Top 5 Attractions for Your Luxury Northern Ireland Itinerary
Updated: Sep 3
Add these top five attractions to your luxury Northern Ireland itinerary to make it a trip to remember.
Northern Ireland may be small and seemingly insignificant compared to the Republic of Ireland, but between its fascinating cities and rambling countryside, it offers so much that its neighbor can’t. While there are so many large and small ways to enjoy this enamouring country from hiking to castle-hopping, there are five attractions that absolutely cannot be missed during your stay. Combine these attractions with the delightful luxuries that Northern Ireland offers, including private tours, high-end accommodation, and top-of-the-range private transport to have the pleasure of experiencing the very best Northern Ireland has to offer.
In this article, we share the ultimate top five attractions to add to your luxury Northern Ireland itinerary with details including what to expect and how to make the most of each destination. Of course, we cover the classics such as Belfast and Giants Causeway but there might be a couple of surprising suggestions too. We also show you how to weave these attractions into a Northern Ireland itinerary that embraces every luxury this beautiful country has to offer.
Experience the wonder of Giants Causeway
Giants Causeway, located near the northern tip of Northern Ireland, is one of the world’s most mesmerising coastal rock formations. Formed by the rapid cooling of fresh lava, Giants Causeway is distinguished by an accumulation of hexagonal basalt columns rising from the ground at varying heights that fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The phenomenon is so surreal-looking that before we had scientific knowledge of how it was formed, it had long been the subject of myths and legends that explained how it came to be. Whether the legends are true or not, the atmosphere of Giants Causeway is so enchanting, it leaves every visitor with a sense of wonder and awe.
As a beloved part of Northern Irish nature and history, Giants Causeway is now a National Trust site allowing it to maintain its natural integrity whilst enhancing the visitor experience. There are guided audio tours available every hour where visitors will be able to get a first-hand insight into the rockscape’s formation, history, and the legends it has inspired. The site also features a visitor’s centre with more information about the coastline and four scenic trails extending along the coastal region where walkers can delight in the beautiful beaches, bays, and cliffs.
Indulge in Belfast’s capital city vibes
As the cultural and historical heart of the country, Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast is the best place to go if you want to get to know this small but mighty magnificent country. For the first taste of the city, head to St George’s Market where over 150 stalls run by local sellers offering everything from antiques and local crafts to gourmet food and Belfast favourites like soda bread and an Ulster fry (the Northern Irish equivalent of a ‘full-English breakfast’). Afterward, allow a private guide to take you on a tour of the city, stopping at the beautiful Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Museum to see the country’s collection of impressive artifacts ranging from an Egyptian mummy to historic Irish fine art, furniture, and more.
Since such a large part of Northern Ireland’s culture was formed by its recent political history, be sure to take one of the ‘taxi tours’ where a local guide will drive you to parts of the city most affected by ‘The Troubles’ that took place between the 1960s and 1990s. Visiting the city’s famous political murals and The Peace Walls which have famously divided the Protestants and Catholics to this day, the guide will share stories of those living in Belfast during that time. After an extraordinarily insightful tour of torn Belfast, allow the city’s jolly local pubs and restaurants lift your spirits with their food, drink, and music.
Discover the tragic Titanic story at the Titanic Museum
We have all heard the harrowing tragedy of the Titanic but nowhere tells the story better than the Titanic Museum, a purpose-built museum standing on the very place where the fateful cruise ship was originally built and set sail. With each corner of the museum resembling the Titanic’s tall and bold bow, the museum is worth visiting for its genius architecture alone but heading inside, it only gets more impressive. Even if the Titanic tragedy hasn’t captured your attention before, the Titanic Experience will be sure to change that.
The interactive exhibits allow visitors to feel like they have travelled back in time with immersive projections that place you in the Titanic’s cabins, dining rooms, promenades, and engine rooms as they would have looked when first setting sail. Next comes the memorials of the 1500 women, children, and men who lost their lives as the Titanic sunk, as well as an insight into the incident’s inquiry and news coverage. Finally, visitors get a fascinating view of the Titanic shipwreck as it looks today as well as a peek inside the world of ocean exploration.
Learn about The Troubles in Londonderry (Derry)
Although considered one of Northern Ireland's major cities, Londonderry is much smaller and more quaint than Belfast giving it a personality that can’t be compared with the capital. Split by the River Foyle in the northwestern corner of Northern Ireland, Londonderry was vulnerable to attack in the Middle Ages and so there was a traditional defense wall built around the old city in the 17th century. To this day, the city walls are distinguished as one of the finest in all of Europe and indisputably the best in Ireland since it’s the only remaining defensive wall still completely intact, making them a must-visit for every Londonderry visitor.
Much like Belfast, Londonderry was subjected to The Troubles of the late 20th century, and a mural reading ‘You are Now Entering Free Derry’ is still standing on the last remaining wall of a row of torn-down terrace houses. The houses have since been replaced by the Museum of Free Derry which shares the city’s life-altering story of its civil rights movement and the infamous ‘Bloody Sunday’. While the city’s history is somewhat dark, its bustling centre, now filled with some of Northern Ireland's top restaurants, shops, and pubs, exudes an enticing jolly atmosphere.
Dare to cross Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
The Northern Irish coast shines with a string of cultural pearls including the summoning Elephant Rock sea stack, the storied Dunseverick Castle, and best of all, Carrick-a-Rede. It’s a nerve-wracking rope bridge from 1755 that’s suspended 30 metres above the ground connecting mainland Northern Ireland to a small islet just out of arm’s reach that was once a popular fishing location for the Atlantic salmon. The bridge’s name is Gaelic for the term ‘Rock in a Road’ which refers to the typical obstacles salmon would face when swimming upstream.
To reach Carrick-a-Rede, take the two-kilometre walk along the scenic coast where, depending on the season, you can spot basking sharks, dolphins, and some beautiful coastal birds like porpoises and razorbills. Then, test your confidence with heights as you carefully cross the wobbly rope bridge which is, thankfully, narrow enough to hold onto with both hands as you cross. No matter how nerve-wracking the crossing was, the rewarding 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and Northern Irish coast from the Carrick-a-Rede islet will be well worth it. As well a visit to the islet’s sole building, a quaint 400-year-old fisherman’s cottage that was used over the centuries as shelter and storage for the local salmon fishers.
Create a Luxury Northern Ireland Itinerary
While all of Northern Ireland’s top attractions speak for themselves, the experience of them can be greatly enhanced with a few luxuries added to your itinerary. As UK & Ireland bespoke travel experts, we know the very best hotels, restaurants, tours, and experiences to make your trip to Northern Ireland as luxurious as can be. Speak to one of our travel experts to plan a bespoke luxury Northern Ireland itinerary that includes all of the country’s top five attractions with the added pleasure of hand-picked dining, accommodation, and tour experiences. Get in touch by messaging us here.