My sister Kelly is a big Game of Thrones fan and loves to travel. I haven’t watched the show yet, but I enjoy visiting filming locations. When Kelly invited me on a short trip to Northern Ireland in September, I said yes right away and she handled the planning.
We did a self-guided driving tour from Donegal to Dublin in about eight and a half hours. It’s a long day, but the coastline and countryside are stunning. Driving ourselves let us stop where we wanted and linger longer than many organized Game of Thrones tours allow. Kelly researched every stop thoroughly and put together an itinerary that flowed smoothly and packed a lot into one day.
Downhill Beach
Downhill Beach is a dramatic stretch of sand with towering cliffs and the picturesque Mussenden Temple. The site doubled as Dragonstone in Game of Thrones. It’s easily accessible and well worth a visit for the scenery alone.
A useful tip: in parts of Ireland you can drive onto the beach. The sand is firm in many places, so getting stuck is uncommon, but always take care and check conditions before driving on sand.
Dunluce Castle
Perched on a rocky cliff, the ruins of Dunluce Castle were used as Castle Greyjoy in the series. The medieval site dates back to the 13th century and offers striking coastal views.
You can pay to tour the grounds or make a brief stop for photos, which is what we chose to do. The dramatic cliffside setting makes it a memorable spot even for a short visit.
Giant’s Causeway
Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring thousands of interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. Local legend attributes the formation to a giant building a causeway between Ireland and Scotland.
The site is visitor-friendly with on-site parking included in admission. From the visitor center it’s about a 15-minute walk to the rock formations, or you can take a small shuttle bus for a modest fee. Wear waterproof shoes and sturdy soles—there are puddles and wet, slippery stones. Good hiking boots with traction make exploring much easier and safer.
Once you reach the Causeway you can climb the columns, wander the shoreline and take plenty of photos. It was one of the quicker stops on our itinerary but one of the most impressive.
Carrick-a-Rede
Carrick-a-Rede is the famous rope bridge near Ballintoy, just a short drive from Giant’s Causeway. Historically used by salmon fishermen, bridges to the little island have existed for centuries and the current attraction draws many visitors.
The bridge is a popular tourist stop and can close in high winds. On the day we visited it was closed, which spared us a lengthy wait and the very narrow crossing. If you plan to cross, consider pre-purchasing timed tickets to avoid long lines. Even if you don’t go onto the bridge, the coastal views are worth the trip.
Expect variable weather and strong coastal winds. The area is beautiful, but the bridge itself is smaller than many visitors anticipate.
Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges are a tunnel-like avenue of beech trees planted in the 18th century. The atmospheric lane was used as The King’s Road in Game of Thrones and has become a must-see stop for fans and photographers.
Parking and crowds can be an issue. We followed signs and parked nearby, then walked in. Many visitors drive up and stop along the road to take photos, so expect other people and cars. With a little patience and some creative camera angles you can still get beautiful shots of the trees.
Things To Know
A few practical notes for driving and car rental in Ireland: we picked up our car from Avis at Dublin Airport. Many rental cars are manual (stick shift) and remember that driving is on the left side of the road. Roundabouts are common and can be confusing at first. We rented a GPS, which proved helpful for navigation. For our trip the rental with GPS cost roughly $240 for three days, since we needed the car for a couple of days in Donegal as well.
What to Pack
Coastal Northern Ireland is often cool, wet and windy. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy waterproof hiking boots rather than simple rain boots—boots with good traction are better for walking on rocky and slippery terrain. Warm base layers and a hat and gloves can make a big difference on chilly days.
