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Malin Head © Tourism Ireland / Failte Ireland

Northern Ireland Road Trip

(8 days / 7 nights)

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Discover the Northern Cities, Coast & Nature

Take a week to experience the heritage and natural sights of Northern Ireland. With this road trip, you’ll combine exploring the cities of Dublin and Belfast as well as the scenic countryside and coastline. Stand by the impressive Giant’s Causeway and Slieve League cliffs, visit historic museums and learn about Irish and Northern Irish cultures. This itinerary is ideal to see off-the-beaten-path gems in Ireland and discover Northern Ireland, all at your own pace.

8 days / 7 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1687 EUR

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Specialists in Ireland self-drive holidays
  • Great customer reviews

Read more

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the Irish and Northern Irish capitals, Dublin and Belfast
  • Discover the geological wonders of the Giant’s Causeway with its unique volcanic basalt columns
  • Take in the historic city walls of Derry, also known as Londonderry
  • Wander through Newgrange, a unique passage tomb listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Feel the wind on your face at the Slieve League cliffs
  • Discover the quiet beauty of Glenveagh National Park
  • See Malin Head, the northernmost point on the island
  • Immerse yourself in the interactive experience of Titanic Belfast
  • Enjoy a seamless road trip with your personal itinerary from an Irish travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Best Seller i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Off the Beaten Path i

Season

Apr - Oct

Departure

Daily

Interest

Best Seller i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Off the Beaten Path i

Driving distance

954/594 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Arrival Day in Dublin

    Upon your arrival in Dublin, immerse yourself in the eclectic mixture of heritage sites, museums and historic pubs. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar district, grab a pint at the Guinness Storehouse for a taste of the world-famous beer or visit the historic Trinity College to see the ancient Book of Kells. You could enjoy an afternoon tea sightseeing tour of the city on a vintage bus or stroll along the characterful O’Connell Street filled with interesting shops and landmark buildings.

    Spend the night in Dublin area.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Megalithic Newgrange and Scenic Landscapes

    Start your road trip towards Northern Ireland. Your first stop is the charming 12th-century Malahide Castle. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange, where you can see megalithic passage tombs which are believed to be older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. This is one of Ireland’s most popular and fascinating attractions. Next, stop to admire the high crosses of Monasterboice, the historic ruins of a Christian settlement. Cross into Northern Ireland to reach the capital Belfast.

    Spend the night in Belfast.

    Driving distance: 195 km / 121 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: Discover Belfast

    You have a full day to explore Belfast, an exciting city with a mix of Victorian grandeur, industrial grit and living history. You’ll have entrance included to Titanic Belfast, the city’s leading attraction. Here you’ll experience the story of the world’s largest and most luxurious ship, which was constructed in Belfast in 1909. You can also go on a Black Cab Tour to see the Peace Walls and their famous murals. Why not admire the architecture of the City Hall or opt to visit the Ulster Folk Museum, a complete recreation of an early 1900s traditional Northern Irish town?

    Spend another night in Belfast.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: Giant’s Causeway and Antrim Coast

    Explore the beautiful Antrim Coast. First, pass by the atmospheric Dark Hedges, a Game of Thrones filming location. Or if you prefer, skip this sight and follow the Antrim Coast via the town of Cushendall for a scenic detour. Then, enjoy a scenic coastal walk at Carrick-a-Rede to cross its rope bridge swaying 30 metres (98 feet) above the sea and providing stunning views of the cliffs below.

    The highlight of the day is the jewel of Northern Ireland and World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway, with its iconic basalt columns. Nearby, you can visit Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest whiskey distillery. We also recommend stopping for a view of the breathtaking, medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle, located by dramatic coastal cliffs.

    Spend the night in the Derry/Londonderry area.

    Driving distance: 183 km / 114 miles
    Driving distance alternate route: 200 km / 124 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: Discover Derry and the North Irish Coast

    Spend the morning discovering the historic town of Derry. You can walk the city walls and visit the Bogside murals. Or learn more about the history of the town at the Free Derry Museum.

