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 basalt columns, Causeway Head, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 55.2408333, -6.5116667
- Access
- The basalt columns are reached by public coastal footpaths; walking to the stones is free. The paid National Trust Visitor Experience adds the exhibition, hourly storytelling tour, audio guide and reserved on-site parking. The Visitor Centre and Green Trail are accessible; other routes include steep or uneven ground and exposed cliff edges. Follow trail and weather warnings.
- Admission
- Walking to the stones is free. National Trust Visitor Experience starts at £16 adult, £8 ages 5–17 (under 5 free), £40 family or £24 one-adult family; includes reserved parking and Visitor Centre facilities. Members and Neighbour Pass holders enter free with booking. The separate Causeway Coast Way car park is £12 per vehicle; the accessible shuttle is £1 / €1.20 each way. Check current ticket terms.
- Time needed
- The National Trust says most visitors spend about 2 hours at the site. Its included guided storytelling tour lasts about 45 minutes; allow additional time for the coastal paths and viewpoint stops.
- Best season
- No single best season is published. The National Trust highlights autumn events and seasonal wildlife, but coastal weather can change quickly year-round. Check the forecast and trail warnings before setting out.
- Opening hours
- For October 26, 2026, the National Trust lists the coastline dawn–dusk, Causeway Coast Way Car Park 05:00–20:00, and Visitor Centre 10:00–16:00. These are date-specific: the October 20 schedule was 09:00–17:00 at the Visitor Centre. Check the National Trust calendar for your exact visit date. The walker car park is separate from the paid Visitor Experience parking.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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Aliens. It’s the only explanation. Very spooky indeed.