DERRY~LONDONDERRY
Derry~Londonderry is Northern Ireland’s historic heart, famous for its magnificent 17th-century walls and profound cultural history.
It’s a city of powerful stories, contemporary arts, and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that connects ancient heritage with modern life.
Most Popular Attractions
The Walled City Core & Architecture
The City Walls: The most complete set of historic defensive walls in Ireland, offering a 1.5km circular walk.
St. Columb’s Cathedral: A historic cathedral inside the walls, consecrated in 1633, with a dramatic architectural history.
The Diamond: The central square of the city, serving as the nucleus of the four main streets.
Guildhall: A stunning neo-Gothic civic building known for its spectacular stained glass windows.
Tower Museum: An award-winning museum within the city walls, detailing the city’s history and the sinking of the Spanish Armada.
Waterloo Street: Famous for its cluster of traditional pubs, live music venues, and vibrant social scene.
Bishop Gate: One of the four original, defensive entrances to the Walled City, dating back to the 17th century.
Ferryquay Gate: A key defensive gate that played a strategic role during the Siege of Derry.
Magazine Gate: Known for its connection to a pivotal moment during the famous 1689 Siege.
Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall: A significant historical building tied to the city’s unique traditions and history.
Cultural, Arts & Peace Sites
Peace Bridge: A striking, curved footbridge over the River Foyle, built as a symbol of unity and reconciliation.
The Bogside Murals (People’s Gallery): A series of powerful political murals detailing the history of the Civil Rights movement and The Troubles.
Museum of Free Derry: Provides comprehensive and moving context regarding the civil rights era and the events of Bloody Sunday.
Free Derry Corner: An iconic, painted gable wall marking the entrance to the Bogside.
Bloody Sunday Monument: A solemn memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1972 tragedy.
Nerve Centre: A major hub for creative digital media, contemporary arts, and music development.
Verbal Arts Centre: Dedicated to promoting storytelling, reading, and the literary arts in all forms.
Ebrington Square: A large, beautifully revitalized former military parade ground, now a major cultural events space.
Beyond the City Limits (County Londonderry)
Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne: A dramatic 18th-century cliff-top ruin offering breathtaking coastal views and walking trails.
Roe Valley Country Park: A beautiful park known for its picturesque river gorge, forest walks, and ruins of old paper and linen mills.
Benone Strand: A spectacular 7-mile stretch of golden sand, known for its surf and views of the Donegal coastline.
Limavady: A charming market town known for its strong musical heritage and proximity to the beautiful Binevenagh mountain.
Mountsandel Fort: The site of the oldest known human settlement in Ireland, overlooking the River Bann.
Activities & Experiences
Walk the Historic Walls: Take a free walking tour or an independent stroll along the completely intact, 400-year-old city walls, which span about a mile. It’s the best way to get your bearings and see the layout of the city.
Explore the Murals of the Bogside: Take a guided tour to understand the history and political significance of the powerful murals in the Bogside neighborhood, a crucial component of the city’s story.
Cross the Peace Bridge: Walk or cycle across the iconic, snake-like Peace Bridge, a symbol of unity and reconciliation that spans the River Foyle, connecting the Waterside and Cityside areas.
Visit the Tower Museum: Delve into the rich and often turbulent history of the city, from the Plantation of Ulster to the modern day, at this award-winning museum located within the city walls.
Experience a Traditional Pub Session: Head to a pub in the evenings for a traditional Irish music session. You’ll often find musicians gathered, playing lively folk music in an informal setting.
Walk in the Footsteps of “Derry Girls”: Take a self-guided tour to see locations featured in the hit TV show, including the famous Derry Girls Mural and Dennis’s Wee Shop.
Visit the Guildhall: Marvel at the stunning stained-glass windows, and explore this impressive Victorian building, which houses the city’s Council Chambers.
Explore St. Columb’s Cathedral: Visit this historic cathedral, which holds a significant place in the city’s history, especially during the Siege of Derry. You can also climb the bell tower for views.
Discover the Museum of Free Derry: Located in the Bogside, this museum offers a poignant and detailed look at the Civil Rights era and the events of Bloody Sunday from a local perspective.
Take a Scenic Drive to the Causeway Coast: The city is a great starting point for a day trip to Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast, including the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and the Glens of Antrim.
Attend the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Festival: If visiting in late October, immerse yourself in one of Europe’s largest and most famous Halloween celebrations, with parades, fireworks, and street performances.
