This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. These commissions help keep this website up and running, and I thank you for your support. Read my full disclosure here.
This itinerary has been created as a flexible schedule that can be adapted to meet your personal preferences as well as the length of time that you plan to spend in Northern Ireland. Take days/sights out if you’re short on time, or add days in for a more leisurely pace that will allow you to see even more.
Although Ireland is a relatively small country, don’t underestimate driving times. Roads can be narrow and windy, and there is just so much to see and do that you will be regularly pulling over to explore and take photos. Please note that the driving times given are approximate only and do not take into consideration where your accommodation is located, the weather conditions, or the detours that you may wish to take. Most tourists take their time and tend to drive slower with regular stops, so remember to consider this and add it into your drive times. In Northern Ireland the road signs are in miles per hour, but in the Republic of Ireland they are in kilometres per hour. To better prepare yourself, learn more about what to expect when driving around Ireland, including how to tackle those Irish roundabouts.
- Wondering what to pack? Here is a list of essential items to pack for your trip to Ireland.
- Navigating: We used Google’s free Offline Maps. Google Offline Maps allows you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WIFI, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Follow this detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps. Warning: Both phone reception and mobile networks can be patchy. Even if you do have a data plan in Ireland, DON’T rely on being able to access the mobile networks to access Google online maps. Make sure you download a map to use when you find yourself without internet.
- Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so use a portable charger which you can use to charge your phone and any other chargeable devices.
- And finally, you could also purchase an Irish road map. At least it’s reliable and won’t run out of battery or malfunction like the electronic options!
- Crossing the border: If you are planning to drive into the Republic of Ireland, check that your car hire covers you for travel there. The bigger companies usually do (as they also operate in the Republic of Ireland), but a few of the small companies don’t, so read the small print. There is no official border crossing between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but if you require a visa for either the UK or Ireland you must carry your passport with you with the appropriate visa when crossing.
- On a budget? Find out more tips for travelling around Ireland on a budget.
Day 1: Arrive in Belfast
- Staying in: Belfast
Enjoy the day sightseeing in Belfast. Belfast is relatively small city, but the sights are quite spread out, so you can either drive, take a famous black Taxi Tour, public transport, or the tourist Hop On Hop Off bus.
Optional Activities:
- Discover 10 free things to do in Belfast.
- Black Taxi Tour: Sit back and let a local take you on a tour of Belfast in the London style black cab. Try Belfast Black Cab Tours or NI Black Taxi Tours.
- Belfast Murals and Peace Wall: In the west of the city you will find colourful murals featuring a variety of illustrations including political figures, Northern Irish celebrities and historical images. Take a walk down the famous Shankhill Road. From here, you will also find the famous Peace Wall which separates the Republican and Loyalist communities. It’s covered in art and graffiti and includes messages and signatures from visitors including President Clinton and the Dalai Lama.
- Stormant: Visit the impressive Parliament building and enjoy the beautiful views over the city.
- Titanic Museum and the SS Nomadic: The Titanic was built in Belfast and the museum, which is a must see sight within its own right, tells the ships story as well as giving an insight into life in Belfast at the time. Take the opportunity to purchase a combined ticket and visit the SS Nomadic, a steamship of the White Star Line launched in 1911. Fees apply.
- Crumlin Road Gaol: Join a tour and at the Victorian Crumlin Road Gaol which opened in 1845. During its time, 17 people were executed, numerous escapes were undertaken and many infamous inmates were detained in it. Prebook your tickets on their website to avoid disappointment.
- Cathedral Quarter: Soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a night out at the local bars and restaurants. Take your time and enjoy the quirky local art.
- Shopping: Enjoy shopping Great Victoria Square or at St Georges Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. The market was built between 1890 and 1896 and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It holds a weekly Friday Variety Market, the City Food and Craft Market on Saturdays and the Sunday Market. It also hosts a range of events throughout the year.
Accommodation Options
Click here to search all available accommodation in Belfast.
Budget
Moderate
Luxury
Day 2: Belfast to Cushendall
- Approximate driving time: 53 miles (85km)/1 hour 46 minutes + depending on detours.
- Staying in: Cushendall or surrounding area.
Make your way up to Cushendall via the stunning Causeway Coastal Route. This road is considered one of the best drives in the world by National Geographic. Head north from Belfast along the M2 then the M5 whilst enjoying the views of Belfast Lough. Continue along the coastline, entering the Causeway Coastal Route, and head towards the coastal town of Carrickfergus where you can visit the 12th Century Norman castle.
Continue your drive north and enter County Antrim, the gateway to the nine Glens of Antrim. These glens include glacier-gouged valleys which feature seaside villages, highlands of coniferous forests, bogland and waterfalls.
Enjoy the coastal towns of Ballygally and Carnlough with its picturesque harbour before heading onto your accommodation in one of the coastal towns. There is a number of small towns up this coastline that provide accommodation options and restaurants.
Optional Activities:
- Carrickfergus Castle: This Norman castle is over 800 years old. The castle now houses historical displays as well as cannons from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Fees apply.
- The Gobbins: Enjoy a magnificent coastal walk on the edge of Islandmagee. By guided tour only, this site is popular so book in advance.
- Glenarm Castle: The castle is only occasionally open to the public, but from April to October you can enjoy the stunning walled gardens and tea rooms. Fees apply.
