This intensive 2-day itinerary covers Northern Ireland's absolute must-see highlights: Belfast's world-class Titanic museum and compelling history, plus the breathtaking Causeway Coast including the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and dramatic castle ruins.
While two days isn't enough to see everything Northern Ireland offers, this itinerary maximizes your time to experience the region's most iconic attractions. It's fast-paced but achievable, and gives you an excellent introduction to Northern Ireland's history, culture, and natural beauty.
- Day 1: Belfast city exploration, Titanic Belfast, political murals, and Ulster culture
- Day 2: Causeway Coastal Route from Belfast to Portrush (or return)
- Accommodation: Stay in Belfast both nights for convenience
- Transport: Day 1 walking + taxi; Day 2 requires rental car or tour bus
Day 1: Belfast - Titanic Heritage & Urban History
Explore Northern Ireland's vibrant capital city
Start at St. George's Market or City Center
If arriving on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, start your day at St. George's Market - Belfast's Victorian food market offering breakfast, coffee, and local atmosphere. Otherwise, head to the Cathedral Quarter for breakfast at one of the many cafes.
Breakfast recommendations:
- Established Coffee (Cathedral Quarter) - Specialty coffee and brunch
- Maggie Mays - Traditional Ulster Fry breakfast
- St. George's Market (weekend mornings) - Various breakfast stalls
Explore Belfast's Victorian Heart
Spend 2 hours walking through Belfast's compact city center. Key stops:
- City Hall - Stunning Edwardian Baroque building (free tours available)
- Cathedral Quarter - Cobblestone streets, street art, cafes and pubs
- Victoria Square Shopping Centre - Take the glass dome lift for free city views
- Albert Memorial Clock - Belfast's leaning tower (it really does lean!)
Consider booking a free walking tour through Belfast City Council or one of the private companies - excellent for understanding the city's complex history.
Quick Lunch Before Titanic Belfast
Grab lunch near the city center before heading to Titanic Quarter. Options:
- The Holohan's Pantry - Sandwiches, soups, Irish dishes
- Boojum - Fast, delicious Mexican burritos
- Sawers Deli - Gourmet sandwiches and salads
Tip: Eat relatively light - you'll want room for an early dinner later.
World's Largest Titanic Exhibition
Spend 2-3 hours at Titanic Belfast, built on the exact site where RMS Titanic was designed, built, and launched in 1912. This is Northern Ireland's top attraction and genuinely world-class.
Why it's special: Interactive galleries tell the complete Titanic story - from Belfast's shipbuilding boom through the ship's construction, launch, maiden voyage, sinking, and discovery. The building itself is stunning, with its angular design representing the ship's hull.
Practical tips:
- Book tickets online in advance (essential in summer, recommended year-round)
- Allow 2.5-3 hours minimum - it's much larger than you expect
- Audio guide included with ticket - highly recommended
- Visit the SS Nomadic (Titanic's tender ship) at additional cost if time allows
Transport: 15-minute walk from city center, or take taxi (£7-8), or Glider bus G2 (£2).
Understanding Belfast's Complex History
Take a black taxi tour to see Belfast's famous political murals and learn about the Troubles and peace process. This is one of Belfast's most powerful experiences.
Black Taxi Tours (£10-15 per person for group tour, 90 minutes) take you through Falls Road (Republican/Catholic) and Shankill Road (Loyalist/Protestant) neighborhoods, explaining the history, murals, and peace walls. Drivers are knowledgeable locals who lived through the Troubles.
Key stops:
- Political murals depicting both sides of the conflict
- Peace walls (still standing barriers between communities)
- Falls Road and Shankill Road communities
- International Wall (solidarity messages from around world)
Note: These tours are respectful, educational, and safe. Drivers provide balanced perspectives on a sensitive history.
Belfast's Dining & Entertainment District
Return to the Cathedral Quarter for dinner and evening entertainment. This historic district has cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and Belfast's best concentration of restaurants, pubs, and music venues.
Dinner recommendations:
- The Muddlers Club (£££) - Michelin-star modern Irish cuisine (book weeks ahead)
- Mourne Seafood Bar (££) - Fresh seafood from local waters
- Yugo (££) - Asian fusion in trendy setting
- Holohan's at the Barge (££) - Irish dishes with waterfront views
End Day 1 with Irish Music
Belfast has excellent traditional Irish music sessions. Top venues:
- The Duke of York - Historic pub with nightly music, owned by Snow Patrol
- Kelly's Cellars - Belfast's oldest pub (1720), traditional sessions
- The Dirty Onion & Yardbird - Live music venue with courtyard
- Maddens Bar - Authentic traditional Irish music in Smithfield
Day 2: The Causeway Coastal Route
One of the world's most scenic coastal drives
Transport options for Day 2:
- Rental car - Most flexible, allows you to stop anywhere (recommended)
- Organized tour - Various companies offer Giant's Causeway day tours from Belfast (£25-45)
- Public transport - Possible but limited and time-consuming
Hit the Road to the Coast
Leave Belfast early to maximize your day. The drive to the Causeway Coast takes 90 minutes on motorways, but you'll want to take the coastal route with stops.
Route: Belfast → Carrickfergus → Larne → Coastal route (A2) → Glenarm → Carnlough → Cushendun → Ballycastle → Giant's Causeway
Total driving time: 2 hours via motorway, 3+ hours via scenic coastal route (recommended)
First Stop: Norman Castle
Brief stop at Carrickfergus Castle (20-30 minutes), one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval castles. The 12th-century Norman fortress sits dramatically on the shore. Great for photos, quick history lesson.
Skip if time is tight - saves 45 minutes for Giant's Causeway.
