You could spend a lifetime travelling around Northern Ireland and still find something new to amaze you every day. Yet even if you only have four days to spare, you can still pack in a lot of adventures, and here’s how.
Day One: The magnificent, mysterious Mournes
If you’re coming from the south, then the Mourne Mountains are your gateway to the splendour of Northern Ireland’s magnificent landscape. They sweep majestically down to the sea but and are dominated by Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland.
This whole area is criss-crossed by mountain paths and trails for walkers of all ages and abilities, and Peter Raftery at Men of the Mournes knows them all like the back of his hand and is more than happy to share them and a multitude of enchanting facts and stories along the way.
Nestled within the Mournes is Tollymore Forest Park where a walk is truly an enchanting experience as you make your way along the Shimna River with its rocky outcrops, bridges, grottos and caves. There’s an eclectic mix of trees to be found here, including monkey puzzle, eucalyptus, giant redwoods and Monterey pines.
No visit to the Mournes would be complete without a trip to Newcastle with its beautiful wide open beach and a boardwalk that snakes through sand dunes that are as old as civilisation itself. Nearby is the pure luxury of the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. The hotel stands on six acres of private grounds and is known for providing top hospitality and an exquisite spa experience, along with top notch food from its bars and restaurants. From here you can take in delightful views of the world-famous Royal County Down Golf Club (Voted Number 1 in the World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest, 2017).
Day Two: Big, bustling, brilliant Belfast
Little more than 45 minutes travelling north brings you to our capital city. Belfast certainly wasn’t built in a day – it’s got centuries of history behind it. But if a day is all you’ve got in Northern Ireland’s big city then it’s going to be a great one.
One way to see Belfast in a day is by one of the many Belfast Bus Tours. Get yourself a one-day ticket and hop on or off where you fancy. Maybe you fancy a dander around the food and craft stalls of the boho and atmospheric St George’s Market. A bit of walk from here will take you to the Ulster Museum and a stroll around the beautiful Botanic Gardens or the buzz of Queens University quarter.
Victoria Square Shopping Centre is the place for a spell of retail therapy and for finding the perfect lunch spot. It’s not far from here to other noteworthy eateries such as Michelin-starred OX on the Lagan waterfront, and The Muddler’s Club and Muriel’s Café Bar which can both be found in the city’s thriving Cathedral Quarter.
A Black Cab Tour of the city offers another perspective on the city’s past and present. Being driven around in one of these iconic black taxi cabs while getting an often personal perspective into Belfast’s unique history is one for the memory banks.
Titanic Belfast is a must-visit with six floors exploring the sights, sounds and stories of the world’s most famous ship, built feet away from where you’re standing. Hours go fast here and at the nearby SS Nomadic, Titanic’s passenger tender. And you’ll need time for a photo at the Titanic sign – and coffee. If you also have kids in tow, it’s not far to the W5 science and discovery centre, which will keep curious young and old minds occupied for hours on end.
Day Three: Make for the Causeway Coast
If you take the route to the coast via Carrickfergus to Ballycastle and on to the heart of the Causeway Coast, you will find yourself on one of the most scenic drives in the world. You may lose count of the number of times you’ll stop to take in the landscape and local landmarks along the way. But who’s counting?
You’ll soon find yourself in pretty-as-a-picture Ballintoy, home of the legendary Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. You’ll kick yourself if you duck this rite-of-passage crossing over its 80ft drop, but when you’ve done it once, well, you’ll just have to do it again on the way back. Originally built to allow access for salmon fishermen, the rope bridge is one of the most Instagrammable locations in Northern Ireland so make sure you’ve saved enough phone battery for the occasion.
Next comes the epic Giant's Causeway. Ancient volcanic eruptions formed the striking hexagonal-shaped basalt columns, and there’s an entertaining myriad of local legends attached to them as well. Learn them all in the nearby visitor centre and debate them over coffee and snacks in the popular on-site café.
If you’re after finer dining, then head inland a little to The Bushmills Inn where the dining room overlooks a 17th-century coachyard and the food offers local twists on modern Irish cuisine. You’re also within a stone’s throw of the world famous Old Bushmills Distillery and the chance to take the whiskey tour of this age-old distillery and sample some of the best whiskeys anywhere in this land.
Magically perched on a crumbling cliff, we defy you not to be equally impressed by Dunluce Castle’s mysterious history.
Day Four: A day in the Walled City
Just like Belfast, give the city of Derry~Londonderry some decent time to fully appreciate it - and the quirky humour of the locals. Maybe get yourself a Visit Derry Pass, allowing you access to 10 city attractions. It’s great value and definitely saves time - and money - weaving your way around the many must-see city sites and museums. You could use it to join one of the excellent guided walking tours of the City Walls with stunning views, ancient cannons, guarded gates and a history lesson every few feet. Martin McCrossan City Tours and Bogside History Tours are two such tours that will give your feet and brain a good workout.
Within the walls themselves one of the best meals is to be found in the bar/restaurant of the boutique Shipquay Hotel on Shipquay Street where you can tuck into a splendid lunch while watching the world pass by its narrow sash windows.
Come down from the Walls to street-level and see the other must-see visitor attractions like The Guildhall with its ornate stonework and stained-glass windows and The Museum of Free Derry. After that, pick and choose from loads of local, historic attractions such as the People’s Gallery or the nearby iconic Free Derry Corner sign.
Make time to walk the Peace Bridge, a curving modern pedestrian bridge across the city’s River Foyle, which brings you to the revitalised Ebrington Square area which is where you’ll also find the renowned Walled City Brewery, home of some award-winning locally brewed beer and a great place for a bite to eat and, of course, drink. For craft beer aficionados or anyone with a thirst for knowledge (or just really good beer), we recommend the brewery tour which includes the chance to sample some of the favourite local brews, including the delightfully named Derrymilk and Beerexit!
These days no visit to Derry is complete with paying homage to Derry Girls, the hit TV series that cemented the city’s reputation for friendly wit, banter and free-spirited fun. The mural of the famous five Derry Girls is just off Orchard Street and perfect for a selfie. Or at The Derry Girls Experience see original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater.
There you have it, four fabulous days of wonder, fun, history, landscape, food, drink, entertainment and enchantment in Northern Ireland – and you’ve barely scraped the surface of the place. You next task is to plan four more days here but we guarantee you’ll need a lot more.