Giant’s Causeway – The most popular tourist site in Northern Ireland
Since the beginning of the 18th Century, visitors flock to the coast of Northern Ireland to admire this bizarre landscape in the area of Antrim. Before science and technology could offer an explanation for how the site appeared beautiful myths and stories made the place even more appealing. In 1986 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and in 1987 it was made widely known by the Royal Geographic Society and the stream of visitors has grown exponentially.
Around 40,000 interconnected basalt columns spread over a 0.7 square km area can be found on the site. The columns are made from volcanic lava and probably originated about 60 million years ago. The birth of the geological formation is almost as interesting as the myths about its appearance. In the early Tertiary, Paleocene period, where slow and quiet days passed by the Antrim County was ravaged by an intense volcanic activity. Incandescent basalt rocks gradually leaked through cracks in sedimentary formations and formed a vast plateau of lava, which constitutes the entire coastline Causeway. How fast the lava cooled down determined the size of the columns.
Weather and seasons passing have rounded some of the columns and the locals named them “The Eyes of the Giants”. Other suggestive names Shepherd’s Steps, the Honeycomb, the Giant’s Harp, the Chimney Stacks, the Giant’s Gate and the Camel’s Hump.
Stories about the origin of the basalt columns have been around since time immemorial. In the myths of Ireland it is said that the giant Finn MacCool created the step-shaped basalt stairs to get dry footed from Ireland to Scotland and reach his Scottish rival Benandonner.
An average of 500.000 visitors a year determined the Irish National Trust to build a new visitors center in 2013.
Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 55.2408333, -6.5116667
- Access
- The coastline is reached on public footpaths; the paid Visitor Experience includes reserved on-site parking, visitor-centre facilities and guided storytelling tours. The Green Trail and Visitor Centre are fully accessible; the Red Trail has uneven ground, steep steps and exposed cliff edges. High winds and rockfall can make parts dangerous; follow current warnings.
- Admission
- Coastline access on foot is free. The National Trust page currently lists Visitor Experience prices of £16 adult, £8 ages 5–17 (under 5 free), and £40 for a family (one adult family £24); this includes on-site parking and Visitor Centre facilities. National Trust members and Neighbour Pass holders enter free with booking. Prices and ticket terms can change.
- Time needed
- The National Trust says most visitors spend about 2 hours at the site. The included storytelling tour lasts about 45 minutes and departs hourly. The Red Trail is 2 miles (3.2 km), estimated at 30 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes; it has steep steps and exposed cliff edges.
- Best season
- The National Trust publishes autumn-specific visitor guidance and highlights seasonal wildlife and changing coastal scenery. It does not identify one universally best season; autumn weather can be changeable, so check the forecast and trail warnings.
- Opening hours
- The National Trust calendar listed the coastline as dawn–dusk, the Visitor Centre 09:00–17:00, and Causeway Coast Way car park 05:00–20:00 for September 28, 2026. Hours vary by date; check the operator calendar for the intended visit. This car park is separate from reserved Visitor Experience parking.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-09
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
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