Welcome to Northern Ireland—where basalt columns meet medieval walls, and a modern food scene hums beside shipyards that built the world’s most famous ocean liner. Over seven days you’ll trace stories from the Titanic to The Troubles, sip pints in music-filled pubs, and breathe in sea air along the rugged Antrim Coast.

We’ll base you in two cities: Belfast (Days 1–4) and Derry~Londonderry (Days 5–7). They’re linked by a scenic rail line—an easy jump that leaves room for museums, markets, murals, and one unforgettable day trip to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway.

Practical notes: The currency is GBP, plugs are Type G, and weather turns on a dime—pack a light rain shell. Pub service is relaxed, tipping is appreciated but modest, and reservations are wise for popular restaurants, especially Friday–Saturday nights.

Belfast

Belfast surprises: grand Victorian facades, a dynamic Cathedral Quarter, and world-class storytelling at Titanic Belfast in the very shipyard where RMS Titanic was built. Street art splashes across brick lanes, while historic pubs like the Crown Liquor Saloon glow with etched glass and snug booths.

• Top sights: Titanic Quarter and SS Nomadic, Peace Walls and political murals, St George’s Market (Fri–Sun), Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Cave Hill for panoramic city views.
• Where to eat: OX (contemporary, Michelin-starred creativity), The Muddlers Club (open kitchen and tasting menus), Ginger Bistro (modern Irish comfort), EDO (tapas-style plates), Coppi (Venetian cicchetti) and Fish City (award-winning sustainable fish and chips).
• Pubs and music: Duke of York (photogenic alleyways), The Sunflower (historic security cage, live trad), Crown Liquor Saloon (Victorian landmark), Lavery’s (pool rooms and pints).

Stay in Belfast: Browse central stays and apartments on Hotels.com and home rentals on VRBO. Neighborhoods to target: Cathedral Quarter (nightlife), Queen’s/Botanic (gardens and museums), and City Centre (walk-everywhere).

Getting to Belfast: Fly into Belfast City (BHD) or Belfast International (BFS). Compare flights on Omio (Flights). Traveling within Europe? Trains to Belfast via Dublin are easy—see Omio (Trains)—and coaches are frequent via Omio (Buses). Ferries to Belfast from Scotland or Liverpool are listed on Omio (Ferries).

Derry~Londonderry

Derry is Ireland’s only fully walled city, a 17th-century ring you can stroll in under an hour, gazing across the River Foyle to the elegant Peace Bridge. It’s also a cradle of contemporary culture—think mural art, spirited pubs, and a small-but-mighty dining scene.

• Top sights: The City Walls, Guildhall, Bogside murals and Free Derry Corner, Tower Museum, Siege Museum, Peace Bridge and Ebrington Square. Coastal side-trips: Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne.
• Where to eat: Walled City Brewery (house-brewed ales and local tasting menus), Pyke ’N’ Pommes (riverfront tacos and burgers), Artis by Phelim O’Hagan (inventive fine dining in the Craft Village), and Primrose on the Quay (bakes and brunch).
• Pubs: Guildhall Taphouse (craft taps), Badgers Bar (famous Derry Girls mural), Peadar O’Donnell’s (trad sessions most nights).

Stay in Derry: Look for rooms near the Walls or Peace Bridge on Hotels.com or apartments via VRBO. Boutique picks include Bishop’s Gate Hotel and Shipquay Hotel; for river views, check City Hotel Derry.

Getting to Derry from Belfast: Morning trains take about 2h10m and run along a scenic stretch by Lough Foyle—check schedules and fares (from ~£13–£22) on Omio (Trains). Direct coaches (~2h30m, from ~£12) are listed on Omio (Buses).

Day 1: Arrive in Belfast, Cathedral Quarter Stroll

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive in Belfast and check in. If you need a pick-me-up, grab a flat white and a slice of banana bread at Established Coffee in the Cathedral Quarter before a gentle wander past street art on Commercial Court and Hill Street.

Evening: Start with pints at the Duke of York or The Sunflower. Dinner nearby: try Ginger Bistro for Irish comfort (think slow-braised beef with champ) or Coppi for cicchetti and squid ink risotto. Nightcap in the Crown Liquor Saloon’s wood-paneled snugs.

Day 2: Titanic Belfast and the Waterfront

Morning: Head to the slipways for the city’s signature experience. Pre-book the Titanic Belfast Entrance Ticket: Titanic Visitor Experience Including SS Nomadic to explore riveting galleries from ship design to launch day, then step aboard SS Nomadic, Titanic’s tender ship.

Afternoon: Lunch at Fish City (try the light tempura fish and chips) or at St George’s Market if it’s Fri–Sun—sample soda farls, Armagh apple tarts, and Paella from long-standing stalls. Walk the riverfront past the “Big Fish” mosaic to City Hall’s lawns.

