Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway is an almost supernatural setting, consisting of thousands of basaltic columns in surprising formations, all seemingly rising out of the Atlantic Ocean. This UNESCO World Heritage site captured our hearts as much through its landscapes as through the legends that surround it.

The Giant’s Causeway is a collection of over 20 000 basaltic formations; columns that look as though they’ve been chiseled straight into the Atlantic coastline. They are the result of successive lava flows cooling to volcanic rock, and subsequently eroding. Beyond its geological singularity, the Causeway is a land of myths and legend. According to local lore, it was created by a powerful giant who wanted to cross the sea to Scotland. 

The road leading down to the columns offers breathtaking views of rocky beaches, dazzling green cliffs, and sheltered coves. It feels like having front-row seats to watch the forces of nature in action. Strong gusts of wind sweep away everything in their path. Foaming waves crash against the shore.

On sunnier days, the light can change in an instant, as quickly as the clouds glide by. As though one detail of the landscape is suddenly highlighted for a fleeting moment, then another. The effect is striking.

Arriving at Giant’s Causeway feels like entering a different world. We’ve never experienced anything like it. 

Whether positioned vertically or horizontally, the columns can resemble a paved pathway, uneven stairs, massive pipe organs, patterned textiles … It’s up to every visitor to let their imagination run wild.

At the far end of the Causeway, frothing waves come rumbling in at regular intervals, darkening the volcanic rock with sea water, almost turning it black.

The site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1986 and is most certainly worth protecting.

Our recommendations:

• Try to arrive as early as possible, before it gets too crowded.
• If the weather allows, walk along the paved road to take in the incredible views. If it’s raining or you have trouble walking there is a shuttle which will take you down to shore from the visitors’ center for a small fee.
• Make sure you have a few hours to explore not only the Causeway itself, but the rest of the site as well.