Belfast: Game of Thrones Sites & Giant's Causeway Day Tour

Summary

Game of Thrones filming spots, ancient castles, wild coastlines from Belfast

You’ll ride from Belfast with a small group, stopping first at Carrickfergus Castle before tracing Game of Thrones filming locations like the Dark Hedges and Dunluce Castle. There’s time for lunch at a local pub (with that famous carved door), then you’ll have two hours to wander Giant’s Causeway’s wild basalt rocks. It’s not just for fans — you’ll feel Northern Ireland’s weather and stories seep in.

What’s the experience like?

Li, our guide, started off by pointing out Carrickfergus Castle as we rolled out of Belfast — she said it’s one of the best preserved in Ireland. There was a cold sea breeze even inside the bus when we hopped out for photos. I tried to pronounce “Carrickfergus” right (Li laughed — I probably butchered it), and then an older couple next to me started swapping GoT theories about who’d actually survive if they lived here. Everyone seemed to loosen up after that.

The drive up the coast felt longer than I expected but in that good way where you can just stare at green hills and sheep for miles. At one point Li told us how Arya’s escape scene was filmed at the Dark Hedges — when we finally got there, those twisted trees looked even moodier than on screen. There were crows making this weird echoey racket overhead. I tried to get a photo without anyone in it but gave up and just watched two kids pretending to sword fight under the branches instead.

Lunch was at The Fullerton Arms — proper pub grub, nothing fancy but warm and filling. They had one of those “Door of Thrones” carved doors; people took turns posing with it but honestly I was more interested in my pie. After that we stopped at Dunluce Castle for quick photos (the wind nearly took my hat) before heading to the main event: Giant’s Causeway. The rocks are stranger than I imagined — hexagons everywhere, slippery with spray. You could smell salt and something earthy, like wet stone. We had about two hours there; I ended up just sitting on one of the columns watching waves crash until my jeans got damp.

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing out there by the sea. On the way back, everyone was quiet for a bit — maybe tired or just thinking about dragons and legends or whatever else you think about after a day like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Game of Thrones and Giant's Causeway tour

• Photo stop at Carrickfergus Castle
• See Arya's water escape location
• Stop at Carrick-a-rede Ropebridge viewpoint
• Visit Dunluce Castle ruins for photos
• Walk the Dark Hedges tree avenue
• Lunch at The Fullerton Arms pub
• Explore Giant's Causeway volcanic rocks

Top questions

How long is the Game of Thrones & Giant's Causeway day tour from Belfast?

The tour lasts a full day, with around two hours spent at Giant's Causeway itself.

Is lunch included on this Belfast Game of Thrones tour?

The tour stops for lunch at The Fullerton Arms pub; food is available for purchase but not included in the price.

What filming locations are visited on this tour?

The tour visits Carrickfergus Castle (photo stop), Dark Hedges (Kings Road), Dunluce Castle (photo stop), and other sites used in Game of Thrones.

How much time do you get at Giant's Causeway?

You get around two hours to explore Giant's Causeway during this day trip from Belfast.

Is transport included on this Game of Thrones day trip?

Yes, air-conditioned transport is provided throughout the tour from Belfast.

Are guides knowledgeable about Game of Thrones filming?

Your guide provides commentary on both Game of Thrones filming locations and local history along the route.

Can infants join this day trip from Belfast?

Yes, infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport from Belfast with commentary by your driver-guide, photo stops at Carrickfergus Castle and Dunluce Castle, time walking beneath the Dark Hedges, around two hours exploring Giant’s Causeway volcanic rocks, plus a lunch break at The Fullerton Arms pub before heading back in the evening.