Fancy a great craic? There’s plenty of it to be had in Northern Ireland.
Shouldered by the wild Atlantic with soul-stirring coastline, ancient castles, quaint wee villages and a vibrant metropolis that rivals cities twice its size, Northern Ireland is a true gem on the Emerald Isle. The country’s turbulent past means it hasn't always been a popular travel destination, but now we’re making up for lost time. Uncover the mystery and legend of Giant’s Causeway, learn about “the Troubles”, visit the romantic ruins of Dunluce Castle and sip on a cold pint of Guinness (or two) in Belfast’s buzzing pubs – all with the inside knowledge of a local guide.
Northern Ireland’s lively capital, Belfast is brimming with culture, history, art galleries, pubs and quirky bars. Wander the streets of the bohemian Cathedral Quarter, marvel at the stately City Hall lit up at night, grab a bite in a cosy pub or tap your toes to traditional music with a Guinness (or two).
Visit the Titanic Museum on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the legendary RMS Titanic was built and launched. It's an immersive sensory experience where you'll learn the story of the ship's ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912 and the tales of her passengers.
Legend has it Giant’s Causeway was created when a Scottish giant named Benandonner threatened Ireland’s biggest giant, Finn McCool. McCool got angry and hurled rocks into the sea so he could get to Benandonner. Science says it formed 60 million years ago due to volcanic eruptions. We’ll let you decide this one, but either way, it’s a magical sight.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the Botanic Gardens. Wander the stunning rose gardens and get a whiff of all the flowers, check out exotic plants in the cast iron glasshouse or have a picnic on the lawn. It's also home to the Ulster Museum where you can uncover the history of Northern Ireland and discover the country's treasures.
Can you get a more dramatic backdrop for a castle? Dunluce Castle is carved into a towering sea cliff with sweeping views of the rugged Antrim coast and wild waves crashing into the rocks below. Step inside the romantic ruins and see where powerful clans lived and fought mighty battles for hundreds of years.
Walk over to Carrick Island
The only thing on Carrick Island is a tiny fisherman’s cottage – and that's the beauty of it. The only way to get there is by walking across a narrow rope bridge that's suspended 30m above rocks and sea. It might be a bit nerve-wracking, but we promise the views of the coast are worth it. Just grip on tight and you’ll be grand!
Northern Ireland tour reviews
4.6
out of 5 based on 44 reviews submitted.
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Northern & Southern Ireland
Nicolr · Traveled July 2024
As a single woman I recommend Intrepid because it's far less stressful to be part of an organised group & have someone watching you don't wander off or get left behind. All Transport arranged prior & included activities paid prior. Ruth, our guide was like a friend showing you her favourite attractions with patience & care. There is an option to have you're own room or twin share. No prejudice for being single or married, where you come from or personal likes/dislikes. Stop dreaming about it & get out & see the World💕
Review submitted 22 Jul 2024
Northern & Southern Ireland
Sarah · Traveled June 2024
The trip was really awesome. In just a week we were able to see a lot of different places in Northern Ireland and Ireland. The trip can get a bit tiring because of long day trips and changing places every other day, but I loved that! Our Guide, Theresa, was wonderful! Loved her recommendations for meals!
Review submitted 08 Jul 2024
Northern & Southern Ireland
Brianny · Traveled June 2024
Had a great time on the anticlockwise highlights tour of Ireland. We had a great bunch of people (ages 25-70ish) covered a lot of ground & sights, met some amazing locals. Guides and tour leader were very knowledgeable, approachable and friendly. Felt very supported especially as a someone new to travelling. 10/10 will recommend.
Review submitted 27 Jun 2024
Northern & Southern Ireland
Kevin · Traveled June 2024
An excellent, fast-paced trip to some of the highlights of Northern and Southern Ireland. We had a great group of fellow travellers including Ruth, our outstanding group leader. Although we covered a lot of distance in a short amount of time, the trip included three 2 night stays which means less packing and unpacking. Recommend you plan days on your own before and after in Belfast and Dublin.
Review submitted 27 Jun 2024
Northern & Southern Ireland
patrick · Traveled June 2024
the trip passed all my expectations all i had to do was turn up in the hotel lobby at a certain time& the rest of the day sailed on I could relax drink in the view &watch Ireland go by Thank you Thank you Thank you
Review submitted 14 Jul 2024
Northern Ireland travel FAQs
Visas in the UK are granted on a UK wide basis, so if you’re coming from overseas and have been given a visa it will be valid for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Visa regulations are always subject to change, which is more likely after Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).
Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada and the United States have visa-free access to Wales provided you meet the immigration rules. Learn more about visas on theGOV.UK website.
Tipping isn’t expected but if you’re happy with a meal or service, a tip is always appreciated. Rounding up a taxi fare is common.
“Wee” = a word used (for pretty much everything!) but especially for small or cure things
“Craic” = a term used to describe a great time or a good laugh
“Bout ye?” = “How are you?”
“Buck eegit” = an endearing term for someone who is being or did something silly
“Houl yer whisht” = “please be quiet” or “shut up”
“Yoke” = a term used to describe an object, e.g. “Will you pass me that yoke (TV remote, hairbrush, glass, etc) over there?”
“Catch yourself on” = “Don’t be so ridiculous!”
“Baltic” = a term used when the weather is very cold, e.g. “It’s pure baltic outside this morning!”
“Aye” = “yes”
“Banter” = similar to craic, it’s a term used to describe having a good laugh
Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in most parts of Northern Ireland, but it might be patchy in more remote areas. Ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive if travelling from overseas.
Drinking tap water is safe in England unless otherwise marked. We recommend bringing a refillable bottle with you to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles to do your bit for the environment.
Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels in Northern Ireland. Smaller shops may not accept credit cards, so it’s never a bad idea to carry some cash for smaller items such as a coffee, or if you’re splitting bills with your group.
ATMs are called cash machines or cashpoints in Northern Ireland.
You’ll see plenty of them on main streets and shopping centres.
You can use Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Plus, Amex and Cirrus at most cash machines, as well as international bank cash machines in bigger towns and cities.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Belfast is the most LGBTQI+ friendly destination in Northern Ireland with many social meeting places for the LGBTQI+ community.
Belfast is also home to the largest LGBTQI+ festival in Ireland. Some areas of the country such as smaller country towns might be more hostile to LGBTQI+ travellers.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visitingEqualdexorSmartravellerbefore you travel.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.