Belfast & Causeway Coastal Route, 3 day itinerary
Wild, beautiful, and 100% Northern Ireland. This alternative tour of Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route gets straight to the heart of this place.
It’s two-and-a-bit days of spine-chilling history, jaw-dropping scenes, gripping stories and irresistible treats. It’s your introduction to who we are and what shaped us. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s worth every unforgettable moment. Ready for a real adventure?
Day 1
Belfast Cathedral
Explore the 19th century building and place of prayer which gave the Cathedral Quarter its name. Belfast Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of Belfast. The foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1899 and the building itself, Romanesque in style, continued to grow over the years. The 40-metre stainless steel Spire of Hope was added in 2007. On a tour of this Church of Ireland you’ll discover intricate mosaics, textiles, carvings and historical artefacts.
Friend at Hand Distillery
Drink in the atmosphere at this half whiskey museum-half specialist whiskey shop. Uncover the whiskey distilling history of Belfast, browse the biggest collection of Irish whiskeys available anywhere and pick up exclusive whiskeys unavailable anywhere else.
The Dark Horse
Step inside a European-style coffee house with a radiant interior packed with antiques and artefacts. Home to Door No. 10 in the Doors of Thrones, this place serves up some of the finest coffee and Suki Tea in Belfast.
DC Tours
Established in 2013, DC Tours runs a Belfast Troubles walking and study tour. The city centre experience “A History of Terror” is the No.1 walking tour in the city explaining the history of the Troubles and the path to peace. In 2019 TripAdvisor’s ‘Traveller’s Choice’ awards ranked it in the Top 4 experiences in the UK and it was Highly Commended in the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards ‘Authentic NI Experience of the Year 2019’ category.
Crumlin Road Gaol
The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and only closed its doors as a working prison as recently as 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re-opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from a time when women and children were once held within its walls, through to the political segregation of Republican and Loyalist prisoners, and learn why the decision was eventually taken to close the prison. During the tour of the gaol you’ll visit the underground tunnel that once connected the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, as well as the chance to sit in the Governor’s chair, see all the wings from the circle, and of course pay a visit to the condemned man’s cell, before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged.
Day 2
Sea Safari
See the stunning Causeway Coastal Route from a totally different perspective – the North Atlantic. Look out for seabirds, dolphins, porpoises and seals as you sail past Kenbane Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy Harbour and the Giant’s Causeway.
Toast the Coast with Portia Woods
Depart for your Causeway Coastal Route Drive along the coast shaped by Fire and Ice, where you will meet the 9 Glens of Antrim, hugging each Glen with spectacular view. Arriving at Glenarm Castle Estate you will meet Portia Woods of Toast the Coast Food Tours & Experiences where she will guide you into the forest to sample Fire & Feast. We’ll then introduce you to local produce cooked on the open fire, share stories of food heritage, encourage you to have a go at spear throwing or flint knapping, while learning about the renewed connection locals are experiencing with the foraged environment. Onward along the coast you’ll meet each bend with new insight into light local history before stopping off at the 1625 Ballygally Castle for Northern Ireland Tapas plates and Craft Gin Tasting, then afterwards exploring the highest room in the castle or the beach by foot.
Dunluce Castle
Cross the bridge that connects this ruined castle to the mainland and experience dramatic sea views and a long, sometimes violent history. Perched on the cliff edge (and said to have its own banshee) the castle often stars as a TV and film location.
Old Bushmills Distillery
Raise a glass to the oldest distillery in all of Ireland. Bushmills Distillery, granted a licence to distil in 1608 using the unique water from their own stream and Irish barley, is still going strong. The Brand Experience encompasses guided tours around a working distillery with all the associated sights and smells, tutored whiskey tastings and a specialist whiskey shop.
Day 3
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Ever crossed the ocean on foot? Well, you’re about to. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a 250-year-old test of nerve. Originally built by salmon fisherman, today it’s one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic and popular tourist attractions.
The Dark Hedges
A walk through this incredible avenue of beech trees, planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century, is quite magical. It’s one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland and has starred as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones®.
Belfast Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of Belfast.
The Dark Horse is a European style coffee house nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area of the Cathedral Quarter. Available for private hire Thursday - Saturday.
On the 31st March 1996 Crumlin Road Gaol slammed shut its doors for what many thought would be the final time, but, on the 19th November 2012 the chains fell off and HMP Belfast was reborn as one of Belfast's most popular visitor attractions.
PADI FIVE STAR DIVE CENTRE with offices in Ballycastle and Portstewart.
Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, along the North County Antrim coast.
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.
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.
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. Thronies will recognise these as the Dark Hedges from HBO's Game of Thrones.
