Northern Highlights Guided Tour - The Best of Northern Ireland

This is a full-day guided tour taking in the highlights of Belfast (optional), the beautiful Causeway Coastal Route, the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, with a few surprise destinations off the beaten track. This tour is aimed at the visitor who has limited time to spare on their trip to Northern Ireland. This tour will give you a great taste of the variety offered by the city, the coastline, the culture and heritage on a day-long tour from Belfast.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Belfast City Sightseeing, Belfast BT2 7BA Northern Ireland

(Optional for Belfast Pick Up - Unavailable for Derry/Other Pick Up) Take a tour of the highlights of Belfast including its majestic City Hall, the grandeur of the Stormont Estate, the University Quarter and the wonderful maritime history of the Titanic Quarter.

Stop At: Carrickfergus Castle, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus BT38 7BG Northern Ireland

One of the oldest and largest intact Norman Castles in Ireland, it has sat on the shores of Belfast Lough since 1177. Stop to take photos of this majestic building (depending on pick up/dropoff. Construction works until March 2020.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Glenarm Castle, 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm BT44 0BQ Northern Ireland

Get up close with one of the few remaining Irish castles still lived in by the same family for hundreds of years. Sadly, as it is a private home, we cannot visit, but our tour will uniquely take you to an amazing vantage point above Glenarm to view this Gothic masterpiece in all its glory.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Carnlough Library Library Carnlough Library 36 Harbour Road, Carnlough BT44 0EU Northern Ireland

A stopover in Carnlough - and not its library - will reward you with views of its beautiful limestone harbour, its railway bridges, the hotel once owned by the Churchill family and of course your first Game of Thrones location of the tour.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Glenariff Forest Park, Glenarrife Rd Northern Ireland

Travel through the Queen of the Nine Glens of Antrim - an inspiration for Narnia in the CS Lewis novels - and home to the tumbling waterfalls and ancient woodlands of Glenariff Forest Park.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Cushendall Local Information Office, 25 Mill Street, Cushendall BT44 0RR Northern Ireland

Before we visit Cushendall we take a stop at Agnew's Field and marvel at the sheer scale of Glenariff Glen and the ruins of the ancient Redbay Castle. The village itself has at its heart the 'Curfew Tower' and the magnificent murals celebrating the Irish game of Hurling.

Duration: 25 minutes

Pass By: Cushendun Village, Glenmona House, 10 Glendun Rd, Ballymena BT44 0PH Northern Ireland

This pretty seaside village is a conservation area in the ownership of the National Trust. Admire its half-slated homes in the Scottish style and the sculpture of Johann the goat and the story of his tragic end.

Stop At: Torr Head, Torr Road, Ballycastle BT54 6RQ Northern Ireland

The Torr Head Scenic Route curves its way across the high cliffs of the Antrim Coast, with amazing sea views and the Scottish coast just 12 miles distant (weather permitting). Admire deep green inlets and otherworldly rock formations before reaching the astonishing Murlough Bay with its curious link to 20th century Irish history.

Duration: 50 minutes

Stop At: Murlough Bay and Fair Head, Nr Ballycastle, Ballycastle Northern Ireland

(Depends on Season & Weather) This amazing bay is accessed by a narrow road that winds its way from the limestone cliffs that feature as the Stormlands in Game of Thrones, to the rocky shoreline with its limestone and basalt rock features, battered year-round by North Atlantic Ocean.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ballycastle Harbour, 14 Bayview Road, Ballycastle BT54 6BT Northern Ireland

We will stop at this celebrated seaside resort for lunch (depending on season) at the award-winning Marconi Bar and Bistro with its famous seafood dishes and its world renowned chowder - Ballycastle being the first place to send and receive wireless radio signals by Marconi's team - then head along the coast to Kinbane. Winter Options Differ.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kinbane Castle, Ballycastle Northern Ireland

(TIme and Weather Permitting) The ruins of Kinbane Castle sit on a long, narrow limestone headland projecting into the sea, overlooking the churning waters of the Straits of Moyle, Rathlin Island and the Scottish Islands. Marvel at the tumbling waterfall and the sea caves far below the coastal path.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, 119A Whitepark Road, Ballintoy BT54 6LS Northern Ireland

This trip does not include a crossing of the Rope Bridge (c. 3 hours). Instead we will view the Rope Bridge from above from Portaneevy Lookout Point and enjoy a panoramic view of the coastline and views across to Scotland (weather permitting).

Stop At: Giant's Causeway, Causeway Road, Bushmills BT57 8SU Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway is the most visited natural attraction in Ireland and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. With its astonishing collection of over 40,000 basalt columns, it is one of the must-see natural wonders on this spectacular coastline - if not the world - but let us know your thoughts.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Dunluce Castle, 87 Dunluce Road Co. Antrim, Portrush BT57 8UY Northern Ireland

Nearly 250 years in construction, the clifftop location of Dunluce Castle has attracted artists and photographers for years. One of the most impressive castle ruins in Ireland, this stop will appeal to your inner artist. Allow at least 10 minutes to enjoy this amazing testament to the enterprise of the Irish, 600 years after building began.

Duration: 15 minutes