Location: Derry
Top Things to do in Derry
The 10 Best Tours in Derry, Northern Ireland
Derry (/ˈdɛri/), officially Londonderry (/ˈlʌndənˌdɛri/), is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Old Irish name Daire (modern Irish: Doire) meaning "oak grove". In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I and gained the "London" prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds. While the city is more usually known colloquially as Derry, Londonderry is also commonly used and remains the legal name.
Restaurants in Derry
1. Derry Walls and Bloody Sunday Private Walking Tour.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Spend a couple of hours exploring Derry's unique history while walking Derry's walls and Bogside. Derry was the crucible of the modern day conflict but is now a culturaly rich and vibrant city with a great Irish traditional music scene and varied supply of watering holes and eateries. Walk the 400 years old walls. Hear the rich history of Derry and Ireland. Experience the modern history of Derry in the Bogside. See the world famous Bogside murals. Visit the scenes of the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday.
Inclusions: Private Walking Tour.
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Expedition583972
If you are coming to Derry, and want to take a tour, take this one. Our guide Gleann was very informative and highly knowledgeable on the history of his City from its founding in 1603 (and before), right up to the modern day. Taking in the City Walls, and Derry Girls locations, we were then guided around Free Derry, the Murals, and the Bogside area, for a comprehensive and very personal tour of the history that lead to the Civil Rights protests, the 'Troubles', and then the Good Friday Agreement. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to visit some of Gleanns Museum, pub and music recommendations on this occasion, but hopefully we will be able to on our next visit.
2. Derry Walls Private Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Walking Derry's historic walls will take you around 1.4 km (0.87 miles) of one of the best preserved walled cities in Europe. Built in 1613 the walls are utilised in telling the history of Derry. Starting in the Monastic period (6th century) the history of Derry unfolds Nine Years War, Plantation of Ulster, 1641 Rebellion, Siege of Derry 1689, 1798 Rebellion the Great Hunger and more. This tour offers you 90 minutes of Irish history explored and explained.
Inclusions: 90-minute walking tour, Private tour
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By Expedition583972
If you are coming to Derry, and want to take a tour, take this one. Our guide Gleann was very informative and highly knowledgeable on the history of his City from its founding in 1603 (and before), right up to the modern day. Taking in the City Walls, and Derry Girls locations, we were then guided around Free Derry, the Murals, and the Bogside area, for a comprehensive and very personal tour of the history that lead to the Civil Rights protests, the 'Troubles', and then the Good Friday Agreement. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to visit some of Gleanns Museum, pub and music recommendations on this occasion, but hopefully we will be able to on our next visit.
3. 10-Day Ultimate Small-Group Tour of Ireland from Dublin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Your Irish Experience begins here. The Ultimate 10 day small group tour (max 15 people) of Ireland covers the length and breadth, north and south of our magical Emerald Isle. Spoil yourself on this ten day tour with unrivaled scenery, a feast of tradition, history, culture, castles and the great outdoors. You will have an unforgettable experience on your tour exploring everything from kayaking with dolphins in Dingle Bay to the magnificent sights on the Ring of Kerry. Prepare to be awestruck by Ireland’s most famous landmark – The Cliffs of Moher, fall in love with the bustling bohemian Galway City and the Aran Islands. Cross the border to Northern Ireland and lose yourself at the Giants Causeway and be blown away at the Titanic Belfast. This is a trip of a lifetime.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 9 nights local boutique hotel and guesthouse accommodation, carefully selected by our team, Great breakfast (daily) suitable for meet lovers, vegetarians, vegans, gluten free and other needs,, Professional qualified Irish tour guide other local tour guides for the great Irish experience, Transport to all locations by air-conditioned by class leading Mercedes Sprinter busses , Kayak excursion in Dingle Bay, Distillery tour, Rock of Cashel, Kiss The Blarney Stone, Cycling tours (Galway and Aran Islands), Cliffs of Moher, Walking Tour London Derry, Titanic Experience
Exclusions: Lunch and dinner, Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Black Cab Tour Belfast
Reviewed By russ2jen
Sadly, in these uncertain days of Coronavirus, I had to cancel my upcoming tour. The team at Overland Ireland were compassionate and understanding in working out the details so as to minimize losses all around. Flexible reschedule options into next year were offered as well. This is the kind of small company to support.
