This half-day tour is a great way to discover beautiful Belfast, the largest city and capital of Northern Ireland. In the company of a knowledgeable local guide, you will learn about its complex political past, admire its historic buildings and enjoy its vibrant contemporary culture, giving you a feel for its unique energy and how it has transformed in recent years, captivating visitors from all around the world.
On your private tour, you will:
Your tour will begin at Belfast City Hall, one of the most iconic and recognisable buildings in Northern Ireland. Located in Donegall Square at the heart of Belfast city centre, this magnificent Baroque Revival structure has been the seat of local government since its opening in 1906. You'll get acquainted with your local guide and admire its opulent architecture, stepping inside to view the interior of the Dome and modern stained glass windows, then wander over to the Titanic Memorial Garden, which commemorates the 1512 people who perished on that fated vessel, which was famously built in Belfast. From here, your guide will take you on a carefully curated selection of Belfast's most important landmarks.
You will visit Victoria Square, a modern architectural innovation where you can climb the distinctive glass dome to enjoy panoramic views over the city, and see the nearby Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast's very own 'leaning tower'. At this historic spot, you will discover the reason for the tilting angle and also learn how Belfast got its name. You'll wander charming pedestrian streets like Castle Lane before coming to the grand Donegal Place. Today, Belfast's main shopping street may look like any other British or Irish city, but it hides a troubled past. Your guide will explain some of the more turbulent parts of the city's history and what life was like during the period known as The Troubles.
You will then make your way to the peaceful banks of the River Lagan, the river around which Belfast was built. You'll find out how the Lagan has had a crucial impact on the development of the city, with a natural harbour that eventually developed into one of the UK's major ports, as well as how the river was a driving force of Belfast's growth and prosperity during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th Centuries. You'll pause by the Beacon of Hope, a moving piece of public art that champions the resilience and regeneration of the people and city of Belfast and find a wonderful sculpture by John Kindness, called the Big Fish. Inspired by the Irish myth of the Salmon of Knowledge, its 'scales' are made up of blue ceramic tiles depicting important events in Belfast's history. You'll soon understand how art has always been a powerful way to share the story of the city, and your guide can reveal the tradition of political murals that have adorned the city for decades.
Making your way back towards the city centre, you'll pass through the famous Duke of York pub and admire some of the more modern murals at Commercial Court, a testament to the city's thriving street art scene. Your tour will finish in the Cathedral Quarter, known for its cobbled streets, vibrant atmosphere, and artistic energy. You'll have the opportunity to step inside St. Anne's Cathedral, the impressive Romanesque church that gives the area its name, and find out how this district has transformed dramatically in recent years to become one of the city's most dynamic neighbourhoods. As your tour comes to an end, your guide can provide plenty of recommendations for things to do around the city, including the best local pubs to enjoy a pint or two after the tour if you wish. However you choose to spend the rest of the day, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of this fascinating city that is constantly evolving.
Please note: On weekends, St Anne's Cathedral operates with varying visitor hours. If the Cathedral is closed at the time of your tour, your guide will share its history and significance from the outside.
Explore the dramatic, rugged splendour of the north Antrim coastline, known to us as Westeros, to see where so many iconic scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed on this private full-day tour from Belfast, with entrance tickets to the craggy ruins of Dunluce Castle – or Castle Greyjoy, among many other locations.
On your private tour, you will:
Walk in the footsteps of the feuding dynasties of Westeros: the houses of Stark, Arryn, Baratheon, Tully, Greyjoy, Lannister, Tyrell, Martell and Targaryen, as well as your favourite Game of Thrones characters, such as Arya Stark, Melisandre, Danaerys Targaryen and Jon Snow on this adventurous day-long tour of filming locations around the stunningly dramatic and craggy Antrim coastline, just an hour from Belfast.
Your private day excursion takes you to many Game of Thrones locations and includes entry to the atmospheric 500-year-old Dunluce Castle, perched precariously on a cliff edge, which serves as Castle Greyjoy in the series.
Stop at the pretty seaside harbour village of Carnlough – more famously known as Braavos in Game of Thrones, where Arya successfully escapes the Waif in Season 6. Further up the coast, you’ll see Cairncastle (from the outside) where Ned Stark beheads Will, the Night’s Watch deserter in episode 1, series 1, before driving to the Cushenden Caves.
The Cushenden Caves were formed 400 million years ago and were built between 1912 and 1925 by Lord Cushenden. They became the Stormlands in Game of Thrones where you can see the birthplace of Melisandre’s demon baby beneath Renly’s Camp. You can also relive the fight between Jamie and Euron in Season 8, which was filmed here.
Staying in Cushenden, have lunch at Mary McBride’s Bar (not included) the smallest pub in Ireland, and examine one of the Games of Thrones Doors, made from the storm-damaged trees of the Dark Hedges, carved with scenes set in Braavos.
Visit Fair Head and walk the crag to explore the mighty Dragonstone Cliffs, where Jon Snow encounters Daenerys and her dragon. A short distance from the cliffs takes you to Larrybane Quarry, a great filming location for the Stormlands. This old chalk quarry became Renly Baratheon’s Camp and was transformed into a tournament arena in season 2, where Brienne of Tarth triumphs in her duel. It is also famous for the death-defying, iconic Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
Next, visit picturesque Ballintoy Harbour close by, which is where Theon arrives in Lordsport on the Iron Islands. Nearby, Ballintoy Beach is where Euron is drowned to become king of the Iron Islands.
Drive along the grand Kings Road, to see the twisted trunks of the Dark Hedges. A mysterious and beautiful avenue of old beech trees was planted in 1775. At the end of the Dark Hedges lies Gracehill House – where you will see another of the Game of Thrones Doors, this time commemorating Bran's transformation into the Three-Eyed Raven.
Return to Belfast through the rugged landscape of the Antrim plateau, and back to your hotel.
DISCLAIMER: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Game of Thrones' created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for Home Box Office, Inc. Travel Curious Ltd. and this tour does not have any association with or connection to, the television series 'Game of Thrones', David Benioff, D. B. Weiss and Home Box Office, Inc.
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