What are the most essential items to pack for a walking holiday in Ireland?

The most important items are: a quality waterproof jacket and trousers (essential in Irish weather), well-fitted and broken-in hiking boots, merino wool or synthetic base layers (avoid cotton), a comfortable daypack, paper maps and compass, a GPS device or smartphone with offline maps, sun protection, and a fully charged power bank. Trekking poles are optional but helpful for longer descents.

What kind of boots should I wear?

Well-fitted, waterproof hiking boots are essential. Begin breaking them in 8-10 weeks before your trip, gradually increasing your walking distances in them. By departure, they should feel familiar and comfortable. Test them in wet and uneven conditions similar to Irish terrain. Many experienced walkers also carry blister treatment just in case.

Are the trails well-marked?

Ireland's waymarked long-distance trails are generally well-signed. However, some mountain areas have less consistent waymarking, so it is important to carry a paper map and compass as backup. Our route notes highlight any sections that require extra attention.

Do your tours cover Northern Ireland as well as the Republic?

Yes. Our tours span the entire island - both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens tour, for example, explores some of Northern Ireland's most dramatic coastal scenery.

15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland (2026 Guide)

15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland

My name is Cliff, and I run Walking Holiday Ireland. Northern Ireland is one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe. Visitors come for the Giant's Causeway, discover the Mourne Mountains, and leave wondering why they didn't plan a longer trip. The coastline is world-class, the history runs deep, and the people are among the warmest you'll meet anywhere. This guide covers the 15 best places to visit in Northern Ireland — from famous landmarks to quiet corners that most tourists miss.

Whether you're planning a road trip, a walking holiday, or a few days exploring from Belfast, these are the places that deserve your time. I've walked most of Northern Ireland's trails and visited these locations many times, so this is based on experience rather than brochures.

1. Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's most famous landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago create a landscape that looks designed by an architect. The columns step down into the Atlantic, and on a clear day the views stretch to Scotland.

Walk the full cliff-top trail rather than just visiting the columns themselves — the coastal scenery on both sides is spectacular. The Causeway is part of the longer Causeway Coast Way, which is one of the finest coastal walks in Europe. Arrive early or late to avoid the worst of the crowds.

2. Causeway Coast Way

The Causeway Coast Way runs for 53 km from Ballycastle to Portstewart along some of the most dramatic coastline in the British Isles. White limestone cliffs, hidden beaches, castle ruins, and rope bridges — the variety is remarkable for such a short stretch. This is one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland if you enjoy walking.

We organise self-guided walking holidays on the Causeway Coast Way with accommodation booked, luggage transferred, and detailed route notes provided. It's walkable in four to six days and suits most fitness levels. Check our tour grading for details.

3. The Mourne Mountains

The Mournes are the highest mountains in Northern Ireland and among the most beautiful upland landscapes on the island. Slieve Donard rises to 850 metres, and the range includes granite peaks, reservoirs tucked into valleys, and the famous Mourne Wall — a 35 km stone wall built across 15 summits in the early 1900s.

The Mournes inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia and offer walking for all levels, from valley paths to serious mountain scrambles. The Silent Valley reservoir walk is accessible and beautiful. For experienced walkers, the Mourne Wall challenge is one of the finest mountain days in Ireland.

4. Belfast

Belfast has transformed over the past two decades into one of Europe's most exciting cities. The Titanic Quarter, built around the shipyard where the Titanic was constructed, houses a world-class museum. The Cathedral Quarter buzzes with restaurants, pubs, and street art. The political murals in the Falls Road and Shankill Road areas offer a powerful and moving experience.

Belfast also works well as a base for exploring Northern Ireland. The Mournes, the Causeway Coast, and the Antrim Glens are all within easy driving distance. The food scene — particularly the seafood at St George's Market — is excellent.

5. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

This rope bridge connects the mainland to a tiny island used by salmon fishermen for over 350 years. The crossing is short — about 20 metres — but the drop to the sea below and the views along the coast make it memorable. The real reward is the coastal path leading to the bridge, which passes cliffs, wildflowers, and seabird colonies.

Carrick-a-Rede is managed by the National Trust and requires timed entry tickets. Book in advance during summer months. It combines well with a visit to the Giant's Causeway, which is 15 minutes' drive along the coast.

6. The Dark Hedges

An avenue of beech trees planted in the 18th century, the Dark Hedges became world-famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones. The intertwined branches create a natural tunnel that photographs beautifully in any light, though early morning before the coaches arrive is the best time.

The Dark Hedges are free to visit and make a good stop on a Causeway Coast road trip. The surrounding Antrim countryside — rolling farmland and quiet lanes — is worth exploring beyond just the tree-lined road.

7. Glens of Antrim

The nine Glens of Antrim are glacial valleys that cut through the Antrim Plateau to the coast. Each glen has its own character — Glenariff is known as the "Queen of the Glens" for its waterfalls and forest park, while Glenarm has a castle and village with excellent farmers' markets. Cushendall and Cushendun are charming coastal villages between the glens.

