Game Of Thrones Locations & Giants Causeway North Antrim Coast Tour

The North Coast packs a lot into one day. This private Belfast tour links famous Game of Thrones filming sites with castles, harbors, Bushmills, and the Giant’s Causeway. I like the small private group, which can include up to seven people, and I like the freedom to adjust the pace or add time at places such as Dunluce Castle or the rope bridge. The main drawback is clear: 13 stops in seven to eight hours means several visits are brief, and entrance fees, meals, parking, and extra hours cost more.

The best part is the driver-guided feel. Guides such as Brian, Joe, Jonny, Kieron, Lee, and Seamus have been praised for humor, local stories, music, legends, photography help, and careful driving. You should also know that the advertised $956.39 is per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply when six or seven people share the vehicle.

Key points before you book

• A private North Coast day: Your group travels together in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, bottled water, and private transport.
• The Giant’s Causeway gets two hours: This is the day’s main stop, but the admission fee is separate.
• Game of Thrones locations are woven into real places: Carnlough, Ballintoy Harbour, Cushendun Caves, the Dark Hedges, and Dunluce Castle are more than screen backdrops.
• The schedule is ambitious: Many stops last only 5 to 20 minutes, so this works best if you prefer seeing many sites rather than lingering at each one.
• Extra choices cost extra: You can add the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge crossing, the Bushmills Distillery tour, time at Dunluce Castle, meals, and extra hours.
• The guides are a major part of the value: Personal stories, jokes, local legends, whiskey advice, and help with photos can make the long driving day feel much more relaxed.

Why this private Belfast tour works well

This is not a standard hop-on, hop-off outing. You are collected in Belfast and spend the day with only your own party, up to seven people. That matters on the North Antrim Coast, where a public coach can leave you tied to a fixed timetable and a large crowd.

You get a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, WiFi, and one bottle of water per person. Pickup is offered, and you should be ready 15 minutes before the agreed departure time. Morning departures are available in half-hour windows from 7:00 until 11:30.

The price is $956.39 per group. For one or two people, that is a serious outlay. For a full group of seven, it works out at about $137 per person before admissions and food, which is much easier to justify for a full private day with door-to-door pickup.

The strongest part of the experience is the human touch. Brian has been praised for stories, humor, music, fairytales, whiskey guidance, and taking photographs. Joe was described as warm and generous with his time, while Kieron, Lee, Jonny, and Seamus were also singled out for friendly service, safe driving, and local insight. The company has also handled adapted transport for a family member using a wheelchair, though some individual sights may not suit prams or mobility equipment.

Carrickfergus Castle and the first taste of history

Your first stop is Carrickfergus Castle, a fully standing Norman fortress dating from the 1100s. You have about 10 minutes here, enough for a look at the exterior and the setting, but not enough for a proper interior visit.

This stop adds useful context before the film locations begin. The castle is also linked to King William of Orange, who first arrived in Ireland here in 1690 before marching toward the Battle of the Boyne. Admission is not included, so an inside visit would need extra time and money.

If you want to explore every castle properly, this tour may feel rushed. If you want a quick orientation and photographs before heading up the coast, the short stop makes sense.

Ballygally Castle and Game of Thrones Door Number Nine

At Ballygally Castle Hotel, the focus shifts to a smaller Game of Thrones detail. When trees fell at the Dark Hedges, the wood was used to make ten carved Game of Thrones doors. Door Number Nine is located here.

You get only about five minutes, so think of this as a quick themed stop rather than a full castle visit. It is a nice touch for fans who enjoy production details, but less important if your main goal is medieval architecture.

The tour then follows the North Antrim coastal road. Keep your eyes on the windows. The scenery is part of the attraction, and this road has been named by Lonely Planet among the world’s top ten coastal routes. The itinerary does not treat the drive as dead time, which is wise. Cliffs, water, villages, and open views fill the spaces between the formal stops.

Carnlough Harbour and Cushendun Caves

Carnlough is a quaint harbor town and the location of Braavos Canal in Game of Thrones season six. You have about 15 minutes to walk around and take photos. It is a compact stop, but the harbor gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see a real working coastal setting rather than only a film set.

Cushendun Caves comes next, with another 15-minute visit. The caves were used when Davos Seaworth and Melisandre came ashore in season two. They are also the place where Melisandre gave birth to the frightening shadow creature.

The caves are free to visit, which helps keep the day’s extra costs down. Still, expect uneven ground and a short outdoor walk. The stop is best for people who want to connect the television scenes with the actual terrain.

Larrybane Quarry and the Carrick-a-Rede viewpoint

Larrybane Quarry served as King Renly’s base camp in season two. It is also the car park area for the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, so you get striking coastal views even without crossing.

The planned visit lasts about 10 minutes at the quarry, followed by about 20 minutes at the rope bridge viewing point. This is a viewing stop, not a bridge crossing. If you want to cross the bridge, the operator can add it for an extra charge and extra time.

That distinction matters. You should not assume the crossing is included simply because Carrick-a-Rede appears in the title itinerary. The bridge is famously not for the faint-hearted, and the standard schedule sensibly gives you the views without forcing the crossing into an already packed day.

Two quick Game of Thrones stops at the Fullerton Arms and Ballintoy

The Fullerton Arms is home to Game of Thrones Door Number Six. You have around five minutes, making this another quick photo and themed stop.

Ballintoy Harbour receives about 20 minutes. It was used as the Iron Islands in the series, and its rocky shore and small harbor are among the more atmospheric parts of the route. This is one of the places where the real setting matters as much as the television connection.

