How to get from Belfast to the Giants Causeway and 8 drop-off locations! (2023)

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Do you want to travel from Belfast to Giants Causeway? Be sure to use this road trip itinerary to check out these six other great spots along the way!

As I was planning my Ireland and Northern Ireland road trip itinerary, one day kept creeping up on me. I was seriously excited for a certain day and it was this day. The day we drove from Belfast toGiants Causeway. We had probably one of the most intense days full of travel plans and it was tiring, but it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen... over and over again.

Tour from Belfast to the Giants Causeway

Lonely Planet has announced that the best area to see in 2018 is Belfast and the Causeway Coast. As soon as I heard that, I thought "well, it's great that I just got home from there". My second thought was that I am not surprised at all. Everything about this tour and the area is amazing and a must see.

Now don't just go straight from Belfast to the Giants Causeway. While I know you're excited to see this wonderful UNESCO site (the only one in Northern Ireland), just realize that sometimes, just sometimes, it's really about the journey and not the destination. I have six good must-do stops along the way and then one just past the Giant's Causeway for good measure.

There's more to Northern Ireland than Belfast and the Causeway Coast too - check them outunique things to do in Northern Ireland.

How far is it from Belfast to Giants Causeway?

The distance between Belfastand Giant's Causeway is 61 miles.

How to get from Belfast to the Giants Causeway?

There is no need to take a tour of the Giants Causeway as it is very easy to visit independently regardless of your preferred mode of transport.

With the car

Travels fromcar hire in Irelandand Northern Ireland is my favorite way to experience it. It offers flexibility and the ability to change your schedule and see everything you want.

By train and bus

Taking ittrain and busfrom Belfast to the Giants Causeway is a great option!

• Take the train from Belfast's Victoria Street to Coleraine, which runs hourly Monday-Saturday and less on Sundays.
• On arrival at Coleraine, turn left into the bus centre.
• Take bus 170 or 402 which runs regularly from Coleraine to Giants Causeway

Belfast to Giants Causeway Tour Map

Belfast til Giants Causeway Stop #1 – Dark Hedges, Ballymoney

EveryGame of ThronesThe fan will immediately recognize this location. But even if you're not a Game of Thrones fan, don't miss this place. Dark Hedges consists of a long avenue of beech trees planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century.

It's one of the most photographed places in Northern Ireland and can you blame the people?!

Sustainability note:Due to the ever-growing interest in Dark Hedges, more and more people come to visit every day. To protect these trees and their roots, please park in the designated spot (just before you reach the course).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Adresse // Bregagh Rd, Stranocum, Ballymoney
Distance from Belfast // 1 hour
Tips // Arrive at sunrise for better photo lighting + avoid the tour buses
Other // no fixed hours or entrance fee

Belfast til Giants Causeway Stop # 2 – Ballycastle, Nordirland

I'm not going to lie – this was a food stop. I foundLittle Bearwhen looking for vegan options in Northern Ireland. Since we didn't have many options along the Causeway Coast, we decided to make an extra stop here and I'm so glad we did. Not only is the food excellent and the cafe super atmospheric, but the little town of Ballycastle is really adorable.

At Ursa Minor I had sourdough toast that comes with local jam and some sort of soup that was just the perfect amount of spicy. Ursa Minor is known for their sourdough bread, which they started with in the beginning – just making sourdough bread – so now everything comes with bread. And I like bread.

The atmosphere of this place quickly landed it as one of my favorite coffee shops/cafes in Ireland.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hours // 10.00-16.00 Tuesday-Saturday
Adresse // 45 Ann Street, Ballycastle

Belfast Stop til Giants Causeway #3 – Kinbane Castle

I want to let you in on a little secret.

I think this was my favorite place in all of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Sure, there were other places that were just as beautiful, but something about this place really resonated with me. Maybe because it wasn't planned. We were literally driving to the next stop when we saw a sign that saidKinbane headand drove on a very small "two lane" road. So we turned around and decided to check it out. Maybe it was because it was the first day I felt something deep inside that said, "Oh, you're definitely in Ireland." Maybe because I had never heard of it before, there were no other people, no entry tickets – so it felt like my own.

Whatever the reason, this place is magical and I will write a whole post about it. I just decided now.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Adresse //Ballycastle BT54 6LP, UK
Tips // many steps and smooth. wear good hiking boots or shoes
Other // no fixed hours or entrance fee. toilets on site

Belfast til Giants Causeway Stop # 4 – Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge History

Certainly one of Northern Ireland's most famous places,Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridgedefinitely worth a visit. The rope bridge connects the mainland with the small island of Carrickarede. The rope bridge has a long history and was not always just a tourist attraction, but is now one of thembest hanging pedestrian bridges in the world. Salmon fishermen have been building bridges on the island for almost 400 years, and over the years the bridge has evolved. If you think it's scary to cross it now, imagine crossing it when there was only one handrail and big holes in the stairs.

