Glenarm Castle Garden is worth a stop as it has been home to the Earls of Antrim for more than 400 years. Mussenden Temple is yet another high lookout located on the coast that was used as a filming location for HBOs Game of Thrones. Many north coast restaurants specialise in delicious dishes of fresh, locally caught fish, plus there is plenty for all kinds of food lovers - you wont go hungry. As the hot lava flowed to the sea, the cool water turned them into basalt cliffs perfectly stacked upon one another. Yes, please send me free email newsletters from Tourism Ireland, including regular tailored updates on holiday ideas and insider tips. I wont pop them in here, as there are so many, but if you jump into our dedicated guide to the best things to do in Belfast, youll find over 33 attractions to visit to keep you busy. The Gobbins cliff walk has clung to the basalt cliffs of the Islandmagee peninsula for over one hundred years. Many of these trails are close to the cliff edge so PLEASE take extreme care during windy weather or when visibility is poor. It celebrates the memory of the late James Chaine who represented Ireland in the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland from 1874 until 1885 and founded the sea route from Larne to mainland Scotland. Further down youll find an easy-to-follow 2-day Causeway Coastal Route itinerary. The Causeway Coastal Route is researched, photographed and maintained by www.artwardphotography.com Causeway Coastal Route Inside the visitor center is a gift shop, interpretive center, cafe, and coffee shop. How long does the Causeway Coastal Route take? If you happen to be visiting the Antrim Coast on Saint Patricks Day, you can join a pilgrimage up the mountain where it is said that St. Patrick turned to prayer giving him the courage to escape. Thank you for signing up to Tourism Ireland's newsletter! Located in the beautiful Downhill Demesne, Mussenden is perched dramatically on a 120-foot high cliff overlooking the sea and sand below. Its an easy walk down to the Giants Causeway from the car park, but shuttles are offered for those with mobility issues. The Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal Route is definitely the scenic way. One amazing island. This guide aims to showcase the best of this world-famous scenic driving route and which stops to include on your Northern Ireland road trip. Its then time to see HBOs Game of Thrones filming locations like Magharmorne Quarry which is the location of Castle Black and the Dark Hedges to see Kings Road. We suggest spending 3-5 days driving the Causeway Coastal Route. Only you can add or remove items from your board. The journey should last about 1 hour 15 minutes. Legend says its the remains of a causeway built by an Irish giant to meet a challenge to a fight by a Scottish giant. Scenic, dramatic and inspiring, the Causeway Coastal Route is a constant feature of global top tens and top fives when it comes to visitor experiences and bucket lists. For those afraid of heights, a quick heads up the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge hangs 25 feet above the icy waters below. Located in Cavehill Country Park, Belfast castle stands high above Belfast on a hill within the grounds of Cave Hill Country Park. Another beautiful beach on the other side of the Mussenden Temple is Benon Strand. To drive the entire 313km/195-mile route, youll need 3-5 days to give yourself enough time to soak it all up. The Legend of the Giants Causeway Do You Believe? The Causeway Coastal Route is home to many of Northern Ireland's iconic landscapes, and it is also my old stomping ground. When walking along the beach at Benone Strand, youll be treated to a postcard view. The castle was built in the 13th Century and was inhabited until the late 1600s. Thank you for signing up to Tourism Ireland's newsletter! Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. But, other than nearby pub crawls, nights out at Kelly's . On the thrilling Gobbins Experience, nature isnt content to just sit back and be admired. Below, youll find an interactive Antrim Coast map with the attractions plotted along with info on each of the stops. Theres also a big car park here, so you can easily spin down, too. Then, once you've had your fill, take a cruise on Belfast Lough, a gorgeous respite from the buzz of the city. There are many castles to choose from on the Causeway Coastal Route, and this is a good option since it will be your first stop once you leave Belfast. Take in the extraordinary views of the Irish sea as you cross bridges and enter sunken caves as you cling to sheer cliff faces. With a population of around 140 people, Rathlin is home to some incredible legends: ask the locals about Robert the Bruce and his spider you won't be disappointed! This is selfie heaven as well as a piece of natural paradise planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress visitors. Beyond its ruined mansion perched on a cliff, youll find the iconic Mussenden Temple. An official Unesco World Heritage Site since 1986, the Giants Causeway was formed around 50 to 60 million years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. Questions on visas? A must for many Causeway Coastal Route itinerary guides. It completely engulfs you: from the all-enveloping Irish Sea winds and the dolphins dancing off the coastline. Legend has it that the Irish Giant, Finn McCool, built a giant stone causeway to cross the sea to fight the Scottish Giant, Bennandoner. Either way the place is epic. Enjoy sweet treats, local craft beers and some of the world's best seafood. The Coast Line is a railroad line between Burbank, California [a] and the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly along the Pacific Coast. Mix and match for your perfect vacation. Make sure to take your time as there are so many things to see and do on the coast road. I confess Im dying to go to Belfast. Theres quite a lot to see along the Causeway Coastal Route - voted the Number 1 Region in the World to visit by Lonely Planet in 2018 - so let's take it in stages, step by step. When you reach the island, you can tackle one of the trails, explore by bike, visit the Seabird Centre or take a guided walk. Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner, Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. Wow I love this post I plan to go to some places mentioned here and I started looking for some information and I found this post and wow what a surprise, everything they did is incredible, the photographs. This highly rated tour takes you to see famous sights along the Antrim coast before reaching the Giants Causeway. The first rope bridge was erected between the mainland and Carrick-a-Rede Island way back in 1755, as the little island provided the perfect platform for local fishermen to cast their nets off into the Atlantic. Stop off next at the picturesque Bonamargy Friary ruins containing the remains of legendary chieftain Sorley Boy McDonnell. This beach sits between two headlands and its an impressive sight to take in from afar. Perhaps its the mythical stories, shaped and inspired by the dramatic coastline. End at one of the routes jewels Dunluce Castle. Coming by ferry? If you have a question that we havent tackled, ask away in the comments section below. The area offers many opportunities to get out on the sea and freshwater for some sightseeing or fishing. California has been planning for Highway 1's future for years, and the state's Coastal Commission has been charged with protecting the highway, Ewing said. It was made even more famous whenHBOs Game of Thrones popped over to this road to film a scene in season 1 where it was used as the Kings Road. The distillery survived WW2 and changed hands several times before before bought by Diageo in 2005 for 200 million. The park boasts a whopping 191 hectares of woodland, finely manicured gardens, trails and coast, and its an excellent place to stretch the legs. Youll find great little places to eat, beautiful hotels, old whiskey distilleries and magnificent forests. This cannot be undone. Get your feet wet or hit the tarmac: some great ways to explore of the Wild Atlantic Way. Getting to the Causeway Coastal Route is the easy part- the hard work starts when you arrive and are faced with so many things to do and places to see! Take a deep breath, step onto the sturdy, wooden slats, and you'll be rewarded by some of the best views on the Causeway Coastal Route. This is by far the best travel guide I have found, and I have seen many! Theres nowhere that blurs history and myth quite like County Antrims Giant's Causeway. As stunning experiences go, dont miss the romantically wild Downhill Demesne. Please note, you cant undo this action. For many visitors, the Giant's Causeway coast has another association: The Game of Thrones. This will remove all the items you have previously liked from your board. There is a lovely little walk on Slemish that should take between one and two hours to complete, depending on the weather and your pace. Enable location access to get tailored travel tips for your current location. The Causeway Coastal Route is 130 miles long and takes 3-5 days. Telephone: 02870347034. Visitor center hours vary throughout the year. International tourists will fly into Belfast International Airport where you can rent a car to begin your Causeway Coastal Route itinerary at the airport. When youve had your fill of Torr Head, hop back in the car and take the 20-minute drive to Murlough Bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Donegal and the islands of Islay and Jura off the west coast of Scotland. Derry is our end point of the Causeway Coastal route itinerary and is an excellent city to spend at least one full day. Carrickfergus Castle has been standing for more than 800 years and is an example of one of thebest preserved medieval structures in Ireland. But for all its epic sights, it's the smaller experiences on the Causeway Coast that will stay in your memory: edging around a hairpin bend on a craggy headland, eating freshly caught seafood on the beach, and sipping a local whiskey in front of an open fire. Clinging to Ireland's rugged northern coastline between Belfast city and Derry~Londonderry, this is a glorious mix of remarkable geology, pristine beaches and exhilarating clifftop walks. If you feel the day is too busy for you, just cut some spots out. From Belfast, head north, making your first stop at Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best persevered medieval structures in Ireland. Your next beauty spot is the stunningly remoteMagilligan Point, guarding the entrance to Lough Foyle. We suggest staying at the Causeway Hotel to have it all to yourself at sunrise and sunset. If you have a short time, you should book a Black Taxi Tour to see the murals of Belfast and the neighborhoods of Falls and Shankill Road that were the epicentre of The Troubles. Looking to book your next trip? Make sure to take your time as there are so many things to see and do on the coast road. Stretching from bustling Belfast to the historic city of Derry~Londonderry and taking in some of Ireland's most incredible sights, the Causeway Coastal Route is sure to get your heart racing So settle down in a B&B, cozy cottage or hotel in one of a scattering of welcoming towns or villages, and pick a few gems to explore each day. Just a little further down from the Maghercross is the award-winning Whiterocks Beach which is not only a must for those driving along the Causeway Coast, but it is also a favorite with locals too! Belfast. Apparently(not confirmed) you can walk from the rope bridge down to the quarry. Before scientists suggested volcanic origins, folklore explained the causeway as an escape route for the mythical giant, Finn McCool: "Finn is having trouble with someone across the water. From Belfast, the Causeway Coastal Route winds its way up the northeast coast of Ireland where it ends in Derry~Londonderry. . Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field. Carnlough, from the Irish Carnlach, meaning place of cairns, is a village in County Antrim with a picturesque harbour on the shores of Carnlough Bay. In town, youll find an array of small shops and two churches. Its worth taking a minute or so to look over our Causeway Coastal Route map above to get a sense of the route. It is northern, rugged, and wild. Theres the crumbling 16th century cliff-edge castle of Dunluce, the iconic Mussenden Temple overlooking Downhill beach, and the dramatic rockface of Fairhead. Next on the list is a place where, according to legend, an Irish giant named Fionn MacCumhaill began his quest to defeat a cocky Scottish giant (its 10 minutes from the last stop). This highly rated tour is the perfect day trip for people with limited time but who still want to enjoy some of the top Northern Ireland destinations when they visit Ireland. So take your time and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and flavors. Need to skip this one? This cannot be undone. The landscape alone is one of Northern Irelands finest. Spend some time in the glittering city of Belfast and delve into where it all began for the Ship of Dreams at Titanic Belfast. If possible this is handled anonymously and we will never store your data for longer than is required. Lewiss Narnia and will inspire you too. Check ahead with providers before visiting and book in advance where possible. The hotel has all conveniences including free WiFi throughout. When you arrive, park up and head for a wander around the town. If you have a decent bit of time, its worth seeing! Cushendall is a handy little stop if you fancy a coffee or a bit of lunch. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. Spoiler alert: the harbour doubled as exterior Iron Islands shots in Game of Thrones. The traditional seaside resort has a lovely old town to explore that has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars. 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