Coming to Ireland soon? Then be sure to visit the Giant’s Causeway, one of the island’s most beautiful natural attractions!
Located on the coast of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway( Gaelic:Clochán na bhFómharach ) is an impressive and gigantic geological formation. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and classified as a national nature reserve, the site is made up of over 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Some of them can be seen right up to the 28-metre-high cliff face. These steps then descend into the sea, where they disappear, creating a surprising setting that is unique in the world!
Would you like to visit the Giant’s Causeway? In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to discover this masterpiece of nature. From tips, history and practical information to prices and timetables, you’ll find everything you need to plan and make the most of your visit!
History of the Giant’s Causeway
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Irish legend has it that a local giant, Finn MacCool, wanted to fight Benandonner, a giant from Scotland. No boat was big enough to carry them, so Finn built a stone causeway between the two countries.
Benandonner eventually accepted the challenge and used the causeway to cross the sea to Ireland. He was bigger and stronger than MacCool. The Irish giant’s wife then disguised her husband as a baby, which frightened the Scotsman, terrified of meeting the father of such a child! So he fled to Scotland, destroying the roadway so as not to be followed.
The amusing story is still told to Irish children. In truth, this Giant’s Causeway is the result of the sea’s erosion of a lava flow dating back 50 to 60 million years. As the basaltic lava cooled, it fractured into columns perpendicular to the surface.
Our tips for visiting the Giant’s Causeway
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Are you coming to Northern Ireland soon and want to organize your discoveries? Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit.
The best time to visit the Giant’s Causeway
If you can, we recommend visiting the Giant’s Causeway early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds. Most tourists come between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the time when tours from Belfast or Dublin arrive. For this reason, you may wish to stay for a few days not far from the natural site. As for the season, it’s best to come in spring or summer.
Prepare your bag and your visit
To make the most of your visit, it’s a good idea to pack a few items of clothing in your bag. Even in summer, a warm, waterproof jacket is essential. The site faces the Atlantic Ocean, so cold winds blow all day long!
Because the Causeway is full of uneven surfaces, we recommend that you wear comfortable, appropriate footwear. Injuries are common here due to minor falls. Finally, you can take water and a snack with you, but be sure to preserve the area by keeping your garbage.
Practical information
Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash. The Visitor Center is accessible to the disabled. Be sure to check the official website before your visit for weather information and safety tips!
What to do when you visit the Giant’s Causeway?
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The Giant’s Causeway is divided into 3 zones: Grande, Moyenne and Petite. For this tour, a guide is not necessarily necessary, as signposted paths will take you from wonder to wonder, from sumptuous landscape to sumptuous landscape!
The Three Causeways
As its name suggests, the Grande Chaussée covers most of the site. It begins on the shore, at the foot of the cliffs. As you move closer to the water, you’ll see this form of road. As the hexagonal slabs sink into the sea, they level out to form a sort of paved path 20 to 30 metres wide! At low tide, you can even walk along it for a few hundred meters.
The Moyenne and Petite Chaussée, on the other hand, run alongside the Grande. They look more like stone mounds than tracks.
Small wonders to admire
Along the way, you’ll see some amazing rock formations, which the locals have evidently nicknamed over the years. Among them is the Promontoire des Géants, a 6-kilometre-long strip of coastline where thousands of columns face the cliffs. But you can also admire the Harp, huge columns curving majestically along the water’s edge, the Chimneys, associated with historic events and the Invincible Armada, a famous Spanish fleet.
Others include the Giant’s Loom, the Giant’s Coffin, the Giant’s Cannon, the Giant’s Eyes and the Giant’s Boot!
The Visitor Center
Opened in 2012, the Visitor Center is easily recognizable by its modern architecture, which recalls the geometry of the site’s basalt columns. It houses a coffee shop and gift store. But above all, it boasts an exhibition room. The latter will tell you more about the history and exceptional geological formation of the Giant’s Causeway.
How much does a ticket to the Giant’s Causeway cost?
Here are the prices for visiting the Giant’s Causeway:
- Adults: £11 online, £12.50 on site,
- Children: £5. 50 online, £6.75 on site,
- Families: £27.50 online, £31.25 on site.
Admission includes access to the visitor center, use of an outdoor audioguide, an orientation brochure and parking. To take the shuttle bus from the visitor center to the Giant’s Causeway, you’ll need to pay a supplement. Admission is free for children under 5.
How do I book a ticket for the Giant’s Causeway online?
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You can easily book a ticket for the Giant’s Causeway on the site’s official website. Third-party websites also offer tickets for this natural monument.
Are there any guided tours of the Giant’s Causeway?
Guided tours and half-day or full-day excursions are plentiful. Prices range from €25 to €50 for an excursion or guided tour from Belfast, and a little more from Dublin.
Are there combined tours with other monuments?
Many tours include other attractions in the region, such as the Game of Thrones filming locations. These tours can cost between €30 and €60 on average.
Giant’s Causeway opening times
You can visit the Giant’s Causeway at different times of the year:
– January and February: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
– March to May: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
– June to September: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
– October: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
– November and December: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Giant’s Causeway is not accessible from December 24 to 26. The last entrance is one hour before the Visitor Center closes.
How do I get to the Giant’s Causeway?
To reach the Giant’s Causeway and its Visitor Center, you can use a variety of means of transport: rented or hired cars, trains, buses, bicycles or even walking.
By car
To get to the Giant’s Causeway, the car is obviously one of the most practical means of transport. The Giant’s Causeway and Visitor Center are located on the B147 causeway road, 5 kilometers from the village of Bushmills. From Belfast, the site can be reached in an hour and a half on average. Take the M2 and then the A26 to Ballymoney. Then take the B62 to Revallagh and the Priestland Road to Bushmills.
From March to October, a shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from the village of Bushmills, where there is a parking lot, to the Visitor Center.
By train or bus
Regular train and bus services operate from Belfast or Londonderry to Coleraine. Once in Coleraine, you can easily reach Bushmills with the Ulsterbus Service 172.
Allow between two and a half and three hours to reach the city from Belfast by these means, and 2 hours from Londonderry.
By bike or on foot
The National Cycle Network’s Route 93 in Northern Ireland runs along the coast from Newry to Ballycastle, via Bangor and Belfast. Cycling enthusiasts can use part of this route to reach various towns along the coast, including a visit to the Giant’s Causeway.
If you prefer to go on foot, you can follow the Causeway Coast Way. This breathtaking 53-kilometer route follows this part of Ireland’s most famous coastline. Best of all, it’s linked to the Giant’s Causeway trail network!
Where can I park near the Giant’s Causeway?
Visitor parking is available at the entrance to the site. Your entrance ticket usually includes parking for the day. So you can leave your car on site, stroll around and make your discoveries.
Where to stay near the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland?
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All along this beautiful north coast, from Portstewart to Ballintoy, you’ll find plenty of B&Bs, hotels, Airbnb and campsites to stay in. Bushmills, like Portballintrae, are villages very close to the Giant’s Causeway. Staying in either will enable you to reach the natural site easily, on foot, by bike, by bus or by car. Staying in other coastal towns is a good way to discover other wonders of the region, once you’ve visited the Giant’s Causeway of course!
The easiest way to find your accommodation is to use a hotel comparator, which will help you find the accommodation that matches all your criteria.