I would give Ballintoy priority over the brief door stops if you are deciding where to linger. The harbor offers open views and a stronger sense of place. The schedule, however, does not provide much flexibility unless you pay for extra hours.

Dunseverick and the Giant’s Causeway

Dunseverick is a brief five-minute stop at the ruins of one of Ireland’s oldest castles, said to date to around 500 BC. The site sits on a cliff edge above the North Atlantic, and local tradition says St Patrick visited in the fifth century.

Again, five minutes is enough for a quick look, not a careful archaeological visit. Treat it as a scenic pause that adds another layer to the coastal route.

Then comes the main event: the Giant’s Causeway. You have two hours here, far more than at any other stop. This is Northern Ireland’s best-known attraction and its only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hexagonal rock formations were created millions of years ago as volcanic lava cooled, though local legend credits the giant Finn McCool.

Admission is not included. The stated adult price is £15, and the tour also notes that parking fees may apply. Plan for this cost before you arrive. Two hours gives you a fair chance to walk among the formations, take photographs, and appreciate the scale of the coast, though the amount you cover will depend on your walking pace and the conditions.

The Giant’s Causeway is the reason many people book this outing. Do not allow the Game of Thrones theme to distract from it. The rocks are the day’s most important sight, and the two-hour allocation is one of the strongest features of the schedule.

Dunluce Castle and the Bushmills stop

Dunluce Castle is one of the most memorable sights on the coast. The ruined castle sits directly on a cliff edge and served as Pyke Castle in Game of Thrones. Royal Portrush Golf Club appears in the background, adding another recognizable local landmark.

The standard stop is only about 10 minutes, and admission is separate. If you want to enter the ruins, ask about adding time before booking or as early as possible. The exterior view is impressive, but an interior visit cannot be rushed if you want to understand the site.

At Bushmills, you stop for around 15 minutes to see the world’s oldest distillery and shop. A full distillery tour is an optional extra, and you may also have time for an Irish whiskey tasting. This is useful for shoppers and whiskey fans, but the short standard stop is not enough for the full production story.

One guide was praised for an excellent whiskey tasting guide, so your experience here may be especially good if you ask questions and your timing allows a tasting. Just remember that a distillery tour needs extra time and will make the day longer.

The Dark Hedges finish

The Dark Hedges is a 300-year-old tunnel of trees and one of the world’s best-known tree tunnels. In Game of Thrones, it became the Kingsroad.

You have about 30 minutes here, which is generous compared with most of the stops. That gives you time to walk beneath the branches and take photographs without feeling pushed through in five minutes.

The site has become very popular, so the private vehicle and flexible approach are useful. Still, the trees are living monuments, not a stage prop. Walk carefully, respect barriers, and expect the experience to depend on weather, light, and how busy the road area is.

What you pay for, and what you do not

The tour includes the vehicle, private transportation, WiFi, and one bottle of water per person. It does not include entry to the Giant’s Causeway, meals, parking, extra hours, or optional attractions.

Lunch can be handled in two ways. You can stop for up to an hour at your own expense, or grab a sandwich and keep moving. One group enjoyed lunch at the Causeway Hotel, while another stopped at a local pub for good food and Guinness. These suggestions show the value of having a private driver, but your meal still comes out of your pocket.

Dinner can also be added to a later tour, with the stated possibility of a one-hour stop costing as little as £15 per person. Ask about the day’s timing if you are arriving on a cruise ship. One group made it back in time to board its ship and shop in Belfast Harbour, but that kind of success depends on traffic, weather, and how long you spend at optional stops.

The advertised price is easiest to defend for families or friends filling most of the seven seats. The private format, direct pickup, personal guide, and ability to add stops can be worth more than a cheaper large-group coach. For a couple, compare carefully with smaller shared tours.

Who should book this North Antrim Coast day?

I would choose this tour if you want to combine the Giant’s Causeway with many coastal sights in one day and you care about having your own driver. It is especially suitable for Game of Thrones fans, families, cruise passengers, small groups, and people who prefer local conversation to a recorded commentary.

Teenagers may enjoy the jokes, music, stories, and screen locations. Whiskey fans can add Bushmills time. History lovers will appreciate Carrickfergus, Dunseverick, and Dunluce, but should ask for extra time if castle interiors matter.

I would hesitate if you dislike quick photo stops or want long walks at every location. The tour covers a lot of ground, and several stops last only five, ten, or fifteen minutes. You also need to budget for admissions, food, parking, and optional additions.

The cancellation terms are strict: the experience is normally non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, story-filled day with the Giant’s Causeway at its center and a long list of North Coast stops around it. The guides appear to be the real strength, adding humor, local tales, music, photography help, and personal attention that a big coach cannot match.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, group size, Giant’s Causeway admission, parking, lunch plan, and any extra hours. If you want to cross Carrick-a-Rede, tour Bushmills, or enter Dunluce Castle, arrange that clearly in advance. With realistic expectations about the brisk pace, this is a strong choice for seeing a great deal of Northern Ireland in one private day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Belfast, with pickup offered. You should be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private vehicle can accommodate a group of up to seven people.

Is the Giant’s Causeway admission included?

No. Adult admission is listed as £15 per person and must be paid separately.

How much time is provided at the Giant’s Causeway?

The planned visit lasts about two hours.

Does the tour cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge?

No. The standard tour visits the viewing point. Crossing the bridge can be added for an extra cost.

Can I take a tour of Bushmills Distillery?

A Bushmills Distillery tour can be added as an extra. The standard stop allows about 15 minutes for viewing and shopping.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included. The driver can stop for meals, or you can choose a quicker sandwich stop, at your own expense.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, and one bottle of water per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.