The standout trip
Giant's Causeway & the Antrim Coast
Around 40,000 basalt columns, about 90 minutes up the coast. Full-day tours usually add Carrick-a-Rede, the Dark Hedges and Dunluce Castle. See our Causeway tour guide.
Planning your trip
Best Day Trips from Belfast: Tours, Excursions & Ideas
Belfast is a brilliant base. Within a short drive you have one of the world's great natural wonders, a stunning coastal route, film-famous landscapes and the city's own world-class Titanic story. Here are the best day trips and excursions from Belfast, with tips on how to book each one.
At a glance
Top day trips from Belfast
Whether you have one day or several, here's what's worth your time.
No driving required
The Titanic Quarter
The world's largest Titanic visitor experience, built on the slipway where the ship was launched, plus the SS Nomadic next door. See our Titanic Belfast tickets guide.
First-timers start here
Belfast city sightseeing
One loop covers City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, the Peace Walls and the Titanic Quarter. See our hop-on hop-off guide or city bus tour guide.
The human story
Peace Walls & political murals
The Falls Road and Shankill Road murals are among the most moving sights in the city, usually included on city bus tours.
For the adventurous
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Suspended 30 metres above the sea, usually visited as part of a wider Causeway coastal tour.
For the fans
Game of Thrones filming locations
The Dark Hedges and the Antrim Coast landscapes feature in dedicated tours and in most Causeway day trips.
How to choose your day trip
- Only one full day? Do the Giant's Causeway full-day tour — it packs the most into a single outing.
- First time in the city? Start with a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get your bearings, then plan further trips.
- Love history? Titanic Belfast and the Peace Walls cover the industrial and political story of the city.
- Travelling with kids? The open-top bus and the Titanic Shipyard Ride are reliable family winners.
Ready to book
Book your day trip
Three well-reviewed options covering the Causeway, the city and a Dublin start point.
Finn Tours · Day trip
From Belfast: Giant's Causeway and Titanic Belfast Tour
From
$76
/ person
View on GetYourGuide
City Tours Belfast · Bus + Ticket
Belfast: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Titanic Entry Ticket
From
$56
/ person
View on GetYourGuide
Finn McCools Tours · Day trip from Dublin
From Dublin: Giant's Causeway & Belfast Titanic with Ticket
From
$115
/ person
View on GetYourGuide
A simple plan
A sample two-day Belfast itinerary
One day for the city, one day for the coast. For a full day-by-day breakdown, including a three-day version, see our Belfast itinerary guide.
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Day 1 — The city
Hop-on hop-off bus tour in the morning to get your bearings, Titanic Belfast in the afternoon, dinner in the Cathedral Quarter.
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Day 2 — The coast
A full-day Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast tour, taking in the rope bridge, the Dark Hedges and Dunluce Castle. You'll be back in Belfast for the evening.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What's the number-one day trip from Belfast?
The Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast — it's the region's signature day out and Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Can I do the Causeway and Titanic Belfast in one day?
It's tight. Most visitors do the Causeway as a full-day tour and Titanic Belfast on a separate day for a more relaxed pace, since rushing the museum in under 90 minutes is a common regret — see our Titanic Belfast visitor guide for more on timing.
Do I need a car for day trips from Belfast?
No — guided tours and hop-on hop-off buses cover all the main day trips without driving.
How far is the Giant's Causeway from Belfast?
About 60 miles, or roughly 90 minutes each way, along the Causeway Coastal Route.
Is Belfast worth visiting as a day trip from Dublin?
Yes — many visitors come north from Dublin on a full-day tour to see the Giant's Causeway and Titanic Belfast together, though staying overnight lets you see both without rushing. See our Belfast day trip from Dublin guide for the full timeline.
Pair it with the museum
Add the Belfast Titanic Experience to your trip
Whichever day trips you choose, reserve the standalone Titanic Belfast ticket online to walk the ten galleries and slipway plaza at your own pace, with free 24-hour cancellation.
- Online price £24.95 — saves £2 vs walk-up
- Includes same-day SS Nomadic entry
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
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