The Giants Causeway is one of the most popular attractions in Ireland. It attracts nearly one million annual visitors.
Due to its high popularity, the Giants Causeway often experiences high crowds, leading to potential challenges in securing transportation, accommodations and many more.
This article contains some of the best Giant’s Causeway Tips that will save you from hassle, overpaying, making wrong decisions and potential challenges.
So, even if you are a first-time visitor or going back again, make sure to apply these tips, maximize your time, avoid common pitfalls and enjoy!
It also includes the best times to visit, hidden gems to explore, and lesser-known viewpoints to savor.
Book Your Tour in Advance
One of the most important tips for visiting Giant’s Causeway is to book your tour tickets in advance.
Giant’s Causeway is a natural attraction and is free to enter. However, due to its far-fetched location, reaching the attraction in itself is a big task.
With the advanced tour tickets in hand, you can enjoy a convenient bus ride to the attraction along with a live tour guide, starting at just € 28.
If you are in Ireland and staying far from Giant’s Causeway, opting for a day trip tour to the site is a better, more convenient, and budget-friendly option.
Most of the tour tickets are available from cities like Dublin and Belfast, which are perfect for staying during your Ginat’s Causeway visit.
Other than transport, the tickets also include a complimentary visit to many famous nearby attractions, like the filming place of Game of Thrones and more.
Consequently, you can also visit the Giants Causeway visitor center nearby, which contains a canteen, a souvenir shop, exhibits and many other facilities.
Some of the most popular and best Giant’s Causeway tours are :
| Tour tickets | Prices |
|---|---|
| Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour from Belfast | €28 |
| Giant’s Causeway Fully Guided Day Trip | €41 |
| Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour from Dublin | €83 |
Go to the ticketing page, book your favorite tour ticket now and enjoy a hassle-free visit!
Plan Early and Know the Best Time to Visit
To make the most of your visit to Giant’s Causeway, you must plan ahead and choose the best time depending on your preferences.
If you are on a budget-friendly trip, you must avoid the peak summer months (June to August), which lead to high crowds, higher prices, and higher accommodation costs.
However, if you enjoy a lively atmosphere and are not worried about high crowds, you can plan a visit in the early summer morning, providing ideal weather.
Alternatively, if you are a Northern Lights chaser, Causeway is one of the most wonderful spots for a stunning natural light show.
For a perfect combination of fewer crowds, pleasant weather and ideal costs, the shoulder months of March to May and September to November are best for visiting.
Pro Tip💡 : Know more in detail about the best time to visit Giant’s Causeway here.
Knowing the best time beforehand is one of the most important Giants Causeway Tips. It will save you from hassle and crowds!
Stay Nearby Overnight and Visit in the Morning
Giant’s Causeway can be best visited early in the morning, between 7.30 am and 11 am, especially during the summer.
You can consider staying overnight nearby to reach them early in the morning.
Staying overnight provides the additional advantage of an early start, letting you enjoy the serene coastline and beautiful sunrise by beating the crowds.
After enjoying the peaceful time around nature, you can exit the Causeway as the crowds start to thicken after 11 am.
One excellent option to stay near the Causeway is the Causeway Hotel, located right next to the Giant’s Causeway visitor center.
Staying there provides convenience and includes parking, visitor center entry, and a tour or audio guide, saving you money.
While taking a day trip from Dublin or Belfast is possible, spending the night in the Irish countryside offers a more relaxed experience.
Tips for Convinently Reaching the Causeway
Visiting Giant’s Causeway is quite easy by car, as several parking options are available nearby.
If you’re coming from Belfast, it’s just a 1-hour and 30-minute drive, while it takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes from Dublin.
If you don’t have a car, you can either take Bus Nos. 170 and 420 or a popular day tour from Belfast.
It includes convenient round bus transport, a tour guide and an additional visit to nearby attractions.
Many visitors choose to stay in Bushmills and reach the Causeway by bus, car, or taxi.
Following the Causeway Coastal route from Belfast offers a scenic ocean view, taking around 2.5 hours.
Pro Tip: Know in detail how to get to Giant’s Causeway from various cities in the country using different modes of transportation.
Parking Tips
Some helpful Giant’s Causeway tips for parking are:
If you plan to visit the Visitor Center, you can park at Bushmills Park and Ride car park opposite Bushmills Inn Hotel and reach the Causeway by the center’s shuttle bus.
If you’re not entering the visitor center, then you can park at a nearby place called Nook. It is a food place; if you buy food there, you can also use their car park.
For a more budget-friendly option, you can park in the car park facing Finn McCool’s Giants Causeway Hostel, which costs £5 per car.
One of the most important tips for visiting Giant’s Causeway is not to attempt to park on the road near the Causeway; it’s not allowed.
Parking there can lead to clamping, fines, and local frustration.
Pro Tip 💡 : Want to park nearby in a safe place at a cheaper rate? Get a list of some of the best parking spots near the Giant’s Causeway here!
Spend More Time and Learn about the Walking Trail
Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder formed by volcanic activity approximately 60 million years ago. It features around 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns.
For a better view and experience, you must spend plenty of time visiting Giant’s Causeway.
You can start your visit from any of the four trails rather than heading directly to the Causeway.
It offers a stunning view, allowing you to capture beautiful pictures.