    In the afternoon, you’ll get your first taste of the iconic Wild Atlantic Way route, a circuit known for its stunning coastline sights. Drive to Ireland’s most northern point Malin Head. Along the way, visit Fort Dunree, before continuing north through the Mamore Gap. Then you can stop by Bambouth Tower or “Bamba’s Crown”, used by pilots during WWII to identify their location.

    Spend another night in Derry.

    Driving distance: 128 km / 80 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 6: Wild Atlantic Way & Slieve League Cliffs

    Today you head back into the Republic of Ireland and its northernmost territory Donegal. Your first stop will be Grianan of Aileach, an ancient stone fort with breathtaking views over the entire peninsula. Continue to Glenveagh National Park where you’ll explore towering mountains, lakes, valleys and woodlands. Drive past the imposing Mount Errigal and over the winding Glengesh Pass to Glencolumbkille, one of Ireland’s best living-history museums. Then experience breathtaking views at the imposing cliffs of Slieve League. At 600 metres (1968 feet) they are some of the highest marine cliffs in Europe.

    Spend the night in the Donegal area.

    Driving distance: 204 km / 127 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 7: Through the Midlands to Dublin

    Make your way back to Dublin, passing through the beautiful midlands of Ireland. Your first stop is to explore the stunning Crom Estate sitting along the shores of Lough Erne. It is one of the most beautiful Irish nature conservation areas. Leave Northern Ireland for the last time to visit Trim Castle, where you can learn about Irish history at the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Back in Dublin, enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure, perhaps with a fine Irish dinner to top off your amazing journey.

    Spend the night in the Dublin area.

    Driving distance: 244 km / 152 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 8: Departure

    To get to Dublin Airport, you can take a taxi, or we can arrange a convenient private transfer directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can use the morning to enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of the many attractions or simply relax and take in the atmosphere of the city one last time.

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

We will use Nordic Visitor again

This was our third Nordic Visitor trip. We truly like the format of being able to travel on our own but with hotels and our car pre-booked and suggested itineraries. We will use Nordic Visitor again.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with well-appointed guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels or boutique guesthouses in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Rental car

Enjoy your journey with one of these vehicles and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

Opel Astra (Manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x2
  • M

Opel Astra (Manual)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Manual

Kia Picanto (Automatic)
or similar

  • x4
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Kia Picanto (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 4
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Corolla (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Skoda Octavia (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Skoda Octavia (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Volvo S90 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Volvo S90 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Nissan Qashqai (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A

Nissan Qashqai (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x4
  • x6
  • A

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Luxury Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 6
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1687 EUR

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2024

Tour Information

We recommend that you read through the following information before booking your tour. You’ll learn more about driving in Ireland and Northern Ireland, what the tour includes, the accommodation, and other useful information for your travels.

ABOUT OUR SELF-DRIVE TOURS
This is a self-drive tour, which means you will follow a detailed and personalised itinerary during your road trip in Ireland and Northern Ireland. No dedicated driver or tour guide is included. All accommodation, rental vehicle, and other planned activities or added services will be pre-booked by Nordic Visitor (as specified in the itinerary).

As this is a self-drive tour, you are welcome to stop when and where you wish on your drive. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.

ACCOMMODATION AND ROOM TYPE
Our team of local travel experts carefully selects hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses around the country based on excellent ratings, personal experience and comfort. In Ireland, whilst room sizes may vary, generally our room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they might be smaller than in North America.

Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available in Ireland. Please contact us for booking assistance if that is something you would like.

Due to the historic nature of some of the properties we select, it’s good to be aware that sometimes rooms are only accessible by going up stairs, with no lifts available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.

SAFE DRIVING IN IRELAND
The roads in Ireland and Northern Ireland are usually in good conditions all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness. Please be aware that motorists drive on the left side of the road (and on the right side of the car).

If you are not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission for your road trip. And should you prefer a manual transmission vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same).

Drivers will also have to get used to the narrower roads of Ireland as well as the rural single-track roads with passing places. Other hazards may include animals on the road, so always be careful.

SAFETY & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please note that sightseeing and transport is dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if these are not favourable. This includes ferries and drives. If an emergency occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in Euros (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. Therefore, conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within 2 business days by one of our travel consultants. They will serve as your dedicated contact person for all your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday.

Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and any remaining payments (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

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