I recently road-tripped Ireland and Northern Ireland and visited some of the stunning Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland. I have to first admit that I don’t watch Game of Thrones. I know, I know, I just never got into it but there’s no denying that these locations are some of the most beautiful places I’ve visited. So whether you’re a Game of Thrones fanatic or just looking to see some of Northern Ireland’s gems keep reading to hear about my visit to the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.
My trip Northern Ireland trip started in Letterkenny which is part of Donegal County in Ireland. It’s about an hour and a half from Northern Ireland. Before heading into Northern Ireland, I was road tripping through Ireland and that’s how I ended up in the north. Donegal County is full of amazing sites and locations and is great if you love the outdoors. It’s always a great place to stay if you’re road tripping because of its proximity to Northern Ireland. From there I was able to easily visit Dunluce Castle and Giant’s Causeway. The last night I stayed in Portrush which is next to all five of the locations on my list.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is a medieval castle in ruins on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. It sits on the Causeway Coastal Route and is accessible by car or bus. There’s is parking available and you can visit the inside of the castle between 10 am and 6 pm each day. If you don’t care to visit the inside of the castle you still can snap your photos of the exterior. The views of the castle and from the castle are amazing.
Giant’s Causeway
From Dunluce Castle, you can quickly make your way to Giant’s Causeway or vice versa. Giant’s Causeway is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption and is a World Heritage Site on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. The area is filled with these natural columns that form stepping stones. A lot of the columns are hexagonal in shape and referred to as the “Shepard’s Steps.”
After parking, you can take a 15 to 20-minute walk down to view the famous columns. There’s also a shuttle that can take you down but depending on the crowds, the walk may be a faster option.
Click here to visited the website to check opening hours and admission prices.
Ballintoy Harbour
Ballintoy Harbour is a scenic harbor located along the Causeway Coastal Route in Ballintoy. Photos don’t do this place any justice. Seriously! I couldn’t capture a decent photo because I needed a drone to capture a larger area. It’s something you really need to see with your eyes. There’s a bus that stops on the main road and from there you would take a 20 minute or so walk down to the harbor. If you’re driving, there is limited parking available.
Stay for a little while and watch the waves crash, it’s quite relaxing.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrick-a-Rede is a rope bridge in Ballintoy that connects the mainland to a tiny island. Carrick-a-Rede is from Scottish Gaelic and means “The Rock in the Road.” You can actually see Scotland in the distance from there!
I got there just after 9:30 am when they opened and got to be one of the first ones of the day to cross the bridge. It gets busy, so I advise going early so you’re not stuck waiting too long to cross.
If you have a fear of heights you can always watch people cross and enjoy the views but I highly recommend trying it out. Watching is free but crossing the bridge will cost you. The views of the bridge and going over the bridge are quite breathtaking. The greenery alongside the blue ocean is serene.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Location
The Dark Hedges
The tree archway of The Dark Hedges was made possible by a family who planted them in the 18th century in order to have a grand entrance for their mansion. They’re still there today and have become quite the attraction. The Dark Hedges is about a 20-minute drive from Carrick-a-Rede making it easy to get to. Tour buses also stop there as well.
This enchanting location is a great stop whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or just want to see something that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale.
Which location is your favorite? Comment below!
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