10 Best Things To Do In Northern Ireland

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With all its valleys, rugged coastlines, and beautiful castles, there are so many amazing places in Northern Ireland to visit. Let’s explore our top 10 things to do in Northern Ireland.

Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges has become one of the most popular places in Northern Ireland to visit. The Stuart family planted an avenue of beech trees along the entrance to their estate. The trees were chosen as a compelling landscape to impress visitors as they approached Gracehill House. They now range in age from 300 to 500 years old.

The Dark Hedges became even more famous when featured as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.  Today this unique and spellbinding tunnel of ancient beech trees stretches along the Bregagh Road, intertwining and entangling to create a spectacular scene of light and shadow.

 

Titanic Belfast

Are you interested in the story of the Titanic? If so, put visiting Titanic Belfast on your list. This museum has won awards for excellence and is considered one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions!

The Titanic Belfast is at the shipyard where the fabled RMS Titanic was designed, constructed, and launched in 1912. Very few vessels in the history of the world pique people’s interest like this ill-fated passenger liner. You will be fascinated by the nine interactive galleries showcasing everything about the Titanic.

Glens of Antrim

For one of the best places in Northern Ireland to experience nature, drive through the stunning Glens of Antrim.

The Glens of Antrim are naturally unique. Within about 20 square miles, you can enjoy an astonishing landscape diversity that includes glacial valleys, sandy beaches, vertical cliffs, a tundra plateau, wooded glens, waterfalls, and quaint little villages.

There are nine glens, or valleys, in total, and each has its own charming and unique character that is incredible to explore.

Giant’s Causeway

Located on the beautiful Northern Irish coastline, this unique rock formation is famous worldwide, and people come from all over the globe to see it.

With over 40,000 polygonal basalt columns in perfect horizontal sections, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was formed nearly 60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption.

The visitor center has fantastic exhibits on both its geology and mythology. According to Irish legend, the Irish Giant Finn McCool created the Giant’s Causeway. As the story goes, Finn built the causeway as stepping-stones over the ocean to Scotland.

Visit Giant’s Causeway for incredible beauty with a dash or Irish mythology!

Old Bushmills Distillery

Head to the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. In 1608, King James I granted the landowner license to distill whiskey, and Bushmills has been handcrafting whiskey for over 400 years.

Whiskey enthusiasts will be in heaven at Bushmills. But even if you are a novice, you will appreciate the history passed down through the centuries here. The distillery is open for daily tours to learn about the copper pot stills and the production process for their triple-distilled whiskey. Private tours and tastings are also available.

Dunluce Castle

If you love castles, Dunluce Castle is one of the best places in Northern Ireland to visit. The ruins of a magnificent castle stand on the steep edges of a gigantic cliff with a stunning panoramic view over the ocean.

Dunluce Castle's origins date back to the 13th century and more recently hosted shootings of Narnia and Game of Thrones. The magnificence of the castle and its stunning views over the ocean will capture your imagination.

Derry-Londonderry City Walls

Derry is a city full of history, heritage, architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. It is one of the best places in Northern Ireland to visit if you want an authentic slice of Northern Irish life.

Derry is the only completely walled city remaining in Ireland and one of the best examples of walled cities in Europe. The walls were built in the 1610s to protect English and Scottish settlers, which were never breached. The ramparts have four main gates adorned with Renaissance reliefs. Take a walk around the walls for a unique view of the town’s original layout, which still preserves a Renaissance-style street plan today.

Carrickfergus Castle

Considered one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland, Carrickfergus Castle is another one of the top things to see in Northern Ireland.

This beautiful castle saw its fair share of historical events. Besieged by the Scots, English, Irish, and French, it played an important military role until 1928 and is one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval structures.

Today the castle is maintained as a tourist attraction, and it is well worth a visit!

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Walk across Northern Ireland’s famous rope bridge. It connects the mainland to the tiny volcanic island of Carrickarede 100 ft above the ocean.  

Salmon fishermen first built Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in 1755. The National Trust now maintains the bridge for tourists. Look no further than Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge if you are looking for a thrill.

Spend the Night in a Castle

There’s something about a castle that captures your imagination. However, an afternoon visit can only give you so much of that enduring magic feeling. Why not spend a night or two and live like royalty.

 

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