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If you’re not one for world politics and have never taken much interest in history, you might be surprised to learn that Ireland is “split” in two (which happened circa May 3, 1921). That said, I feel like the whole world knows this…unless you’ve been living under a leprechaun rock! So, you have the Republic of Ireland and then Northern Ireland.
After many years of political unrest, which caused many international travelers to become wary of traveling here, Northern Ireland has become a popular destination. But I still feel like many have this stigma about it.
It’s different from the lower half of the country, in that I feel like it feels more vast and wild in Northern Island (talking about the landscapes here, people). The natural wonders are like, wow! It’s no wonder parts of Game of Thrones were filmed in Northern Ireland!
Belfast is the capital city, where this 1 week Ireland itinerary begins. The rest of the trip is centered on showcasing the beauty of Northern Ireland. But I have chosen to end in Dublin (the Republic of Ireland), as it IS an iconic city not to be missed.
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Getting around Northern Ireland
Cars
Rent out a car to be totally in control of things. Also, if you plan on veering off track to tiny villages, viewpoints, and such, you’ll need a car (unless you’re part of a tour group).
Trains
Choosing the trains to travel is an affordable option, and they are run by Translink NI Railways.
Buses
Buses are by far the cheapest way to travel around Northern Ireland. There are a few bus services, including Ulsterbus, which stop in every town and city.
Day 1 + 2: Belfast
Day 1: Classic sightseeing and tours
Are you ready for a very friendly welcome to Ireland? Kickstarting things off in Northern Ireland’s capital city, if you’ve arrived in the city early enough, first things first is breakfast. If you arrived the night before and your stay doesn’t include brekkie, three divinely delicious choices include Neighbourhood Café (coffee snobs, order their Piccolo Split), Haptik (closed Sundays), and General Merchants (with multiple city locations).
Did you know that the Titanic (yes, the infamous ship that sank in April 1912) was built right here in Belfast?! Growing up, Titanic was one of my favorite movies, making me fall more and more in love with Leo and Kate each time. Visit the Titanic Belfast museum (set up at the exact site where the vessel was designed, built, and launched), where the shivers never disappear! Then, spend an hour or two at the Ulster Museum, situated within the pretty city Botanical Gardens (if you’d like a meander through nature before or after, too).
Darcy’s Belfast (for traditional Irish/Belfast cuisine) and James St (a modern bistro vibe) are two wonderful lunch options to choose from.
Next up is one of the most iconic tours you can take, especially in Belfast, a Black Cab Taxi Tour. And no, it’s not a London cabbie driver taking you around. Instead, these political tours specifically hone in on the capital’s controversial history, as you cruise past street art murals, and important relevant landmarks and roads, like Falls Road and Shankill Road. Grab your tour tickets here.
Unwind from the intensities with an ultra fun afternoon of bar-hopping and drinking Guinness around the buzzing Cathedral Quarter, filled with bars and eateries. Popular spots are Muriel’s, The Duke of York, and The Thirsty Goat. Pick a place for dinner here. Or other great supper-time options are one-Michelin-starred The Muddlers Club or EDŌ for fab tapas!
Day 2: Day trip to Glenarm
Before I outline today’s plans for your 1 week Ireland itinerary, there are two options for you to consider. Either day trip to Glenarm (45 minutes by car or two hours via train) in the morning and return to Belfast for the rest of Day 2’s activities. Or, tick off the itineraries in the morning, head to Glenarm around midday/ 1 PM, and then spend the night there.
This seaside village is absolutely charming! The real epitome of a typical coastal Irish setting! Visit the exquisite Jacobean-style Glenarm Castle, built in 1636, and its gardens! (Heart eye emojis x 1,000). Like a setting from a Jane Eyre novel… Enjoy the rest of your time in Glenarm, as part of this 1 week Ireland itinerary, strolling around town and taking photos of the local buildings. Meander through the Glenarm Forest (excellent for time out in nature), or complete the famed Coastal Walk. Check out the historical, sleepy Marina, and the natural Madman’s Window oceanic stone window viewpoint!
Back in Belfast, head off on an architecture-appreciating endeavor, visiting the 19th-century Edwardian-meets-Baroque Revival designed Belfast City Hall, 18th-century Clifton House (now listed as a Grade A building, it was Belfast’s original Poor House), and, if time permits, the CS Lewis Square — literary lovers like me will love this one.
Did you know Belfast was the author’s birthplace? I wonder if there is anything about Belfast that inspired Lewis during his time writing Narnia…Parts of Northern Ireland certainly did.
Fancy a spot of Irish dancing this evening to wind off Day 2 of your culture-packed 1 week Ireland itinerary? An authentic spot for it is Fibber Magee (I just love the name of this pub; so Irish), or book an Irish dancing showcase, dinner inclusive!
Day 3, 4 + 5: Bushmills
Travel time between Belfast and Bushmills is one hour, whether by car, train, or bus. Bushmills is at the wee top of Ireland, above Belfast, along the coast. During your 1 week Ireland itinerary, spend three days based in Bushmills, day-tripping to various destinations from here.
Day 3: GOT locations
CALLING ALL GOT FANATICS!
Fun fact: Parts of the Game of Thrones series, across multiple seasons, were filmed right here in Northern Ireland. So, naturally, I have to add some GOT-centric locales to this 1 week Ireland itinerary.
First up, in Bushmills, start the day with jaw-gaping vistas stretching out across the Atlantic Ocean at Dunluce Castle. As one of the most historical, magical, and important castles in Ireland, these ruins date back to the 13th century. The entire setting is like something out of a movie! Standing on top, listen to the sound of the waves crashing dramatically beneath you…Thronies, it featured in GOT, too.
