Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, with spectacular coastal scenery, lush rural landscapes and a wealth of interesting landmarks and attractions. From bustling Belfast to historic Derry-Londonderry, there is so much to do – here is our list of the top ten things for your clients to enjoy when they visit Northern Ireland.

Giant's Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most famous landmark in Northern Ireland and a magnet for visitors from all over the world. The distinctive basalt columns reach out into the sea as if to form a causeway, and the surrounding cliffs are dotted with remarkable natural stone structures, which resemble for example a pipe organ, chimney stacks and a giant boot!

Giant's Causeway copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Titanic Belfast

Titanic is perhaps the most famous ship in the world, and its story began in Belfast. Built at the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard, whose twin cranes – Samson and Goliath – dominate the skyline to this day, the supposedly unsinkable vessel was launched from the city before its ill-fated maiden voyage. Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction and is built on the site of the former shipyard. The state-of-the-art museum offers visitors a fascinating insight into the building of the ship and its subsequent journey.

Titanic Belfast copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Situated at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, just a 30 minute drive from Belfast, the 110,000-square-foot interactive experience allows fans of the blockbuster TV series to explore a vast array of original sets, costumes, props and set pieces, with the aim of bringing visitors closer to the Seven Kingdoms than ever before. The tour transports people into the very heart of Westeros to see breathtaking imagery and behind-the-scenes elements. Why not visit the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, as well as the many other filming locations in Northern Ireland used in the series, such as the iconic Dark Hedges, on a tailor-made Location Tour? 

Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The heart-stopping Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge offers adrenaline junkies the chance to brave a dizzying gap across the Atlantic Ocean to reach a small rocky island. Just 20 minutes by road from The Giant’s Causeway, the incredible bridge is suspended 100 feet above the rocks and waves below. A truly unforgettable experience, the bridge is not for the faint hearted, but the incredible views are worth it!

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge © Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Dunluce Castle

With its spectacular clifftop location, Dunluce Castle is one of the most picturesque and romantic castles in the United Kingdom. The iconic ruin on the dramatic Causeway Coast dates back to around 1500 and bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. There is evidence of settlement on this incredible natural outcrop since the first millennium and the castle is steeped in myths and legends. Dunluce Castle shot to fame in recent years when it featured in Game of Thrones.

Dunluce Castle

Derry-Londonderry City Walls and Peace Bridge

Derry-Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. The 17th century Walls, which are approximately a mile in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town. The nearby Peace Bridge snakes elegantly across the River Foyle and tells a story of triumph over adversity.

Walking tour along The Walls, Derry-Londonderry © Chris Hill / VisitDerry

Bushmills Distillery

A tour of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery is a must for all those interested in the history and heritage of whiskey and indeed everyone who enjoys a ‘wee dram’. Just a stone’s throw from the Giant’s Causeway, on the north coast of Northern Ireland, the distillery dates back to 1608 and on an expert-led guided tour visitors can learn all about how whiskey is produced, from ‘grain to glass’. Tours culminate in the bar with a taste of some of the finest Irish whiskeys in the world.

Bushmills Distillery courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

Seamus Heaney HomePlace

Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney was one of the 20th century’s greatest poets and writers. In 2016, just three years after his death, a purpose-built arts and literary centre dedicated to his life and work was opened in Bellaghy, a village close to where he was born and grew up, just a 45 minute drive from both Belfast and Derry-Londonderry. Visitors can immerse themselves in the extraordinary world of Seamus Heaney and explore, through his words, the people and places that inspired him.

Seamus Heaney HomePlace

Crumlin Road Gaol Experience

Discover over 150 years of history in Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian prison. Crumlin Road Gaol is one of Belfast’s top attractions, where visitors can take a guided tour and hear about the history of the site, from when women and children were held within its walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners. See the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair and pay a visit to the condemned man’s cell.

Crumlin Road Gaol © Tourism Northern Ireland

Mount Stewart

Mount Stewart House and Gardens is one of Northern Ireland’s best loved attractions. Situated close to the banks of Strangford Lough, the National Trust property is perhaps most famous for its remarkable gardens, voted one of the top ten in the world, and renowned for the scope of its planting and the originality of its features. The splendid neo-classical house dates back to the early 19th century and contains an extensive collection of art and memorabilia.

Mount Stewart copyright Northern Ireland Tourist Board

If you would like to arrange a visit to Northern Ireland for your clients, perhaps as part of a wider tour of the UK and Ireland, please do contact us today. Northern Ireland is easy to reach by plane or boat from mainland UK and of course is within a few hours’ driving distance of many parts of the Republic of Ireland, including Dublin.