Giant’s Causeway & Castles Day Trip from Belfast

Summary

Full-day Antrim Coast journey with castles, cliffs, and ancient legends

You’ll feel Northern Ireland’s wild spirit as you step through castle ruins at Carrickfergus, walk beneath tangled branches at the Dark Hedges, and climb over Giant’s Causeway’s volcanic stones. With stories from your local guide and time for lunch near windswept cliffs, this day trip from Belfast lets you soak up legends and landscapes that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Belfast just as the city was waking up, coffee in hand, our guide Michael already cracking jokes about the weather (he said if you don’t like it, wait five minutes—he wasn’t wrong). First stop: Carrickfergus Castle. The stone felt cold under my palm and you could almost picture the old battles echoing off those walls. There was a couple from Cork snapping selfies near the King William statue; I just liked watching the gulls swoop over the harbor. Didn’t expect to feel so small next to all that history.

The drive along the Antrim Coast is something else—green hills tumbling into sea, sheep everywhere (I lost count), and Michael pointing out where Game of Thrones filmed bits I’d totally missed. We passed Glenarm Castle in a blur of rain and sunlight, then stopped in Carnlough for a stretch. The boats bobbed quietly and I swear you could smell salt and diesel mixed together. Someone tried to reenact Arya Stark’s escape on the steps but mostly we just laughed at ourselves. The glens after that—just endless folds of green, streams flashing silver whenever the clouds broke.

I still think about Dunluce Castle clinging to its cliff edge, wind nearly knocking my phone out of my hand while I tried to get a photo. Michael told us some wild story about banshees there (he swears his granny saw one). Then finally Giant’s Causeway—honestly, it’s stranger than any photo makes it look. The basalt columns are cold and hexagonal under your shoes; I sat for a minute just listening to waves crash and kids arguing over which rock looked most like a throne. Didn’t want to leave but we had to pile back in for Belfast before dark—tired, salty-haired, shoes full of sand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Antrim Coast and Historic Sites

• Visit Carrickfergus Castle
• Drive along Antrim Coast
• View Glenarm Castle
• Pass Carnlough Harbour
• Travel through Glens of Antrim
• Stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge viewpoint
• Walk the Dark Hedges
• Lunch at Hedges Hotel
• Pass Old Bushmills Distillery
• Explore Dunluce Castle
• Visit Giant’s Causeway

Top questions

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

The tour is a full-day trip departing at 9 AM from Belfast.

Does this day trip include entry to Carrickfergus Castle?

Entry to Carrickfergus Castle is optional; you can explore inside or just walk around the grounds.

Can you cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on this tour?

No, this tour only stops at the viewpoint for photos but does not include crossing the bridge.

Is lunch included on this Giant's Causeway day trip?

You’ll stop for lunch at a local spot near the Dark Hedges; lunch is not included in the price.

Are there Game of Thrones filming locations on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit the Dark Hedges (Kingsroad) and see Carnlough Harbour featured in Season 6.

Is hotel pickup included for this Giants Causeway tour?

No hotel pickup; tours depart from a central location in Belfast.

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

You have plenty of time to walk among the columns and take photos at Giant's Causeway before returning to Belfast.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by air-conditioned coach with live commentary from your local guide. You’ll stop at Carrickfergus Castle (with optional entry), see Glenarm Castle from the road, stroll Carnlough Harbour, pause for lunch near Dark Hedges, visit Dunluce Castle’s dramatic ruins, and finish with free admission to Giant’s Causeway before heading back to Belfast in comfort.