From here, head in Portrush’s direction, 25 minutes from Bushmills. En route, and literally a three-minute drive away from Dunluce, stopover at The Wishing Arch — a hole in the wall, and a lovely photo op spot. Break at seaside resort towns, Portrush and Portstewart (munch down on fish and chips for lunch at the seaside), between the Game of Thrones adventure. Explore nearby sites like Downhill Strand (Dragonstone in Season 2, episode 1) on your own. Another alternative is to book a Game of Thrones guided tour, departing from Portrush.
Pretend to be Arya Stark as you veer along The Dark Hedges, i.e., the King’s Road. (She’s one of my favorite characters; and even named my doggie after her.) Or relive the moment Theon Greyjoy sails into Pyke and the Iron Islands, pre-Ramsay Bolton capturing, at Ballintoy Harbour.
Day 4: The Causeway Coastal Routes
If you’re looking at a map of Northern Ireland, the Causeway Coastal Route, also known as the Antrim Coastal Route, is the entire stretch parallel to the ocean, starting in Belfast and ending in Derry.
On today’s agenda, I would recommend hiring a car and moving at your own pace. Pick and choose which iconic sites and towns to discover, best to your liking. Or, you can always go for a pre-organized tour option, where transport is sorted and routes are mapped out by local experts. I’m not a “guided tour” type of gal, so I prefer being in control of the wheel, well, playing passenger as my hubby leads the way.
Not-to-miss places along the Causeway include the iconic UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway with its pillars of black basalt columns; Dunseverick Castle; Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (be brave and cross it), Ballycastle; the Cushendun Caves and town, and the rest of the Glens of Antrim. One cool activity you can do is the Taste Causeway Chocolate Experience.
If you still have energy later on, check out the seaside towns of Cushendall and Cushendun.
Day 5: Derry
Also known as Londonderry, there is loads to do on a day trip from Bushmills to Derry. Day 5 of your 1 week Ireland itinerary is all about Derrylondon. And yes, this IS where Derry Girls was filmed! Do yourself a favor — if you haven’t watched the hilarious TV series yet (set in the 90s), add it to your list PRONTO! There are even full-on Derry Girls tours!
Useful tip: Above this, it’s a city of political importance, especially when it comes to Northern Ireland’s history. For example, The Troubles circa the late 60s.
During the morning, visit the Peacemakers Museum, the Museum of Free Derry, and the antiques Bedlam Museum. Grab lunch at Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’Hagan, Blackbird, or for something quick and easy, Notorious Street Food.
Any gin-drinkers in the house? You either have the option to take up a fun gin-making class at the Earhart Gin School in Derry. Or, veer back to Bushmills and spend the arvie at its iconic Old Bushmills Distillery. Established in 1608, it is officially the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery!
Day 6 + 7: Dublin
Choose to spend your last night in Bushmills, or head to Dublin in the evening, and wake up in the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Yes, this itinerary is centered around uncovering Northern Ireland. But if it’s your first time in Ireland, you’d be a fool to pass up the chance to explore Dublin as part of this 1 week Ireland itinerary!
Day 6: Museums and Architecture
Starting at the National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology (on Kildare Street), plow your way through thousands of artifacts, extending as far back as the Celtic Iron Age! Standout collections here include Viking Ireland and medieval ecclesiastical jewellery and items. Marvel at the famous and sacred four Gospels of the Christian New Testament, chronicling back to 800 CE, known as The Book of Kells, safeguarded and on display at Trinity College.
Hungry after all those inspections? Here are some lovely lunch options:
- Kicky’s for Mediterranean-inspired food cooked over flame
- Pichet for modern Irish-French fusion
- D’Olier Street restaurant with its one Michelin star
- The Pig’s Ear for classic Irish right by Trinity College
- Lottie’s — Michelin Bib Gourmand winner
The rest of today is reserved for Dublin’s antiquated architecture! Standout landmarks/buildings are 821-year-old Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which has been around since 1191!!!
If you think I forgot about Ireland’s national drink, think again! If you’re a beer-drinking fan, especially of the famous Irish dry stout, you HAVE to visit the Guinness Storehouse! Choose between various experiences, and often the venue is booked out for live concerts and performances.
If you haven’t noticed by now, the Irish can outdrink anyone! End off Day 6 of your 1 week Ireland itinerary at Temple Bar neighborhood for late afternoon/early evening drinks, leading to dinner. If you’ve had enough drinking for one day, some gorgeous dinner options include one Michelin-starred Variety Jones or Glovers Alley, or Chapter One Restaurant with its two-star status!
Day 7: Walking tour + Museums
Those who know me well enough will testify to this one: I am a bookstore junkie! I never pass up the chance to visit one whenever I’m in a city that calls for it. You gotta pop into Hodges Figgis: Ireland’s oldest bookshop! And on that literary note, visit Marsh’s Library if simply for its history and grandeur WOWness — founded in 1707! It’s a rare book haven.
I love food walking tours for many reasons. It’s the best way to sightsee with a local, while simultaneously eating delicious food! There are different walking tours, though, like ones all about Dublin’s history.
Rounding things up for this 1 week Ireland itinerary, end on a quirky note.
The Irish Rock ‘n Roll Museum is an ode to national rock stars and bands, like U2, Van Morrison, and Thin Lizzy. The National Leprechaun Museum is dedicated to traditional folklore…You never know, you might just find that pot ‘o gold!
If you’re after a more extensive agenda over this 1 week Ireland itinerary, then check out our Ultimate Ireland Itinerary for 2025: A Tale of Two Countries, covering 10 days.
Traveling to Ireland for only a few days? Here’s a lovely 2-day Dublin itinerary, or compare capitals with our Belfast weekend itinerary!
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