4. Derrie Danders: Highlights of the Walled City a Self-Guided Audio Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Welcome to the historic city of Derry – or Londonderry, depending on who you ask. Ours is a city rich in complex history, and filled with locals who’ll invite you to stay and "enjoy the craic". This self-guided GPS audio tour takes you on a full circuit of the city's 400-year-old walls. I’ll point out many of the famous historical and cultural sights en route and suggest places to return to for longer visits. You may know a bit about the city from the recent comedy series Derry Girls, and we’ll visit the popular mural dedicated to the show. But on this tour you’ll also hear about: • The city's saint, St Columba / Colmcille, who first established his monastery here in 542 AD • The great Siege of Derry in 1688 and 1689 • The Troubles, which were a part of life here from 1969 to 1994 • The city's role in the second world war and the Battle of the Atlantic • Immigration during the Plantation of Ulster • Emigration during the Irish Potato Famine, or Great Famine, from 1845 to 1849
Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata , VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Exclusions: Food and drink, Smartphone and headphones, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Transportation
5. The ultimate Derry experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Join me on the Ultimate Derry experience where we will show you the best of Derry! On this incredible experience we will walk the Walls of Derry that have been standing fully intact for 400 years, and learn about not one but 3 sieges that this city held off! We will walk in the Bogside where we will see the world famous Political Murals, and hear about the events that took place in the area since 1969. We will walk to the craft village where we will be greeted with a glass of Irish coffee! :) Here we'll discover the history and art of creating the world famous Irish Coffee in a traditional Irish cottage while being entertained with traditional Irish music. Get the chance to create your very own Irish Coffee with a master class. Visit the multi award winning Walled City Brewery to begin a Beer Masterclass and have an interactive experience where you can relax, sit back and let our talented brewers tell you the 9000 year story of brewing through 10 house beers.
Inclusions: Tour guide
Exclusions: lunch
Reviewed By 728jaxc
I cannot thank Rauri enough for the experience he was able to provide to both my classmates and I! This was my first time visiting Ireland, and Ruari blew me away with his knowledge of Ireland's history along with many important sites along the way. Ruari's big smile and witty jokes are sure to keep you entertained along the way! Ruari was able to pack a lot of fantastic information and sites during the tours, but what stood out to me most was that no matter how packed the agenda was for the day, Ruari always took the time to address all questions and personal thoughts along the way! It is truly amazing all the information and love that Ruari has for his beautiful home country! If you are spending anywhere from a day to a few weeks in Ireland and want to learn everything, there is to know about Ireland... RUARI IS YOUR MAN!
6. Game of Thrones® Iron Islands, Giant's Causeway and Rope Bridge from Derry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
This is the first ever Game of Thrones® tour departing from Derry, visiting the film locations of Dragonstone beach, Renly's Camp, the Iron Islands and many more. Our guides have all worked as extras on Game of Thrones® so the experience is totally authentic. At Ballintoy we go full immersive with Iron Born costumes, swords, shields and Greyjoy banners at no extra cost. There are no entrance fees or other extra costs on this tour, the only extra cost is lunch in the Fullerton Arms pub, home to Door of Thrones #6 of 10. What is dead may never die!
Inclusions: Costumes, swords, shields & Greyjoy banners, Live commentary by an extra from Game of Thrones®, Driver and local guide, Entrance/Admission to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By NancyC4567
Took the tour on October 30, 2019. Our tour guide was awesome and we would take the tour again he was so knowledge and made the trip so remarkable.
7. The Troubles, Bogside Walking Tour.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
This private walking tour takes you into the heart of the Bogside,see the site of the Bloody Sunday massacre, learn about all the important events, Civil Rights Association, Battle of the Bogside, Interment, The Free Derry Story,and the Peace Process.Your guide is one of the co founders of the Bloody Sunday justice Campaign that inspired the second Bloody Sunday Inquiry that began in 1998.You won't be disappointed in choosing this private walking tour.You can choose the time and date when you want to do this walking tour.We also provide Taxis tour's of our lovely city.This walking tour will start and finish at the Bloody Sunday monument in Rossville Street, just across the road from the Free Derry Museum.
