Giant's Causeway & Belfast tour from cruise ship: Early access

Nine hours on the North Coast, back to the ship on time

This nine-hour shore excursion picks you up at Belfast cruise terminal and takes you to Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce Castle and the Antrim Coast Road, with a Belfast city tour on the return. Your coach arrives at the Causeway before other operators, giving you space to climb the ancient basalt columns and photograph them without crowds. The guide provides live commentary throughout. The driver ensures you're back in time for your ship's departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dunluce Castle10m
2. Giant's Causeway1h 30m
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridgepassing by
4. Antrim Coast Roadpassing by
5. Carrickfergus Castle10m

Giant's Causeway and Belfast Tour

• Meet driver at cruise terminal
• Travel to Giant's Causeway
• Explore Giant's Causeway
• Photo stop at Dunluce Castle
• View Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge (closed)
• Drive along Antrim Coast Road
• Optional stop at Harry's Restaurant
• Photo stop at Carrickfergus Castle
• Belfast city tour with murals and peace walls
• Return to cruise ship

The experience

The coach meets you at the cruise terminal and heads straight for the North Coast. The Antrim Coast Road hugs the shoreline with unspoiled beaches below and rugged cliffs overhead: on a clear day you can see Scotland. Your first real stop is Giant's Causeway, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of interlocking basalt columns that legend says a giant built as a bridge. Because you arrive early, you get time to walk across the stones, photograph them from different angles and stand among them without the press of later tour groups. The guide explains the geology and the myths while you're actually standing there.

From the Causeway you move on to Dunluce Castle, a medieval ruin perched on a basalt cliff overlooking the sea. A photo stop that takes in the castle's silhouette against the coast. The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is listed on the itinerary but is currently closed and inaccessible. On the return journey, you pass through Cushendall in the Glens of Antrim, where a stop at a local restaurant is possible if time allows. The final stretch includes a roughly 30-minute Belfast city tour covering the political wall murals, peace walls, Falls Road and Shankill Road before you're dropped back at the terminal.

The coach is air-conditioned and carries a live English-speaking guide. Port pickup and drop-off are included, as is the live commentary on board. You'll need a moderate level of fitness to climb around the Causeway stones and walk the castle grounds. Minimum age is 16. Food, drinks and lunch are not included, though the itinerary allows a stop at a restaurant if the schedule permits.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned coach.
• pickup and drop-off at Belfast cruise terminal.
• live commentary throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Citysightseeing Belfast

Is this one for you?The nine-hour window is tight enough that the coach gets you back to the ship on time: the early arrival at Giant's Causeway before other groups is what makes the unhurried walk across the stones possible inside a port call. If you have a longer day in port and want to linger or eat a full meal, a different tour with more flexibility would suit you better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Dunluce Castle like when you get there?

Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval structure that sits on the edge of a basalt cliff overlooking the sea. It dates back centuries and has been besieged by Scots, Irish, English and French forces in turn. The stop is a photo opportunity rather than a full tour, so you're there to photograph the castle's silhouette and the dramatic clifftop setting.

Can you actually walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on this tour?

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is currently closed and inaccessible, so it is not part of this tour despite being listed in the itinerary. The coach passes the area, but you cannot cross the bridge itself.

What does the Belfast city tour cover?

The Belfast city tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and includes the political wall murals, peace walls, Falls Road and Shankill Road. It's a coach-based tour rather than a walking tour, so you see these landmarks from the vehicle.

What's included in the nine-hour tour price?

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned coach, pickup and drop-off at Belfast cruise port, and live commentary on board. Food, drinks and lunch are not included, though a restaurant stop in Cushendall is possible if time allows.

Do you need to be fit to do this tour?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness because you'll be climbing over the ancient basalt stones at Giant's Causeway and walking around Dunluce Castle. The minimum age is 16.