more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Most tourists start their tours from Belfast or from Dublin, so between 11am and 3pm would be the busiest time of the day. Can you see the Northern Lights from the Giant's Causeway? We are driving to Portrush from Sligo. Or you can save yourself a massive headache by taking this day tour for half the price. Belfast to the Giants Causeway Seven Towers Roundabout on M2. Giant's Causeway ireland. Best Time to Visit The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. It is the car park that is opposite to Bushmills Inn Hotel. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It is worth coming to Northern Ireland just to visit Giant's Causeway. Turn left to continue on to Runkerry Head or turn right to take the alternate clifftop path back towards the Visitor Centre and hotel. Shoulder seasons (April/May and September/October) offer the best mix of . Pay a visit to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and learn about the myths and legends of the area on this full-day tour. Yellow Trail. This is a tourist attraction in itself, which leaves from nearby Bushmills (Adult Tickets: 5.00). The walk in from Dunseverick is among the most beautiful cliff paths in Europe. Stay overnight nearby. If you are already in Belfast, take a Translink UK bus (#218) from Belfast Bridge Street to Coleraine. The area is owned by the National Trust and is Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site: it's impressive but very touristy, with a million visitors each year. This is a very popular place! In the spring and autumn when it's not crowded. The Giant's Causeway is a place of natural wonder and has a big backstory to discover. You will have around 1.5 hours to explore the Giant's Causeway on a walking tour with audio guide. Leaving the Grand Causeway, pass through the 'break' in the stones known as the Giant's Gate and follow the wide pathway toward the cliffs. The Giant's Causeway is in close proximity to the towns of Bushmills (3 miles) and Portrush (8 miles), and is also relatively close to the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge. Save money by not visiting the visitors center. You can totally visit the Giants Causeway without visiting the Visitor Centre. Occupying part of a cove on the Antrim Coast, just a half-day's drive from Belfast, the Giant's Causeway is an arresting array of 40,000 interlocked stone pillars. Unless you want to pay for visitors center just to get food, make sure to bring your own snacks and drinks as there are no convenience stores and some of the closest restaurants are in Ballycastle. The cliffs rise to 702 feet and stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Not Included: Gratuity & Not Wheelchair Accessible. This trail leads directly to the stones and is the most popular Giant's Causeway walking trail. You can book your tour here. See website for virtual tour. The journey should last about 1 hour 15 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy a beautiful day tour without having to worry about any of the logistics. Heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. 7 Must-See And Best Day Trips From Belfast (Cost, Transport and Tips For 2023). Spilling down from a steep cliff into the waters of the North Atlantic, these basalt columns vary in height but are surprisingly regular in . Location: 44 Causeway Road Bushmills County Antrim BT57 8SU Northern Ireland, Email: giantscausewaytic@nationaltrust.org. Dont walk out on to the headland because it can be extremely dangerous, especially in high winds. 16. EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe. Visit Giant's Causeway, Ireland. How much does it cost to walk the Giants Causeway? When Fionn crossed the sea through the causeway, he realized that Benandonner was larger than he thought so he fleed in fear and destroyed the causeway behind him so the Scottish giant wont be able to follow him. Can you go to Giants Causeway for free? 1. Go to the Bushmills parking lot instead. Accordingly, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and Giant's . You do not need to pay the Visitor Centre to see the Giants Causeway, 2. Would be difficult to fit all of them in one day if you are going from Dublin. 90% of the crafts on sale in the shop are locally made in Northern Ireland. 11. 3. Seeing the Giants Causeway has long been on my bucket list and I wasnt disappointed. For 34, this Giants Causeway day tour from Belfast also includes a tour to the Game of Thrones locations. The first stop of the day is Carrickfergus castle built by the Normans in 1177 AD, which has stood the test of time and still looks incredible even today 800 years on. It is worth noting that the stones themselves are not usually too busy to explore, although you might find getting a photograph with no one else in the background a near impossible task. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 5 mile guided hike along the headlands of Giants Causeway. When challenged by the Scottish giant Benandonner, Finn built the causeway as a bridge to join Ireland and Scotland. It means no parking allowed and you will get clamped and a massive fine. Can you drive down to the Giants Causeway? The fastest option is by taking a train to Northern Ireland and then bus. 1. Does Peaky Blinders take place in Ireland or England? What to wear and how to prepare for your trip to the Giants Causeway, Giants Causeway and Rope Bridge in one day, Giants Causeway and Titanic tour from Dublin, Giants Causeway and Rope Bridge tour from Dublin, Game of Thrones locations tour from Dublin. Full Description. Very cheap accommodation, around 18 per night for a bed in a 6 beds dorm room. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. From Dublin to the Giant's Causeway by Game of Thrones Tour Dunluce Castle, a stop on the Game of Thrones Tour from Dublin. Burford, Cotswolds. When the giant Benandonner saw this huge infant he became frightened thinking that Finn must be gigantic. