Road Trips in Northern Ireland

Renting a car will give you the freedom to explore Northern Ireland, small enough to be accessible even for those on shorter trips.

One of the most iconic drives is the County Antrim Causeway Coastal Route, which takes in Glenariff Forest Park and the Nine Glens of Antrim as well as the Giants Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Another great trip is the drive out to Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest working whisky distillery in the country. You can watch how it’s done on a guided tour and then visit nearby Dunluce Castle, as well as Downhull Demesne where there are great sea views.

Lough Neagh is the biggest fresh-water lake in Britain, and its eastern shores are just an hour from Belfast. If you want to drive all the way round it’s a 113-mile journey, which you could do in a day at a push. At a more relaxed pace you could take a few days to explore the area and spend more time in the wildflower meadows, woodland and hiking trails.

To appreciate the rugged Northern Irish coastline, head down to the Islandmagee peninsula. Here you can walk along the cliffs and drive the scenic routes along the coast.