Evening: Book OX for a seasonal tasting menu spotlighting County Down produce, or grab the chef’s counter at The Muddlers Club to watch the brigade in action. For cocktails with a view, head to Tetto rooftop at the Bullitt Hotel.

Day 3: Murals, Museums, and Botanic Gardens

Morning: Understand the city’s recent past on an intimate mural and peace-line experience: Award Winning Exclusive 2 Hr Private Belfast Black Taxi Cab Tour. You’ll hear first-hand stories at the Shankill and Falls Roads and sign the Peace Wall.

Afternoon: Brunch or coffee at The Pocket beside Queen’s University; then browse the Ulster Museum’s art, archaeology, and “Troubles and Beyond” collection before a leafy stroll through Botanic Gardens.

Evening: Dine at EDO for wood-fired small plates (don’t miss the Iberico pork with romesco) or steak-and-stone specialists Stix & Stones. Finish with a trad session at Kelly’s Cellars—one of Belfast’s oldest pubs.

Day 4: Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast (Full-Day Tour)

Set out along the Causeway Coastal Route to hexagonal basalt columns, castles, and dramatic headlands. Book the Giants Causeway & Castles Tour from Belfast: Guided tour, which typically includes photo stops at Carrickfergus Castle, the Dark Hedges, views toward Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and ample time on the Causeway stones themselves.

Back in Belfast, keep it casual with a late bite at BaoBun or Fish City, or celebrate the day with Northern Irish cheeses and a glass of Bordeaux in The Merchant’s cocktail bar.

Day 5: Rail to Derry, City Walls and Craft Village

Morning: Depart Belfast for Derry by train (~2h10m; fares from ~£13–£22 on Omio (Trains)). Prefer buses? Coaches take ~2h30m (from ~£12) via Omio (Buses). Check in, then fuel up on coffee and pastries at Primrose on the Quay.

Afternoon: Walk the full circuit of the 17th-century City Walls—pause at the cannons and look over the Bogside murals. Duck into the Craft Village for local makers; if you’re hungry, opt for a light lunch at Artis’s bar menu or a toastie from a village café.

Evening: Dinner at Walled City Brewery across the Peace Bridge—pair their Kicks hard ginger beer or a seasonal IPA with a Derry duck or seafood dish. Post-dinner pints and live music at Peadar O’Donnell’s.

Day 6: Museums, Peace Bridge, and Coastal Arc to Mussenden (Optional)

Morning: Visit the Tower Museum for layered local history, then the Museum of Free Derry for powerful context on civil rights and Bloody Sunday. Coffee break at Hidden City Café (plant-forward bakes and soups).

Afternoon: Stroll the Peace Bridge to Ebrington Square. If you fancy a coastal detour, hire a local driver or take regional transit to Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple for cliffs, gardens, and a sweeping strand below.

Evening: Casual feast at Pyke ’N’ Pommes (standout fish tacos and “Hang Fire” burgers) or book Artis by Phelim O’Hagan for refined tasting menus rooted in Ulster produce. Nightcap at Guildhall Taphouse.

Day 7: Last Look at the Walls, Departure

Morning: One more lap on the Walls as the city wakes, then brunch at The Gown Restaurant (Bishop’s Gate Hotel) for an Ulster Fry with potato bread and black pudding. Pick up gifts—shortbread, linen, or local spirits—near Shipquay Street.

Afternoon: Depart Derry. Flying out? City of Derry Airport has select routes; otherwise return to Belfast’s airports by train+bus or coach—compare on Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains), and Omio (Buses). If you have a final Belfast hour, the City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a flexible way to tick any last sights.

Where to Book Your Stay

• Belfast hotels: Search City Centre, Cathedral Quarter, or Queen’s/Botanic on Hotels.com.
• Belfast apartments/homes: Find stays on VRBO.
• Derry hotels: Compare riverside and Walled City options on Hotels.com.
• Derry apartments/homes: Browse on VRBO.

Optional Add-On (Belfast): Game of Thrones Behind the Scenes

If you have an extra half day in Belfast, devote it to props, costumes, and set secrets at the official studio. Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission and Transfer from Belfast for easy round-trip transport and timed entry.

Final Tips: Book key tickets (Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway tour, black taxi tour) in advance, especially in summer. For flexible city sightseeing in Belfast, the hop-on hop-off bus is handy between Titanic Quarter, Botanic, and the city centre.

In one week, you’ll have traced shipbuilding genius, walked historic walls, and felt Atlantic spray at the Giant’s Causeway—plus tasted a rising culinary scene from fish tacos to Michelin tasting menus. Northern Ireland rewards curiosity; every corner has a story, and you’ve just learned to listen.