Attractions Nearby Derry, Day Trips and Excursions

(Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK)

Getting out and exploring Northern Ireland's countryside is half the fun of visiting Derry. There are truly spectacular sites waiting along the coast, with day trips to the UNESCO-honoured Giant's Causeway coming highly recommended.

Other attractions and excursions within reach of Derry include the Castlerock resort and the Grianan of Aileach hill fort. For those anxious to explore the coast and enjoy these attractions, there is no substitute for a hire car. If you have the time, it is even possible to drive to Belfast, although much closer are the inviting towns of Coleraine, Limavady, Portrush and Portstewart.

Giant's Causeway

Address: County Antrim
The Giant's Causeway is located on the coast, just under 70 km / 43 miles to the north-east of Derry. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its tens of thousands of basalt columns rising out of the sea. Legend holds that it was built in ancient times during a feud between rival giants, one in Ireland, the other in Scotland. Tourists can park at the visitors centre and take a shuttle bus to the actual causeway, or simply enjoy a 20-minute walk.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 19:00
Admission: free, charge for parking

Letterkenny / Grianan of Aileach

Address: County Donegal
The biggest town in the whole of County Donegal, Letterkenny is to be found roughly 37 km / 23 miles to the south-west of Denny, alongside the River Swilly. Several quality attractions reside within Letterkenny and these include the Glenveagh National Park, the An Grianán Theatre, a number of coastal golf courses and the famous Grianan of Aileach, a historic monument built on a high hill. This stone fortress is roughly 3,000 years old and dates to an Iron Age civilisation that flourished here long before the Vikings and Normans arrived. What stands today is the result of a 19th-century rebuild. The Grianan of Aileach is an impressive attraction and it is easy to visit for anyone based in the city.

Bushmills Distillery

Address: 2 Distillery Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8XH, Northern Ireland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)28 2073 3218
Email: visitors.bushmills@diageo.com
Website: www.bushmills.com
Bushmills is a small town of some 1,350 people and home to the world-famous Bushmills Irish Whiskey distillery, the oldest in Ireland with its charter dating back to 1608. Regular tours are offered and allow visitors to learn about the whiskey making process of mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending and finally bottling. These always include tastings.
Open hours: January to March and November to December, Monday to Friday - 09:15 to 16:45, Saturday and Sunday - 12:30 to 16:45; April to October, Monday to Saturday - 09:15 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00. Tours run ever 15 to 20 minutes
Admission: charge for tour, discounts for children, large groups are advised to call ahead

Castlerock

Castlerock is sited just past Lough Foyle and roughly 48 km / 30 miles from Derry. Thanks to the A2 motorway, it's possible to drive between these two destinations in less than an hour. This seaside village has a modest beach and is a comfortable resort that makes a great place for a weekend excursion. The only outright tourist attraction in the Castlerock area is the 17th-century Hezlett House, with its well-appointed Victorian interior.

Belfast

Address: County Antrim
At approximately 128 km / 80 miles from Derry, it is quite possible to pay a visit to the vibrant city of Belfast as a day trip, if you are prepared for an early start, although most people choose to stay for at least a night or two, to properly tour the main sights. The attractions of Belfast are certainly in good supply and range from St. Anne's Cathedral and its stunning architecture, regular concerts at the Waterfront Hall, the beautiful Botanical Gardens on University Road, the history of Irish conflict at the Ulster Museum, and the extremely popular Titanic Boat Tour, where tourists can learn all about how the somewhat ill-fated RMS Titanic passenger steamship was built here at the at the Harland and Wolff shipyard more than 100 years ago. Families may like to check out the animals at Belfast Zoo, or explore the rather stately Belfast Castle and its visitors centre.

Coleraine

The sizeable market town of Coleraine is located in County Londonderry, some 50 km / 31 miles to the north-east of Derry and is certainly well-placed for a day trip. Much of the tourism industry in Coleraine is based around the famed Causeway Coast and in excess of two million visitors come year annually. Many leading attractions are just a short drive from Coleraine, such as the Giant's Causeway, Castlerock, Portstewart and also the Bushmills Distillery, the latter of which is connected by a small steam train during the summer tourist season.

Limavady

Limavady is a small market town lying just 29 km / 18 miles to the north-east of Derry, where it enjoys a scenic setting, with the hilly Binevenagh providing a unique backdrop. Many tourists choose to take a day trip to Limavady to take advantage of the outdoor recreational activities on offer, such as hang gliding, trout fishing and rock climbing on Binevenagh Mountain. Other highlights include the Roe Valley Country Park and the lengthy Benone Beach, where kiteboarding and kitesurfing are popular.

Portrush

Address: County Antrim
The resort town of Portrush is known for its sandy beaches, named the East Strand, the West Strand, the Curran Strand and the White Rocks. Many seaside attractions reside in Portrush and include Barry's Amusements, which has become Northern Ireland's biggest amusement park to date. During the summer season, a number of major events are hosted in Portrush, such as a beach party, a RNLI raft race, an air show and a motorcycle race through Coleraine and Portstewart, named the North West 200. Portrush is sited around 58 km / 36 miles to the north-east of Derry and can be reached in just over one hour by car.

Portstewart

Portstewart is an appealing town in County Londonderry, located 56 km / 35 miles to the north-east of Derry. Day trippers come to Portstewart for its long Blue-Flag beach, which lies on the westerly side of town and stretches for just over 3 km / 2 miles, being protected by the National Trust organisation. To the east of Portstewart, visitors will find a coastal trail suitable for both walking and cycling. The Portstewart Golf Club is another attraction of note and is known for its strong Atlantic gusts, which add a different dimension to a round of golf.