- Glenariff Forest Park: Enjoy the waterfall and forest walks. Fees apply per vehicle.
Accommodation Options
Click here to search all available accommodation in the Cushendall area.
Budget
Moderate
Luxury
- The winds of the coastline can be very cold, so ensure you have warm jackets with you.
Day 3: Cushendall to Portrush
- Approximate driving time: 35 miles (56kms) 1hr + depending on detours
- Staying in: Portrush or surrounding area.
Fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones will be interested to know that several key locations from the show were shot within a short distance. Near the picturesque village of Cushendun is the Cushendun Caves where the season two scene was filmed that involved Lady Melisandre giving birth to the ‘shadow baby’.
In the picturesque village of Cushendun situated on the mouth of the river and at the foot of the beautiful Glendun, you will find a sculpture of Johann the goat. The goat lived in the harbour area for many years, grazing the river bank, but in 2001 Johann was the last animal to be culled during the foot and mouth outbreak. His statue remains a poignant memorial to the farmers in the district who lost their livestock as a result of the terrible disease. Today, you’ll find another goat carrying on the tradition.
Continue onto Ballintoy, a small village with dozens of black basalt islands dotted in its harbour. This was the Game of Thrones filming location of the Iron Islands. Take the time to stretch your legs and enjoy a walk along the coastal path. You’ll be rewarded with stunning rock formations.
A little further on you’ll find the popular tourist attraction, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The bridge connects the mainland to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede. The bridge was originally built by the local fisherman to access their fishing nets. Are you brave enough to cross it?
Spend the afternoon at the famous Giant’s Causeway to admire the spectacular hexagonal columns created by volcanic activity before heading on to spend the night in Portrush. Portrush is a large town with many accommodation and restaurant options. It’s surf beaches are popular with surfers.
If you’re a whiskey fan, then take time to visit the famous Bushmills Distillery.
Optional Activities:
- Rathlin Island: Visit Northern Ireland’s only off shore inhabited island. Ferries leave from Ballycastle and take about 25 minutes. Sights include a colony of seals who regularly sunbathe on the rocks, a Seabird Centre where puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes can be observed during the summer months and the Rathlin West Lighthouse.
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: The bridge was erected by fisherman to cross the 23m deep and 20m wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors can cross the bridge to enjoy Carrick Island’s diverse birdlife and uninterrupted views across to Rathlin Island and Scotland. Fees apply.
- Giants Causeway: Over 40,000 hexagonal columns jut out from the landscape to form a path out into the ocean. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Created by volcanic activity a millennia ago, this is a fascinating place to visit. Local folklore tells of warring giants and heroic acts resulting in the Causeway. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre elaborates on both the scientific and mythic explanations, and has plenty more fascinating information besides. Fees apply, visit the website for more details.
- Bushmills Distillery: Enjoy whiskey? For over 400 years this famous distillery has been hand crafting whiskey. See their website to book a tour of the distillery and enjoy a home cooked meal at the café.
- Royal Portrush Golf Club: Play a round at this popular golf course.
- Game of Thrones sites Cushendun Caves and Ballintoy harbour. You can also take a Game of Thrones tour of the sites.
Accommodation Options
Click here to search all available accommodation in the Portrush area.
Budget
Moderate
Luxury
Day 4: Portrush to Belfast
- Approximate driving time: 77miles (124km), 1hr 45min + depending on detours
Start the morning visiting Dunluce Castle’s medieval ruins, then make your way over to Downhill Demesne the 18th-century mansion of the eccentric Earl Bishop that now lies in ruin. Here, you will find the one of the most photographed sights, Mussenden Temple, perched on the cliff edge.
Nearby is the popular statue of Manannán Mac Lir, a sea god from Irish Mythology set on Binevenagh Mountain. Binvenagh is an official area of natural beauty and provides visitors a stunning viewpoint. The statue was designed by John Sutton who worked on the Game of Thrones. It was stolen in 2015 but was eventually found by a rambling group nearby. Unfortunately it was badly damaged so had to be replaced.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then on your way back to Belfast take a detour to visit the famous Dark Hedges in Ballymoney. This long country road is framed by intertwined beech trees that were planted in the 18th century.
Optional Activities:
- Dunluce Castle: Immerse yourself in medieval ruins at Dunluce Castle. The castle was first built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513. Admission fees apply.
- Downhill Demesne, Hezlett House and Mussendun Temple Set amongst stunning landscape and beautiful gardens is the 18th-century mansion of the eccentric Earl Bishop that now lies in ruin. One of the most popular sites of this property is the Mussenden Temple, perched on the cliff edge. Here you will find magnificent clifftop walks and rugged headland views across the North Coast. You can also learn about rural life in the 17th century at the cottage, Hezlett House, one of Northern Ireland’s oldest buildings. Entry fees apply.
- Manannán Mac Lir: Visit this majestic scultpture of the Irish Mythology sea god set on Binevenagh Mountain near Limavady in County Londonderry. The Binevenaugh mountain setting is an official area of natural beauty and provides visitors stunning views.
- Game of Thrones sites: Dark Hedges Bregagh Rd, Ballymoney. You can also take a Game of Thrones tour of the sites.
- Have a spare day up your sleeve? Add a day in Letterkenny.
- Why stop there? Keep driving onto the stunning coastline of Donegal and the outstanding Wild Atlantic Way. Use this self drive itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Leave a Reply