Wonders on the Way to Belfast: A Day of Giants, Castles, and Coastal Dreams

There are travel days where the journey is more magical than the destination. Days when every twist of the road, every unexpected puffin sighting, and every lingering golden ray of sun over the sea feels like it was placed just for you. Today was one of those days. We left Derry early, coffee in hand and playlists ready, knowing our final destination was Belfast—but we had no intention of taking the direct route. Instead, we took the scenic way. The epic way. The way that had us constantly exclaiming, pulling over, exploring, and never wanting it to end.

Our first stop: Giant’s Causeway.

Nothing prepared me for the scale and sheer wonder of this place. I had seen the photos, of course. The perfectly hexagonal stones stacked like ancient stepping stones leading into the sea. But pictures don’t capture the wind whipping through your hair as you climb over formations that feel more like art than geology. They don’t capture the way your heart catches when you turn around and see endless sea meeting endless sky. Giant’s Causeway is the kind of place that silences you with awe before you even realize your mouth has fallen open.

Walking down to the Causeway from the visitor center.

As we wandered down from the visitor center, we listened to the audio guide that offered both science and story. According to legend, Giant’s Causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn McCool as a path to Scotland to challenge his rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner. The story goes that Finn built the causeway across the North Channel so he could confront his foe, only to discover that Benandonner was much larger than he expected. In a hasty retreat, Finn’s clever wife disguised him as a baby. When Benandonner saw the enormous "infant," he assumed the father must be a terrifyingly huge giant and fled back to Scotland, ripping up the causeway behind him. It’s an utterly delightful piece of lore—one that made the place feel even more alive.

One of the most spectacular places I've been to.

But the science is equally captivating. A long time ago, during a period of intense volcanic activity, molten basalt erupted through chalk beds, forming a lava plateau. As the lava cooled, it contracted and cracked, creating the striking hexagonal columns we see today—over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, some reaching up to 39 feet in height. The formations are so precise and consistent they look manmade, like someone spent centuries carving perfect geometry into the earth.

There are 1,000s of columns

We climbed over the columns, pausing to snap photos, sit and stare, and just soak in the atmosphere. The sun shone down, casting warm light on the rocks and turning the sea a shade of blue so rich it looked like a painting. And then, as if the day hadn’t been magical enough, we saw puffins. Puffins! Their colorful beaks and flappy wings made us giddy with excitement as they swooped and settled on the cliffs nearby. If you’ve never seen a puffin in real life, I can assure you they’re just as delightful as you imagine.

Giants Causeway

We hiked though out the main site, following the columns whichever way our heart felt. From the end, we could see the full stretch of coastline, and Scotland looming in the Distance. It was magical and I found myself whispering, “This is my favorite part of the trip,” and the rest of the group quickly agreed. If we could have stayed all day, we would have.

Eventually, though, we had to tear ourselves away. We piled back into our vehicle, still buzzing from the beauty of what we’d seen, and began our journey along the Causeway Coast Road.

Let me tell you: if you ever have the chance to drive this road, take it. Take it slowly. Take it with music playing and windows down and cameras ready. It’s a winding stretch of highway that hugs the coastline of Northern Ireland, offering views that shift between dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, rolling green fields, and charming seaside villages. Every turn brought a new gasp, a new pull-over moment, a new reason to thank the God of all things beautiful.

At one of the many scenic viewpoints along the road

We played movie scores as we drove—epic ones, from Braveheart to How to Train your dragon (followed by an epic Disney singalong!). The music added to the grandeur of the views and made us feel like we were part of a sweeping cinematic adventure. And truly, it felt like we were.

Somewhere along the way, we stopped in Glenarm, one of the oldest villages in Northern Ireland. Its charm hit us immediately—narrow streets, stone cottages, flowers blooming everywhere, and a quiet sort of timelessness. Glenarm Castle was the highlight here. Though the castle itself is a private residence, the grounds are open to the public, and they are stunning. We wandered through the walled garden, a riot of color and careful design. It felt peaceful and noble, like a place you could stay and write poetry for days. There’s something about a castle garden that makes you feel like you’ve walked into another era.

We strolled along, stretching our legs and taking in the serenity before continuing on toward Belfast.

As the road unwound and the city skyline came into view, we could feel a shift. Belfast felt different than any of the cities we had visited so far. There was a buzz in the air—a mixture of history, energy, and reinvention. We checked into our hotel near the Common Market, a modern food hall tucked inside an industrial-style building that had been transformed into a street-food lover’s dream.

Dinner was a feast. The Common Market offers a wide variety of cuisines—everything from Korean BBQ to tacos to loaded fries that could feed an army. We grabbed our plates, found a table near the stage, and listened to live music as we devoured our food. The portions were massive, the flavors bold, and the vibe electric. It was the perfect way to unwind after a day of outdoor exploration.

After dinner, we headed to Victoria Square for a bit of shopping and fun. The shopping center is open and airy, with a large glass dome that offers panoramic views of the city. We wandered along the shops and laughed at the locals lining up to get a donut from the Krispy Kreme shop that was having it's grand opening (because apparently hot glazed donuts transcend culture!). It was one of those perfect city moments—alive with lights and laughter, but still wrapped in the memory of coastal winds and basalt stones.

Our group in front of Glenarm Castle

Today was a reminder of why we travel. Not just to reach a destination, but to experience all the wonder along the way. From the ancient stones of the Giant’s Causeway to the quiet elegance of Glenarm Castle, from winding coastal roads to bustling city markets, every stop held something beautiful.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow we explore Belfast.

But for now, we sleep—full of stories, salt air, and just a little puffin joy.