There are four walking or hiking trails towards the Causeway – the Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow routes.
The Blue Route is the shortest, leading directly to the main site from the visitor center.
Red Route is a popular one that starts from the Causeway Hotel and extends to Shepherd’s Steps.
The Green Route is suitable for all, offering a leisurely 3.2km walk with stunning cliffs and a 360-degree view.
If you are adventurous, you can choose the Yellow Route, a challenging hike along the cliff edge to Hamilton’s Seat.
Make sure to allocate 3-4 hours to enjoy the natural attraction in Ireland.
Visit nearby places in the afternoon
There are various attractions near the Giant’s Causeway, like Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle etc.
Each of them provides a unique experience. If you can’t make it to the Causeway early in the morning, exploring these attractions in the afternoon is better.
As Giant’s Causeway is very crowded during the day from 11 am to 3 pm. So, even if you visit, you might not enjoy it due to crowds.
To avoid crowds, you can visit the Giant’s Causeway later in the evening, around 4 pm, after exploring the nearby attractions and enjoying stunning sunset views.
If you have time, you might even stay until late at night and enjoy its peaceful nocturnal beauty.
Pro Tip💡: Are you a Game of Thrones fan?
The famous Kingsroad from the series is located very close to the Giant’s Causeway.
With this popular tour ticket in hand, you can visit Giant’s Causeway, Kingsroad and various other places where GOT was filmed.
Book Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones tour tickets now!
Dress Warmly According to the Weather
One of the major helpful tips to visit Giant’s Causeway is to dress warmly!
The Causeway is located close to the Atlantic Ocean and it gets chilly with constant winds.
Also, the Weather in Ireland is unpredictable; be ready for anything from warm sun to rain or even hail.
To stay comfy and warm during your Giant’s Causeway visit, it’s advised to either wear or carry a warm and waterproof jacket depending on the weather.
But remember, umbrellas won’t be of much help there!
Additionally, the terrain of the Causeway is uneven. So, you must opt for comfortable shoes; leave high heels or sandals behind to avoid injuries on the uneven terrain.
Photography Tips to Visit Giants Causeway
A visit to a natural wonder like Giant’s Causeway can never be complete without perfect pictures.
The place is covered in magical fog at sunrise, and there are fewer people so that you can capture the whole coastline.
The last two hours of sunlight, especially in spring and autumn, make the hexagonal columns look golden – a perfect sunset for photos.
You can visit during the long summer evenings for a beautiful sunset silhouette. If the sea is lively, your pictures will be even better.
Weather in Ireland can change quickly, as can the sky’s color; you can capture this changing color from different angles and get the perfect shot.
If you’re a professional photographer, you can bring your gear, be patient, capture the perfect shot, and enjoy!
Stay Safe
When exploring the Giant’s Causeway, ensuring your safety is very essential.
The site has an uneven terrain with its distinctive basalt columns, making it essential for visitors to walk carefully. So, make sure to wear sturdy and comfortable shoes with good grip.
Also, be careful while walking on the basalt columns, especially wet ones. Some areas may be slippery, so watch your step to avoid accidents.
The Causeway can get crowded, especially during peak times. Ensure to maintain a safe distance from the cliff edges and follow any safety barriers.
If you plan to visit at night, bringing flashlights to navigate the pathways properly is highly advisable.
If you are walking, follow marked trails and paths to explore the site safely. Venturing off designated areas can be hazardous.
So, stay safe, take precautions and be mindful of the surroundings while visiting the Giant’s Causeway.
Contents
FAQs
1. Can you visit Giant’s Causeway for free?
Yes, Giant’s Causeway is free to visit. There is no entrance fee to access the natural wonder.
2. Should I visit the Visitor’s Center at Giant’s Causeway?
Visitor’s Center at Giant’s Causeway offers facilities like a canteen and a souvenir shop.
If you want to avail them, you can visit the center. If you choose to skip it, you can head straight to the natural wonder.
3. What is the best time to visit Giant’s Causeway?
The best time to visit Giant’s Causeway is from March to May and September to November.
4. How can I avoid crowds at Giant’s Causeway?
To avoid crowds at the Causeway, visit it early in the morning before 11 am or late in the evening after 4 pm.
If you can, consider staying overnight nearby for an early morning start.
5. Are there walking trails at Giant’s Causeway?
There are four walking trails: Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow. Each trail offers a unique walking/hiking experience and stunning views.
6. What are some places to visit near Giant’s Causeway?
Some places nearby include Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills Distillery, and Dunluce Castle.
You can explore them in the afternoon to avoid daytime crowds at the Causeway.
7. What should I wear when visiting Giant’s Causeway?
You can dress warmly, depending on the weather. Make sure to carry a waterproof and warm jacket or maybe a scarf.
8. Are there photography opportunities at Giant’s Causeway?
Yes, Giant’s Causeway provides excellent photography opportunities. Sunrise and the last two hours of sunlight are the best times for picture-perfect views.
For wonderful pictures, you can follow some more Giants Causeway photo tips (mentioned above).
9. What is one of the most important tips for visiting Giant’s Causeway?
One of the best tips is to ensure safety by wearing sturdy shoes, walking carefully on basalt columns, and maintaining a safe distance from cliff edges.
If visiting at night, make sure to bring flashlights and be extra careful.
Featured Image: Nationaltrust.org.uk
