Heading to the North and looking for the perfect guide? Check out our list of five Northern Ireland Tours and pick your favourite!
If you are short of time or just find the prospect of exploring a place all by yourself slightly daunting, a guided tour might be just right up your alley.
Not only can you be sure to have an expert on-hand that knows all the hidden spots, it can also be fun to head out for a day with a bunch of like-minded travellers. And last but not least, you spare yourself from driving your own vehicle.
If you are heading to the Northern Irish capital, you are in for a treat. We’ve teamed up with City Tours Belfast to show you the beauty of the province. Have a look at our five favourite Northern Ireland tours below.
5. Hop On Hop Off Belfast Tour – a fun way to see all of Belfast’s main sights
Most popular cities run their Hop On Hop Off tours and Belfast is no exception. This tour is especially fun in good weather as you can soak up everything the city has to offer while enjoying panoramic views from the upstairs open deck.
Sights on the way include the Titanic Quarter, the Peace Wall, the Remembrance Garden and the HMS Caroline.
You can hop on and off as many times as you want for 24 or 48 hours. As well as this, audio-comments are available in several languages.
Your ticket also gives you discounts on attractions such as the Titanic Museum and Crumlin Road Jail. These bonuses make it one of the best-value Northern Ireland tours.
Costs: £15 for 24 hours, £17.50 for 48 hours
4. Private Belfast City Tour – explore the highlights of the capital with your own driver
Prefer a more intimate sightseeing experience? Then the fun-packed, tailor-made Private Belfast City Tour ticks all the boxes.
Your chauffeur will take you through the heart of the city, passing all the historic sites. From the City Hall to Crumlin Road Courthouse to the Houses of Parliament, you’ll be sure to not run out of spots to visit.
For those interested, there are also ample opportunities to brush up on your knowledge on The Troubles. You can visit the Nationalist and the Loyalist areas and the world-famous Peace Wall (which you can sign).
There’s also a one-hour stop at the Titanic Museum. This allows you to either visit the exhibition itself or take a stroll through the quarter.
Since this is a private tour, it can be altered to your interests.
Costs: £350 for 1-4 passengers
3. Game of Thrones Tour – a must-do for fans of the hit HBO show
Northern Ireland is the home of Game of Thrones. If you love the series as much as we do, you really can’t go any better in terms of Northern Ireland tours than this one. There are so many places along this tour you need to visit if you’re a Game of Thrones fan and we can guarantee you will love it!
The Game of Thrones Tour takes you to various locations known from the show, including The Dark Hedge, Dunluce Castle, and the Cushendun Caves. The guides, who are mostly extras from the series, will tell you all the backstage gossip.
There are plenty of opportunities to shoot photographs in costumes, too, so make sure you show up with a fully charged phone.
Not a fan of the HBO hit but travelling with one? Don’t worry; you will enjoy the landscapes nonetheless.
Costs: £35 per person
2. Black Taxi Tour– learn everything there is to know about the Northern Irish Conflict
There’s no doubt, The Troubles from the late 1960s to 1998 are a vital part of Belfast’s history. A Black Taxi Tour allows you to learn all about them from someone who has experienced them first-hand.
This intimate experience for tourists and explorers makes it one of the best Northern Ireland tours.
All the drivers taking you through the Nationalist and Unionist areas are residents in the area. They will not only give you a balanced overview of the Northern Irish conflict, but are also happy to share their personal experiences.
You will also get a chance to see some famous murals including the Peace Wall.
Costs: £30 per person
1. Giant’s Causeway Tour – take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site
As much as we love Belfast, no holiday in the Northern Irish capital is complete without a day trip to Giant’s Causeway.
The epic 40,000 odd stepping stones are almost 60 million years old, and are officially a World Heritage Site. According to legend, the site was built by two giants during a battle.
While visiting Giant’s Causeway itself may be the highlight of this tour, there’s a lot more to experience. You will have the opportunity to view the stunning drive along the beautiful North Antrim coastal road.
The area also boasts stunning rural panoramas that hide tales of Ireland’s giants, fairies, and leprechauns.
Love the ocean? The Land & Sea version of the tour includes a 90-minute-boat trip towards the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Watch out for dolphins!
Costs: from £35 per person for the regular tour, from £60 for the Land & Sea Tour (weekends only)
More info: HERE
