Day Trips from Belfast

Belfast is a destination that offers a rich cultural, historical and natural heritage. With tours that include the city's most iconic buildings as well as the surrounding attractions, you can get to know the popular capital of Northern Ireland in depth.

Some of the best things to do in Belfast include taking a tour of the Giant's Causeway, touring Derry by bus to see first-hand the sets of The Troubles, hiking through the Irish Glens of Antrim and taking a private tour of the locations of Games of Thrones, one of the most popular and successful series in history.

If you want to see one of the most popular natural sites around Belfast you can not miss a trip to the Giant's Causeway, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, and is a geological wonder on the north coast of Ireland. Made up of hexagonal basalt columns, this rock formation, according to local folklore, is the work of a mythological giant.

In reality, the Giant's Causeway is the result of rapidly cooling volcanic lava and is now not only the focus of some of Belfast's best tours, but also a perfect setting for panoramic views of the Atlantic.

In addition to the Giant's Causeway, these tours will also take you to the locations of Game of Thrones, the hit series. On the way to the basalt columns you can tour Castle Ward, known as Winterfell in the TV series, to discover the real locations of the fascinating world of Westeros. There, expert local guides will reveal anecdotes about the production and filming.

The itinerary also includes stops at other iconic sites, such as Ballintoy Harbour, also known as Pyke Harbour, and Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees that has repeatedly appeared in the series illustrating the Kingsroad. These landscapes have been brought to life on screen as natural settings, so during the tours you will have the opportunity to relive epic moments from Game of Thrones.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 43 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine one of the most popular nature tours in Northern Ireland with a tour of the Game of Thrones sets.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will have little free time to explore the sites on your own.

One of the best excursions you can take to understand the political conflicts that ran through Northern Ireland's 20th century is to tour Derry on a bus tour from Belfast. During these bus experiences you can explore a city steeped in history and marked by its role in The Troubles.

Derry, also known as Londonderry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and has witnessed crucial events over the years. The conflict known as The Troubles was a period of sectarian violence between the Catholic and Protestant communities that lasted from the 1960s until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

During your tour of Derry, you can visit the famous Bogside neighborhood, which played a central role in these events. Murals there tell the story of the fighting and the struggle for civil rights. In addition, you can learn about one of the most momentous moments of this site, which occurred during Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers fired on unarmed demonstrators in Bogside.

These experiences also take you to Derry's city wall, built in the 17th century, which surrounds the historic center of the city. Walking along the wall will offer panoramic views of the city and give you a unique perspective on its tumultuous history. You will also get to see the interior of St. Columb's Anglican Cathedral, a church that has been a silent witness to events over the years.

Details of Interest

• Price: approximately 35 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know the second largest city in Northern Ireland and also one of the main sites of the country's political conflicts.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: entrance to the sites you visit and meals are not included in the price of the excursion.

The Irish Glens of Antrim tours from Belfast will allow you to embark on a captivating journey that will take you through landscapes and historic sites on the north coast of Ireland. The focal point of these experiences is usually the Giant's Causeway, a unique geological formation composed of hexagonal basalt columns that resulted from the rapid cooling of volcanic lava.

During the excursions you can discover the rich history and mythology surrounding the Giant's Causeway. Local legends tell that this site was built by the Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill to confront the Scottish giant Benandonner. Therefore, the mythical narrative is intertwined with the geological reality of this site, creating an enriching experience that combines myth and science.

In addition to the Giant's Causeway, the tour will take you through the glens and landscapes of Antrim, where you can enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the region. There you will have the opportunity to explore green trails and discover hidden nooks and crannies that reveal the diverse landscape of the Irish skyline. Whether walking along the coast or simply enjoying the surrounding nature, these experiences offer a broad perspective of the environment.

Also, these tours last approximately 7 hours, making them an ideal alternative if you need to maximize your time because you are planning a 3-day stay in Belfast or even less.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 56 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get a complete tour of the coastal scenery of Northern Ireland.
• Disadvantages of these tours: because they are half-day tours they are very intense.

If you are a fan of the Game of Thrones series and want to discover the natural settings of the filming in an exclusive experience, you can't miss the private tour from Belfast that will allow you to immerse yourself in the haunting world of Westeros. On these excursions you will have the opportunity to explore the iconic locations of Northern Ireland that served as the backdrop for the epic saga.

