Northern Ireland
Epic coastal routes, unbridled creativity and a giant spirit — Northern Ireland has something for everyone.
Northern Ireland is a special place. It’s home to incredible myths and legends that tell the story of the land, from the iconic Giant’s Causeway to the Sperrin Mountains.
It’s bursting with creativity, music and gastronomic delights — you’re guaranteed a great feed whether you’re on a local food tour or treating yourself to an evening at one of the many Michelin-recommended restaurants.
With so much to cover, we’ve crafted this curated guide to Northern Ireland together with Ireland.com. It includes important heritage sites, excellent eateries, natural landmarks and unique stays you should add to your itinerary.
Northern Ireland uses pound sterling as its currency (£), so be sure to bring some. You can rent a car for flexibility or use the reliable network of buses and trains. Translink operates this transport network, including NI Railways, which connect major cities like Belfast and Derry~Londonderry. Ulsterbus and Goldline bus services cover towns and rural areas. For private tours of the region, check out Wild Willow Tours and Giant’s Causeway Tours.
Belfast was designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2021, acknowledging its rich musical heritage and vibrant contemporary scene. The city has a long history of producing influential musicians in a range of genres, including Van Morrison and The Undertones. It also boasts over 80 music venues, including the 11,000-capacity SSE Arena and 80 music festivals throughout the year.
When it comes to golf, locals have a special fondness for Royal Portrush Golf Club. It was named host for the 153rd Open for 2025, and GOLF ranks it in the top 20 golf courses in the world for 2021–2022. Located in the Causeway Coast and Glens area with the majestic Dunluce Castle as a backdrop, this iconic course offers stunning views and a challenging experience.
To get a real feel for the story of Northern Ireland, you can’t pass up a visit to Derry~Londonderry located at the meeting point of The Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route. Explore the 400-year-old city walls and the iconic murals in Bogside, walk across the Peace Bridge and enjoy a good feed and traditional music from numerous cosy pubs. Join a Derry Girls-themed tour that celebrates the show that put the city on a worldwide stage.
Five of the Best
Find your perfect somewhere in Northern Ireland.
Natural Beauty
From the Glens of Antrim to the Sperrins, there are plenty of unique landscapes to explore.
1. The Sperrins
2. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
3. The Gobbins Cliff Path
4. Giant's Causeway
5. Mourne Mountains
Drinks and Eats
From the oldest distillery to beachfront eats, here are the top spots to check out.
1. Old Bushmills Distillery
2. Wine and Brine
3. The Dirty Duck Alehouse
4. Watermill Lodge
5. Harry's Shack
Heritage Sites
Check out castles perched on the edge of cliffs and towns that date to the second century.
1. Downpatrick
2. Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne
3. Dunluce Castle
4. Lough Erne
5. Carrickfergus Castle
Landmark Museums
Northern Ireland has a storied history, delve into it at these important institutions.
1. Titanic Belfast
2. Ulster Museum
3. North Down Museum
4. Seamus Heaney HomePlace
5. Ulster Folk Museum
Charming Coastal Towns
Stop in at these small towns along the Causeway Coastal Route.
1. Ballycastle
2. Portrush
3. Cushendall and Cushendun
4. Glenarm
5. Portstewart
Unique Accommodation
Whether you're intrigued by cottage stays, tower escapes or glamping adventures, we've got you.
1. Fairy River Cottages
2. Sperrinview Glamping
3. Burrenmore Nest
4. Ketch St. John's Point Lighthouse
5. The Oat Box
Five of the Best
Find your perfect somewhere in Northern Ireland.
Belfast and Beyond
Add these family-friendly stops to your Belfast itinerary.
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W5 Interactive Discovery Centre
Its name stands for "Who What Where When Why", reflecting its focus on exploration and curiosity. Made for kids big and small, this attraction features interactive exhibitions that range from science and technology to art and history. Read more. -
St George's Market
To get a real feel for Belfast's buzzing culinary scene, head to St George's. It's open Friday to Sunday and stocked with local produce, cheeses, warm baked bread, fresh seafood and so much more. Read more. -
Cave Hill Country Park
It’s not all city streets and heritage buildings in Belfast. Lace up your hiking boots and tackle this challenging 7.2-kilometre trek up the unsurfaced path past archeological sites, caves and heathland until you reach the top to enjoy panoramic views of Belfast city. Read more. -
Belfast Castle
This iconic castle is located at the base of Cave Hill. In 2024, it's celebrating its 90th year since it was gifted to the city by Earl of Shaftesbury. Come here for a picnic on the grounds, a pick-me-up from The Tavern Coffee Shop, dinner at The Cellar Restaurant or check out the events schedule for upcoming happenings. Read more. -
Crumlin Road Gaol
Explore this legendary prison, built in 1845 and in operation for 150 years. It has witnessed significant moments including escapes, executions and WWII bombings. Now, it is a captivating visitor centre with self-guided and guided tours. Read more.
Game of Thrones® Locations
We've mentioned a few already, here are some more filming locations for the hit show. Find even more here.
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The Dark Hedges
These hedges were already a popular photography spot before Game of Thrones®. In the series, they acted as the moody Kingsroad to and from King's Landing. Read more. -
Ballintoy Harbour
This charming harbour in County Antrim was the setting for the Free Cities and the port on the Iron Islands where Theon Greyjoy met his sister Yara. Read more. -
Cushendun Caves
These magnificent caves and sea cliffs were used as the setting for the Stormlands in season two of the series. Keep a look out for shadow creatures and women in red cloaks. Read more. -
Tollymore Forest
Numerous scenes were filmed in this atmospheric woodland. Walk through the trees as the Night's Watchmen did in the very first scene of the series when they encountered the White Walkers. Look for direwolves by the bridge where Jon Stark found their pups. Read more. -
Castle Ward
Say hello to the seat of House Stark: Winterfell — well, the gate and courtyard at least. The castle was also used to portray locations from the Riverlands to battle camps, the Twins, and the tree where Robb Stark and Tulisa exchanged wedding vows. Read more.
Plan Your Journey
Track down the must-visit spots.
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No matter how you like to travel or what you love to travel for, you’ll find your perfect somewhere in Ireland. Fill your heart with Ireland, and find out more on Ireland.com.
Images: Tourism Ireland