The Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is currently a part of the United Kingdom, making up the northern half of the island of Ireland. Out of the four countries which make up the UK, Northern Ireland is the smallest, however it still has some dramatic landscapes especially around the coastline. You can spot a blend of British and Irish influence across the country, especially in the main cities which have a lot of cultural locations. It’s not exactly easy to explore Northern Ireland by relying on public transit, so consider hiring a car which will give you freedom to explore the most beautiful parts of the country as you like.

Capital: Belfast
Currency: Pound
Language: English
When to visit: April to October

1) Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s most famous natural landmarks, located on the rugged coastline. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its unusual and striking landscape of about 40,000 basalt columns, formed around 60 million years ago by volcanic activity. The columns are mostly hexagonal, and it’s an awesome thing to see in Northern Ireland.

Things to do:
Drive up Causeway Road and head out to walk out on all the basalt columns yourself. There are a bunch of viewpoints all around the area, like Portcoon Jetty, Bay of the Cow, and the Atlantic View Point. Use google maps to find the viewpoints in the area including the ones I just mentioned. For the gift shop and an area with some information, go to the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre.

How to get there:
If you cannot drive there, there are several guided bus tours from Belfast and nearby towns that go directly to Giant’s Causeway.

2) Belfast

Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital and largest city, well known by travelers for its Victorian / Modern architectural blend and the lively atmosphere. It’s the countries major port city, and was interestingly the place where the Titanic itself was bought. The inlet connects Belfast to the Irish Sea, and there is a lot of museums and cultural spaces close to the waterfront.

Things to do:
If you are starting at the waterfront, you have to visit the Titanic Museum. It’s located in the docklands, and sits beside the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built. Inside, interactive galleries tell the story of the Titanic and its legacy. Definitely spend a bit of time near the docks, as it is a pretty cool area. Then head into the City Center and see Belfast City Hall for yourself. It’s awesome with its big grand design, and has gardens surrounding. Walk over to St. Georges Market too, which is one of the oldest covered markets in the UK, open mainly on weekends. Check out the Cathedral Quarter of the city, which is filled with cobbled lanes, street art, pubs, and live music venues. It’s one of the best areas to experience the city’s creative side, especially in the evening. An experience people love is to visit Crumlin Road Goal, which is a former Victorian Prison from 2 centuries ago, now iconic as an attraction. And finally, let’s not forget Belfast Castle, which sits outside the city area up on the slopes of Cave Hill.

How to get there:
Belfast has two airports, BFS and BHD, both serving flights all around Europe and the UK.
You can also take a train or a bus from Dublin and Derry, as well as ferries from Liverpool and Cairnryan.

3) Derry

Derry, also officially known as Londonderry, is Northern Ireland’s second largest city and one of the most historically rich places on the island. The old parts of the city are well preserved in such an incredible way, and is compact enough to explore in not much time. It sits close to the border with Ireland and is definitely one of the top two city spots.

Things to do:
Surrounding the Old Town is the City Walls of Derry, which you can walk around the entire set (it’s about 1.5km) and see the old town from above. Inside the old town, the War Memorial sits in the middle, with stunning places like the St Columb's Cathedral and the Court House close to the walls and Bishop’s Gate. Outside the old town is where you can find murals and museums related to the civil rights movements surrounding Derry. Go to Free Derry Corner, and into the Free Derry Museum to understand a bit more about it. Plus, near the River Foyle is the Derry Guildhall, which servers as the town hall too and was built in a neo-gothic style. Definitely cross The Peace Bridge and visit Ebrington Square too, as you can get views of the Guildhall and other buildings from across the river. The areas around old Derry on the west side of the river are definitely the best and easiest to walk around.

How to get there:
City of Derry Airport (LDY) serves the city, mainly with domestic UK routes.
You can also take a train or bus from Belfast.

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