Having visited the breathtaking basalt columns many times over the years, these are our top 10 tips for visiting the Giant's Causeway. The UNESCO world heritage site is one of our favorite places to visit in Northern Ireland. Definitely worth the trip!
What is the Giant's Causeway?
The Giant's Causeway refers to an ancient geological formation on the northern coast of Northern Ireland. It's most famous for the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that line the dramatic shoreline. The causeway was formed by volcanic activity approximately 60 millions years ago and has many local myths and legends associated with its creation.
The Legend of the Giant's Causeway
The most famous legend tells the story of the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill (also referred to as Finn McCool), a famous Irish giant, who is said to have formed the causeway in order to cross the sea to challenge his Scottish rival Benandonner to a fight. When saw how enormous Benandonner was he fled back to Northern Ireland where his wife Oonagh disguised him as a baby to protect him. Upon seeing the gigantic baby, Benandonner, afraid of what such a large child's father must look like, fled back to Scotland, destroying the causeway behind him to prevent Fionn from following.
Jump to:
- What is the Giant's Causeway?
- Our Top 10 Tips for Visiting the Giant's Causeway:
- 1. Prebook your tickets and parking online.
- 2. Take the Causeway Coastal Route and Make a Detour for the Dark Hedges.
- 3. Plan to arrive early.
- 4. Consider the time of year / Sunrise & Sunset.
- 5. Join a guided tour.
- 6. Decide how far you want to hike.
- 7. Wear the right shoes.
- 8. Prepare for the weather.
- 9. Make time to explore the visitors center.
- 10. Explore the surrounding area.
Our Top 10 Tips for Visiting the Giant's Causeway:
1. Prebook your tickets and parking online.
While access to the Giant's causeway coastline is technically free, if you want parking and access to the highly informative visitors center you will need to pay for tickets. We think this is worth the price, especially if it is your first time visiting.
You can purchase tickets at the visitors center when you arrive. However they are far better priced when booked in advance through the website. Be sure to check out the family bundle as it can really save you in cost.
If you do not want to pay for parking at the visitors center you can park in Bushmills and take the 2 mile walk up. There are also buses available that can drop you at the causeway.
2. Take the Causeway Coastal Route and Make a Detour for the Dark Hedges.
If you are in a rush the direct route from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway is only about an hour long. However, in our opinion the views along the scenic drive up the eastern coast are well worth the additional 45 minutes to an hour.
Starting from Belfast you will head up to Carrickfergus (stop and visit the castle there if you have time). Then follow the road along the Causeway Coast to Bushmills. There are plenty of lovely stops along the way so you can make this journey as short or long as you'd like.
On the way back to Belfast from the Giant's Causeway we highly recommend driving through the Dark Hedges. These hauntingly beautiful trees were featured in Games of Thrones and are worth the short detour. There isn't a visitor center or any cost to wander through them, so find a parking spot along the road and enjoy.
3. Plan to arrive early.
Even during the peak travel times during busy summer holidays the Giant's Causeway is worth visiting. However, if you want to avoid some of those crowds it's best to get there around the opening time.
4. Consider the time of year / Sunrise & Sunset.
Visiting the Giant's Causeway is wonderful any time of the year but you need to be aware of the early sunset and late sunrise in the winter months.
In December it gets dark around 4:15pm so be sure to arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the hike and be back before dark.
5. Join a guided tour.
Entry through the visitor center includes a guided tour or audio guide. While the Giant's Causeway is fun to explore on your own, if this is your first time visiting we highly recommend taking a guided tour.
Kids in particular will love hearing the tale of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (also referred to as Finn McCool) and the guides are great at pointing out all of the rock formations that play a part in his story. They also provide interesting information about how the impressive basalt columns that were formed by an ancient volcano.
6. Decide how far you want to hike.
There are regular buses from the Visitors Center down the hill to the main attraction at the Giant's Causeway. However, the walk is beautiful and not overly challenging. If you are able we highly recommend hiking it to really soak in the experience. And then taking a bus back up after you've had time to explore.
Past the main basalt columns there is longer trail around the causeway sites. It is beautiful but there is a bit more vigorous than the walk down the hill. You can explore this and then trek back to where the buses pick you up. OR if you're feeling particularly energetic this is a relatively steep path up the side of the cliff heading back to the visitors center. Once you've started that path there are no buses to take you back down so best to make a decision in advance, particularly if you have young kids or mobility issues.
7. Wear the right shoes.
Shoes can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy exploring the causeway. We recommend a quality pair of water resistant shoes with good traction for the best experience. This is particularly important is you are traveling with adventurous kids. We can't tell you how much more comfortable we have been letting the kids explore the basalt columns when they have the proper footwear.
We have these Merrell Hiking Boots for our kids and they are a game changer! Tom loves his Columbia Ridge Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boots. And Elizabeth has been very happy with her Columbia Women's Mid Hiking Shoes, if you're looking for something a little different.
Looking for more tips on what to wear in Northern Ireland? Check out our Packing Guide for Northern Ireland: What to Wear on Your Trip.
8. Prepare for the weather.
Wind and rain are a frequent occurrence in the Norther Irish climate so best to be prepared. Once you leave the Giant's Causeway Visit Center there aren't any covered areas so a rain jacket is a must!
9. Make time to explore the visitors center.
They've really done a lot to the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre in recent years so take some time to browse and explore. There are interactive exhibits about the geological formations of the famous basalt columns and the history of visiting the Giant's Causeway. In addition to local legends about the giant Finn McCool and a local myths about the site, which our kids especially enjoyed.
There is also a fantastic gift shop and a nice cafe where you can get a hot cup of tea after coming in from your hike around the causeway,
10. Explore the surrounding area.
Bushmills is a wonderful little town with lots to explore. If you're a whiskey fan we recommend doing a tour at the Bushmills Distillery, which can be booked in advance on their website. If you're looking for a great place to grab lunch or breakfast before or after visiting the Giant's Causeway we highly recommend Market Square Bushmills. This little cafe has excellent food, a great children's menu and perhaps the best scone we've ever eaten. We highly recommend the mussels!
Other great things near the causeway are Dunluce Castle. These impressive castle ruins dramatically located on the edge of a cliff were featured in Game of Thrones and are definitely worth exploring. There's also the nearby Carrick-a-Reed Rope Bridge. We do feel that this experience is a bit overpriced, however if this is you're first time in the area it's worth considering.