Inclusions: The Troubles, Bogside Walking tour provides you the opportunity to ask as many questions you want., Travellers will learn about, Civil Rights Story, Battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday story, , Taxi tours also available of our beautiful city,you decide the time and date that suits your visit., This is a private walking tour activity only your group can participate
Exclusions:
Reviewed By brandoncZ5580KM
A fantastic insight into life living in and the history of the Bogside in Derry was provided by John. He was an extremely nice guy and down to earth. His first hand knowledge of Bloody Sunday and other events that took place in Derry during the Troubles made for a very good day. We would highly recommend John and this walking tour if you want to get a full insight into the Troubles. Thanks again John, also say hi to the painter for us! Hopefully he’ll have the wall painted by sometime next week! ????
8. Private Guided Walking Tour in Derry City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Derry Blue Badge is a member of the coveted TripAdvisor Hall of Fame. Its proprieter Michael Cooper has been an elected representative in Derry for many years and has also been involved in a wide range of projects related to the peace process in Derry, His team of guides also come from a range of backgrounds related to the conflict and peace process which gives visitors the opportunity to gain a unique insight into the development of the conflict and peace process in Derry. Visitors will also learn how the Irish peace process has been used as a template for other processes throughout the world.
Inclusions: Private vehicle in case of poor weather condition
Exclusions:
Reviewed By gstell333
This review is long overdue....My dad and I went on a father-son trip to Ireland last Summer and Michael and his team were one of the main components of making our trip one of the best and most memorable experiences of our lives. We were looking for a private excursion starting in Sligo that ultimately brought us all the way up to Portrush for the Open Championship that we had tickets to over the course of 5 days. From the beginning of inquiring about this trip we were planning, Michael went above and beyond to help us plan our route. He basically let us customize the whole thing and helped recommended certain stops along the way. His level of knowledge on the history of Ireland/Northern Ireland is nothing short of amazing.....we learned more than we ever could have imagined. Our walk around Derry to learn about Bloody Sunday was one of the most haunting, but eye opening experiences to the tragedies that happened many years ago, yet still have a significant affect to this day. Michaels local knowledge of the roads and secret spots to take us was definitely not taken for granted.....My dad and I couldn't have imagined navigating some of the places we did (Slieve League, all of Donegal and Malin Head). It's remote to say the least but some of the most beautiful locations and terrain. His other tour guides Neil and Aidan were awesome too and took us around places of NI like Giants Causeway and Belfast! All I can say is without Michael and his team this trip does not happen.....I can't recommend a tour group more than this....if you're looking for a custom Ireland experience like no other these are your guys....even if just for a day I can assure you will not be disappointed!
9. Bloody Sunday and Bogside Derry Murals Private Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
The modern history of Derry is explored in the Bloody Sunday and Bogside murals walking tour, organised for you and your party only. Subjects range from the partition of Ireland and the creation of the six-county state, widespread religious discrimination against Irish Catholics, Civil Rights period, Battle of the Bogside 1969 and Bloody Sunday massacre January 1972. The tour also covers both inquiries in to Bloody Sunday and the conflict that occurred here afterwards. Sights to see Free Derry Corner, Bogside murals, Bloody Sunday massacre site and Bloody Sunday monument.
Inclusions: Private tour
Exclusions: Lunch, Food and drinks
Reviewed By NCarlin0053
The tour was absolutely excellent, our guide was so knowledgeable and made the tour both interesting and fun. Would 100% book with this guide again and would recommend this tour to everyone!
10. Walk with me on an amazing journey through world famous Derry City!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Tours of Derry will bring you on an amazing journey through world famous Derry City Walk with us along the ONLY walled city in Ireland, visit our neighbourhoods, see one of the finest collections of cannons in the world, listen to our local tales about the LONGEST city siege in Irish History, hear about why Derry is referred to as the Crucible of the Troubles and much much more.. We are a local based walking and coach tour company based in the heart of the community.
Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide, Tour escort/host, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Private tour
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Reviewed By jmclutter12
Being a university student studying the Troubles, I was blown away by the knowledge and experience of Ruari. He answered every question with extreme detail and used his own experiences to illustrate the climate and history of Northern Ireland. He treated much of the tour as a conversation that was extremely enjoyable and informative. We encountered several logistical issues due to unforeseen circumstances but Ruari handled them with remarkable flexibility and patience. I was blown away by the trip and every part of the tour exceeded my expectations.
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