Belfast to the Causeway & Beyond

Begin your explorations of Northern Ireland by flying into Belfast’s airport. You’ll be greeted upon arrival by your driver who will provide a transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Feel free to relax and enjoy the facilities or perhaps enjoy a stroll with many attractions within walking distance. That includes the Botanic Gardens, a great place to stretch your legs and explore history, art, and sciences at the Ulster Museum. You’ll also find numerous shopping and dining venues, along with bars and pubs for enjoying a drink while soaking up the atmosphere.

Get to know Northern Ireland’s capital on a guided walking tour with a local expert who brings its history and culture, people, and key events that shaped its future to life. Begin in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast’s historic center, with many centuries-old buildings, and then admire colorful street art and modern architecture while making your way to Belfast City Hall for the conclusion of your tour. The cafe on-site is ideal for coffee or lunch before checking out the exhibitions. Then, with a White Star Premium Pass in hand, explore Titanic Belfast, including the Titanic Experience, Discovery Tour, and self-guided SS Nomadic tour.

Checking out of your Belfast hotel, meet your driver for a private transfer to Derry, stopping at Giant’s Causeway. Stretched along the North Atlantic, it’s made up of roughly 40,000 basalt columns, the result of a massive volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Legend says it was carved by a giant who began throwing boulders into the ocean toward his enemy in Scotland to use as a bridge to reach him. The sites bear testament to that myth with rock formations like the Giant’s Boot, The Organ, and the Wishing Chair that you can actually sit in. Afterward, continue to your Derry hotel.

Derry, officially called Londonderry, sits along the banks of the River Foyle and is renowned for its spectacular architecture, cultural significance, and rich history. While it dates back to ancient times, it’s best known for its well-preserved early 17th-century walls, among the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. Discover them and more on a walking tour that will cover Derry’s past, with highlights like Emigration, The Plantation, The Siege, and its more modern history like Bloody Sunday and the murals you’ll see in the Fountain and Bogside areas. You’ll even get to walk atop the walls and see the oldest building within them, among others.

Taking a private transfer from your Derry hotel to Donegal in the Republic of Ireland (there’s no official border crossing), you’ll visit Glenveagh National Park along the way. The park is filled with dramatic mountains, sparkling lakes, and woodlands, but many come for the castle. Dating to the Victorian era, Glenveagh Castle offers beautifully lush gardens and is open for public visits. There are also hiking trails with breathtaking views and opportunities to watch for native red deer and a variety of bird species. After exploring, you’ll continue to your hotel in Donegal where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Today, a trip to the Slieve League (officially Sliabh Liag) Cliffs and Glencolmcille Folk Village brings you to Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs rising nearly 3,000 feet (three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher), boasting a view of Donegal Bay, the Atlantic, and the Sligo Mountains. You’ll also head back in time with a visit to Glen Folk Village (open seasonally). A replica of a rural village, it reveals the country’s past with thatched cottages while providing glimpses of daily traditional life. As this is a private tour, it can be personalized, perhaps to include an exploration of Donegal Town.

This morning, you’ll return to Belfast. After checking out of your hotel in Donegal, your driver will be there to provide a private transfer. As the journey is a long one, there will be a stop for lunch along the way. Once you’ve settled into your Belfast hotel, you might want to unwind with some time in a local pub or explore attractions you didn’t have time for at the start of your trip. If you want to pick up gifts or souvenirs, Victoria Square features over 70 stores and the Dome, a glassed-in area with a panoramic view of Belfast.

Your week of exploring Northern Ireland and beyond comes to an end this morning, with your driver meeting you for a private transfer to Belfast’s airport where you can catch your flight home. Of course, if you’d like to explore more of the island, our travel experts can always create a bespoke addition to your itinerary. Dublin is less than a two-hour drive away and there are nearly endless intriguing destinations to explore throughout the Republic of Ireland, not to mention Scotland, and England. No matter what your choice, we wish you safe travels and hope you’ve made memories of a lifetime.