Local Tips & Transport
Walking is King: The historic heart of the city, the Walled City, and the key sights on the Cityside are all very compact and easily walkable. You’ll cover most of the main attractions and historical sites on foot.
Buses: The city has an efficient local bus network operated by Translink Ulsterbus.
They connect the Cityside and Waterside areas and run to local suburbs.
Tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Trains: The Derry~Londonderry railway station is located across the Peace Bridge in the Waterside.
The line to Coleraine and onward to Belfast is famous for its scenic journey along the River Foyle and the Antrim Coast—highly recommended for a day trip.
Cycling: The city is becoming increasingly bike-friendly.
The Foyle Valley Cycle Route is a lovely, flat path along the river that connects various parks and historical sites.
The Peace Bridge is a shared pedestrian and cycle path.
From the Airport: The City of Derry Airport (LDY) is a short drive from the city center.
A local bus service connects the airport to the main Translink Foyle Street Bus Station.
Taxis are also available.
The Name: You will see the city referred to as both Derry and Londonderry. Locally, the use of one name over the other often has political or cultural significance. Most locals simply say “Derry.” Using the full official name, Derry~Londonderry, is a neutral way to refer to the place.
The Derry Girls Effect: The city has seen a major rise in tourism thanks to the global popularity of the Derry Girls TV show.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the people are incredibly friendly. Don’t be shy about asking locals for recommendations or directions!
Tipping Culture: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.
Restaurants: A 10% tip for good table service is standard.
Pubs/Taxis: Rounding up the bill is common, or you can buy the bartender a drink if you’ve had good service.
Language and Accent: While English is spoken, the local dialect and accent can be strong.
Don’t worry if you need to politely ask someone to repeat themselves. Local phrases like “wee” (meaning small) are common.
The humour is famously quick-witted, dry, and often self-deprecating.
Hidden Gems:
The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall: Located within the walls, this hall offers a fascinating, but less-touristed, insight into the Protestant/Unionist heritage of the city and the story of the Siege.
Prehen Wood: Just outside the city, this ancient woodland is a lovely spot for a quiet walk or trail run and offers beautiful views back over the Foyle.
The Craft Village: Tucked away off Shipquay Street, this charming, reconstructed 18th and 19th-century-style village is home to unique craft shops, boutiques, and cafes.
Bishop’s Gate: Walk through this historical gate for a great view of the cannons and the contrast between the old walls and the modern city.
Top Restaurants
Soda & Starch [$20-$35] – A charming pantry and grill located in the Craft Village, serving traditional Irish comfort food and home baking with a focus on hearty, honest flavours from local, seasonal ingredients.
Badgers Bar and Restaurant [$20-$35] – A popular spot in the heart of the city, known for its friendly atmosphere, traditional pub grub like stews and pies, and its location next to the famous Derry Girls Mural.
The Thirsty Goat Derry [$20-$35] – A vibrant bar and beer garden venue with an unmistakably local menu, known for its casual dining, great craft beers, and live music.
Dungloe Bar [$15-$25] – A traditional, no-frills pub on Waterloo Street offering a true taste of local atmosphere, often serving simple, authentic pub fare.
Fitzroys Bistro [$25-$40] – A family-run bistro serving contemporary Irish and European food with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, popular for its brunch and friendly service.
The Exchange Restaurant and Wine Bar [$30-$50] – An informal, centrally located restaurant near the Peace Bridge, offering a wide-ranging menu of good, locally sourced food with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The Gate Bistro & Cocktail Bar [$25-$40] – Located on Ferryquay Street, this bistro offers European and Modern Asian cuisine in a bustling, central location, popular for pre-theatre dining.
Scarpello and Co [$15-$25] – A popular spot focused on high-quality, authentic sourdough pizza and dough-based delights, known for its dedication to perfecting its craft.
The Pickled Duck [$15-$25] – A warm and welcoming café on the Quay, known for its brunch and light bites, offering a cozy spot with views of the River Foyle.
The Gown Restaurant at Bishop’s Gate Hotel [$30-$50] – Set in a beautifully restored gentleman’s club within a historic hotel, offering an elegant dining experience with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Walled City Brewery [$25-$40] – A family-run craft brewery and eatery in Ebrington Square, offering creative, locally sourced food to complement their in-house brewed artisan beers in a relaxed, historic setting.
