Things to Do in Northern Ireland
A handy visitor hub for tours, attractions, places to eat, and great stays — ideal if you’re visiting and want local recommendations.
Northern Ireland offers a diverse range of attractions, from world-famous landmarks and scenic coastal routes to historic castles, museums, food spots and unique local experiences. This guide highlights things to do in Northern Ireland — from iconic attractions and coastal routes to castles, museums, food spots, and unique experiences across Belfast, the North Coast, County Down and beyond, with transport options available to make getting around easy.
🚤 Boat Tours & Water Activities
Boat trips, island tours, wildlife cruises, coastal and Game of Thrones sightseeing experiences across Northern Ireland.
- Kintra Boat Tours Boat Trips from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
- Ballintoy Boat Tours Boat Trips from Ballintoy, Northern Ireland
- Aquaholics Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring natural wonders of the North Coast of Ireland. Discover the beauty of this region by taking a sea voyage guided by experienced local skippers.
🏰 Must-See Attractions
Iconic highlights and visitor favourites — ideal for first-time trips.
- Giant's Causeway A dramatic volcanic coastline steeped in myth and natural wonder, free to explore with an optional paid visitor centre.
- Titanic Belfast An award-winning interactive museum on the Titanic’s birthplace — paid entry (around £25 for adults).
- Dunluce Castle A clifftop medieval castle with sweeping Atlantic views and centuries of history — ticketed entry.
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge A famous rope bridge spanning a dramatic coastal chasm on the Antrim Coast — paid entry (advance booking required).
- Crumlin Road Gaol A former Victorian prison brought to life through immersive guided tours — ticketed entry.
- Carrickfergus Castle A well-preserved Norman castle overlooking Belfast Lough, offering panoramic coastal views and centuries of history. Paid entry, with easy access just outside Belfast.
🗺️ Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Best viewpoints, coastal roads, and photo stops — great for a private tour day.
- Causeway Coastal Route One of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, winding past dramatic cliffs, historic castles, and iconic landmarks. Free to drive, with countless viewpoints and stop-offs along Northern Ireland’s stunning north coast.
- Antrim Coast Road A spectacular coastal road winding through some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic scenery, passing cliffs, beaches, and famous landmarks. Free to drive, with highlights including coastal villages and breathtaking Atlantic views.
🎟️ Tours & Experiences
Guided tours, distilleries, history walks, and unique local experiences.
- Old Bushmills Distillery Step inside the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery with guided tours and tastings — ticketed entry.
- The Copeland Distillery A contemporary craft distillery known for award-winning gin, rum, and whiskey — ticketed tours available.
- Titanic Distillers A modern whiskey distillery set in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter, offering guided tours and tastings — paid entry.
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour An immersive studio experience showcasing original sets, costumes, and props from Game of Thrones. Paid entry, with advance booking recommended.
- City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour A hop-on, hop-off bus tour offering a convenient way to explore Belfast’s top sights at your own pace. Paid entry, with tickets valid for the day.
🛏️ Accommodation
Recommended places to stay in Northern Ireland — ideal for visitors looking for a stylish and convenient base.
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One Shore Street
A stylish coastal stay in Donaghadee, ideal for visitors exploring County Down, Belfast, and the wider Northern Ireland coastline.
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Pier 36
A popular harbour-front guesthouse, restaurant and bar in Donaghadee, ideal for visitors looking for a relaxed coastal stay with food, drink and sea views close by.
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Strangford Arms Hotel
A well-established hotel in Newtownards with accommodation, food and drink, parking and easy access to Belfast City Airport, Bangor, Donaghadee and the Ards Peninsula.
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Clandeboye Lodge
A 4-star woodland hotel near Bangor and Belfast, ideal for visitors looking for a peaceful base with stylish rooms, dining and easy access to the coast.
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The Old Inn
A characterful boutique hotel in Crawfordsburn, close to Bangor, Belfast and Crawfordsburn Country Park, with dining, cosy interiors and a spa-style retreat feel.
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The Nines
A Bangor seafront hotel with ensuite rooms, food and drink, and views towards Belfast Lough and Bangor Marina — a handy coastal base for visitors.
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Ennislare Guest House
A Bangor guest house close to the seafront, marina, transport links and local restaurants — useful for visitors wanting a simple base near the town centre.
🍽️ Food & Drink
Local favourites for dinner, pubs, coffee, and breakfast — grouped so visitors can scan quickly.
Restaurants
Pubs & Breweries
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Great picks for kids and groups — parks, interactive attractions, and easy wins.
- UlsterFolk Museum An open-air museum bringing Northern Ireland’s rural past to life — paid entry.
🚌 Travelling in a large group?
Visiting Northern Ireland with a larger group? Private transport can make getting around far easier, keeping everyone together and on schedule.
- Compass Coach Travel Comfortable group transport for airport transfers, tours, events, and day trips across Northern Ireland.
🧭 Travel Guides & Local Advice
Helpful local travel guides for visitors planning airport transfers, golf trips, cruise excursions, private tours and journeys around Northern Ireland. These guides are designed to answer common questions before you book, including journey times, routes, luggage space, cruise timings and the easiest ways to travel.
Dublin Airport to Portrush
Journey time, route options and practical advice for visitors travelling from Dublin Airport to Portrush, Royal Portrush Golf Club and the North Coast.
Read the guideBelfast Cruise Port to Giant’s Causeway
A helpful guide for cruise visitors planning a private day trip from Belfast Cruise Port to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce Castle and the Causeway Coast.
Read the guideFlying into Dublin for a Northern Ireland Golf Trip?
Advice for golf groups arriving through Dublin Airport, including travel times, luggage space, golf bags, trailers and transfers to Portrush, Portstewart, Ballyliffin and Royal County Down.
Read the guideBelfast International Airport to the North Coast
What visitors should know when travelling from Belfast International Airport to Portrush, Portstewart, Bushmills, Ballycastle and the wider Causeway Coast.
Read the guideBest Private Day Trips from Belfast
Ideas for private driver days from Belfast, including the North Coast, County Down, distilleries, castles, scenic drives and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Read the guideAsk Sam for local transfer advice
Not sure which airport, route or day trip works best? Send your travel plans and we’ll help with realistic timings, fixed pricing and private transport options.
Message Sam on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Northern Ireland?
Popular attractions include the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, the Causeway Coastal Route, historic castles, museums, distilleries, and food experiences across Belfast and the North Coast.
How many days do you need in Northern Ireland?
Most visitors spend between 3 and 7 days exploring Belfast, the North Coast, County Down, and scenic coastal routes.
Is it easy to get around Northern Ireland without a car?
Yes. Private transport, tours, and airport transfers make it easy to visit attractions without hiring a car.
Visiting from the USA — what’s the easiest way to get around Northern Ireland?
Many US visitors choose private transport or a local driver for day trips and multi-stop touring, especially if you’d rather avoid driving on the left or navigating unfamiliar roads. Our Dublin Airport to Northern Ireland transfer service makes it easy to explore Belfast, the North Coast, and key attractions comfortably in a short time.