Londonderry Walking Tour: 17th-Century Walls & History

A small city packed with centuries of conflict, rebellion, and survival.

A private walking tour of Londonderry with a local guide who leads your group alone through the city's 17th-century walls, Bogside murals, and sites tied to the Siege of Derry, Irish independence, and the Troubles. The tour runs 90 minutes and covers the city's founding by St. Columba in the 6th century through World War II and modern history. You can customize the route with your guide on the spot to focus on what interests you most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Londonderry's historic sites

• Learn about Londonderry history
• See the Derry Walls
• Visit Free Derry Corner
• View St Columb's Cathedral
• Observe Bogside Murals
• View Apprentice Boy's Memorial Hall
• See Siege Museum
• Visit Bloody Sunday Obelisk Memorial

The experience

Londonderry's 17th-century city walls form a complete circuit around the old town, and this tour uses them as a spine to move through centuries of Irish history. You'll walk the walls themselves, which still stand intact and offer views across the city, then drop down to street level to see the Derry Walls up close, Free Derry Corner, St. Columb's Cathedral, and the Bogside Murals. The guide walks with your group only (no shared tour, no other travelers), so the pace and focus stay entirely yours.

The history here is dense and contested. You'll learn about the Siege of Derry in the 1680s, the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and the partition of Ireland. The tour also covers the Troubles in Derry, including Bloody Sunday, with a stop at the memorial obelisk. The guide will point out the Apprentice Boys' Memorial Hall and the Siege Museum, though entry to those sites is separate. Because it's a private tour, you can ask your guide to linger on the periods or events that matter to you, or to skip ahead if something doesn't hold your interest.

The walk takes 90 minutes and suits all fitness levels. Public transportation is nearby if you need it, and the route stays mostly on the walls and main streets of the old town. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Private guided tour with a local guide who leads your group only.
• 90-minute walk covering the Derry Walls, Free Derry Corner, St. Columb's Cathedral, Bogside Murals, Apprentice Boys' Memorial Hall, Siege Museum, and Bloody Sunday Obelisk Memorial.
• ability to customize the route and pacing with your guide on the spot.
• live guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Global Guide Services

Is this one for you?The tour is a steady 90-minute walk on city walls and streets, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready to climb and descend the wall sections. Because it's private, you set the pace and can ask your guide to slow down, take breaks, or focus on the history that matters most to you.

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Top questions

What are the Derry Walls and why do they matter to the city's history?

The Derry Walls are a complete 17th-century fortification that still encircles the old town, built by the Honourable Irish Society. They're one of the best-preserved city walls in Europe and central to Londonderry's identity because they survived the Siege of Derry and have stood for over 350 years, making them a physical link to the city's most famous historical moment.

Does the tour go inside St. Columb's Cathedral or the Siege Museum?

The tour passes St. Columb's Cathedral and the Siege Museum, and your guide will explain their significance and history from outside. Entry to either site costs extra and is not included in the tour price, but your guide can tell you the opening hours and help you plan a visit if you want to go in.

What is Bloody Sunday and why is it important to this tour?

Bloody Sunday happened in Londonderry on January 30, 1972, when British soldiers opened fire on civil rights marchers, killing 14 people. The tour includes a stop at the Bloody Sunday Obelisk Memorial and covers the event as part of the Troubles in Derry, a period of conflict that shaped modern Irish history and the city itself.

Can I ask the guide to focus on certain periods of history instead of covering everything?

Yes. Because this is a private tour with only your group, you can customize the route and pacing with your guide on the spot. If you're more interested in medieval history, the Siege, Irish independence, or the Troubles, you can ask the guide to spend more time on those topics and move faster through others.

How much walking is involved, and are there hills?

The tour is 90 minutes of walking on the city walls and streets of the old town. The walls themselves involve some climbing and uneven surfaces, but the route is suitable for all fitness levels. If you need to take breaks or have mobility concerns, let your guide know when you meet and they can adjust the pace.