This journey takes you from vibrant Belfast to the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal. You’ll follow the wild Causeway Coast, with iconic stops such as the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the atmospheric Dark Hedges, before continuing along a stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Along the way you’ll encounter sweeping landscapes, ancient legends, live music in cosy pubs and coastlines where sea, mist and history blend into one.
No doubt about it: Northern Ireland and Ireland are destinations full of caractère!
Day 1: Arrival in Belfast
You land in Belfast and pick up your rental car. As you drive into the city, you immediately feel the blend of historic grandeur and modern energy. Belfast sets the tone right away: industrial heritage, riverside walks and pubs where live music is never far away. Today is for checking in, settling into the rhythm and getting a first taste of Northern Ireland’s atmosphere.
Day 2: Discovering Belfast
In the morning, you visit Titanic Belfast, the striking museum located on the historic shipyard where the RMS Titanic was designed and built. You explore nine immersive galleries, see original artefacts and stand on the very spot where the ship first touched the water.
In the afternoon, you discover a different side of the city. During a Black Cab Tour, a local driver shares the story of Belfast past and present. You pass murals, Peace Walls and neighbourhoods shaped by the Troubles, and see how the city transformed from conflict to creativity.
Day 3: Countryside life & cider
You leave the city behind and head into the countryside, where the pace slows and the scenery turns greener. In the morning, you visit a hill farm, where a shepherd guides his border collies with whistles: a tradition passed down through generations.
In the afternoon, you continue to the orchards of County Armagh. Between apple trees and quiet country lanes, you discover how cider is made, from fruit to bottle, and enjoy a relaxed picnic among the trees.
Day 4: Coastal route & journey to Donegal
Today you follow one of the island’s most scenic coastal routes. You begin at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, suspended between two cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean, once used by salmon fishermen, now a breathtaking stop. Next is the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic locations. Thousands of basalt columns appear to form steps leading into the sea, no wonder legends say giants built them.
You end the day at the Dark Hedges: a tunnel of beech trees, mysterious and cinematic, as if you’ve stepped into a place where myth and reality meet.
Day 5: Glencolmcille & Slieve League
You leave the coast behind and drive deeper into County Donegal. In the morning, you visit the Glencolmcille Folk Village, a charming open-air museum where traditional cottages, crafts and the Irish language bring the life of past generations to life.
In the afternoon, nature steals the show. You stand at the edge of the Slieve League Cliffs, nearly 600 metres high, making them among the tallest sea cliffs in Europe, more than three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher. Below you, only ocean, wind and silence.
Day 6: Derry / City Walls Walking Tour
Today you travel to Derry/Londonderry, the only completely walled city in Ireland. With a guide, you walk along the city walls and explore the Guildhall, Bogside area and the Peace Bridge. You sense how this city, once divided, is now a symbol of resilience, culture and reconciliation.
Day 7: Homeward journey
After breakfast, you begin your journey home. The dramatic landscapes, lively pubs and wild coastlines linger in your mind. Northern Ireland and Ireland are not easily forgotten.
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