Tips for Exploring the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

the giants causeway ireland - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a unique rock formation that juts out into the ocean on Northern Ireland’s east coast. Facts about this UNESCO World Heritage site will tell you that the causeway is a 60million year old rock formation created by volcanic activity in the area. Irish Folklore will tell you it was part of a bridge to Scotland created by a giant named Finn MacCool. Either way it is really cool rock formations that you should add to your list of places to visit in Northern Ireland.

Here are my best tips for exploring the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

My itinerary had me scheduled to be there for about two hours before a big day full of driving to castles, the nearby Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and scenes right out of a TV show, like Game of Thrones. However I ended up going to the Giant’s Causeway earlier than planned and in total I probably stayed for 4 or so hours.

what to wear at the giant's causeway Cailin of TravelYourself.ca explores the Giant's Causeway - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

That to me was still not enough time and I still didn’t get to see everything there. Granted I was filming and taking a zillion photographs, so to the average person you might not need that much time, especially if you find rock formations boring. You could very well visit, take a picture ~click~ and be on your merry way and spend 20 minutes there. Or you could be like a kid in a playground and stay forever and not want to leave. Like me.

To make the most of your time whether you have 5 minutes or a full day here are some of the best tips that I learned on my visit for visiting the Giant’s Causeway:

where to stay at the giant's causeway The Causeway Hotel - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

1. Stay overnight nearby

The Giant’s Causeway is easily reachable on a day trip from Dublin in just a 3 hour drive. If you are staying in Belfast it is only a 1 hour drive by car. In my opinion spending the night in the Irish countryside near the Giant’s Causeway is a much better option. This way you get to enjoy the countryside and you can go at your own pace.

While visiting I stayed at The Causeway Hotel and you literally can’t find a place to stay any closer than that. It is located right next door to the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre and the trail that leads down to the beach to get to the Giant’s Causeway. Staying here also saves you money because parking and visitor centre entry along with a tour or audio guide are included in your stay. The park itself is free to visit.

For more Giant’s Causeway accommodation recommendations jump down to the bottom HERE.

crowds of people visit the giant's causeway - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

 

2. Get there early to beat the crowds

A lot of people visit the Giant’s Causeway on tours from Dublin or Belfast, because of that it can be quite crowded between 11am and 3pm as they arrive. Since my hotel was so close I decided to wake up early and head down to the Giant’s Causeway at 7:30am so that I could enjoy it to myself. I didn’t head straight down though, rather I took the red cliff trail that goes above and around the Giant’s Causeway overlooking it from above. I often stopped only the way to film, take pictures and enjoy the view, so I probably didn’t get down to the actual shore until 8:30am. Surprisingly at that time in the morning there was already 1 or 2 other people down there exploring with me.

The longer I stayed at the Giant’s Causeway the more people arrived. I visited in mid-May and the weather was a bit nasty so the crowds averaged around 30-60 people. Far from being overcrowded but I assume there would be many more people there in the summer months.

However to get some good photographs without a ton of other people in them, the earlier you go the better.

red trail best trail at the Giant's Causeway - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

 

3. Take the red trail first

At the information centre they hand out maps which show the various trail options in the area. There are two main trails to take to get to the Giant’s Causeway. Your first option is the Blue Trail which takes you straight down along a paved road and sidewalk. The second option is the Red Trail which takes you along the cliff tops above and past the Giant’s Causeway and then leads you down a set of 162 steps, a long winding trail and then eventually to the rocks.

In my opinion I highly suggest taking the red trail first not only for the gorgeous views from above but also so that you can go down the large steep steps instead of going up them later if you decide to take the red trail back.

Taking the red trail first then the blue trail back also gives you a nice little circle route to follow.

If you aren’t much of a hiker, it’s raining or you don’t have much time I recommend taking the shuttle bus. For £1 one way the shuttle is your quickest way to see the Giant’s Causeway. The bus departs frequently from the visitor centre parking lot just through the short tunnel at the back of the building.

slippery rocks at the Giant's Causeway - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

 

4. Be smart and stay safe!

Don’t rush over the rocks, watch your step, don’t climb too high and don’t get too close to the water’s edge. These are rules that should be posted around at the Giant’s Causeway but they aren’t. Be smart and use your common sense, especially if it has been raining and the rocks are wet. There are park staff in the area trained in first aid who also warn you if you are getting too close to the water or going too and can help you if needed.