One of the must-see sites on this tour is Ward Castle, which was transformed into the ancestral Winterfell in the series. Strolling through its grounds will transport you directly to the scenarios in which alliances were forged and battles were fought that marked the pulse of the fiction. In addition, the tour will take you to Ballintoy Harbour, known in the series as Pyke's Harbour, home of House Greyjoy.

This picturesque fishing harbor provides a unique and authentic atmosphere that was masterfully captured in Game of Thrones scenes. As you tour these locations, your private guide will share anecdotes about the production and reveal fascinating details about the filming of the series in these iconic locations, which can be inhospitable during the winter.

During these experiences, you will also discover Dark Hedges, a tunnel of centuries-old beech trees that was used to represent the Kingsroad. This wooded passageway will offer you a magical experience as you explore the places where characters like Arya Stark embarked on their epic journeys and marked the memories of millions of television viewers.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 135 euros per person in groups of 4 visitors.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to get to know in depth the scenes of the Game of Thrones series in a tailor-made tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they can be expensive experiences and will only be profitable if you plan to visit Belfast in a group.

You can book any of these tours in advance online or book them once you are in the city, although you should be aware that if you plan to visit Belfast during the summer, which coincides with the high season months, you may lose your place on the tours or suffer price increases for last minute bookings.

Also note that, if you book in advance, you will have the opportunity to combine these experiences around the city with other typical local activities, such as visiting the Titanic Museum or taking a tour of the murals of the Northern Irish capital, which are often included among the best tours of Belfast.

Consider also that, although it coincides with the winter season, Christmas in Belfast usually fills the streets of the city with tourists, so if you plan to tour the capital of Northern Ireland during the festive eve, it will not only be advisable to book in advance, but also to keep an eye out for schedule changes and itinerary modifications due to the Christmas holidays.

On these tours from Belfast you can explore a diversity of experiences ranging from natural wonders to iconic scenes from TV series. A must is the excursion to the Giant's Causeway, where you can marvel at the hexagonal basalt columns and learn about the mythology that surrounds this site, where geological formations intermingle with Irish folklore.

Also, if you are a Game of Thrones fan, the tours from Belfast will offer you the opportunity to explore the emblematic locations of the series. From Ward Castle, which embodies the legendary Winterfell, to Ballintoy Harbour, which becomes Pyke Harbour, each location will allow you to immerse yourself in the fictional world of Westeros.

On the other hand, if you opt for an excursion to Derry, you'll delve into a city marked by its role in The Troubles. Through a visit to places like Bogside and the Derry Wall, you'll get an in-depth look at the tumultuous events that defined this part of Irish history in a combination of unmissable scenery and historical narrative.

As a first step, if you plan to visit Northern Ireland, you should get used to checking the weather before you leave. Temperatures here tend to be variable, so pack rain gear and coats that are adaptable to the changing weather.

Also, don't forget to plan your tour in advance! If you are interested in a specific tour, such as visiting the Giant's Causeway or touring the Game of Thrones locations, make your reservation in advance to avoid delays and high costs. Also, if it's within your means, consider a private tour option to customize your experience and explore each site at your own pace.

Finally, always keep your camera ready. From natural coastal landscapes to Game of Thrones scenery, you'll find plenty of opportunities to take some of the best photos of your trip during these experiences.

When organizing your itinerary from Belfast, there are a few towns that you should not overlook, due to the fact that each of them holds its own distinctive character. Starting with Bushmills, located near the Giant's Causeway, this town is known for its whiskey distillery, which is considered the oldest working whiskey distillery in the world. There you can explore the secrets of distillation and do tastings.

Another site not to be missed is Ballintoy, a fishing port that has gained popularity as a location for Game of Thrones. The panoramic views of the Atlantic offered by this site and its authenticity make it a must for lovers of photography and tranquility.

Taking a tour from Belfast is highly recommended because of the diversity of experiences this region has to offer. The city itself, with its complex history and vibrant atmosphere, serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the natural and cultural wonders of Northern Ireland.

In addition, the chance to explore Game of Thrones locations adds further appeal. The television series has left an indelible mark on popular culture, and visiting places like Castle Ward or Ballintoy Harbour will allow you to walk through the same scenery as some of your favorite characters. In that sense, private tours offer an exclusive experience, with a personalized itinerary.

On the other hand, you can also get to know the more traditional side of Northern Ireland in these experiences, as one of the tours covers the events of The Troubles in Derry, giving you a perfect opportunity to understand the challenges faced by the region over the years.