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Northern Ireland Travel Guides

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Northern Ireland Travel Guide

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1. Cities of the North
2. Epic Landscapes
3. Films & Books
4. Visit the North

Welcome to the North

Located on the island of Ireland alongside the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland is a complicated place. And while Northern Ireland is legally part of the United Kingdom (alongside England, Scotland, and Wales), culturally, it has a strong Irish connection. With a foot in both countries, Northern Ireland has a complex and turbulent history culminating in the Troubles of the 70s, 80s and 90s. The root of said conflicts comes down to what country the nation belongs to (learn more about it on our History of Ireland page).

Leaving politics aside, Northern Ireland is a fascinating place to visit, full of captivating folklore of giants and kings, bizarre but beautiful geology on the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim, stately manors, hip cities like Belfast and Derry, stunning landscapes and so much more.

Let our travel guides inspire you to learn more about this amazing corner of Ireland.

Northern Irish Cities

Northern Ireland is recognised worldwide for its stunning landscapes, fascinating folklore, delicious whiskey and popular filming locations. For many people, the cities of Northern Ireland are sadly connected with turbulent times today known as the Troubles. Today though, places like Belfast and Derry have turned a new leaf and have re-imagined themselves as trendy places full of culture and nightlight, embracing their history, be it good or bad.

Check out our travel guides to these two exciting cities in Northern Ireland.

The Titanic Museum in Belfast

Belfast City

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is a vibrant city known for its rich (if troubled) history and cultural landmarks. Famous as the birthplace of the Titanic, it’s home to the impressive Titanic Belfast Museum. History and art blend together in this cool and exciting city, from the magnificent Belfast City Hall to the lively Cathedral Quarter. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, Belfast offers a unique mix of heritage and contemporary charm. It’s also a foodie hotspot, with lots of delicious options for those who like good food, good drink, and good craic!

Read Our Guide

Rainbows over the walls of Derry

Derry/Londonderry

The historic city of Derry/ Londonderry (both names are accurate; what you call it often determines your cultural and political preferences) is famed for its well-preserved 17th-century walls, complicated history, and, more recently, the hit TV series Derry Girls. It played a key role in Irish history, particularly during the Troubles, and today features vibrant cultural offerings, including galleries, museums, murals, and festivals. Whether you’re looking for iconic landmarks, charming cityscapes from atop the wall, or a gritty tour of the Troubles from a black cab, Derry is a fascinating destination.

Read Our Guide

Epic Landscapes

Sunrise at the Giant’s Causeway.

For a small place, Northern Ireland is home to epic landscapes. Rich in mythology, Northern Ireland provides a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts, inviting exploration and a deep connection to Northern Ireland’s rugged beauty. Weave along the hexagonal stones of the Giant’s Causeway or wander the wild cliffs and shores of the Causeway Coast. Crumbling castles perch along dramatic cliffs while waves crash against stony shores.

Inland, the mystique of the Mourne Mountains enchants hikers who traverse its peaks. Ringed with the desolate Mourne Wall, these hills and mountains offer a spellbinding doorway into Northern Ireland’s nature. It’s not hard to see why such a place has inspired so many fantasy writers and creators.

Read our travel guides below to explore some of these exhilarating landscapes.

Giant’s Causeway

Highlights:

Wild geology
Myths and folklore
Iconic landscapes

Causeway Coast

Highlights:

Amazing coastal route
Clifftop castles
Stunning beaches

Mourne Mountains

Highlights:

Soaring peaks
Quiet mountainscapes
Epic climbs

Rathlin Island

Highlights:

Puffins & Seals
Rugged sea stacks
Island escape

Dunluce Castle

Perched on a windswept clifftop, the romantic ruins of Dunluce Castle are some of the most fascinating in Northern Ireland. For anyone who grew up reading The Chronicles of Narnia or jumped on the Game of Thrones bandwagon, Dunluce Castle is the spot to visit for fantasy inspiration.

Read more in our guide to Dunluce Castle below.

Stories from Northern Ireland

Maybe it’s the dark winters. Maybe it’s the rain. Or, very probably, it’s the epic landscapes, rich folklore, fascinating history, and oral storytelling. But Ireland has a rich tradition of inspiring stories. Whether that be mythical stories of giants and legends, fantasy epics or heart-stopping backdrops to fantasy television sagas, Ireland – and Northern Ireland in particular – has long inspired fantastical and magical stories.

