Explore the north of the island with a breakfast stop en route before crossing into the British part of Ireland. You’ll begin the day discovering one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landscapes: the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You’ll have an hour and a half of free time to explore at your own pace this breathtaking geological formation composed of thousands of hexagonal basalt columns, created over 60 million years ago by volcanic activity. This unique corner of the North Atlantic coast has inspired ancient legends, such as that of the mythical giant Finn McCool, a central figure in Irish folklore. In addition, this area was the site of a Spanish Armada shipwreck in 1588, and on clear days, the Scottish coast is visible on the horizon.
Around midday, you’ll head to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, where a panoramic bus tour will introduce you to the city’s complex history. During the tour, you’ll see some of its most iconic landmarks: the grand City Hall, the modern Titanic Quarter, the leaning Albert Memorial Clock, the Peace Wall and the political murals that decorate both Catholic and Protestant working-class neighborhoods. This panoramic experience offers a comprehensive view of Belfast’s turbulent past, its peace process and the multicultural atmosphere that defines it today.
After the tour, you’ll have free time in the city center to stroll through its streets, browse local shops or enjoy a meal before returning to Dublin in the afternoon.
This tour does not include the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Some British tour operators offer day trips that include both the bridge and the Giant’s Causeway, but do not visit Belfast. Also, the bridge remains closed for most of the winter.