Derry Itinerary 14 Days: A Journey Through History and Culture (2026)

Arrive in Derry and check into your accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring the historic 17th-century city walls, which are the only complete city walls in Ireland. The walls are approximately 1.5 km in circumference and offer panoramic views of the city and the River Foyle. As you walk, you'll encounter cannons, watchtowers, and gates that have stood for centuries. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Irish meal at a pub in the city centre. The Walled City Brewery is a great option, offering a range of craft beers and a menu of locally sourced food. After dinner, you could catch a show at the Millennium Forum, which hosts a variety of performances, from plays and musicals to concerts and comedy shows.

Today, you'll delve into the history of the Troubles by visiting the Bogside neighborhood. Start your day at the Museum of Free Derry, which tells the story of the civil rights movement and the events of Bloody Sunday. The museum is located in the heart of the Bogside and offers a powerful and moving experience. After visiting the museum, take a walking tour of the Bogside murals. These large-scale artworks depict key events and figures from the Troubles and are a powerful reminder of the area's history. You can take a guided tour with a local who can provide personal insights into the stories behind the murals. In the afternoon, visit the Free Derry Corner, a historic landmark that has become a symbol of resistance.

Start your day at the Guildhall, a stunning neo-Gothic building that is home to the city's council chambers. The Guildhall is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows, which depict the history of the city. You can take a free guided tour of the building to learn more about its history and architecture. After visiting the Guildhall, walk across the Peace Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle bridge that spans the River Foyle. The bridge is a symbol of peace and reconciliation in the city and offers stunning views of the river and the city skyline. On the other side of the river, you'll find Ebrington Square, a former military barracks that has been transformed into a public space with cafes, restaurants, and a craft brewery.

Today, you'll take a day trip to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. You can take a bus from Derry to the Giant's Causeway, which takes about an hour and a half. Once you're there, you can explore the site at your own pace. There are several walking trails that offer stunning views of the coastline. You can also visit the visitor centre to learn more about the geology and mythology of the Giant's Causeway.

Today is all about the hit TV show Derry Girls. Start your day by taking a Derry Girls-themed walking tour of the city. The tour will take you to some of the filming locations from the show, including the Derry Girls mural, Dennis's Wee Shop, and Pump Street. You'll also learn about the real-life events that inspired the show. In the afternoon, visit the Walled City Brewery, which has a Derry Girls-themed menu. You can try a 'Slainte, Motherf***ers!' beer or a 'Friends Across the Barricades' cocktail. The brewery also offers tours and tastings, so you can learn more about the brewing process.

Today, you'll take a day trip to some of the filming locations from the TV show Game of Thrones. Start your day at the Dark Hedges, a beautiful avenue of beech trees that was used as the Kingsroad in the show. The Dark Hedges is one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland, so be sure to get there early to avoid the crowds. After visiting the Dark Hedges, you can visit Ballintoy Harbour, which was used as the location for the Iron Islands. You can also visit Larrybane Quarry, which was used as the location for the Stormlands. There are several Game of Thrones-themed tours that you can take from Derry, which will take you to all of these locations.

Today, you'll take a day trip to County Donegal, which is located just across the border in the Republic of Ireland. Donegal is known for its rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, and stunning scenery. You can take a bus from Derry to Donegal Town, which takes about an hour. Once you're in Donegal, you can explore the town and visit Donegal Castle, a 15th-century castle that was once the stronghold of the O'Donnell clan. You can also take a boat trip on Donegal Bay to see the seal colony at the mouth of the bay. In the afternoon, you can explore the Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic driving route that follows the coastline of Donegal.

Today, you'll visit the Grianan of Aileach, a massive stone fort that is located on a hilltop in County Donegal. The fort is believed to have been built in the 1st century AD and was the royal seat of the O'Neill clan. The Grianan of Aileach offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. After visiting the Grianan of Aileach, you can explore the Inishowen Peninsula, which is the largest peninsula in Ireland. The Inishowen Peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches, rugged coastline, and ancient monuments. You can visit Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland, and see the Banba's Crown, a tower that was built during the Napoleonic Wars.

Today, you'll take a day trip to the Sperrin Mountains, a range of hills that is located in County Tyrone. The Sperrin Mountains are known for their beautiful scenery, with rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and ancient monuments. You can go for a hike in the mountains, or you can visit the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a complex of Bronze Age stone circles and cairns. In the afternoon, you can visit the Ulster American Folk Park, an open-air museum that tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum has over 30 historic buildings that have been restored and furnished to their original condition. You can explore the thatched cottages, meet the costumed characters, and learn about the lives of the emigrants.

Today, you'll visit the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, a museum that is dedicated to the life and work of the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney. The museum is located in the village of Bellaghy, where Heaney was born and raised. The museum has a number of exhibitions that explore Heaney's life and work, as well as a library and a performance space. In the afternoon, you can visit the Laurel Villa, a guesthouse in the town of Magherafelt that has a collection of Heaney's work. The guesthouse is owned by a friend of Heaney's, and it has a number of first editions and signed copies of his books. You can also see a number of photographs of Heaney and his family.

Today, you'll visit Mussenden Temple, a small circular building that is located on a cliff edge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The temple was built in the 18th century as a summer library and is now one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. You can walk along the cliff path to the temple and enjoy the stunning views of the coastline. After visiting Mussenden Temple, you can explore Downhill Demesne, a ruined 18th-century mansion that is located on the same estate. The mansion was destroyed by a fire in the 19th century, but the ruins are still impressive. You can also explore the gardens and the walled garden, which have been restored to their former glory.

Today, you'll visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a rope bridge that connects the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede. The bridge is suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above the sea and is not for the faint of heart. If you're brave enough to cross the bridge, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the coastline and the island. In the afternoon, you can take a ferry to Rathlin Island, which is located off the coast of County Antrim. Rathlin Island is a popular spot for birdwatching, and you can see puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. You can also visit the Rathlin West Light, a lighthouse that is located on the island.

Spend your last full day in Derry doing some shopping and picking up some souvenirs. The city has a number of independent shops and boutiques, as well as high-street brands. You can find everything from traditional Irish crafts to designer clothes. For souvenirs, be sure to visit the Craft Village, which has a number of shops selling locally made crafts. You can also find souvenirs at the visitor centre and at the gift shops in the museums. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Enjoy a final Irish breakfast before heading to the airport for your flight home. We hope you have enjoyed your 14-day trip to Derry and that you will come back and visit again soon. The city has a lot to offer, and there is always something new to discover. We hope you have a safe journey home and that you will cherish the memories of your time in Derry.