Unfortunately while I was there an older gentleman fell and slipped on the rocks and smashed his face giving him a bloody nose but the trained staff were there to help him right away. They told me some days there aren’t any incidents and other times there could be 5 or 6 trips and falls so be careful!

what caused the giant's causeway crazy weather hail storm at the Giant's Causeway - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

A freak hail storm

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.” One of my favorite Irish travel quotes.

5. Dress warmly

While walking the red trail and exploring the rocks I experienced every kind of weather from warm sun to hurricane force winds, rain and even hail! (I was visiting in mid-May.) This was definitely one of those days where the Irish say you experience 4 seasons all in a matter of minutes. Be prepared with a jacket or windbreaker, maybe a scarf, and even rain gear depending on how long you are planning to visit. FYI an umbrella would pretty much be useless here.

A rock formation at the Giant's Causeway known as the giant's boot - Tips for Exploring the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

Aside from just seeing the main formation of rocks there are also a few other unique things to see when visiting, like the Giant’s boot rock formation and another area on the cliffside with rock pillars known as the amphitheatre.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Giant’s Causeway:

How much does it cost to see the Giant’s Causeway?

It is free to go to the Giant’s Causeway as long as you skip going to the visitors centre. When you arrive in the parking lot head towards the small tunnel at the back of the visitor centre and it will lead you down to the rocks.

Depending on how you visit however you may incur some fees. To park at the top of the hill at the visitor’s centre there is a fee, also for entrance to the visitors centre, for an audio guide as well as a 45min walking tour there are additional fees. These prices start at £8.50 for adults and £4.25 for children with family packages offered as well. If you want to take the bus down the hill and back it is an additional £1 each way.

Often people suggest parking at Bushmills and walking 2 miles to avoid parking fees or taking a shuttle from there to the Giant’s Causeway. What’s important is that you don’t try to park on the side of the road as you will get ticketed and towed.

How long do you need at the Giant’s Causeway?

30 minutes minimum, but I myself could have stayed there all day. If you want to bus down, see the rocks and go 30 min will do. If you want to walk the red trail, take in the nature and beauty and explore the rocks then you probably want to give yourself a couple of hours.

what is the best time of year to go to the giant's causeway?

What is the best time of year to visit the Giant’s Causeway?

The best time of year to visit is in the summer months as the Giant’s Causeway is located right on the open ocean and it is always windy.  If you want to avoid the crowds, consider bundling up and visit in shoulder season. For the brave you could visit in the winter time as there would be much smaller crowds, but it would be very cold.

What are the best tours to see the Giant’s Causeway?

Whether you are in Dublin, Ireland or Belfast in Northern Ireland there are plenty of options for tours to see the Giant’s Causeway. For €60 you can take a day trip from Dublin to the Giant’s Cause with PaddyWagon Tours. Not only will you see the Giant’s Causeway but you will also see the carrick-a-rede rope bridge, visit the Dunluce Castle, you will have time to explore Belfast and more. For more information click HERE.

The most affordable option for tours to the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast I would book with Allen’s Belfast Bus Tours. With prices starting from €20 you can explore everything along the Antrim coast from the causeway to many castles, the rope bridge and even a visit to the Bushmill’s Distillery. For more information click HERE.

If you are comfortable driving on the left side of the road you can also easily rent a car and navigate your way there as well.

hotels near the giant's causeway a queen room at the causeway hotel by the giant's causeway in Northern Ireland

 

Hotels near the Giant’s Causeway

 

The Causeway Hotel – Prime location, you can’t get any closer to the Giant’s Causeway. Parking and visitor entrance fees included in your stay. Book HERE.

Finn McCool’s Hostel – The closest budget accommodation that you will find near the Giant’s Causeway. Prices start at $37 a night. Book HERE.