The Glens offer some of the best walking in Northern Ireland outside the Mournes. Forest trails, waterfall walks, and coastal paths connect the villages. The Moyle Way runs through the area for longer-distance walkers.

8. Derry-Londonderry

Derry's complete circuit of 17th-century walls — the only fully intact city walls in Ireland — makes it one of the most historic places to visit in Northern Ireland. Walk the walls for views over the city, the Bogside murals, and the River Foyle. The Peace Bridge and Guildhall Square are modern additions that complement the historical fabric.

Derry is also a vibrant cultural city with excellent music pubs, restaurants, and festivals. It's a natural starting or finishing point for the Causeway Coast Way and connects well with Donegal across the border.

9. Strangford Lough

This large sea lough on the County Down coast is a haven for wildlife and a quieter alternative to Northern Ireland's more famous attractions. Seal colonies, bird reserves, and castle ruins dot the shoreline. The Ards Peninsula wraps around the eastern side with fishing villages and sandy beaches.

The Strangford Lough ferry crossing between Portaferry and Strangford is a scenic shortcut. Castle Ward, a National Trust estate on the lough's shore, was used as Winterfell in Game of Thrones and offers walking trails through parkland and along the waterfront.

10. Marble Arch Caves

The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in County Fermanagh offers an underground world of rivers, waterfalls, and limestone formations. The guided tour includes a boat trip through the caves — one of the most unusual things to do in Northern Ireland.

Above ground, the geopark includes Cuilcagh Mountain with its famous boardwalk trail to the summit — sometimes called the "Stairway to Heaven." The Fermanagh Lakelands surrounding the caves are peaceful and uncrowded, with excellent fishing, boating, and walking.

11. Rathlin Island

Northern Ireland's only inhabited island sits 10 km off Ballycastle. A 25-minute ferry ride brings you to a community of around 150 people, dramatic sea cliffs, and the RSPB Seabird Centre at the West Light where thousands of puffins, razorbills, and guillemots nest from April to August.

Rathlin has walking trails along its three "horns" — the island is shaped like a boomerang — and a pace of life that makes the mainland feel rushed. It's a perfect day trip from the Causeway Coast.

12. The Gobbins Cliff Path

The Gobbins is an Edwardian cliff path on the Islandmagee peninsula that has been restored and reopened as a guided walking experience. Metal bridges span sea caves, tubular walkways cling to cliff faces, and the engineering is as impressive as the scenery. The two-hour guided walk covers dramatic coastal geology and wildlife.

Booking is essential and the walk is weather-dependent. It's a unique attraction that combines adventure, history, and coastal scenery in a way you won't find anywhere else in Ireland.

13. Dunluce Castle

The ruins of Dunluce Castle perch on a basalt cliff edge on the Causeway Coast, looking like something from a film set. Parts of the castle collapsed into the sea centuries ago, and what remains — towers, walls, and a dramatic natural arch — creates one of the most photographed scenes in Northern Ireland.

Dunluce is a short detour on the Causeway Coast Way and works well combined with visits to Bushmills Distillery and the Giant's Causeway. The castle is managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and open year-round.

14. Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple

Mussenden Temple sits on a cliff edge above Downhill Beach — a small, round library building perched above the Atlantic with views across Lough Foyle to Donegal. Below, Downhill Beach stretches for two kilometres of sand backed by cliffs. The wider demesne includes gardens, woodland walks, and the ruins of the bishop's palace.

This is one of the most photogenic places to visit in Northern Ireland and a lovely spot for a coastal walk. The beach is accessible and rarely crowded even in summer.

15. Fermanagh Lakelands

Upper and Lower Lough Erne spread through County Fermanagh, creating a landscape of islands, waterways, and forests that feels entirely different from the rest of Northern Ireland. Devenish Island has a perfectly preserved round tower and monastic site accessible by boat. Boa Island has ancient Janus figures carved in stone.

The Fermanagh Lakelands are ideal for walkers, cyclists, and anyone looking for peace and natural beauty. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk, Lough Navar Forest viewpoint, and the Bluestack Way across the border into Donegal offer excellent walking.

Walking Holidays in Northern Ireland

Several of these places to visit in Northern Ireland connect with walking trails that we organise as self-guided walking holidays. The Causeway Coast Way is the standout — four to six days of coastal walking past the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce Castle, and beaches that rival anything in the Mediterranean for beauty, if not temperature.

We also offer walking holidays combining the Cooley Peninsula and Mourne Mountains, bringing you through dramatic mountain scenery on both sides of the border. Check the best time to visit Ireland for planning, and browse our guided vs self-guided options to find the format that suits you.

Northern Ireland rewards the traveller who looks beyond the postcards. These 15 places are just the start — every visit reveals somewhere new worth exploring.