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Richard g de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, built the first castle in Dunluce. The Causeway Coastal Route is 130 miles long and takes 3-5 days. The walk concluded at the Giants Causeway where we paused and reflected on the experience. You can access the site for free on foot. Today its a popular tourist attraction and you can walk across it for free. If this sounds like you, be sure to book the first-rate Game of Thrones location tour from Dublin, which . At the end, you can join up with the blue trail to explore the causeway and then walk up to the car park. It leaves at 9:30am from Belfast Europa Bus Station. This short route is only 0.8 miles long and leads directly to the stones. At the Giants Causeway gift shop you can buy unique gifts and local crafts to take home for your friends and family. It's a drive to be savoured, with countless places to stretch your legs along the way - such as Carnfunnock Country Park, Dunluce Castle, and the sea-spritzed walkways of The Gobbins cliff path. If you can visit around sunset, I highly recommend it. You can book your tour here. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Tickets for the Visitor Center cost 13 per adult, 6.50 per child, 32.50 for a family and 19.50 for a one adult family. Combined with the views and commentary on the bus tour I joined to get there, I would say this one trip was the quintessence of Ireland! EDITOR PICKS. It is 2 miles (3km) from Bushmills village, 11 miles (18km) from Coleraine and 13 miles (21km) from Ballycastle. The rocks make for such a great backdrop and location to swim, but unfortunately, it is not permitted at the Giant's Causeway. Built by the Irish giant Fionn and his Scottish rival Angus, it is a real masterpiece formed of perfectly shaped hexagonal columns. From Dublin, you can see Giants Causeway and Rope Bridge in one day, or for those of you that are Game of Thrones fans, you can do this Giants Causeway + Game of Thrones tour. You can check these day tours from Belfast. From ancient monuments to awe-inspiring coastal views, you'll be . It is possible to continue walking east towards Balintoy Harbour take the path along the to of the cliffs. So, entry to the Giant's Causeway is free if you're walking however, if you want to park and/or go into the visitor centre, you pay for each person in your vehicle. Follow the path towards Runkerry Head and youll come to the accessible picnic area, where you can stop and have a picnic. So if you are going looking for tips and a guide to Giants Causeway Tour, this article is for you. It was very rainy and windy on our walk (which didnt reduce our enjoyment of the trip). It is the price to park your car there and the price to get into the Visitor Centre. What movie was filmed at Giants Causeway? The weather is highly unpredictable and can change from one minute to the next and the wind is guaranteed on the cliffs! Hours vary depending according to the season. Giant's Causeway Tour. Although the stones of the causeway rarely get too crowded, Flanagan says that parking can be the main issue if you decide to go at a busy time. How much are tickets to Giants Causeway? My visit in Northern Ireland to the Giant's Causeway was in the middle of August. We arrived at the Giants Causeway at dusk in early August. We suggest spending 3-5 days driving the Causeway Coastal Route. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes and it costs between 12-18 for a one-way trip or 24-36 for a round trip bus fare. Looking for a good restaurant in Portrush? He fled to Scotland, destroying the Causeway on the way back so that Finn couldnt follow him. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times and dog owners must clean up any dog poop and dispose of waste responsibly. Note: This post contains affiliate links. It is approximately 170 mi (273 km) from Dublin (just under 3 hours drive) or 67 miles (109 km) from Belfast (just over 1 1/2 hours drive). Giants Causeway is the most visited attraction in Northern Ireland and the second most visited attraction in all Ireland which means the place is crowded most of the time. Julie Last updated: January 11, 2023 Ireland, Northern Ireland 8 Comments. The most characteristic and unique feature of the site is the exposure of some 40,000 large, regularly shaped polygonal columns of basalt in perfect horizontal sections, forming . It can get very busy, so try to avoid the middle of the day if you can. The best time of year to visit is in the summer months as the Giant's Causeway is located right on the open ocean and it is always windy. If you cant avoid peak hours in peak season then it is much easier to park in Bushmills and take the bus from the car park in the town than to get access to the site directly. Arrangements to and from the walk were fairly seem less as Paul made sure time schedules and pickups were insured. If you would like to like us to publish your article, send us an email! Visit the island's oldest working distillery, then explore the medieval remains of the seat of the earls of County Antrim. The Giant's Causeway is spectacular. Once you leave the Visitor Centre there are no other toilets or shelter anywhere on site. It is a longer route (around 2.5 hours) but you will enjoy it. Giants Causeway is free to visit! The site is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer when the weather is mild and the days are long. Get the full details in our 10 Day Ireland Itinerary. The best time to visit is certainly during spring and summer, from April to September. After the impoverishment of the MacDonnells following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, the castle fell into disrepair. Eimear was a very informative tour guide and great company. Did Game of Thrones film at Giants Causeway? Much more photographic and you dont have to walk on the same route twice. