[Butterfield]

As someone who has travelled all around England, Scotland and Wales, I've recently started feeling sort of guilty that in my now 30 years I've never been to Northern Ireland (or the Republic for that matter).

I know there are plenty of things to do and see in NI but I was wondering, for the sake of cheapness and time, if it's possible to fly from the likes of Birmingham or Manchester to Belfast, do a whistle-stop tour of the city and somehow get to the Giant's Causeway and back home within a (rather long) day? Do people ever do this?

I've done no research on it so far, it was just a thought I had last week. All I know is that the Giant's Causeway is on the far north coast.

So, any ideas? Or is staying at least one night in a hotel a far more sensible option?

 

[hovis]

It's possible ok, but if you were wanting to visit the Causeway, you may as well see the rest of the north coast. that's be at least a day on it's own, but then, the north coast is only about 50 miles from Belfast.

To do Belfast and the Causeway in one day, you'll need a car.

 

[belfastuniguy]

I'd stay a night butters, would mean you could spend one day at the Giants Causeway and along the Antrim coast, which is absolutely stunning and there are tour buses than can take you up there.

Stay the night in Belfast, maybe a pub or two and then spend the following day seeing the city before flying home.

 

[Butterfield]

How long can you spend at the Giant's Causeway? Is it one of those places where you get out of the car, walk around for 5 minutes going "Oooh" and then drive off - pretty much like Stonehenge - or can you spend a whole afternoon there investigating each column?

But I think you're both right, staying at least one night would be less hectic and allow us to see a bit more.

Do these tour buses that you mention go from Belfast? What else other than the Causeway do they take in? I think I'd only consider hiring a car if I was there for a week or more.

 

[belfastuniguy]

Yeah they leave from Belfast and take you up to the North Coast and the Giants Causeway. You can easily spend hours there, the walking and scenery is fantastic and there are a host of small towns and whatnot close by for lunch and things. Think some of the buses also stop at the towns to let people explore.

 

[Conor]

Belfastuniguy has the best idea. A day at the coast, then a night and day in the city.

The Causeway Coast doesn't just have the Giants Causeway. There's Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, and the beautiful, world renound scenery along the stretch of coast. The Museldon Temple is up the road a bit too. Pity you weren't for coming in a couple of years when the new Causeway Visitor centre opens. Good luck with the weather anyway!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/2245267470/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertlouden/3553292945/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/qole/199706664/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tibanjax/3027494275/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tibanjax/3028309714/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/3493583579/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertlouden/1195438488/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mister_thoth/3708303402/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/przyplywodplyw/2148819246/

Again, Belfast needs a whole day (To even see a wee part) It has as much to do as the bigger cities like Manchester and Glasgow for tourists imo, which might come as a surprise. There are lots of tourist buses spanning the whole city, so that shouldn't be an issue getting about.

A few pics from my photo thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1248495&page=5

If you like the place, come back for a week or two and see more sometime

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1046445