Stunning Coastal Scenery
Drive the coastal A2 road through the Glens of Antrim. Stop at:
- Glenarm - Pretty village with castle
- Carnlough - Harbor village, photo stop at limestone harbour
- Cushendun - Game of Thrones filming location (the caves)
The drive itself is spectacular - coastal views, winding roads, picturesque villages.
Thrilling Coastal Walk
Visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before Giant's Causeway (it's less crowded in the morning). The rope bridge spans 20 meters across a 30-meter drop to the ocean below.
Details:
- 30-minute walk from car park to bridge (scenic coastal path)
- Bridge crossing takes 2-3 minutes each way
- Allow 90 minutes total for parking, walking, crossing, return
- Book tickets online in advance (National Trust site)
- Not recommended if you have vertigo - the bridge swings!
Cost: £9 adults, free for National Trust members
Seafood by the Coast
Stop for lunch at:
- The Fullerton Arms (Ballintoy) - Pub lunch near harbor
- Roark's Kitchen (Ballycastle) - Seafood and local dishes
- Morton's Fish & Chips (Ballycastle) - Classic takeaway
UNESCO World Heritage Wonder
The highlight of Day 2: Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's most famous natural attraction. 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago.
Plan 2-3 hours here to fully experience it:
- Visitor Centre with exhibitions about geology and legends (30 min)
- Walk down to the causeway stones (20 minutes downhill)
- Explore the formations - Grand Causeway, Giant's Boot, Wishing Chair (60 min)
- Optional coastal walk to Port Reostan viewpoint (adds 45 min)
- Walk back uphill or take shuttle bus (£1)
Practical tips:
- Book tickets online (£13.50 adults, parking included)
- Wear good walking shoes - rocks are uneven and can be slippery
- Afternoon light is best for photography
- Can get very crowded in summer (July-August)
If Time Allows
On your return journey to Belfast, consider these optional stops:
- Dark Hedges (15 minutes) - Famous tree tunnel from Game of Thrones
- Dunluce Castle (30 minutes) - Dramatic clifftop castle ruins
- Bushmills Distillery (60 minutes) - Tour world's oldest licensed distillery
Realistically, you'll only have time for one of these before driving back to Belfast.
Drive Back
Return to Belfast via the faster M2 motorway (90 minutes). You'll be tired after a full day of walking and driving.
Have a relaxed dinner in Belfast, perhaps near your hotel. Try The Barking Dog, Home Restaurant, or Deanes at Queens for excellent Irish food in a low-key setting.
Essential Planning Information
Accommodation
Stay in Belfast city center both nights for convenience:
- Budget: Vagabonds Belfast, Global Village Backpackers (£20-30)
- Mid-Range: Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express (£70-100)
- Upscale: Europa Hotel, Titanic Hotel Belfast (£120-200)
Transportation
Day 1: Walking + taxis/Glider bus (Belfast is compact and walkable)
Day 2: Rent a car from Belfast (£30-50/day) or book organized tour (£30-45)
Car rental tip: Book from Belfast City Airport or downtown - avoid Belfast International Airport (it's 30 minutes outside the city)
Budget Estimate (Per Person)
- Accommodation: £70-100 per night (£140-200 total for 2 nights)
- Titanic Belfast: £21.50
- Black Taxi Tour: £12-15
- Giant's Causeway: £13.50
- Carrick-a-Rede: £9
- Car rental (Day 2): £40 split between passengers
- Fuel: £15-20
- Meals: £60-80 (2 days)
Total estimated cost: £350-450 per person including accommodation
Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June-August): Best weather, longest days, but crowded and expensive
- Spring (April-May): Good weather, fewer crowds, blooming landscapes
- Autumn (Sept-Oct): Beautiful colors, moderate crowds, mild weather
- Winter (Nov-March): Cheapest, atmospheric, but short days and rain
- Book ahead: Titanic Belfast and Carrick-a-Rede tickets should be booked online
- Start early: Day 2 is long - leaving Belfast by 8 AM makes a huge difference
- Weather: Northern Ireland can be rainy - pack waterproof jacket and layers
- Driving: If nervous about driving, take an organized tour for Day 2
- Extend if possible: If you can add even one more day, you'll enjoy it much more
Alternative Options
If You Have an Extra Day
Consider adding:
- Derry-Londonderry: Historic walled city (90 minutes from Belfast)
- Mourne Mountains: Hiking in Northern Ireland's highest peaks
- Game of Thrones locations: Dark Hedges, Tollymore Forest, Castle Ward
If You Only Have One Day
Stick to Belfast: Titanic Belfast, City Hall tour, black taxi tour, Cathedral Quarter dining, and traditional music session. Skip the Causeway Coast (it deserves more time than a rushed day trip).
- Translink NI: Public transport times and routes
- Visit Belfast app: Self-guided walking tours
- National Trust app: Info for Carrick-a-Rede and Giant's Causeway
- Met Office weather app: Reliable UK weather forecasts
- Google Maps: Download offline map of Northern Ireland
Final Thoughts
This 2-day itinerary is ambitious but achievable. You'll experience Northern Ireland's top two attractions - Titanic Belfast and the Giant's Causeway - plus get a real sense of Belfast's culture, history, and the dramatic beauty of the Causeway Coast.
The pace is fast, so be prepared for early starts and full days. But if you only have a weekend, this itinerary maximizes your time and ensures you see the absolute highlights of Northern Ireland.
Most importantly: Northern Ireland deserves more than two days. If you enjoy this trip, plan to return for a longer visit to explore the regions you'll miss - the Mourne Mountains, Fermanagh Lakelands, Derry-Londonderry, and the quieter corners of this beautiful country.