On a good day you can actually see Scotland from the island as well as three large caves below. For fun, you can buy a certificate when you're done for £1!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Timer // 09:30-6:00
Price //£7 ($9.24) + £1 ($1.32) for Certificate of Completion
Adresse // 119A Whitepark Rd, Ballycastle
Other // free parking

Belfast til Giants Causeway Stop #5 – Ballintoy Harbor

Located down a very steep and narrow road on the Coast Causeway, it sitsBallintoy Harbour. This was another unexpected place that I quickly fell in love with. I only knew that it was the Game of Thrones filming location for Pyke and the Iron Islands and that alone made me want to visit. The scenery amazed me though. You can immediately smell the sea the moment you open the car door and have a view of rich sand, shells, seaweed and various rock formations jutting out from the beach and harbour.

I have never seen a more unique beach or harbor in my life. If I lived here, I could definitely see myself coming here often to read, write or just look at the sea.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Adresse // Harbor Rd, Ballintoy, Ballycastle BT54 6NA, UK
Other // no fixed hours or entrance fee

Stop fra Belfast til Giants Causeway #6 – Giants Causeway

Probably the most anticipated stop on the Causeway Coast is the Giant's Causeway. I'm not usually drawn to tourist attractions or crowded areas, so Kinbane Castle and Ballintoy Harbor really connected with me. However, I fully understand the draw and appeal of the Giant's Causeway. It is truly a magical place and completely unique.

The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only one in Northern Ireland. The interlocking basalt columns are the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. However, there is a more entertaining explanation, and it goes like this…

The pillars are all that remain of a path built by Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) - an Irish giant from Gaelic mythology. Finn was challenged to fight a Scottish giant (as giants do) and Finn built the road where the two giants could meet. There are a few versions of how the story ends, one is that Finn hides from the Scottish giant when he saw his size, so Finn and his wife took him away as a baby. When the Scottish giant saw the baby and realized that its father must be extremely giant considering the baby's size, he fled back to Scotland. Along the way, he destroyed the path behind him.

Across the sea, you can find identical basalt columns in Fingal's Cave on the Scottish island of Staffa, which may be part of the reason behind the legend. So volcanic eruptions from millions and millions of years ago or giants fighting - you be the judge!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hours // Dawn to dusk
Price //£15 ($19.80) free if you park off-site
Adresse // 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills

Bonus Stop Belfast til Giants Causeway – Dunluce Castle

Technically this should be a route from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway, but there are two more points which I think are definitely worth it.Dunluce SlotIt's only 9 minutes down the road and not to be missed. Trust me, you can burn in castles in Ireland, but I really enjoyed this one.

Dunluce Castle has a history dating back to the 13th century. The castle itself is accessible via a bridge from the mainland, and the castle is surrounded by extremely steep falls throughout. The view from the castle was amazing and I could imagine living here hundreds of years ago. I was seriously born in the wrong age.

Dunluce Castle is anotherYOU GET the recording location.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hours // Dawn to dusk
Took //£5 ($6.60)
Adresse // 87 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills
Other // free parking

Bonus Stop Belfast til Giants Causeway #2 – Downhill Demesne + Mussenden Temple

The second stop is about 45 minutes from the Giant's Causeway and about 35 minutes from Dunluce Castle, but I definitely recommend that too!Downhill Houseis a mansion built in the 18th century, but mostly destroyed in 1851 due to fire. The mansion was built for Frederick the 4th Earl of Bristol and Lord Bishop of Derry (or more popularly known as 'the Earl Bishop').

The temple was not really a temple at all and was built as a library modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Rome. Situated on the edge of the cliff overlooking Demesne Beach.

Oh, and that's another oneGame of Thrones Filming Location.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Adresse // 107 Sea Rd, Castlerock
Other // no fixed hours or entrance fee

Giants Causeway Accommodation

Looking for places to stay in the area? Check these reviews before you order.

• Budget //Premier Inn Coleraine Hotel
• intermediate range //The Fullerton Arms
• Couchsurfing(I couch surfed for the first time in Toronto and loved it!)
• Airbnb(use my link to get $40 off your 1st order)

What to pack for a Giants Causeway tour

Waterproof(yes, it's not just something people say - it can rain at any time!)
Travel umbrella(although I didn't bring an umbrella and was too stubborn to buy one, I would recommend it)
Pacsafe Cross Body pung(I love my Pacsafe products and would recommend using them when travelling)
Waterproof, vegan hiking boots

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Have you ever been to Northern Ireland or the Causeway Coast? What was your favorite place? Let me know in the comments below↓↓↓

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