The Top 8 Things to Do in Northern Ireland That Made Me a Tourist Again
Having lived and worked in Northern Ireland for so long, I used to take the little things for granted. As a travel writer, I often went outside to look for the most peaceful places to work—that’s it.
But when a friend of mine visited the country and asked me the best places to go, I couldn’t believe my mind went blank! I could only give a list of cafes I’ve been frequenting these past few years—which was embarrassing, given what I do.
To save face, I asked her for another go. I dedicated an entire week to find the best places and things to do in Northern Ireland that would blow her mind. Here are my top picks.
1. Walk the Giant’s Causeway Basalt Columns
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Address: 44 Causeway Rd, Bushmills
Contact Details: +44 28 2073 1855, [email protected]
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Visitor Centre and Car Park: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM (varies per season)
Visitor Experience Fees:
- Adult (18+) – £15
- Child (5 to 17) – £7.50
- Under 5 – Free
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £37.50
- 1 Adult Family – £22.50
Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique basalt columns jutting upwards out of the sea. You can explore the stones, walk along the cliffs, and explore the visitor centre.
If time allows, it’s best to take the upper cliff path for the best views. And on the way back, you can either walk the road out or hop on the shuttle bus when it’s available.
Pro tip:
Visit Giant’s Causeway at sunset for the most magical views. Or better yet, take your furry friends here to see them! Just be a responsible pet owner and keep them on a lead.
2. Cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
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Address: Ballintoy, Antrim, Ballycastle
Contact Details: +44 28 2073 1855, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM; varies seasonally)
Ticket Fees (Non-Member):
- Adult (18+) – £15
- Child (5 to 17) – £7.50
- Under 5 – Free
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £37.50
- 1 Adult Family – £22.50
Looking for a thrill? Carrick-a-Rede has a thrilling rope bridge connecting cliffs over the ocean. It spans the dizzying gap over the North Atlantic from the mainland to a small island.
You can also enjoy the coastal views and spot wildlife, like seabirds nesting in the cliffs. But if you’re lucky, you might see dolphins or sharks too! Overall, an average of 2 hours is more than enough time to explore everything.
Friendly reminder:
You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking and picture taking at Carrick-a-Rede, so don’t forget to wear sturdy, comfy shoes to breeze through them.
3. Discover Dunluce Castle Ruins by the Sea
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Address: 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills
Contact Details: +44 28 2073 1938
Opening Hours:
- Summer Hours (mid-February to mid-November)
- Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Winter Hours (mid-November to mid-February)
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
- The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
Ticket Fees:
- Adult (18+) – £6 per ticket
- Child (5 to 17) – £4 per ticket
- Under 5 – Free
- Concession (65+, 18+ students with official student card, disabled, unemployed citizens) – £4.50 per ticket
- Family (up to 5 people, including up to 3 adults) – £18 per ticket
- Group Rate with 1 free tour guide (15 adults) – £4.50 per person
Want to step into a fairytale storybook? Dunluce Castle offers the ruins of a medieval castle perched on the cliffs.
Besides exploring the grounds and learning about its rich history, you can also photograph the courtyard and its fortifications, set against the rocky outcrops.
Moreover, you can climb a small spiral staircase to get to a nice viewpoint. Just note that many tourist buses come here—timing is key for the best sea cliff sights!
Smart move:
It’s best to arrive at Dunluce Castle as early as possible to snag the best parking spots—they’re free but limited.
4. Explore The Dark Hedges
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Address: Bregagh Rd, Stranocum, Ballymoney
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours (driving isn’t permitted on the road; park at The Dark Hedges Estate or The Hedges Hotel)
Fees: Free entry
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Ever watched the Game of Thrones? The Dark Hedges showcases a romantic, atmospheric, and tunnel-like avenue of beech trees featured in this American fantasy drama TV series.
You can purchase tickets in advance to visit the exhibition centre. After the tour, there’s also a paid car park close by with a pub and restaurant for your convenience.
For photography enthusiasts:
Want to have the best Instagram backdrop? Visit The Dark Hedges in the summer to see the full blooms! Otherwise, remember to bring an umbrella in case there is an occasional drizzle.
5. Hike in the Mourne Mountains
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Website: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/
Opening Hours: Open dawn to dusk year-round
Fees: Free entry (fees apply for some parking locations)
If hiking is your thing, you’ll love the picturesque Mourne Mountains for their mountain range. You can choose from various trails offering rugged adventure, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs.
It’s also known to be a photographer’s dream, given that you can see everything from towering peaks to crystal-clear lakes.
Expert advice:
- Pack layers for the Mourne Mountains so you can quickly adjust to the weather changes.
- And if you’re driving, some of the roads here are quite narrow. Remember to drive carefully since it’s dangerous to go fast!
6. Taste Whiskey at the Old Bushmills Distillery
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Website: https://www.bushmills.eu/about-the-distillery/
Address: 2 Distillery Rd, Bushmills
Contact Details: +44 28 2073 3218, [email protected]
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Standard Tour – £15 (as of April 2025)
- Premium Tour (adds about an hour to the standard tour) – £40
Old Bushmills Distillery is Ireland’s oldest working distillery, where you and your fun crew can take a tour and sample world-famous whiskey.
Apart from tasting 3 to 6 different whiskeys, you’ll hear about the history and process of making them—this includes the malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and ageing.
And if that’s not fun enough, there’s also said to be a legendary ‘resident ghost’ here to keep things interesting. Just ask the tour guide!
Savvy suggestions:
- Be sure to book a slot at Old Bushmills Distillery in advance—the tours can fill up pretty quickly.
- Don’t forget to check out the gift shop as well! You can gift your loved ones with goodies, like marmalade, shortbread, fudge, or miniature bottles.
7. Relax by Lough Erne With Boating or Fishing
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Location: County Fermanagh
Lough Erne has a beautiful network of lakes in County Fermanagh where you can enjoy various water activities, whether you’re into boating, fishing, or kayaking.
But if you prefer to stay dry, there are walking paths and waterside picnic areas too—perfect for keeping an active lifestyle or a chill day out with loved ones.
Smart pointer:
Maximise your day at Lough Erne by combining your trip with a trip to Devenish Island! Accessible by boat, you’ll see historic remains of a 6th-century monastery with a 100-foot tower.
8. Wander Through St. George’s Market
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Website: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket
Address: 12 East Bridge St
Contact Details: +44 28 9043 5704, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Friday – 8 AM to 2 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 3 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 3 PM
- Monday to Thursday – Closed
St. George’s Market is a vibrant 19th-century market. Even if it’s only active Friday to Sunday, locals love visiting to grab fresh fruits, flowers, and fish, as well as fashion and craft items.
You can also enjoy the live music from the band as you sample a free taste from some of the food vendors, so it’s best to come here hungry.
Must-know move:
It can be scorching on a summer day, so it’s smart to bring a small fan to keep yourself cool!