Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour

About This Tour

This is one of the most popular day trips from Dublin for good reason. In a single day, you travel from the capital all the way to Northern Ireland’s most spectacular coastal scenery, visit locations made world-famous by Game of Thrones, and get free time to explore Belfast before heading back south.

The centrepiece is the Giant’s Causeway itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns rise from the sea like stepping stones built for a giant. The geological story behind them is fascinating, but the ancient legend of the warrior Finn McCool building a path to Scotland is far more entertaining, and your guide will make sure you hear both versions. You get a solid two hours here, which is plenty of time to walk the coastal path, scramble over the columns, and visit the interactive exhibition at the visitor centre.

Before reaching the Causeway, the coach stops at the Dark Hedges, an avenue of gnarled beech trees planted in the 18th century that became instantly recognisable as the King’s Road in Game of Thrones. The atmosphere here is genuinely otherworldly, especially in the morning light. You will also pause at Dunluce Castle, a medieval ruin perched on the edge of a sheer cliff that looks like it was designed for a film set rather than actual defence.

The Belfast portion of the trip gives you time to wander through the Titanic Quarter, grab a coffee in the Cathedral Quarter, or simply soak in the energy of a city that has reinvented itself remarkably over the past two decades. The return journey passes through some beautiful rolling countryside, and most guides keep the entertainment going with stories and music.

What’s Included

• Return coach transport from Dublin city centre
• Professional guide with live commentary throughout
• Stop at the Dark Hedges
• Entry to Giant’s Causeway and visitor centre
• Photo stop at Dunluce Castle
• Free time in Belfast

What’s Not Included

• Meals and drinks
• Entry to Belfast attractions such as the Titanic Museum
• Tips for the guide

Good to Know

• This is a long day at roughly 12 hours, so bring snacks and water for the road
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof layer as the Antrim coast can be exposed and breezy
• The Dark Hedges are a short walk from the coach drop-off point on a quiet country road
• Photography enthusiasts should bring a wide-angle lens for the Causeway columns
• The tour operates in all weather conditions and the Causeway looks spectacular in rain and sunshine alike