Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast runs some 50 km from Ballycastle in the east to Magilligan Point in the west, taking in the most dramatic coastal scenery in the British Isles. Its centrepiece is the Giant's Causeway — 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The coast road passes ruined clifftop castles, a rope bridge slung between sea stacks, whiskey distilleries and filming locations used for Game of Thrones. Belfast, just 90 minutes south, adds the Titanic Belfast museum — one of the best in the country — to any itinerary.
Unlike the Republic's Wild Atlantic Way, the Causeway Coast is compact enough to cover key highlights in a single day from Belfast — though you'll want at least two to do it properly. The Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, makes an excellent lunch stop between the main coastal sites.
Suggested itinerary
Belfast → Causeway Coast
90 min from BelfastTitanic Belfast in the morning if you haven't visited — allow 2–3 hours for the nine galleries. Drive north on the A2 coastal road. Giant's Causeway in the afternoon — arrive before 3pm to avoid coach tour crowds. Stay in Bushmills village or Portrush.
Eastern Causeway → return
90 min back to BelfastCarrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge first (pre-book the timed entry — sells out weeks ahead). Dunluce Castle perched above the sea stack. Old Bushmills Distillery tour if you didn't visit yesterday. Dark Hedges (Game of Thrones King's Road) is 10 minutes inland — a short detour worth making. Return to Belfast on the A2.
Highlights
- Giant's Causeway — 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge — 20 m rope bridge 30 m above the sea, book ahead
- Dunluce Castle — dramatic clifftop castle ruin overlooking the Atlantic
- Titanic Belfast — nine immersive galleries on the exact slipway where RMS Titanic was launched; one of the best museums in Ireland
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour — original sets, props and costumes from HBO's production in Banbridge
- Old Bushmills Distillery — oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, tours daily
- Dark Hedges — beech tree tunnel immortalised as the King's Road in Game of Thrones
- Ballintoy Harbour — tiny limestone harbour used as the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones
Attractions in this guide
Local tips
- →Book Carrick-a-Rede tickets online in advance — the bridge has timed entry and sells out weeks ahead
- →Giant's Causeway is free to access at any time, but the visitor centre and car park charge a fee — arrive early or late to avoid queues
- →The Causeway Coast Way is a 53 km walking route from Ballycastle to Portstewart — a spectacular 3-day trek
- →Currency is pound sterling (GBP) in Northern Ireland — different from the Republic. Most places accept cards but carry cash for small cafes
- →The Game of Thrones filming locations map at discovernorthernireland.com marks all 26 NI shooting sites
- →A combined Titanic Belfast + GoT Studio Tour ticket saves money if visiting both
Ready to go?
Plan your Northern Ireland trip
Best time to visit
April – October (summer for long daylight; shoulder season for smaller crowds)
Getting there
Fly into Belfast City (BHD) or Belfast International (BFS). The Causeway Coast is about 90 minutes by car from Belfast. The Translink Causeway Rambler bus runs seasonally along the coast from Coleraine. Giant's Causeway has no car park — shuttle from Bushmills village.
Region
Northern Ireland
Attractions covered
5 in this guide
