Giant's Causeway from Belfast: Dunluce Castle & Bushmills Whiskey

Basalt columns and castle ruins: a day on Northern Ireland's north coast

You travel north from Belfast through the Glens of Antrim to Giant's Causeway, walk among the basalt columns, and stop at Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery for whiskey tasting, and the Dark Hedges. Pickup and entry to the Causeway are included, and the fixed itinerary means you don't have to plan the route or timing yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Giant's Causeway1h 45m
2. Antrim Coast Road30m
3. Old Bushmills Distillery30m
4. Dunluce Castle10m
5. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge15m
6. Dark Hedges30m

Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast Tour

• Travel from Belfast to Giant's Causeway
• Explore Giant's Causeway and learn legends
• Stop at Portaneevy viewpoint
• Visit Dunluce Castle and take photos
• Whiskey tasting at Bushmills Distillery
• Stop at Dark Hedges Game of Thrones site
• Comfort break at Carnlough village
• Drive through the Nine Glens of Antrim
• Return to Belfast via scenic coast road

The experience

The coach pulls away from Belfast City Centre and the Antrim Coast Road opens up ahead. One of Europe's most scenic drives, they say, and you'll see why within the first hour. The route climbs through the Nine Glens of Antrim, past small villages that look like they've been there for centuries, and the guide points out the landscape as it changes. You're heading north toward Giant's Causeway, the World Heritage site that's the anchor of the day, but there are five stops before you get there and three after, so the rhythm is stop, walk, listen, back on the coach, repeat.

Giant's Causeway itself is the geological oddity: around 40,000 basalt columns, mostly hexagonal, stacked like a giant's staircase into the sea. The access is free, and you'll have time to walk among them and hear the story of Finn McCool, the Irish giant who built the causeway to walk to Scotland. After that, the day moves through Portaneevy viewpoint (where you see Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge from a distance and Rathlin Island beyond it), a 10-minute photo stop at Dunluce Castle (a 14th-century ruin perched on a cliff), and then Carnlough village, a fishing harbor that doubled as a Game of Thrones location. The 15-minute break there is enough to stretch and grab a coffee if you want one.

Old Bushmills Distillery, the world's oldest licensed distillery, gets a proper stop. You'll have time to walk through the gift shop and do a whiskey tasting. They'll walk you through a dram or two, and it's not rushed. The Dark Hedges, a tree-lined lane famous from the same HBO series, is a quick stop on the way back, mostly for photos. The return journey follows the coast road again, and by then you've seen enough of the landscape that it feels familiar rather than new. Pickup and drop-off are from a designated meeting point in Belfast, and the guide provides live commentary the whole way, so you're not just sitting in silence between stops.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or city-centre pickup and drop-off, a local guide and driver, free entry to Giant's Causeway, live commentary throughout the journey, a whiskey tasting at Old Bushmills Distillery, and stops at Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, Portaneevy viewpoint, and Carnlough village. You'll travel the Antrim Coast Road and through the Nine Glens of Antrim on the return journey.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Odyssey Coach Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the Antrim Coast in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the stops: the fixed route and included pickup mean you just show up and travel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

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.

How long is the Giant's Causeway tour from Belfast?

It's a full day. The reference doesn't specify exact hours, but the itinerary includes six main stops plus a 15-minute break in Carnlough and a 10-minute stop at Dunluce Castle, so plan for most of your day.

Is entry to Giant's Causeway included?

Yes, access to Giant's Causeway is free of charge and included. Entry to Old Bushmills Distillery and the whiskey tasting are also part of the tour.

Can you walk the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on this tour?

No. Tour buses cannot currently access the rope bridge itself, but you'll stop at Portaneevy viewpoint to see it and Rathlin Island from a distance.

What's included in the tour?

Pickup and drop-off from Belfast, a local guide and driver, free access to Giant's Causeway, live commentary on board, and stops at Dunluce Castle, Old Bushmills Distillery, Dark Hedges, and Carnlough village.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most stops involve short walks or photo opportunities, though Giant's Causeway itself has uneven terrain. Confirm any specific access needs when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for rain and wind, which are common on the Northern Ireland coast.

When is Old Bushmills Distillery closed?

It's open Monday to Sunday, but closed from December 23rd to January 3rd for the Christmas holidays.

Do I need to reconfirm my pickup?

Yes. Pickup reconfirmation is required after you book. Check your voucher for the meeting point details and instructions.