The North — Sightseeing Tours

Even though the North of Ireland is a relatively small area, there are many diverse sightseeing opportunities — from city walks and boat cruises to escorted bus tours into the countryside. Taking day trips in different directions each day works very well. This page presents a selection of full-day, half-day or shorter sightseeing options.

Just click below for your choices:

Photos show: (top, left) Belfast City Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour; (above) A trip on the Causeway Coaster at the Giant's Causeway; and (below) a Belfast Black Taxi Tour.

Belfast Tours
Tours from Belfast
Antrim Coast Tours
Armagh City Tours
Derry City Tours
Enniskillen Tours

Belfast Tours

Belfast City Open Top Bus Tours - This hop-on/hop-off bus tour covers all the major highlights of Belfast with 18 stops, including Stormont, the Titanic Quarter, the Falls Road and Shankill Road neighborhoods and the Peace Wall, with the opportunity to hop off and re-board later. Tours depart continuously from Castle Place, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  More info: Belfast City Sightseeing Tours, tel. 028-9062-6888. Web site: www.belfastcitysightseeing.com

Walking Tours of Belfast – Stroll through the heart of Belfast to explore 300 years of history including the original 1660’s street layout. The tour also includes architectural landmarks such as City Hall, the Albert Clock, and Titanic-related locations. About 90 mins. Year-round. More information: City Sightseeing Walking Tours, departing from daily at 2 p.m. from Castle Place, tel.028-9045-9035, Web site: www.belfastcitysightseeing.com; or  Historic Belfast Guided Walking Tours, departing on Wed., Fri., Sat and Sun. at 2 p.m. from the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast, tel. 028-9024-6609, Web site: www.gotobelfast.com

Pub Walking Tours of Belfast — Visit six of Belfast's most historic pubs, led by a local "pub expert" guide. Visits include Kelly's Cellars, McHugh's, The Morning Star, White's Tavern, The Blackthorn, Duke of York and more. Departs from the Crown Dining Rooms, upstairs at the Crown Bar, Great Victoria Street. 2 hrs. Operates from end of May to end of Sept., Thurs. at 7 p.m. and Sat. at 4 p.m. Reservations suggested. For more information, contact Historical Pub Tours of Belfast, tel. 028-9268-3665. Web site: www.belfastpubtours.com

CS Lewis Tours – The author CS Lewis, who spent his early years in Belfast, is the focus of this guided bus tour of Belfast, led by Sandy Smith, local CS Lewis authority. The tour aims to trace some of the images, ideas, and places from Belfast which found their way into Lewis’ writings, especially The Chronicles of Narnia. The route includes Lewis’ birthplace, childhood home, college, church, and library. The 2-hour tours operate June-August on Sundays, departing from the Linenhall Library at 2 p.m. To book, contact the Belfast Welcome Centre, 028-9024-6609, web site: www.gotobelfast.com

River Lagan Cruises — See the skyline and main sites of Belfast from the waters of the River Lagan on board the M.V   Joyce Too passenger boat. The route starts at the Lagan Weir and travels along the waterfront to Stranmillis and back and includes the history of the Titanic, built at the shipyards in Belfast. Departs from Lagan Lookout, Donegall Quay. March-December, schedule varies. 75 minutes. Reservations suggested. For more information, contact Lagan Boat Company, 1 Donegall Quay, Belfast; tel. 028-9024-6609. Web site: www.laganboatcompany.com .

Taxi Tours — Using London-style oversized black taxis or regular taxis, these tours take visitors into familiar areas of Belfast as well as parts of the city not seen on conventional tours. One of the most popular routes is the Falls and Shankill Roads sections to see the Peace Wall and the colorful political wall murals that decorate the sides of shops and housing estates. Year-round; times and durations vary. Reservations required. For more information, contact:

A Belfast Cab Tour, tel. 028-9087-8595, Web site: www.belfastcabtours.com
All Ireland Tours, tel. 028-9030-1832, Web site: www.belfastcityblacktaxitours.com
Black Taxi Tours, tel. 077-0244-9694, web site: www.belfasttours.com
Black Cab Tours, tel. 077-5409-5736, Web site: www.blackcabtoursni.com
Harper Taxi Tours, tel. 028-9074 2711, Web site: www.harperstaxitours.co.nr
Valuecabs Taxi & Tours, tel. 028-9080-9080, Web site: www.valuecabs.co.uk
And also check the following web site for others: www.gotobelfast.com

Tours from Belfast

Glens of Antrim & Others — Ulsterbus, Northern Ireland's leading bus transport company, offers a full selection of day tours into the surrounding countryside including the Antrim Coast, County Down, Mountains of Mourne, Derry, Bangor & Ards Peninsula, Fermanagh Lakes, and Rathlin Island. Tours are also available to Donegal and other parts of the Republic of Ireland. All tours depart from the Europa Buscentre, Glengall Street. Dates and times vary, but most tours run from end of June to early September. Reservations suggested. For more information, contact Ulsterbus Daytours, tel. 028-9033-7004, web site:   www.translink.co.uk/daytours.asp

