Dunluce Castle, Antrim Coast

Game of Thrones Tour

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

8 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1165 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Game of Thrones filming locations

Fans of the HBO TV series will recognise the rugged coastline and historic castles in Northern Ireland as the setting of many locations in Westeros. Iconic filming sites include the Dark Hedges, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, and Ballintoy Harbour.

Mourne Mountains

Enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Mourne Mountains. At the foothills of the Mournes lies Tollymore Forest Park, offering a variety of walking trails. Forest walking tours of the filming locations in Game of Thrones are also available.

Causeway Coast

Drive the spectacular North Antrim coastline. Enjoy the thrill of crossing Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and visit the famous Giant’s Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make a stop at Ballintoy Harbour, used as the backdrop for the Iron Islands.

Glens of Antrim

Visit Glenariff Glen, doubling as Runestone in the series. Enjoy an exhilarating forest adventure by following the timber walkway at Glenariff Forest Park or travel to Shillanavogy Valley and hike Slemish Mountain, recognisable as the Dothraki Sea.

Irish castles

Discover medieval fortresses and mansions associated with the HBO series. Visit the impressive Dunluce Castle on the Antrim Coast, used as the seat of House Greyjoy. In County Down, explore Castle Ward, the backdrop for Winterfell.

Belfast

Receive a warm welcome in Northern Ireland’s capital city, known for its rich history and beautiful Victorian architecture. Attractions include the iconic Titanic Belfast, the Belfast City Hall, St. George’s Market and the Cathedral Quarter – Belfast’s lively cultural hub.

An Epic Game of Thrones-Inspired Adventure

This Game of Thrones-themed self-drive tour of Northern Ireland features many of the key filming locations from the TV series.

Experience Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenery and historical sites doubling as the fantasy world of Westeros and beyond, including Tollymore Forest in County Down and the Dark Hedges in County Antrim.

Arrive in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city. Visit the key attractions in the city as you follow the Glass of Thrones trail, featuring stained glass installations with scenes from the series. Hop on an included City Sightseeing Tour and discover the iconic Titanic Belfast. Don’t miss the chance to try delicious local food at a lively pub in the Cathedral Quarter.

Next, travel south to County Down, home of Winterfell. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Mourne Mountains and wander through the lush Tollymore Forest, doubling as the Wolfswood and the Haunted Forest. Visit fascinating historic sites such as Castle Ward or Inch Abbey, also featured in the series.

Then, head north to County Antrim following the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route. Your first stop will be the Glens of Antrim, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to many Game of Thrones filming locations, from Dragonstone to Castle Black. Hike the Slemish Mountains and the Shillanavoghy Valley, the setting for the Dothraki Grasslands.

The Causeway Coast will be your final stop, home to some of the most spectacular natural sites in the country. Visit the Dark Hedges, an eerie tree-lined avenue, recognisable as the Kingsroad. You can’t miss the mythical Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Belfast

Northern Ireland’s capital city has a rich history and friendly atmosphere. Today, Belfast is a cosmopolitan city with a fascinating industrial heritage and impressive architecture.

During your first night in Belfast, visit the Cathedral Quarter, the city’s cultural hub centred around St Anne’s Cathedral. Discover its narrow cobbled streets and enjoy some of the best pubs in the city.
Overnight – Belfast

Day 2: Belfast Sightseeing

A full day to explore Belfast. Get your bearing by joining an included City Sightseeing Bus Tour. Enjoy refreshments in St George’s Market and visit fascinating attractions such as the iconic Titanic Belfast and the Crumlin Road Gaol.
Overnight – Belfast

Day 3: Belfast to County Down

Collect your hire car this morning and travel south along the shores of beautiful Strangford Lough towards Castle Ward, the setting for Winterfell. Head to Downpatrick, where you can admire the beautiful Down Cathedral and learn more about Ireland’s patron saint at the Saint Patrick Centre. Nearby lies Inch Abbey, featured in the Game of Throne series as Robb Stark’s camp at Riverrun.
Overnight – County Down

Day 4: County Down Sightseeing

Today you could journey to Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge – home of the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Here you can explore iconic sets from Winterfell to King’s Landing, uncover the intricacies of filmmaking, and appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry that brought the globally acclaimed TV series to life.

Alternatively, discover the majestic Mourne Mountains. Hike up Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Or you might prefer to venture into Tollymore Forest, the setting for the Wolfswood and the Haunted Forest. Follow enchanting trails along the Shimna River and join a walking tour of iconic locations featured in Game of Thrones.
Overnight – County Down

Day 5: County Down to Glens of Antrim

Head north and follow the stunning Causeway Coastal Route past Carrickfergus Castle. Take a short detour inland and enjoy a scenic view of Shillanavogy Valley and Slemish Mountain, featured in the series as the Dothraki Grasslands. Continue following the coast towards Cushendun Caves, the setting of Storms End. Finally, arrive in the seaside town of Ballycastle.
Overnight – Ballycastle area

Day 6: Glens of Antrim Sightseeing

Rise early and head south to the Dark Hedges, a beautiful tree-lined avenue which you might recognise as the Kingsroad. Then, explore the wild Glenariff Forest Park, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and follow forest trails past waterfalls and a sheer plunging gorge. Alternatively, you could take a day trip to the rugged and tranquil Rathlin Island.
Overnight – Ballycastle area

Day 7: Ballycastle to Portrush

Make your way west along the North Antrim Coast and stop by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge suspended high above the sea. Nearby, you could visit the picturesque harbour at Ballintoy, the setting for the Iron Islands. Leave plenty of time to visit the Giant’s Causeway, a striking coastal landscape of thousands of basalt stone columns.
Overnight – Portrush area

Day 8: Causeway Coast Sightseeing

Start your day by exploring the iconic 16th-century Dunluce Castle, perched on dramatic coastal cliffs and the location of Pyke Castle, House of Greyjoy. Book a tour at the Old Bushmills Distillery, or travel back to the coast and enjoy an afternoon at the beach. Portstewart Strand was featured in the series as the Coast of Dorne, while nearby Downhill Beach is Dragonstone.
Overnight – Portrush area

Day 9: Depart the Causeway Coast

After breakfast, your Northern Irish escape will come to an end. Belfast is located approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Portrush. If you have time before your departure, you might wish to continue exploring the Causeway Coastal Route.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 8 nights including traditional Northern Irish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack and local visitor information
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Northern Ireland with our recommended driving route
7 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Belfast City Sightseeing Tour
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that, after a busy day of sightseeing, an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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