Northern Ireland’s landscapes will leave you speechless.
The blogosphere often rolls Ireland and Northern Ireland in to one. Northern Ireland has history and landscapes that you can’t experience anywhere else in the world, though, so I believe it deserves a photo feature all to it’s self. Belfast and the Causeway Coast amazed me on my short visit!
That said, with both countries sharing an island, it’s easy to explore both. I travelled to Northern Ireland by taking two day trips from Dublin.
I’ve already written about my experience exploring Northern Ireland’s stunning Causeway Coast, and more details on Belfast are on the way. For now, enjoy my favourite photos from my visit, and some insider tips on how to take fantastic photos of Northern Ireland for yourself!
The Dark Hedges recently closed to car traffic, so snapping the perfect photo just got a whole lot easier!
Recognize this place from it’s Game of Thrones debut? The Dark Hedges are just as moody and magical in real life as they are in the show, and it makes for a great photo.
The Giant’s Causeway is easier to photograph than you think – some of the most beautiful parts of the rock formations are off limits, because of how slippery it gets. Right at the edge of these zones, you can take unobstructed photos with hardly any people in them that really capture the landscape.
Or, look back over your shoulder and capture the rolling hills and happy people exploring!
Walk the trail down to the Giant’s Causeway. The rocks aren’t perfect cylinders like they are at the Causeway itself, but they do make for some great photos and seeing the transition in landscapes is interesting.
Want stunning photos of yourself pondering life? You need only sit in a puddles repeatedly.
I caught this gorgeous light moments after a burst of rain, by huddling down in my waterproof poncho until it passed. Rain comes and goes quickly on the Causeway Coast, so be ready to snap in to action!
If you’re a C.S. Lewis fan, you’re going to love a trip to the C.S. Lewis Square in Belfast.
Visit the Titanic Museum and enjoy afternoon tea in the dinning hall for a unique photo opportunity on the iconic Titanic staircase…
… and go on the Black Cab Tour to learn about Belfast’s history.
Brave? Cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
The best views of the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge actually come after you’ve crossed the bridge, explored the island, and made your way back. There are different routes to and from the bridge, and the from route is where I snapped my favourite photos!
Do you have a brightly coloured rain jacket or wind breaker? These colours pop (my light blue jacket did alright, but yellow and red are best!) against this scenery.
Don’t look down!
I visited the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge with Love Ireland, and came back to Belfast on my own a few days later. Belfast and other sites in Northern Ireland are easy to visit on a day trip from Dublin.
Have you been Northern Ireland? What was your favourite spot, or is based on these photos? Leave me a comment! Belfast and the Causeway Coast were just ranked a top destination by Lonely Planet, so start booking your tickets!
Oh, I’m inspired! ?absolutely amazing photos!
We just got back from 8 days in Ireland but DID NOT get a chance to visit Northern Ireland. We were talking about it on the way back …MUST go visit! My husband and I are HUGE Game of Thrones fans and the tours and sites we can visit ALONE is worth it.
No convincing needed here. Gorgeous photos – thanks for sharing!
I started watching Game of Thrones AFTER visiting and seeing all the landscapes! Amazing locations.
I’ve always wanted to visit the Giant’s Causeway, it looks amazing. C.S. Lewis was my first favourite author so that would be a definite visit. The rope bridge looks fun and the scenery is wonderful. Thanks for the tip to wear something bright!
CS Lewis Square is wonderful! Yes, rope bridge is great.
Been living in the Uk for 5 years and I’ve never ever been to the Northern Ireland! Pictures are gorgeous and i’m sure so is Northern Ireland.
You’ll have to do that then! Irks the hot place to go now!
I would love to visit one day and walk across the rope bridge. The causeway photos are great!
I only in the past year and a half realize Northern Ireland and Ireland were even separate places, a really duh moment for me when I figured that out. Northern Ireland looks amazing from your photos! That lush green landscape is amazing!!!
I thought the same thing until a little while ago, thus why I felt it was important to do a blog post of photos ONLY from Northern Ireland! And thank you so much!
What the heck is that bridge!? o.O What a wonderful country for outdoor lovers tho. It has been on my list for ages now. Can’t wait to visit! Cheers Nina, happy travels!
Northern Ireland is beautiful! The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge looks intense, not sure if I would be able to cross it. Are only a certain number of people allowed on it at once? Seems like there’s a huge bottleneck at the entrance of it.
yes there is a limit! the line goes quick though and the goal is really to get to the island haha.
So freaking beautiful!!! Ireland is so high on my bucket list. How long did it take you to cross the bridge?! I’m obsessed with all of your pictures.
The crossing itself?? 20 seconds maybe?
I love Northern Ireland. One of my favourite travel memories and photographs for that matter is walking across the Carrick-a-Rede bridge. It really is an incredible place that only opened its doors to tourism in 2009. Great photos. Would love to see the CS Lewis Lion next time.
I love Northern Ireland so much! Such a beautiful country! When I was at Giants Causeway I wasn’t brave enough to go over the rope bridge though!
I’m really loving the natural beauty of this place. Definitely at the top of my bucket list. Thanks for sharing this inspirational post.
Nina, these are great shots! Def inspired to hit up Northern Ireland… thanks!
The Giant’s Causeway was by far my favourite thing! We decided to skip Carrick-a-Rede and go check out the Mussenden temple instead. I love ruins so I was happy about my choice!
That sounds super cool! I haven’t heard of that temple but I love ruins to, will have to check it out!
Hey Nina,
I’m hearing such amazing things about Northern Ireland at the moment! I’m afraid I’m a bad Brit who’s never made it there… yet! But I’m feeling like I might need a cheeky trip across the water to see some of these amazing places! Thanks for sharing.
Do it! It’s so beautiful!
Not only am I inspired to visit Northern Ireland by your gorgeous photos (insert all the heart eye emojis possible) but now I also want to watch Game of Thrones again LOL. I recognized that scenery straight away!
LOL! Yes! It’s amazing how much you can see in GOT once you’ve been to Northern Ireland too, you recognize even more places than the main, famous ones.
Beautiful photos. Great post.
I get to spend the next 6 months housesitting in N. Ireland and luckily enough I was born here but raised in Canada. Your photos are stunning and I can’t wait to hit the Causeway route again and visit the Glens of Antrim my favourite place in the world.
Northern Ireland looks beautiful! Nice job 😉 You inspired me to visit Northern Ireland 🙂 I love the The Giant’s Causeway ^^