Giant's Causeway Tours — Departing from and returning to Belfast, this mini-bus tour takes in the Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle (photo stop only), and (during March-Sept.) Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Year-round, subject to demand. 8 hrs. Departs at 9:45 a.m., returning at 6:45 p.m.  This company also offers a “Causeway Express” tour direct to the Giant’s Causeway from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.  Both tours operate from Belfast Welcome Centre and Belfast International Youth Hostel. Reservations needed. For more information, contact Mini-Coach Tours, tel. 028-9031-5333; Web site: www.minicoachni.co.uk.

Antrim Coast Tours

Causeway Coaster — While not actually a tour, this mini-bus service is an essential part of a visit to the Giant's Causeway, taking visitors from the Visitor Center to/from the Giant's Causeway Heritage Site. Vehicles operate every 15 minutes, allowing you to take one minibus down and stay as long as you wish — a few minutes or a few hours — at the Giant's Causeway, before returning up the long hill on another vehicle. First-come, first served. For more information, contact Giant's Causeway Tourist Information Centre, 44 Causeway Rd., Bushmills; tel. 028-2073-1855. Web site: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Antrim Coaster — Ulsterbus provides this continuous hop-on/hop-off bus service (Bus #252, using a "day return" ticket) along the Antrim Coast, enabling visitors to travel easily between major attractions. Departures are from Belfast with stops at Carrickfergus, Larne, Ballygally, Glenarm, Carnlough, Ballycastle, Ballintoy, Bushmills, Giant’s Causeway, Coleraine and other towns and places of interest, operates daily late-April  to Sept. In addition, Ulsterbus also operates the North Coast Open Topper Bus (Bus #177), from Coleraine to the Giant’s Causeway, 30 June to 31 August; and the Causeway Rambler (Bus #402), from Bushmills to the Giant’s  Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, 2 June to 14 September.  For more information, contact Ulsterbus, tel. 028-9066-6630; Web site: www.translink.co.uk.

Armagh City Tours

Armagh Guided Walking Tours – Join local guide on a 90-minute walk about Armagh to learn about its history, myths, legends and fine Georgian architecture.  Tours are conducted, June through September, on Saturdays at 11 a.m.and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Reservations in advance are required by contacting Armagh Tourist Centre, 40 English St., Armagh; tel. 028-3752-1800. Web site: www.visitarmagh.com

Derry Tours

Derry City Walking Tours — Experience the best of Derry City — one of Europe's finest walled cities — on a guided walking tour. The itinerary includes a stroll along its 17th century walls with views of the original gates, and bastions plus St. Columb's Cathedral, Guildhall, Tower Museum, and more. July-Aug. (Mon.-Fri. at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.) and Sept.-June (Mon.-Fri. at 2:30 p.m.). 90 mins. Tours depart from Derry Tourist Information Centre, 44 Foyle St., Derry; tel. 028-7126-7284. Web site www.derryvisitor.com.

Derry City Guided Open Top Bus Tours - This company operates in-depth guided bus tours of Derry City using open top buses, from late-April to October. For more info, contact Open Top Tours, tel 028-7129-1858. Web site: www.opentoptour.com  

Derry Boat Cruises – See Derry city from the perspective of the River Foyle, on board an 84-seat two-deck sightseeing cruise boat. Cruises operate daily at 2 p.m. from the Harbour Square Dock, Derry City. May- Sept.   75 minutes.   Contact: Foyle Cruises, Harbour Museum, Harbour Square, Derry, tel. 028-7136-2857. Web site:www.foylecruiseline.com 

Enniskillen Tours

Waterbus Cruises — Cruise along the shores of Enniskillen and see the highlights of Lower Lough Erne from on board the M.V. Kestrel, a 56-passenger waterbus. The route includes a half-hour stop at Devenish Island. May-June (Sun. at 2:30 p.m.; July-Aug. daily at 10:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m. and 4:15p.m.; Sept. (Tues. and Sat.-Sun. at 2:30 p.m.). 105 mins. Departs from Round O Jetty, Enniskillen. Reservations suggested. For more information, contact: Erne Tours, Brooke Park Enniskillen; tel. 028-6632-2882. Web site: www.fermanaghlakelands.com/P6959-MV-Kestrel-Enniskillen.aspx


Return to: The North Main Page

Other Sections to visit:
| The Ireland Expert | Ireland Guide | Smart Shopping | Hot News |
| Group Tours | Pat's Books | Irish Connections | "Ask Pat" Q&A Forum | 

Home