Dublin to Giant's Causeway & Belfast: Day Trip with Walking Tour

Summary

Giant’s causeway columns bushmills whiskey belfast streets on a winding day trip from dublin

You’ll start early in Dublin and spend your day weaving through Belfast’s lively streets, tasting Bushmills whiskey by a quiet river, and climbing the wild basalt columns at Giant’s Causeway. There’s time for stories with local guides, salty winds on castle cliffs, and moments of silence by the sea before heading home with tired feet and a full camera roll.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Dublin just after sunrise, the city still yawning awake while our coach hummed north. I’d barely finished my coffee when our guide (her name was Siobhán, quick with a story) started pointing out bits of history through the window — old stone churches blurred past fields that looked too green to be real. Two hours flew by; I didn’t even notice how far we’d gone until we were suddenly in Belfast, standing under the shadow of City Hall, trying not to look like lost tourists. The walking tour was actually fun — St. George’s Market smelled like fresh bread and something spicy I couldn’t place. Our guide joked about the weather (“If you don’t like it, wait five minutes”), and she was right; sun peeked out just as we hit Victoria Square.

After wandering on my own for a bit (got distracted by a shop selling weirdly beautiful ceramics), we all piled back in for the drive along Antrim’s coast. The wind picked up near Dunluce Castle — you could almost taste salt in the air, and I swear my hair is still tangled from that cliff breeze. We only stopped for ten minutes but it was enough for me to imagine what it must’ve felt like living there with waves crashing below. Next came Bushmills village — tiny streets lined with white cottages and a river running quietly behind them. Siobhán told us where to find good coffee (and better whiskey) if we wanted it; I tried both because why not?

The Giant’s Causeway is one of those places you see on postcards but being there is different. The basalt columns felt cool under my hands, all hexagons stacked together like nature’s Lego bricks. There was this moment when everyone got quiet at once — just listening to the sea slam against rocks and gulls yelling overhead. On clear days you can apparently see Scotland across the water; I squinted but maybe my eyes aren’t that good. Lunch was whatever you could grab nearby (I went for a sausage roll that tasted way better than expected). It’s funny how tired your legs feel after clambering over rocks for an hour or two.

The ride back sort of blurred together — people dozed off or scrolled through photos, someone snored softly behind me. We had one last pit stop in Castlebellingham (nothing fancy but I needed that bathroom break), then rolled into Dublin as lights started flickering on around Temple Bar. I keep thinking about that hush at the Causeway, how small everything felt for a minute — you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dublin to Belfast and Giant's Causeway

• Depart Dublin at 7:15 AM
• Enjoy scenic 2-hour coach drive
• Arrive Belfast at 9:15 AM
• Join 70-minute Belfast walking tour
• Free time in Belfast until 11:45 AM
• Travel to Dunluce Castle
• 10-minute photo stop at Dunluce Castle
• Visit Bushmills village and stroll river
• Explore Bushmills whiskey spots
• Discover Giant's Causeway for 2.5 hours
• Lunch options available (not included)
• Depart Giant's Causeway at 4:30 PM
• Rest stop in Castlebellingham
• Return to Dublin, drop off near Temple Bar at 8 PM

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Dublin to Giant's Causeway?

The tour departs at 7:15 AM from Dublin and returns around 8 PM, making it roughly a 13-hour day trip including all stops.

Is there a walking tour included in Belfast?

Yes, there’s an optional 70-minute walking tour in Belfast led by a local guide covering highlights like City Hall and St. George’s Market.

Are meals or lunch included on this tour?

No, lunch is not included but there are options available during your stop at Giant's Causeway and Bushmills village.

Do you visit Bushmills Distillery on this trip?

You visit Bushmills village where the distillery is located; however, an official distillery tour is not part of this itinerary.

Is hotel pickup provided from Dublin?

No hotel pickup; departure is from Dublin Bus Office at 59 O’Connell Street.

Are restrooms available during travel?

No bathrooms are available on board the coach; restroom breaks are scheduled at certain stops including Belfast and Castlebellingham.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

This tour is not suitable for children aged 2 years or under.

Does the itinerary change on certain days?

Yes, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays you visit Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, and Giant's Causeway first before arriving in Belfast later in the afternoon.

What’s included

Your day includes direct coach travel from central Dublin with WiFi onboard, all entry fees covered along the route, live commentary from your guide throughout Northern Ireland’s countryside plus an optional guided walking tour of Belfast city center before exploring freely or grabbing lunch wherever catches your eye.