How far is the Giant's Causeway from Belfast?

Roughly an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half by road, depending on route and traffic.

Do you have to pay to see the Giant's Causeway?

Tickets are needed for the Visitor Experience and its car park; National Trust members get free access. Pre-booking is recommended.

How was the Giant's Causeway formed?

By volcanic activity more than 60 million years ago, when cooling lava cracked into columns.

What is the legend of the Giant's Causeway?

Legend says the giant Finn McCool built it as a path across the sea to Scotland.

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Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the north Antrim coast near Bushmills, made up of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Cared for by the National Trust, it is a popular day trip from Belfast, which is roughly an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half away by road.

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What it is and why it matters

The columns were formed by volcanic activity more than 60 million years ago, as lava cooled and cracked into mostly hexagonal blocks. Local legend credits the giant Finn McCool with building the causeway as a path to Scotland. The site is looked after by the National Trust and draws visitors for both its geology and its stories. The Visitor Experience exhibition explains both the science and the legend.

Visiting practicalities

The National Trust Visitor Experience at 44 Causeway Road has an exhibition, café, shop, guided tours and audio guides in 11 languages. The main car park is reserved for Visitor Experience ticket holders, National Trust members and Neighbour Pass holders; other visitors can use the Causeway Coast Way car park at Innisfree Farm, paid through the JustPark app. Pre-booking on the National Trust website is strongly recommended. Allow two to three hours to see the stones and walk part of the coast. The rocks can be slippery when wet, so wear shoes with good grip.

Nearby and combining your visit

The causeway sits on the Causeway Coastal Route, so it combines well with other stops along the north Antrim coast, and the village of Bushmills is just inland. Coming from Belfast, most visitors make a full day of it, often with several coastal stops.

Highlights

Around 40,000 basalt columns
Formed by volcanic activity more than 60 million years ago
UNESCO World Heritage Site cared for by the National Trust
Linked to the legend of the giant Finn McCool

Good to know

Pre-booking on the National Trust website is strongly recommended.
The main car park is for Visitor Experience ticket holders and National Trust members; other visitors can park at Innisfree Farm via JustPark.
Audio guides are available in 11 languages.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: visitcausewaycoastandglens.com