Is Northern Ireland Worth Visiting? 13 Reasons to Go!

Northern Ireland doesn’t always get the same attention as the Republic of Ireland. Many travelers fly into Dublin, explore the Wild Atlantic Way, visit the Cliffs of Moher, or head to the Giant’s Causeway before going on their merry way.

But there is a lot more to Northern Ireland than its most famous attraction. While a good chunk of Brian’s time was spent on golf courses, I think we still got a good introduction to the country over the course of 10 days here.

So, is Northern Ireland worth visiting?

Absolutely. From its lakes and castles to its coastline, fairy-tale forests, charming towns, and Belfast’s history and culture, Northern Ireland deserves a place on your itinerary.

Is Northern Ireland worth visiting?

Yes! And one of the biggest reasons why is how much variety you can experience in a relatively small area.

You can spend the morning exploring buzzy Belfast, the afternoon hiking through a whimsical forest, and the next day cruising across Lough Erne or walking the coast.

It’s also a particularly good choice if you’ve already visited some of Ireland’s most popular destinations and want to experience a different side of the island.

If you want to watch us experience this place, check out our YouTube video. We basically take you along for the trip, from forest spas to Belfast’s music scene, Titanic Belfast, golf, and even a castle maze.

Watch the video below, then keep reading for all the reasons I think Northern Ireland won’t stay under the radar for long:

It feels a little undiscovered.

One of my favorite things about Northern Ireland was that it didn’t always feel like we were following the same tourist trail as everyone else.

That’s not to say Northern Ireland is among those “hidden gems.” (Do you hate that phrase as much as I do??)

Belfast, especially Titanic Belfast, and the Giant’s Causeway draw plenty of visitors on Northern Ireland tours. But there are also plenty of places across Northern Ireland where tourism feels way more low-key.

That was most obvious during our time in County Fermanagh, which included Lough Erne and Enniskillen. There were days we felt like there wasn’t another tourist around, and that’s a pretty special thing these days.

The scenery is incredibly varied.

If you think Northern Ireland is just more green hills, prepare to be surprised.

I mean, there’s definitely a lot of them, thanks to the buckets of rain the island gets. But you’ll also get lakes, mountains, forests, beaches, dunes, rivers, and even hedge mazes.

Lough Erne was such a pleasant surprise. The landscape around the lake, with its hundreds of islands and historic sites, sometimes felt more Scandinavian than Irish.

Further south, the Mourne Mountains offer a dramatic backdrop to the coastline around Newcastle. Forests like Tollymore make you feel as though you’ve wandered into a fantasy film. Seriously, you’ll feel like a little woodland fairy in there.

The variety is one of Northern Ireland’s biggest strengths.

You can experience the coastline without spending your entire trip there.

Yes, there are beautiful beaches, but Northern Ireland travel isn’t about lounging about. You’ve got dunes, nature reserves, seaside towns, dramatic views, and stretches of coastline backed by mountains.

Murlough Nature Reserve and Murlough Beach are particularly beautiful. Newcastle offers a completely different experience with a traditional seaside town that was maybe, just maybe, a little reminiscent of the Jersey Shore.

If you’re someone who enjoys coastal road trips, taking scenic pics, hiking, or just hanging out somewhere with a good view, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied.

The lakes are seriously underrated.

I mentioned it already, but I have to do it again. Lough Erne is a must if you find yourself on the Enniskillen side of the island.

We took a boat ride with the highly-rated Erne Water Taxi, and it was a great way to get some historical info on the lake, with fun banter peppered in. We were lucky enough to spot a few kingfishers on our ride, too. They are very, very cute.

Hanging out on the lake was a good reminder that Northern Ireland isn’t just a coastal destination. There is an enormous amount of inland scenery to explore, too, even if your boat ride happens in the rain. (Our water taxi was covered, so no problem there!)

Belfast has a Titanic connection.

The Titanic is an obvious part of Belfast’s story, and Titanic Belfast is absolutely worth visiting. The museum tells the story of the Titanic, but also the people and the industry that made Belfast one of the world’s great shipbuilding cities.

You can also visit the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship, which was built in Belfast and originally served as a tender for passengers boarding the Titanic.

Fun fact: A tender is basically a small ship that transports passengers, crew, or supplies between a larger ship and the shore when the larger ship can’t dock directly.

What I found extra intriguing was learning more about Belfast’s relationship with the Titanic itself. For many years, the city wasn’t particularly eager to embrace the connection. (The reasons why are obvious. The story didn’t end well.)

After The Troubles, local officials decided that they needed to reclaim this piece of their history and get more people out to Belfast. They were leaving a lot of tourism dollars on the table. I’m psyched they embraced it, as the museum is excellent.

On your visit, you’ll learn all about the Titanic and Belfast’s history as one of the world’s great shipbuilding cities. There’s also a little ride with your ticket that takes you through a shipyard, giving you a glimpse into what it was like to work there.

Belfast has a lively cultural scene, too.

We happened to visit Belfast during their first-ever Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, a huge festival with music on stages, in pubs, and in the streets. It was such a positive experience, and we could tell that it was meaningful for them to be hosting.

