Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands
3 day tour

  • Giant's Causeway
  • Derry
  • The Dark Hedges
  • causeway coast
  • Enniskillen castle

Dive into the world of legends, spellbinding coast, and rich heritage on this tour celebrating the best of Northern Ireland.

Tour map

Highlights

Mountains
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Film Locations
Lochs
Castles

The Giant’s Causeway – Feel the power of Irish giants in the unique and breathtaking coastal formations of the Causeway. 

The Causeway Coastal Route - Over 200km of a spectacular drive along the rugged coast steeped in history, myths, and remarkable geology.

The Dark Hedges – Gaze upon this hauntingly beautiful road of beech trees that has attracted photographers, movie makers, and tourists for decades. 

Fermanagh Lakelands – Discover this beautiful county, overflowing with lakes, rivers, and weaving waterways.

Derry – Explore the city of Derry, Ireland’s only completely intact historic Walled City, and the home of the popular TV show Derry Girls

Ulster American Folk Park – Learn about the bold migrants who emigrated to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries.  

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens* – Meander through the castle’s 18th-century walled garden and explore this stunning castle.  

 

Your journey

 

Northern Ireland will stir your soul.

You’ll get invigorated by the elemental beauty of the Giant’s Causeway and the striking views of the Causeway Coast. In Derry/Londonderry, you’ll get a deeper understanding of the heartache and history of ‘the Troubles’. And you’ll feel blissful harmony in the small island town of Enniskillen, surrounded by the peaceful Fermanagh Lakes.

No emotion is left untouched as you discover the essence of Northern Ireland with its beauty, tragedy, and passion.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) - Belfast Pick-Up, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT16JH
Finishes (approx.)
17:30 - Belfast Drop Off, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH
Luggage
You’re restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This may consist of a small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase or rucksack.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  •  Admire the elemental beauty of the Causeway Coast
  •  Walk where giants fought and changed the earth at the unique and stunning Giant’s Causeway

You leave Belfast and travel north following the winding and magnificent Causeway Coastal Route. A truly sensational experience, the journey takes you past craggy cliffs, ruined castles and through the sweeping Glens of Antrim, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The crowning glory of this coastal drive is the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a place where history and myth collide spectacularly with raw geological power. Waving farewell to the giant’s steps, you head on to see another spot of rare beauty, the Dark Hedges.

This haunting beech avenue was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress the visitors approaching their mansion. Since then, the Dark Hedges have impressed millions of travellers, photographers, and fans of Game of Thrones.

Reinvigorated by the sea air and the mind-blowing scenery, you arrive in Portrush in the late afternoon where you stay for the night.

 

Day 2

  • Discover the vibrant cultural scene and rich history of Derry
  • Learn more about the pioneering spirit of Irish emigrants in the Ulster American Folk Park

You say farewell to the coastal charms and head to Derry/Londonderry.

From the almost intact historic walls to the murals commemorating the more recent troubled past, this city is steeped in history. And it’s also quickly becoming one of the most important artistic and cultural hubs in Northern Ireland. You’ve got free time to explore Derry for yourself or you can join an optional walking tour.

Next, you travel to the Ulster American Folk Park, where you can discover the story of emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn about the hardships these bold people had to face and the impact they made in the new land.

In the late afternoon, you travel to Enniskillen, a small island town and your overnight base. Enjoy an evening stroll around this lovely area or discover the famous Irish charm as you chat with the locals in a cosy pub.

Day 3

  • Spend the morning exploring Enniskillen or get on an optional lake cruise
  • Explore the gorgeous gardens at Hillsborough Castle*, one of the official royal residences

In the morning, you can decide to explore Enniskillen a bit more. You may visit its many galleries and craft shops, explore the 15th-century castle, or see the beautiful Lough Erne on an optional cruise (subject to season and availability).

Then, you say farewell to the lovely island town and head east through County Armagh, Ireland’s Orchard County, to the ecclesiastical city of Armagh. This city loves St Patrick so much it boasts two cathedrals dedicated to him. They also love their Bramley apple, so make sure to try local ciders and the legendary Irish Black Butter.

The last stop of your tour is Hillsborough Castle* with its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens that have been a joy to the Royal Family and thousands of visitors. If you fancy, you can choose to explore the beautiful state rooms of the castle and find out more about its fascinating history (tickets subject to availability).

From here it’s just a short journey back to Belfast.

*Please note that Hillsborough Castle is closed on the 24th of May, so tours departing on 22nd May will be unable to visit it on day 3.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay one night in Portrush and one night in Enniskillen.

 

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£60 - £90

£40 - £60

UK & Northern Ireland

€65 - €95

€45 - €70

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£80 - £120

£45 - £85

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €130

€50 - €95

Ireland

Hotel

£90 - £170

£75 - £140

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €215

€75 - €130

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we'll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion. Click here to view full terms and conditions.

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. While there are ongoing coronavirus restrictions throughout the UK and Ireland, itineraries are more likely to change than usual as opening hours and capacities at many visitor attractions are reduced and subject to change. Your driver-guide will keep you up to up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .

4 reasons to choose Rabbie's

Travel the local way on small group tours of 16 people or fewer

You'll have a guaranteed experience, or your money back

Guaranteed departures: We’ll never cancel your tour because of minimum numbers

Our eco-friendly tours support local communities


Customer reviews



Green Tourism Award Scottish Thistle Awards Winner 2015/2016 Scottish Tourist Board 5 Stars
Download Rabbie's Brochures

Looking for inspiration?

Subscribe to our emails for tips and updates about our friendly tours across the UK & Europe.

Yes, inspire me