Browns in Town [$30-$50] – An award-winning, Michelin-recommended restaurant known for its fine casual dining, comfortable surroundings, and a menu of Modern Irish cuisine and speciality cocktails.
El Tapas Grá [$25-$40] – A lively tapas restaurant that has won local acclaim for fusing Irish and Catalonian influences, offering tasty and unique small plates.
Shipquay Restaurant [$30-$50] – Located on Shipquay Street, this contemporary Irish restaurant is committed to using the freshest local produce, offering modern dishes in a stylish setting.
Quaywest Wine Bar and Restaurant [$30-$50] – Situated by the river, offering a modern Asian and contemporary Irish menu with a good wine and cocktail selection, known for its waterside location.
BURN on the river [$30-$50] – An Asian Fusion restaurant located on Timber Quay, offering cocktails, seafood, and a menu that focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a modern setting.
LINK47 [$20-$35] – A large, popular gastro pub with a diverse menu ranging from American Fusion to steak and grill, known for its extensive range of choices and lively atmosphere.
The Stitch & Weave [$25-$45] – A newer spot in Ebrington Square, offering a contemporary bar and restaurant experience with a focus on tantalizing dining and social enjoyment in a stylish setting.
Amphora Restaurant [$30-$50] – A Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients, offering mezze plates, grilled halloumi, and main dishes like traditional Greek slow-cooked lamb.
Mekong [$20-$35] – An award-winning street food joint located inside the Derry Walls, specializing in authentic Thai and Vietnamese street food with a vibrant, informal atmosphere.
Artis Restaurant [$50-$80] – Situated in the Craft Village, this high-end dining experience is recommended by the MICHELIN Guide, focusing on a blend of traditional and modern techniques using the finest locally sourced Irish ingredients. Reservations are essential, particularly for the tasting menu.
Browns Bonds Hill [$60-$90] – Hailed as a key player in the North West’s foodie scene, this award-winning restaurant offers sumptuous fine dining menus, focusing on local produce in a smart yet unpretentious setting overlooking the River Foyle.
The Grill (at the Everglades Hotel) [$40-$70] – An in-house restaurant offering classic Irish cuisine with a ‘traditional with a twist’ approach, prioritizing fresh, local ingredients and known for its numerous culinary awards.
The Oak Room Restaurant (at the Ebrington Hotel) [$50-$80] – An AA 2 Rosette awarded restaurant that connects people to the city’s heritage through food, offering contemporary cuisine built around the best seasonal and local produce.
68 Clooney Restaurant (at the White Horse Hotel) [$40-$70] – This restaurant focuses on simplicity, using fresh local produce prepared with a modern twist for a quality dining experience, suitable for both lunch and dinner.
Pyke ‘N’ Pommes [$15-$30] – A quirky and much-loved street food spot that originated as an adapted van, now including a full-service restaurant (The POD) and a double-decker bus (Decky), known for its creative seafood, street food, and chips made with the finest local ingredients.
UMI [$25-$40] – An Asian Fusion and Sushi restaurant that prides itself on sourcing fresh local fish for its sushi, offering a contemporary menu with global influences in a stylish setting on Strand Road.
Mandarin Palace [$25-$45] – A popular Chinese restaurant on the waterfront, known for its visually stunning Euro-Asian decor and a long history of serving authentic and well-loved Asian cuisine.
La Sosta [$25-$45] – An authentic Italian restaurant located in a historic setting, focusing on classic Italian dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering a genuine taste of Italy in the city.
Saffron [$20-$35] – A fine Indian cuisine restaurant in the heart of the city, serving authentic Indian food alongside European dishes, a popular choice for quality exotic flavours.
Top Cocktail Bars and Clubs
Blackbird: Located centrally on Foyle Street, this popular spot is known for its excellent burgers and its extensive, carefully crafted cocktail menu, all enjoyed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Guildhall Taphouse: Situated near the iconic Guildhall, this bar blends history with a fresh take on a traditional pub, serving craft beer and a tempting selection of cocktails in a unique setting.
Brickwork Lounge: A contemporary and sophisticated cocktail bar in the heart of the Walled City, celebrated for its exquisite and indulgent cocktail menu, as well as live music and DJs.
The Gate Bistro and Cocktail Bar: Located on Ferryquay Street within the city walls, this is an ideal spot to meet up with friends for delicious tapas and a selection of classic and signature cocktails or fine wine.