Even if you aren’t visiting during a major festival, though, Belfast is worth a visit for its lively pub scene, galleries, theaters, and museums. The Ulster Museum covers everything from art and natural history to Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage

Crumlin Road Gaol offers another perspective on the city’s complicated past. This city has been through a lot. You can tell by its murals, which memorialize people who died here during The Troubles.

That juxtaposition of a city that can celebrate but also acknowledge that past makes it even more of a must for me.

There are so many charming towns to explore.

Enniskillen, sitting between Upper and Lower Lough Erne, is a great example. Its colorful streets, historic buildings, shops, cafés, pubs, and waterfront make it an easy place to spend an afternoon, even in the pouring rain.

Note: Northern Ireland’s western counties are among its wettest areas. County Fermanagh, where Enniskillen is located, gets more rainfall than much of eastern Northern Ireland because of its exposure to Atlantic weather systems. We got to experience that all over our faces. Lucky us!

That’s something I appreciated throughout Northern Ireland. You don’t always need a packed sightseeing schedule. Walking around a pretty town, stopping for a drink, and seeing where the afternoon takes you can be pretty great, too.

Rich history is everywhere.

I’ve touched on this already, but it’s worth repeating. Northern Ireland has a complicated but fascinating history, and you don’t have to go looking very hard to encounter it.

The Troubles, a period of conflict that lasted from the late 1960s until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, shaped Northern Ireland for decades.

You can still see evidence of that history today in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, particularly in the political murals, memorials, and former conflict areas.

Outside of those cities, places like Hillsborough Castle offer a glimpse into centuries of political and royal history. At Hillsborough, you can also find an interesting connection to American history.

Tours show off a draft of the Declaration of Independence and recount stories about Benjamin Franklin’s visit.

Fun fact: He stayed there for five nights, attempting to build bridges with British politicians and build support for the American colonies’ cause. This was in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

Throughout the country, castles, historic estates, ancient sites, and old towns add layers to the landscape. If you’re a history buff, Northern Ireland offers a heck of a lot more than a few museums.

READ MORE: Love Monty Python? Scotland’s Doune Castle should be on your list. It was a filming location, and the audio tour is hilarious!

Northern Ireland is fantastic for outdoor adventures.

Northern Ireland is an excellent destination if you like getting outside.

We hiked through Tollymore Forest Park, explored the Mourne Mountains, walked through Murlough Nature Reserve, and took a boat trip across Lough Erne. We strolled the castle grounds and spent afternoons wandering along the coast.

If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, head to the Mourne Mountains in County Down. Slieve Donard is Northern Ireland’s highest peak at 2,789 feet (850 meters). Slieve Binnian is a popular option, with views over Silent Valley Reservoir.

For the truly ambitious, the Mourne Way is a 26-mile (42-kilometer) long-distance trail that crosses the mountains from Newcastle to Rostrevor. That’s not for me, but I’m not going to yuck your yum.

You can also get out on the water, explore coastal trails, or tackle attractions like the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which connects the mainland to Carrickarede. It’s a popular option for travelers looking for a little more adventure.

Game of Thrones fans have plenty to explore.

Northern Ireland was one of the major filming locations for Game of Thrones. Tollymore Forest Park is one of the most recognizable, with several locations used for scenes set north of the Wall and in the lands of the wildlings.

We didn’t do the special tour that involves wearing capes through the woods, but it was fun enough to imagine ourselves in that world on our visit.

You can take the Game of Thrones connection much further than the woods. Banbridge is home to the only licensed Game of Thrones Studio Tour, located at Linen Mill Studios. This is where the series was filmed across all eight seasons.

The tour takes you behind the scenes with sets, costumes, props, and other production details from the show. Despite being big fans, we missed out on this one this time around, which means a repeat trip is in order.

There are filming locations scattered throughout the country, too, including Castle Ward, which stood in for Winterfell, and Downhill Beach, where scenes featuring Dragonstone were filmed.

Guided tours can take you around if you don’t want to plan it all yourself. See some options below:

Even if you’re not a Game of Thrones fan, it’s a fun excuse to explore some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes. We were traveling with a couple who had never seen the show, and they still found the country’s natural sights quite special!

This is a golfer’s paradise.

And then there’s golf.

Royal County Down is regularly ranked among the world’s best golf courses. Even if you aren’t a golfer, it’s hard not to appreciate the setting beneath the Mourne Mountains.

If you ARE a golfer, Northern Ireland has to be at the top of your bucket list.

Brian spent three days golfing on our trip. (It’s OK. I got castles with a girlfriend of mine.)

He played Royal County Down, Ardglass, and Holywood, which is the home club of Rory McIlroy. And those are just a few of the courses that make Northern Ireland such a draw for golfers.

Royal Portrush is another major one that I’m sure he’ll tick off one day. That one has hosted The Open. For golfers, you could easily build an entire Northern Ireland itinerary around these courses. Just know that they’re not cheap!

READ MORE: Brian loves bucket list golf experiences. If you’d love to play The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, he has tips for you!

It’s less crowded than many parts of Ireland.