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider bundling up and visit in shoulder season. It can get very busy, so try to avoid the middle of the day if you can. From Belfast: There is a direct bus that operates once a day from Belfast to Giant's Causeway. Pedestrian acess to the Giant's Causeway is free. If you're doing the Visitor Experience, parking is included. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Are there public toilets at the Giants Causeway? Two hours should suffice in Giants Causeway. Dawn and dusk are the best times for taking photos, if youre into photography. Fort William and Glencoe, Scotland. And after taking a few gorgeous pictures from the top, you just walk down the stairs to see the actual Causeway. And if you are travelling with kids or have mobility issues, this Giants Causeway and Titanic tour from Dublin would be your best bet. Its a famous Irish whiskey and you can visit the distillery in Antrim, not far from the Giants Causeway. Follow this for approx 15 miles (25km) until you reach the next roundabout. Visit the Dark Hedges, made famous in Game of Thrones, and admire the scenic views around Dunluce Castle. Start at The Causeway Hotel where theres a path on the left side of the building that leads towards the cliff path. It is built around 1 mile from the actual Causeway. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Pro tip: Park for free in the village of Portballintrae and walk to the Giant's Causeway. []. It is an area of about 40,000 hexagonal columns rising out of the sea. Parking at the site, accessing the visitor centre, the guided tours, the shuttle bus to the Stones, the walk down to the Stones, all of these are much easier outside of peak hours. Bordered by the wilds of the North Atlantic Ocean to one side and a dramatic landscape of cliffs to the other, Giant's Causeway has been capturing the imagination, stirring scientific debate and inspiring artists for centuries. For 60, this Giants Causeway day tour from Dublin also includes a stop to the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbor, and other Game of Thrones locations. Allow 10 to 15 minutes walking time one way. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pauls easy commentary on the history of the coast was full of interesting stories and facts about the scenes we were exploring. Read more here. The pace and terrain of the walk was perect for someone like me who could be a little fitter! It is so unique in its appearance that it is hard to believe it is real. This breathtaking excursion takes you to some of the region's most spectacular and iconic sights, allowing you to discover the history and culture of the area. Definitely ahighlightof my trip to Northern Ireland! To book it, click here. On a sunny day when the views are spectacular. Article. Explore the Grand Causeway at your leisure. Alternatively, It's very atmospheric on a gloomy, overcast, windy day when the waves are crashing and there's a mist of sea spray. Looking for more Ireland inspiration? Do not try to park on the road near the Giants Causeway especially if its painted with double yellow lines. Blind luck presented our group with a magnificent August afternoon to enjoy the incredible views. You can walk to the Giants Causeway for free but if you want to park in the on-site car park youll need to pay to go into the Visitor Center. Tip one: Avoid peak hours. The primetime for photographers are these same times. Visit Balintoy with the carrick-a-rede rope bridge too. And awaken your own. 1. Illcherishthis trip for the rest of my life, I doubt a single person on the bus tours will truly ever understand what they missed out on. Transfer to Belfast Central station and take a train to Coleraine station. The bridge was mainly used by fishermen who frequent the area for salmon but salmon slowly declines in the area. It is also the film location of Game of Thrones for the Seat of House Greyjoy of the great castle of Pyke. The trip takes about 40 minutes for 5-8 per trip or 10-16 for a round-trip fare and buses leave every hour. My husband and I booked this on our visit to giants causeway. It is the most obvious thing to do. The Giant's Causeway. On the way you can see birds such as skylark, stonechat, linnet and chough. IRELAND ITINERARY: In 10 days, you can go on a road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland, visiting the highlights. Tourists from Dublin would need to plan ahead if they want to do the entire Coastal Route as it is quite time-consuming. The unique look of the causeway was formed by an intense ancient volcanic eruption. You get a GBP 1.50 discount on your Visitor Centre entrance ticket if you park there and take the shuttle provided by the Visitor Centre. Blue Trail. For 60, this Giants Causeway day tour from Dublin also includes a stop to the Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and spend some time in Belfast. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If you are in Ireland or Northern Ireland for a few days, you might want to stay up in Bushmills/ Ballycastle for a night. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Are there toilets at Giants Causeway? 2. Its only 22 minutes away from Dunluce Castle as well. The Giant's Causeway is open all year round and the day trip tours are offered year-round too. Even on the busiest days at the Giants Causeway, if you time your visit well, you can easily dodge the crowds. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. . Fans of the hit TV series Game of Thrones will find no shortage of excuses to add Northern Ireland to their list of top places to visit in Northern Ireland. From then on, this Irish castle witnessed a long and tumultuous history between Scotland, Ireland, and the UK. This spectacular rock formation - Northern Ireland's only Unesco World Heritage site - is one of Ireland's most impressive and atmospheric landscape.
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