The Trinity Bar: Found on Strand Road, this venue is a quirky and lively addition to the city’s nightlife, featuring stunning, unique décor, an exceptional cocktail selection, and live music every night.
The Corner House Pub & Lounge: Situated in The Ebrington Hotel, just a short walk across the Peace Bridge from the city centre, this pub and lounge offers an impressive array of handcrafted cocktails in a cosy, refined setting with rich mahogany and soft leather.
Silver Street (The River Inn): A modern part of The River Inn complex on Shipquay Street, this bar offers a sophisticated atmosphere for late-night drinks and a great selection of cocktails.
Granny Annie’s Kitchen & Bar: Located on Waterloo Street, this lively spot spans two floors with quirky, ‘granny’s house’ décor and is known for serving a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers alongside food.
Bennigans Bar: Found on John Street, this musician’s favourite is known as a cosy, intimate venue with a packed schedule of live music, particularly jazz, but it also offers a variety of drinks including cocktails.
Quayside Wine Bar and Restaurant: Situated on Boating Club Lane, this is an upmarket spot near the river where you can enjoy fine dining and a superb selection of wines and cocktails from their huge bar with a mezzanine floor.
Walled City Brewery: Located in the old army barracks on Ebrington Street, this fully licensed brewery and restaurant offers a unique experience, crafting local beers and also featuring the Earhart Gin School where you can craft your own personalised gin—a cocktail lover’s dream.
The Bentley Bar: Overlooking the historic walls of the city centre on Market Street, the larger Bentley Complex includes a main bar and an exclusive gin bar, offering a wide array of drinks, including cocktails, in trendy surroundings.
Gweedore Bar: Adjoining Peadar O’Donnell’s on Waterloo Street, the Gweedore is a sleeker, more modern bar, which also offers an alternative to its traditional neighbour, serving pop and rock music and a wide selection of drinks.
Sandino’s Cafe Bar: A liberal, bohemian hub on Water Street, this popular spot is known for its eclectic mix of music and patrons, offering an edgy selection of ales but also a vibrant, unpretentious atmosphere for a good night out.
The Rocking Chair Bar (The Rocker): One of Derry’s most famous pubs on Waterloo Street, located in the shadow of the Derry Walls, this spot offers the atmosphere of a local pub with the energy of a lively city centre venue.
Fifty Seven Waterloo St: This modern, stylish nightclub is located upstairs from the Gweedore Bar on the bustling Waterloo Street, offering a place to let loose and dance the night away to classic DJ sets.
Rosie Joe’s Derry: Located on Foyle Street, this is a newer live entertainment venue and nightclub complex, with a live entertainment venue downstairs and an 18+ nightclub upstairs, offering table service and bottle service for a full night out.
Kaboodle: Found on Strand Road, this venue is a full entertainment complex featuring a bar, mini-golf, karaoke booths, and shuffleboard, providing a high-energy, fun experience that serves as a modern club alternative.
The Thirsty Goat Derry: Situated on Shipquay Street, this pub/nightclub is known for its party atmosphere and live music, making it a great spot for a lively night and a late-night boogie.
Tinney’s Bar & The Shirt Factory: A centrally located venue with a pub/nightclub atmosphere on Patrick Street, family-owned since 1847, it offers a legendary pint of Guinness and often has a lively, late-night crowd.
O’Loughlins Irish House: A traditional Irish pub and nightclub on Waterloo Street, it offers a classic feel for a night out with a friendly and buzzing atmosphere, particularly popular on weekends.
Tracy’s Bar: Located on William Street, this pub/nightclub offers a classic, central spot for a busy night out, with opening times extending into the late hours for dancing and socialising.
Dungloe Bar: Situated on Waterloo Street, this historic bar is renowned for its wide range of live music and is a key part of the area’s concentration of lively venues.
The Corner House Pub & Lounge (Late Night): While primarily a lounge, its sophisticated, central location in The Ebrington Hotel and focus on cocktails and socialising often sees it operating as a chic, later-opening venue, particularly the terrace.
The Bentley Bar Complex: The entire complex on Market Street often hosts various entertainment and a lively late-night crowd, with different sections and an exclusive gin bar creating a multi-faceted nightlife experience.
The River Inn (Complex): As the city’s oldest sited bar on Shipquay Street, its different sections (including Silver Street) often extend their hours and entertainment to accommodate a late-night crowd seeking sophisticated or traditional pub/club experiences.