Ireland is super popular with travelers, and some of its most famous attractions can get very busy, particularly during the summer. We felt the switch when we arrived in Dublin and were immediately inundated with sweaty humans all around us.

Northern Ireland isn’t empty, and major attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway and Titanic Belfast can be busy. But once you venture beyond those headliners, it’s a lot easier to find quieter landscapes and towns.

That’s ideal if you prefer a slower style of travel. You can spend an afternoon exploring a town, take a boat across a lake, or walk through a forest without feeling as though you’re constantly following a tour bus. They’re just not really here.

It can be surprisingly luxurious.

Before this trip, I wouldn’t have put Northern Ireland particularly high on my list of destinations for a luxury getaway. Then we stayed at Finn Lough.

We were treated to their spa experience, which takes place throughout the forest that surrounds the property. We floated in salt pools, sweated it out in saunas and steam rooms, and sipped on prosecco in their outdoor hot tub.

The most exciting bit was probably taking a cold plunge in the loch in between sauna trips. I’m a big baby when it comes to the cold, but it really was pretty invigorating.

We were in a lakeside cabin, but you can also stay in bubble domes where you can look up at the sky from your bed. It’s a completely different side of Northern Ireland.

Who Northern Ireland Is Best For

Northern Ireland is particularly well suited to travelers who like a mix of scenery, history, culture, and outdoor activities rather than spending an entire trip in one city.

It’s a great choice for:

• Road trippers: Northern Ireland is ideal for a road trip, as you can do quite a bit within a relatively manageable distance of each thing. You just need to be comfortable driving on the left side of the road.
• Outdoor lovers: You can hike in the Mourne Mountains, wander through forests, explore nature reserves, play golf, take a boat across Lough Erne, or simply walk along the coast.
• History buffs: From Belfast’s shipbuilding history and the Titanic to castles, political history, and historic sites, there’s plenty to explore, and that’s just Belfast.
• Travelers looking for fewer crowds: While Northern Ireland has plenty of popular attractions, it’s still possible to get away from the crowds more easily than at some of Ireland’s most famous sights.
• Repeat visitors to Ireland: If you’ve already explored some of Ireland’s biggest attractions, Northern Ireland offers a chance to experience a different side of the island.

When Northern Ireland Might Not Be Worth Visiting

Northern Ireland isn’t always the right choice for every traveler.

If your dream itinerary is focused on Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, or the Wild Atlantic Way, adding Northern Ireland could mean spending more time in transit.

It’s also worth knowing that the weather can be wet. We experienced plenty of rain during our trip, and there were definitely moments when everything felt damp. If you need guaranteed sunshine for your vacation, Northern Ireland may test your patience.

And if you’re looking primarily for big-city nightlife, you may find Belfast more appealing than the countryside. Much of Northern Ireland’s appeal comes from getting outside the cities and exploring smaller towns, natural landscapes, and the coast.

Is Northern Ireland safe?

Yes, Northern Ireland is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, and we felt comfortable traveling around the country.

For most visitors, the biggest practical concerns are the same ones you’d have anywhere else. Take normal precautions with your belongings, be aware of your surroundings, and use common sense when traveling.

If you’re renting a car, remember that Northern Ireland drives on the left side of the road, just like the Republic of Ireland.

It’s also important to do some learning around Northern Ireland’s political history and The Troubles. You may encounter political murals, flags, memorials, and other reminders of that history, particularly in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

You should never feel unsafe in these places, but it’s sobering to think about how different these cities are today compared to just a few decades ago.

Is it better to visit Ireland or Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland offer different experiences, and both are worth visiting.

If it’s your first trip to the island, you may want to choose based on what you most want to see. The Republic of Ireland has destinations like Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Northern Ireland offers Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, Lough Erne, and the smaller towns, castles, and coastal scenery I’ve already mentioned. If you have enough time, combining both is an excellent option.

The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is open, so you can easily include destinations on both sides in one road trip.

Note: Your rental car company may charge a cross-border fee. We rented through Budget and had to pay an additional fee to take the car into Northern Ireland. Check the terms of your rental before you book, so you don’t get surprised later!

Don’t skip over Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is beautiful, historic, green, occasionally very wet, and surprisingly varied. After spending 10 days exploring, what surprised us most was how many completely different experiences we managed to fit into one trip.

We had forest spas, enormous lakes, traditional music in Belfast, fairy-tale forests, world-class golf (for Brian), dramatic coastlines, charming towns, and castles.

Northern Ireland is always a destination that leans into its resilience. It’s absolutely worth visiting for its natural beauty, but it also deserves your time. Is that cheesy? I don’t care.

Northern Ireland shouldn’t be an afterthought on an Ireland itinerary. It’s a destination in its own right.

Planning more travel to the U.K.? Check these out:

• How to Spend Two Days in Edinburgh
• Top Things to Do on Trips to St Andrews

More European destinations that are big on scenery:

• A Summer Guide to Waterfalls in Switzerland
• A Guide to Lausanne, Switzerland
• How to Plan Five Days in Tenerife
• One Day in Maastricht, a Netherlands Gem
• A Guide to the Charming Italian City of Lucca

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