A long weekend in Belfast is one of my favourite weekends away in the UK. The city is compact and friendly, packed with history, and sits right on the doorstep of one of the world’s great coastal drives. That mix of city and coast is what makes it such a good short break.
This is the itinerary we would give a friend, but feel free to shuffle things around depending on your flights and the weather – ideally you want to visit the Giant’s Causeway without the rain (fingers crossed).
On arrival in Northern Ireland, head straight to Bushmills, via the Dark Hedges, so you are well places to visit the Giant’s Causeway. Head back to Belfast along the north Antrim Coast for three days in Belfast. Don’t miss a visit to Titanic Belfast, before taking a political black cab tour and a pint in a proper Victorian saloon.
Belfast works as a city break all year round. The coast is the deciding factor: spring, summer and early autumn give you the best light and the longest days for driving and walking, while autumn and winter are quieter and can be dramatic in their own moody way.
Three days is the sweet spot. It gives you time to enjoy the coast without rushing, then a full day in the city. If you only have two days you can still do it, you will just spend less time lingering.
One honest heads-up on the weather – Northern Ireland is beautifully green because it rains a fair bit. You can strike lucky in winter or get soaked in July, so pack layers and waterproofs whatever the forecast says, and take what the day gives you.
Most visitors fly into one of the two Belfast airports: Belfast International Airport (BFS), which usually has the widest choice of flights, or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), which is handy for the centre. If the coast is your priority, City of Derry (LDY) is the closest airport to the Giant’s Causeway, at roughly a 40-minute drive.
Our advice is to hire a car, just for the coastal section of your trip. The Causeway Coastal Route is made for driving at your own pace, and having a car is what lets you reach the Giant’s Causeway early or late to dodge the crowds. You can always drop the car back and switch to taxis and walking once you are in the city, where you will not need it.
A day-by-day plan with timings, tips and map links. Tap any stop name to jump to its full write-up below.
If you can, aim to land by mid-morning, so you can pick up your hire car and drive straight north out of the city towards Bushmills. It takes a little over an hour to reach the coast, and sets you up perfectly for visiting the Giant’s Causeway.
Take the inland route and you can call in at the Dark Hedges, the atmospheric avenue of beech trees that appears as the King’s Road in Game of Thrones. There were around 150 trees originally, planted in the late 1700s by the Stuart family to impress visitors arriving at Gracehill House. They are still a lovely sight today.
A few practical notes:
Parking: Use the car park by The Hedges Hotel and Dark Hedges Estate, just off Ballinlea Road (postcode BT53 8PX). It is a two-minute walk to the trees along a marked path. A small charge may apply, so have a little cash or a card ready and check the signs on arrival.
Do not park on Bregagh Road: The avenue itself is closed to traffic to protect the tree roots, and fines can be steep. Use the proper car park.
Facilities: There is now a café and toilets near the car park, which is handy after your walk.
Beating the crowds: Early morning or late afternoon is quietest, and walking to the far end thins out the people in your photos. This is one of the busiest spots in Northern Ireland, so a little patience goes a long way.
We visited in the late afternoon and had it almost to ourselves, save for one other family. As we left, two minibuses pulled in, which told us all we needed to know about how busy it gets.
A short drive on brings you to Bushmills, home to the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, with records dating back to 1608. The guided tour walks you through the whole process and finishes with a tasting, and it takes around 40 to 45 minutes.
Worth knowing before you go:
Book online in advance, especially between May and September, as tours do sell out. Standard tour prices start at around £20 per adult, with premium tastings costing more.
The distillery is open Monday to Saturday from mid-morning and Sundays from around midday, with the last tours usually at 4pm.
Children under 8 are not permitted on the guided tour, so check the rules if you are travelling as a family.
A new "Causeway Distillery" opened alongside the original in 2023, so there is more to see than there used to be..
Whiskey is spelt with an 'e' in Ireland/Northern Ireland, whilst over in Scotland whisky is spelt without the 'e'.
Check into your accommodation in or near Bushmills so you are well placed for the coast. If you arrive with time to spare, this is a lovely moment to make your first visit to the Giant’s Causeway, in the late afternoon or early evening once the coach tours have left for the day.
You’ll find a link below to a separate guide to visiting the Giant’s Causeway without the crowds, covering: the quietest times of day, cheaper parking, visiting without paying and how long you really need. It is worth a read before you go, so you can time your visit well.
This was the highlight of our trip. We set an alarm, made an early dash to the Giant’s Causeway before the crowds arrived, and had the place almost to ourselves. The stones are open dawn to dusk, so an early start is one of the best things you can do here. Our full Giant’s Causeway guide has all the detail on timing it right, so we will not repeat it here.
After breakfast, make your way back to the city on the scenic Causeway Coastal Route rather than the fast inland road. It is one of the most beautiful drives in these islands, and there are some lovely stops along the way:
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Near Ballycastle, a National Trust site that you will need to book a timed ticket for in advance.
The caves at Cushendun: Another Game of Thrones filming spot.
Glenarm: A pretty village that makes a good refreshment pitstop
Take your time, stop where the views grab you, and enjoy the coast unfolding as you head south.
Once you reach Belfast, drop off the hire car and get settled into your city accommodation. You will not need the car again, as the centre is very walkable.
If you have an hour before dinner, wander into town for a drink at The Crown Liquor Saloon. This former Victorian gin palace is a stunner, with an ornate tiled frontage, stained glass and cosy wooden booths known as snugs, some dating from 1880. It sits opposite the Europa Hotel, itself a piece of Troubles history. Grab a snug if one is free for a quiet pint of Guinness, and it is worth checking ahead to see whether you can reserve one.
For live Irish music and a bit of craic, the Cathedral Quarter is the place to head.
If you want to make the most of your long weekend in Belfast & don’t want to spend a night outside of Belfast, then you can do a guided tour instead. These are compressed tours, allowing you to go to the Giant’s Causeway and other areas in a smaller timeframe.
Start with a hearty Ulster fry, then head early to Titanic Belfast to explore the story that is so woven into the city’s history. It is one of the city’s highlights, and a guided option really brings it to life. Outside, you can see the slipways where the ship was built and launched, with the huge yellow Harland & Wolff cranes visible across the city.
We have a dedicated guide to visiting Titanic Belfast with everything you need to plan and book it well, so we will send you there for the full detail rather than duplicate it here.
In the afternoon, a black cab tour of West Belfast is a memorable thing to do in the city. Your driver will take you along the Falls Road and Shankill Road, past the Peace Walls and the political murals, and shares first-hand insight into the Troubles. An hour only scratches the surface of a long and complex history, but it is an important and moving start. You can book these easily online in advance.
Belfast has plenty more to offer: the Ulster Museum, the Botanic Gardens, the Victorian St George’s Market at the weekend, and a great food and bar scene. Do not be surprised if you head home with a list for next time.
If you can add a day, it is well worth continuing along the coast to Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland's walled city, with its famous city walls, museums and murals. It pairs naturally with the Causeway Coast and rounds out a longer trip. We have a full guide to Derry to help you plan that leg.
That is our relaxed take on a long weekend in Belfast and the Causeway Coast. For the two big set-pieces, dive into our full guides to seeing the Giant’s Causeway without the crowds and visiting Titanic Belfast, and if you are extending your trip, our Derry guide will help with the next leg.
Join thousands of travelers looking for inspiration from our FREE Planet Travel newsletter!
Your step-by-step framework for stress-free, unforgettable trips — from first idea to final itinerary.
Your step-by-step framework for stress-free, unforgettable trips — from first idea to final itinerary.
Join thousands of travelers looking for inspiration from our FREE Planet Travel newsletter!
