The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills.
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To get to the Giant's Causeway, you can take a train or bus from Belfast to Coleraine, then change to a local bus that goes directly to the site. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive along the scenic Causeway Coastal Route, which offers stunning views of the coastline and charming towns along the way.
It is not necessary to book tickets in advance, as you can purchase them on arrival. However, if you prefer to join a guided tour, it is advisable to book in advance to secure your spot. Guided tours typically include transportation, entrance fees, and a knowledgeable guide who will share local legends and history.
The entrance fee for the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre is £13 for adults and £6.50 for children, which includes access to the site, the visitor center, and an audio guide. You can also walk along the causeway for free, however, you will not have access to the visitor center or audio guide.
Some of the best things to do at the Giant's Causeway include exploring the stunning rock formations, learning about the legends of Finn MacCool, and hiking the clifftop trails for panoramic views. For a more leisurely experience, you can stroll along the coastal path, visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle, or take a scenic boat tour around the causeway.
For dining options, The Nook is a charming pub located near the causeway, offering traditional Irish cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. The Causeway Hotel, located on-site, also has a restaurant with beautiful views of the coast. For a casual bite, The Wee Cottage is a quaint café that serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and homemade cakes.
There are several accommodation options near the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway Hotel is a historic hotel with cozy rooms and an on-site restaurant. For a more budget-friendly option, Finn McCool's Giants Causeway Hostel offers dorms and private rooms in a relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, Bayview Farm Holiday Cottages provides charming self-catering cottages with stunning views of the coast.
Off the beaten path: For an unusual travel experience, consider visiting the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, located just a short drive from the Giant's Causeway. This thrilling attraction allows you to walk across a 20-meter-long rope bridge suspended 30 meters above the sea, leading to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede. The island offers spectacular views of the surrounding coastline, as well as a unique perspective on the local flora and fauna.
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🏖️ Shore spots ⛰️ Cliff spots 🌲 Ecoregion spotsThe Giant's Causeway is a volcanic formation located on the coast of Northern Ireland in
You don't need a guide to visit the Giant's Causeway: nature provides you with everything it has, for your greatest pleasure! The Great Causeway is the largest part of the site. It begins on the shore, at the foot of the cliffs. It looks like a disordered set of pillars. On the other hand, closer to the water, one can easily guess the shape of a road for giants because, while advancing in the sea, the hexagonal slabs level out to constitute a kind of paved way of 65 to 98 feet (20 to 30 meters) wide. At low tide, it is even possible to follow this stone path for a few feet until it gradually disappears under the waves, as if it were continuing towards Scotland.
The Giant's Causeway site has an information center for visitors. Equipped with a coffee shop, and a souvenir store, the building has an exhibition room, which explains the extraordinary geological formation of the Giant's Causeway. Here you can learn more about the formation of these columns and also about all the ancient legends that have been told to children for centuries. Some rocks that have surprising aspects are described as being accessories of the giants, for example, the boots and the harp of the giant.
During your walk at the Giant's Causeway, you will be able to observe birds, since there are more than 80 species living here!
The Giant's Causeway is a must during your stay in Northern Ireland, you will be enchanted during your walk in a protected natural space by the sea.
Access to the Giant's Causeway is completely free. Be careful because some signs will make you believe the opposite, but if you only want to walk on the site it is free. However, you have to pay for the parking lot if you come by car (there are free parking lots a little further away) and the Visitor Center is not free, but it is not an obligation to go there.
From the parking lot to the Giant's Causeway takes about 20 minutes at a moderate pace, so in total, your walk should take less than an hour to admire these geological formations.
Yes totally, the walk is accessible to children or elderly people with reduced mobility, the walk is not very long, and you can even shorten it by taking the bus which brings directly in front of the Giant's Causeway. It is necessary to be careful with the uneven ground, but with good shoes, it is completely possible.
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