Read our guides below to learn about the Irish giant Finn McCool, the landscapes that inspired C.S. Lewis’s iconic Chronicles of Narnia, or was chosen to stand in for the wild world of Westeros from Game of Thrones.

Finn MacCool

Myth & legends of warring giants

Game of Thrones

Fantasy TV series filming locations

Narnia

Timeless children’s story inspirations

Storied Landscapes

It’s fair to say that Ireland has inspired a lot of writers, both from the north and the Republic. From poet Seamus Heaney to children’s writer C.S. Lewis, playwrights Oscar Wilde, J.M. Synge, Sheridan and others, and gothic writers like Bram Stoker and Sheridan LeFanu, there are no end of Irish writers.

And when you take into account the myths and legends, the TV shows that use the stunning Emerald Isle as a perfect backdrop for everything from fantasy epics to historical sagas of Viking raiders and even heartwarming romcoms, Ireland is a land of stores. Learn more below.

Hiking – Causeway
Coast & Donegal

Highlights:

Giant’s Causeway
Clifftop Walks
Rugged Headlands

View Trip

Self Drive – Belfast,
Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

Highlights:

Flexible Days
City Tours – Belfast
Epic Cliffs

View Trip

Hiking Tour –
The Northern Coast

Highlights:

Gentle Coasts & Soaring Peaks
Mythic Landscapes
Causeway & Mourne Mountains

View Trip

What is Slow Adventure?

By Dawn Rainbolt
Mar 21, 2025

Irish Wildflowers By Month

By Dawn Rainbolt
Jun 17, 2024

Halloween Festivals In Ireland

By Dawn Rainbolt
Oct 24, 2023

Wilderness Ireland Departure Dates	Availability	Status	Price	Book
Hiking – The Northern Coast 3rd May - 9th May 2025	3 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,770	Book Now
Hiking – The Hidden West 3rd May - 9th May 2025	2 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,720	Book Now
Hiking – The Hidden West 7th Jun - 13th Jun 2025	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,540	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 7th Jun - 13th Jun 2025	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 21st Jun - 27th Jun 2025 Women only departure	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Northern Coast 28th Jun - 4th Jul 2025	5 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,600	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 5th Jul - 11th Jul 2025	1 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 26th Jul - 1st Aug 2025	5 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Northern Coast 2nd Aug - 8th Aug 2025	6 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,600	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 2nd Aug - 8th Aug 2025	3 place(s) left	Guaranteed	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal 30th Aug - 5th Sep 2025	8 place(s) left	Available	2,734	Book Now
Hiking – The Northern Coast 13th Sep - 19th Sep 2025	8 place(s) left	Available	2,770	Book Now
Hiking – The Northern Coast 4th Oct - 10th Oct 2025	8 place(s) left	Available	2,770	Book Now

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Margaret Gugerty
Hiking - The Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal
Reviewed on 07/09/2022

Rated 4.93 out of 5 based on 2,403 reviews

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Northern Ireland Travel Guide

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Northern Ireland Travel Guides

Quick Navigation

Welcome to the North

Northern Irish Cities

Belfast City

Derry/Londonderry

Epic Landscapes

Giant’s Causeway

Causeway Coast

Mourne Mountains

Rathlin Island

Dunluce Castle

Stories from Northern Ireland

Finn MacCool

Game of Thrones

Narnia

Storied Landscapes

Visit Northern Ireland

Hiking – Causeway Coast & Donegal

Self Drive – Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

Hiking Tour – The Northern Coast

Read More

What is Slow Adventure?

Irish Wildflowers By Month

Halloween Festivals In Ireland

Trips to the North

Our holidays reviewedin your own words

As Recommended By...

Explore the Active Travel Club

Six expert travel companies. One place for all your adventures.

Want more Wilderness in your life?

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Check out more great content from our teams in other locations.

Hiking – Causeway
Coast & Donegal

Self Drive – Belfast,
Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

Hiking Tour –
The Northern Coast

Our holidays reviewed
in your own words