Giants Causeway & Dunluce Castle: Private Day Tour

Walk the rope bridge, climb the castle ruins, and taste whiskey on the same day

A private day tour from Bushmills covering seven stops along the Antrim Coast: Carrickfergus Castle, Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Old Bushmills Distillery, Dark Hedges and Ballintoy Harbour. Your guide drives the group through winding coastal roads and handles the route while you walk among 500-year-old ruins, cross a rope bridge 15 minutes along the cliff edge, and tour Ireland's oldest licensed distillery.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Carrickfergus Castle10m
2. Giant's Causeway1h 30m
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge1h 15m
4. Dunluce Castle1h
5. Old Bushmills Distillery1h
6. Dark Hedges20m
7. Ballintoy Harbour20m

Explore Giants Causeway and Surroundings

• Stop at Carrickfergus Castle
• Walk and view Giant's Causeway
• Cross Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Visit Dunluce Castle ruins
• Tour Old Bushmills Distillery
• See Dark Hedges
• Visit Ballintoy Harbour

The experience

The tour opens at Carrickfergus Castle, a Norman fortress from 1177 where you choose whether to photograph from outside or pay to enter. From there the route follows the coast to Giant's Causeway, where you walk out to the geometric basalt columns and climb along the cliff edge for views across the water. Entry to the visitor center costs extra if you want it. The 15-minute walk to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge follows the cliff edge and ends at the bridge itself, which you cross to reach the island. The crossing has its own charge.

Dunluce Castle sits on a cliff edge 500 years into the past, its ruins built where clan leaders once ruled. You walk among them and pay separately for entry. The day includes a stop at Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland's oldest licensed operation, where you can take the distillery tour, taste the whiskey and buy bottles that don't sell anywhere else. Dark Hedges and Ballintoy Harbour round out the route, the first a tree-lined road and the second a working harbour that connects to the Iron Islands in the stories.

The tour runs eight hours with a live English-speaking guide, private transportation for up to seven passengers (base price covers four), bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included. Admission charges apply at most stops. The Causeway itself is free to walk but the visitor center costs extra, and the rope bridge, castles and distillery each have their own fees.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• pickup included.
• live English-speaking guide for the full eight hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Premier Tours Ireland

Is this one for you?Private transport means your group stays together and the guide controls the pace at each stop, which works well if you want to linger at the rope bridge or the castles without waiting for others. The base price covers four passengers. Additional travelers up to seven can join at extra cost per person.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 the Giant's Causeway and why do people visit it?

Giant's Causeway is a natural formation of geometric basalt columns that rise from the water along the Antrim Coast. Visitors walk out to the rocks and climb along the cliff edge for views. Entry to the visitor center is optional and costs extra, but walking to and around the columns themselves is free.

Can I actually cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, or just look at it?

You walk the rope bridge to Carrick-a-Rede Island itself. The 15-minute walk along the cliff edge to reach the bridge is part of the experience, and crossing the bridge to the island has a separate charge.

Does the tour include a visit inside Old Bushmills Distillery?

Old Bushmills Distillery is on the itinerary and you can take the distillery tour and taste the whiskey there. The tour and tasting have their own costs, and you can buy bottles that are exclusive to the distillery.

How many castles are on this tour?

Two castles are included: Carrickfergus Castle, a Norman fortress from 1177 at the start of the day, and Dunluce Castle, medieval ruins built on a cliff edge where you walk among the remains. Entry to both costs extra.

What happens if I want to skip one of the stops?

The tour visits seven stops along a set route with your guide. You can choose not to enter paid attractions like the castles or the distillery, but the vehicle stops at each location as part of the itinerary.