The Wild Coasts of the North From Belfast

You leave Belfast and travel north following the winding and magnificent Causeway Coastal Route. A truly sensational experience, the journey takes you past craggy cliffs, ruined castles and through the sweeping Glens of Antrim, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Your driver will talk with the group about where they might stop along the way for photos!

You stop in at the charming seaside town of Ballycastle for a wander and some lunch. After this, you'll pop down to see the impressive Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge before it's back on the road. The crowning glory of this coastal drive is the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a place where history and myth collide spectacularly with raw geological power.

To finish off the day, you stop in at Bushmills Distillery for an optional tasting of their famous whiskey before a quick photo stop to see the dramatic Dunluce Castle.

Reinvigorated by the sea air and the mind-blowing scenery, you arrive in Portrush in the late afternoon where you stay for the night.

Overnight - Portrush

You say farewell to the coastal charms and head to Derry/Londonderry. From the almost intact historic walls to the murals commemorating the more recent troubled past, this city is steeped in history. And it’s also quickly becoming one of the most important artistic and cultural hubs in Northern Ireland. You’ve got free time to explore Derry for yourself or you can join an optional walking tour.

Next, you travel to the Ulster American Folk Park, where you can discover the story of emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn about the hardships these bold people had to face and the impact they made in the new land. Please note, due to the remote nature of the park, there is no alternative during this part of the tour.

In the late afternoon, you travel to Enniskillen, a small island town and your overnight base. Enjoy an evening stroll around this lovely area or discover the famous Irish charm as you chat with the locals in a cosy pub.

Overnight - Enniskillen

In the morning, you can decide to explore Enniskillen a bit more. You may visit its many galleries and craft shops, explore the 15th-century castle, or see the beautiful Lough Erne on an optional cruise (subject to season and availability).

Then, you say farewell to the lovely island town and head to your next stop on the tour, Hillsborough Castle and its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens that have been a joy to the Royal Family and thousands of visitors. If you fancy, you can choose to explore the beautiful state rooms of the castle and find out more about its fascinating history (tickets subject to availability) and even grab a bite to eat for lunch.

This is also where you join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to county Donegal. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions.

From here you head to Donegal Town, your overnight stop for tonight. This town boasts a panoramic backdrop of the Blue Stack Mountains, plus plenty to do in town, including an array of restaurants for your dining options.

Overnight - Donegal

Today you wrap yourself in wilderness as you journey along the wild Atlantic coast. First are the Slieve League Cliffs that tumble down 600 metres to the unrestrained ocean. These impressive crags are among the highest in Europe and are steeped in legends.

The landscape continues to get wilder as you travel through the sparsely populated Irish-speaking communities. Taking a break from the coastal delights, the route takes you through a striking mountain pass at
Glengesh to the picturesque village of Ardara for lunch. Then, you continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and stop at locations graced with magnificent views of the rugged coast and islands, before travelling through the impressive Glenveagh National Park.

In the early evening, you arrive in Letterkenny, a vibrant town full of history and great traditional bars, where you spend
two nights.


Overnight - Letterkenny

Leaving Letterkenny, the next morning, you head into the Inishowen Peninsula and straight for Fort Dunree. This strategic clifftop fort is now also home to a military museum. From here you travel along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland. Spend some time discovering the treasures found along the route, including a holy well devoted to St Eigne.

Next up, you make your way to the lovely little town of Carndonagh for lunch. This market town boasts loads of pubs and restaurants, not to mention it’s the site of the ancient Donagh Cross or St Patrick’s Cross.
After you’ve filled your belly, it's time to make your way up to Malin Head. With its wild and rugged coastline, this northern-most point of Ireland feels out of this world, so no wonder it was used as a filming location for Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi.

After a quick comfort break, your adventure continues to Grianan of Aileach. This peculiar hilltop fort dates back to 1700 BC and hassome breathtaking views. You then head back to Letterkenny for the night.

Overnight - Letterkenny

Today you travel back into Northern Ireland to admire the beauty of Mussenden Temple perched right on a cliff’s edge. This 18th-century temple was originally built to house the eccentric Earl Bishop’s library and is now one of the most photographed places in Ireland and a Game of Thrones location.

Our next stop is at the seaside town of Portstewart for a well-deserved lunch break where you have free time to explore. With this delicious whiskey warming your insides, it’s time to head back to Belfast.

And as our tour comes to a close, worry not - there are still beautiful things to see. We keep this final afternoon flexible and your driver-guide will find local spots to show off to you on your route back to Belfast.

Return to Belfast at approximately 18:00