The Pyjama Factory – High end 4 star property self catering apartment rentals. Located close to shops, restaurants and 2 miles from the Giant’s Causeway. Book HERE.

The Giant’s Causeway is one of the top attractions to see in Ireland. To learn more from my time there watch my newest video and tour the Giant’s Causeway with me! 

 

 

Like my scarf that I am wearing in this video? It is a Speakeasy Travel Scarf and it has a secret pocket to stash my passport, money, and even fits my phone! They come in many colours, if you are interested in buying one for your travels click HERE!

Special thanks to Tourism Ireland for hosting me on this trip. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Jason Blu
    July 3, 2018 at 6:22 am

    Wow I would love to visit Northern Island such as amazing place to be.

  • Reply
    Johno Crotty
    September 19, 2017 at 11:38 am

    Hi I really enjoyed your post, some very good suggestions especially regarding warm clothes and good footwear! You always have to be prepared for the Irish weather.

  • Reply
    Marta
    April 12, 2017 at 8:48 am

    Thank you for the useful tips. I am planning to visit the Giant Causeway with my two kids this May so it is definitely useful to know about the trails! I must remember good shoes and a good look at the map but it looks wonderful, hopefully we’ll manage without slipping too much….

  • Reply
    Mark McKnight
    August 22, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    I love your photos. The food in the Causeway Hotel is the best in the North Coast. I live in Northern Ireland and have been to the Causeway many times. It’s a pity you didn’t get a chance to visit The Gobbins when you were here. It has just been opened to the public again after being closed for over 50 years. Must see attraction 2015.

  • Reply
    nowphuket
    July 10, 2015 at 9:02 am

    amazingly beautiful images, i am full of envy now :) thank you for sharing

  • Reply
    Lindsay Nieminen
    June 29, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    What a beautiful place! I’m like you and would be click click clicking from every angle!

  • Reply
    Hans
    June 29, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    The Giant’s Causeway is quite the spectacle of nature …. I enjoyed my visit there several years ago!

  • Reply
    Dana
    June 28, 2015 at 11:22 am

    Amazing! I’ve started bookmaking places for when we tour Ireland next summer, so now I’ve added Giant’s Causeway to my list. It looks like something my entire family will enjoy. I’ll look into the Causeway Hotel. I love that it’s so close.

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    June 28, 2015 at 9:02 am

    I went to Ireland a few years back and didn’t make it to the Causeway. It has been on the top of my list for a return trip – thanks for all of the great ideas to help me plan my time there.

  • Reply
    Natasha Amar
    June 28, 2015 at 5:21 am

    I love the video and I know I’d be the kid in the playground never wanting to leave and taking a zillion photos. The trail is simply gorgeous!

  • Reply
    Amanda Zeisset
    June 28, 2015 at 3:41 am

    All awesome tips. After seeing those uneven stones I can see what you mean by be smart! Looks like a great way to spend part of the day. Cute scarf by the way, added bonus that it comes with a stash pocket!

  • Reply
    Meg Jerrard
    June 28, 2015 at 12:03 am

    Great tips – I loved my time at the Giants Causeway, was one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland. And absolutely agree with the tip to stay close by, we try to get to attractions like this as early as possible to beat the crowds, and staying close by gives you a headtstart on getting there before everyone else does. Less tourists to appear in your photos :D

  • Reply
    Will
    June 27, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Looks like a cool…and chillly place to check out…fun!

  • Reply
    Sophie
    June 27, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    Great tips and great post! I’m going to bookmark this as I’ve been wanting to go to Giant’s Causeway for ages!

  • Reply
    Lesley
    June 27, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    I wish I had of had these tips before I visited, especially to dress warmly and stay near by. We would have loved to spend more time there but we were staying so far away that we just didn’t have the time.

  • Reply
    Jessica @ Green Global Travel
    June 1, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Every time I see photos of the Giant’s Causeway, I am absolutely blown away by its beauty. (If I ever travel here, I will act like a kid in a playground as well– there’s just so much to explore!) The Causeway Hotel sounds like a great place to stay, and conveniently located near the main attraction.

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