what you need to explore this tiny country to its fullest. The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond is our itinerary for a road trip in Northern Ireland. So, grab a cuppa or a glass of wine and read along. Also, keep an eye on our well-researched tips that would make your travel smooth.

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Carrick-a-rede, Northern Ireland 4
Such a beautiful day!
The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Northern Ireland 5
on the hike towards the Giant’s Causeway

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; The kings road aka Dark Hedges 2

 


Read Also: Why not visit the republic of Ireland when you are in Northern Ireland?


The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond

Planning your trip

If you are based out of Ireland, Northern Ireland is a perfect destination for a weekend road trip. It’s convenient and just a couple of hours’ drive. In most probability that won’t be the case! We suggest starting and ending your trip from Belfast as the city has an international airport. You can rent a car right from the airport and hit the road.

We highly recommend doing the causeway coastal route! The island of Ireland has some of the most incredible coastal spots we have had the pleasure of experiencing and trust us, this route will leave you stunned. This article on Causeway Coastal Route will help you plan your trip. They have provided details regarding every attraction along the way, which you can choose to follow or skip. We could only do part of the causeway coastal route, due to bad weather. Both times we had to return home almost half a day early due to storm/rain.

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Carrick-a-rede 2
Prepare yourself for stunning coastal views like this one.

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond

Attractions that left us awestruck

Admiring the work of a giant at Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway has to be our top experience in Northern Ireland. The perfectly shaped polygonal rocks (formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years) fit in like a jigsaw puzzle as if someone has placed them carefully. There are some places that can’t be experienced by photographs or articles but only by traveling. Giant’s Causeway is one such location that looks a thousand times more breathtaking in person.

More so, the experience of standing on top of these rock columns and admiring the ocean gives you an adrenaline rush like never before. Of course, be careful and aware of rough waves and make an informed decision before climbing or stepping on rocks near the water.

You can either walk from the visitor center or take the bus for £1 per person to the rocks. The path leading to the Giant’s Causeway is amazing as well and we recommend walking if your health allows it.

A quick tip: Giant’s Causeway is free of cost for everyone however you need to pay for parking and using the visitor center. The parking cost is steep (£10 per person). Our tip would be to park at the Causeway Hotel. The parking is free if you buy something at the hotel, like a cup of coffee!


Read Also: Awesome tips to visit Ireland


The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Northern Ireland 1

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Northern Ireland 3

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Northern Ireland 2
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Swinging on a rope bridge at Carrick-a-rede

As we drove towards carrick-a-rede, we were absolutely stunned by the coastal views and the beautiful set-up that was in front of us. What made us happier was a beautiful sunny day with warm temperatures. We crossed the bridge, clicked a lot of pictures, picnicked on fruits.

Parking and exploring the area is absolutely free but you have to pay £7 per person if you want to cross the bridge. The view from that tiny island is absolutely gorgeous. Even though the path to the top was closed due to a slippery path, we really enjoyed admiring the landscape, watching people and kids cross the bridge, and the birds flying all around. Such happy memories.

A quick tip: Explore the area around the Carrick-a-rede bridge and walk down to the lower parking area. You will find yourself in the middle of the sets of Game of Thrones!


Read Also:


The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Carrick-a-rede, Northern Ireland 3
The view from the other side!
The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Carrick-a-rede, Northern Ireland 6
Picnicking on fruits. 🙂

 

Walking the Kings Road aka Dark Hedges

Are you a Game of Thrones fan? Then this location is for you. It will take you right back to season 2 in which Arya Stark escapes the King’s Landing, disguised as a boy. The location feels a bit eerie at first, especially if you go there at dusk or dawn. The scene completely transforms as the day starts becoming brighter into something magical.

A quick tip: Go here early in the morning, around sunrise. By mid-day, the tourist buses start arriving and you will miss out on photo opportunities. Of course, there is no entry fee (yet) to this location. 🙂


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Early morning photo sessions

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; The kings road aka Dark Hedges

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; The dark hedges, Northern Ireland
Raga with his mum. This location looks completely different during the day, as you can see from the difference in photos.

 

Honorary Mentions

Belfast and Titanic Museum

Belfast is a beautiful European city with a lot of cobble-stoned alleyways. We usually enjoy exploring cities with food, try some local pubs and restaurants and doing nothing in particular. However, don’t miss out on the Titanic Museum. It’s an experience spread across six floors as the museum mirrors the height of the Titanic.

Bushmills Distillery

If you are a Whiskey lover, this place is absolutely for you. Bushmills is a small town, about 3 miles from Giant’s Causeway, so it makes it easier to include this in your itinerary.

Dunluce Castle

If you are visiting UK / Ireland for the first time ever, it is an absolute must to include a castle in your itinerary. The castle is located at a gorgeous location, atop a cliff on the north coast. Great photographic opportunities!


Read Also: Hiking the most famous cliffs in Ireland


The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; Northern Ireland 2
We are landscape kind of people!

 

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond

Accommodation and food

Accommodation is quite reasonable in Northern Ireland. We highly recommend staying near either the Giants causeway or the dark hedges. This would help you in visiting the place early in the morning and thereby avoiding crowds. For local food, try visiting Portrush, a small town some 5 km from Giant’s causeway area. They have many restaurants and pubs with inviting food and drinks.

The Drive to Giants Causeway and Beyond; The kings road aka Dark Hedges 4
Happy traveling 🙂

 

 

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