Giant's Causeway
About 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns run out into the sea. It is the only volcanic landscape in the UK inscribed as a World Heritage Site.
The Giant's Causeway is made of about 40,000 basalt columns, mostly hexagonal, formed when volcanic lava cooled and contracted roughly 50 to 60 million years ago. The columns extend into the sea like steps. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Legend says the Irish giant Finn McCool built this causeway to fight a Scottish giant. From the visitor centre, it takes 10 to 15 minutes on foot or by shuttle bus to reach the columns, where you can also see formations known as the Organ and the Giant's Boot. A visitor centre experience ticket costs about £15, which includes parking and an audio guide. Walking into the columns area is free. The clifftop path offers even better views.
Opening hours
Open all day; visitor center approx. 09:00–17:00 (extended in summer)
Nearby sights
- Old Bushmills Distillery
- Dunluce Castle
- Ballintoy Harbour
- The Dark Hedges
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Portstewart Strand
- Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne
- Rathlin Island