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.
Cycing in the Mourne Mountains - start at the northern side of the resort of Newcastle and cycle along the A50 towards the market town of Castlewellan. Before Castlewellan, turn left onto Tollymore Road and then right onto Middle Tollymore Road.
Join expert mountain guide Peter Rafferty as he stretches your imagination - and your legs - as you discover the sights and sounds of this special mountain range.
Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.
A beloved destination for families, golfers, and holiday travellers, Slieve Donard is a local landmark that’s equal parts homey and breath-taking. The resort sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, on the edge of Royal County Down Golf Club, ranked no. 1 in the world by Golf Digest.
Royal County Down is located in one of the world's most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne.
St George’s Market one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted for numerous local and national awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere.
Ulster Museum is home to treasures past and present. There’s something for art lovers, history buffs, inquisitive kids and the culturally curious! Come face to face with dinosaurs and for a fun family day out dive into the Discovery Zones of art, history and science where you can try on costumes from the past, explore the tree of life and create your own art to take home.
First established in 1828, the gardens have been enjoyed as a public park by the people of Belfast since 1895. There is an extensive rose garden and long herbaceous borders and the tree enthusiast can seek out the rare oaks planted in the 1880s.
Northern Ireland’s biggest and brightest shopping centre. Inside Victoria Square you'll find shops, an Odeon Cinema and lots of eateries. Highlights include Five Guys, House of Fraser, Urban Outfitters, and Hugo Boss.
OX is a Michelin starred restaurant that offers relaxed dining overlooking the River Lagan, and is within walking distance of the Belfast Waterfront, Titanic Belfast, St Georges Market and SSE Arena. OX menus are designed to showcase excellent meats and sustainably sourced fish whilst equally careful attention is given to seasonal vegetables and fruit. Their uniquely enthusiastic approach to seasonal produce and close relationships with local suppliers means vegetables at OX are no longer considered just a side or a garnish, but as equal partners and occasional stars of the show.
Tucked away between Waring Street & Exchange Place in the historic back streets of Cathedral Quarter, The Muddlers Club has been named after the secret society that met there over 200 years ago. Head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey hand picks the best of home grown produce daily to ensure the quality of each dish served. The open kitchen provides a sense of theatre and allows the diner to watch as ingredients are transformed into a food experience. With carefully considered menus, wine list and an extensive cocktail list you will find a warm welcome at The Muddlers Club.
Hidden within the Cathedral Quarter is this little gem of a bar. We pride ourselves in offering the most intimate atmosphere along with an outstanding selection of Rum. Join us and sip on our famous Dark n Stormy or Extraordinary! Not to be missed!
Welcome to Titanic Belfast, an award-winning visitor experience offering the opportunity to learn about Titanic’s history, just a few minutes from where the ship herself was famously designed, built and launched in 1911. This self-guided tour tells the Titanic’s story from conception through to its first and final journey across the Atlantic, as well as the historical and cultural impact on Belfast and beyond.
Built in 1911, Nomadic provides the story of Titanic's little sister, the only tangible surviving link with the world's most famous ship and the last White Star Line vessel in the world.
W5 is an award-winning science and discovery centre, firing the spirit of discovery with limitless fun for everyone including eight new zones packed full of interactive exhibits that will excite and inspire.
Carrick-a-Rede one of Northern Ireland’s most loved attractions in Northern Ireland, cared for by the National Trust, a registered conservation charity founded to protect beautiful and special places for ever, for everyone.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it.
The Bushmills Inn Restaurant is situated in an enviable location a stone’s throw from Royal Portrush Golf Club, The Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery and Dunluce Castle, it is one of the most idyllic places to eat in Bushmills.
In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very particular licence to this small village, just a few miles inland from Ireland’s rugged north coast. The licence gave Bushmills the right to distil whiskey. Today, Bushmills is home to the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world.
Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, along the North County Antrim coast.
The Visit Derry Pass is the Official Sightseeing ticket for the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry.
On a city walking tour, join your guide as they take you around key locations in and around the only intact walled city in Ireland on a fully guided tour, lasting approximately 1 hour.
Learn about Bloody Sunday from those who were directly affected by it.
Shipquay Restaurant, with views of the surrounding Shipquay streetscape, has a menu that is quietly confident and traditional, but with the same contemporary twist to be found through the rest of the property.
One of Derry’s coolest boutique hotels is located on Derry’s famous Shipquay Street. Overlooking the Old City Walls and Derry’s famous Guildhall, Shipquay Boutique Hotel is a luxurious and intimate boutique hotel.
Derry~Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and is one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. A walk around the walls reveals a city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene.
Fashioned in neo-gothic style, the Guildhall is one of the most striking buildings in the North West and was originally built in 1887. The building now boasts a multifaceted tourism experience providing a central hub for visitors exploring the city
The museum is a public space where the concept of Free Derry can be explored in both historic and contemporary contexts.
The Bogside Artists® are the sole creators of the world famous People's Gallery® in the Bogside area of Derry in the North of Ireland. The twelve large scale murals are a main visitor attraction in the city.
The Peace Bridge has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure and is held in high regard by locals and visitors alike for its stunning physical beauty and in equal measures for the symbolic story it represents.
Ebrington, a former military barracks just across the Peace Bridge, with a rich history, recently transformed into a vibrant, public space and event venue with impressive views over the City.
The Walled City Brewery craft uniquely local, premium quality, fabulously flavoursome food and beer in their multi-award winning brewhouse, restaurant and new taproom. If you truly want a flavour of the North-West, it is a must-visit!
Get yourself down to Badger's Bar where you'll find the infamous Derry Girls mural, one of the best selfie locations in the city of Derry.
Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes!
