Has the question “Can you walk the walls of Derry?” crossed your mind while you are planning your trip?
If so, I can help!
I have visited Derry 10+ times in the last year and I still can’t get enough. With its friendly locals, historic sites and great places to eat, it is easily one of my favourite places to visit in Northern Ireland.
And without a doubt, one of the best and most iconic things to do here is walk the ancient city walls.
You can walk the walls of Derry easily but for the best experience, there are a few things you should know. Like how it is so much better doing a guided tour than exploring them yourself.
To help you have the best experience, let’s jump in and take a look at what you need to know before exploring Ireland’s walled city.
Can You Walk The Walls Of Derry? Quick Guide
Absolutely and they are open 24/7!
I have visited Derry over 10 times and this will always be my favourite thing to do.
The views are amazing and it’s a great way to escape the traffic and crowds of the city and still explore it.
There are several places around the city where you can enter the walls so you don’t need to travel ages just for an entrance. If you want to stay somewhere close to the Walls, book The Maldron Hotel Derry (this is where I stay 90% of my trips!)
Even though you can walk the walls of Derry alone, it is so much better with a Walking Tour 👇
THIS IS THE BEST Derry Walls Walking Tour 🤩
✔️ Has A 5 Star- Rating
✔️Learn About The History Of Northern Ireland- By A Local
✔️ 2 Hour Experience For £40.00
✔️ Can book as a private experience
How Long Does It Take To Walk The Derry City Walls?
When I first walked the Walls, it took me around 50 minutes.
This included reading the signs, taking some photos and admiring the view. I do recommend taking a good camera here so you can capture the views, especially around dusk!
My pace wasn’t super fast (it was more of a stroll) so I’m sure if you are pressed for time, you can do it much quicker!
The walls do have a few steps but are generally easy to walk along. Just make sure you are dressed for the weather here are there is nowhere to hide from the rain or wind.
Is It Free To Walk The Walls Of Derry?
Yes, it is free to walk the walls – unless you book a tour.
The walls are open to the public 24/7 and you do not need to book or reserve tickets.
The City Walls of Derry are a historic and cultural attraction, and there is no admission fee to access and stroll along the walls. The walls provide a scenic and historic view of the city and its surroundings.
If you are visiting in winter, wear good footwear as it gets cold and wet!
The Best Tour To Book Of Derry Walls (Recommended By A Local)
Plenty of signs around the walls allow you to do your own self-guided tour.
This is what I did on my first visit to Derry and it took me about 40-50 minutes.
I felt like I had a good understanding of the walls until I got talking to a local taxi driver on the way to my Airport transfer.
He had lived in Derry his whole life and he said walking the walls alone is great, but you will not get the full experience without a guided tour. He was completely right!
Why You Should Book This Tour:
✔️ Locals recommend it
✔️ Has over 90 5-star reviews
✔️ Local private guide
✔️ Available every day between 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
How Do I Get To Derry Walls?
Once you’re in Londonderry city centre, navigating to Derry Walls is relatively straightforward.
The historic walls surround the original city and are a prominent feature. You can access the walls at various points, and there are signs indicating the different gates and key attractions along the way.
The gates you can enter them from are Shipquay Gate, Butcher Gate, Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate New Gate, Castle Gate and Magazine Gate.
I have entered the Walls from all of the gates and none really tend to have an advantage over the other. Most of the time I enter from Bishop’s Gate because It’s easy to get to!
If you are planning to visit Londonderry for the day or are wondering how to reach the walls, these are the best ways:
By Air:
The nearest major airport is the City of Derry Airport (LDY), which is about 13 kilometres (8 miles) northeast of the city centre.
From the airport, you can take a taxi or use public transportation to reach Derry Walls.
Flights with Ryanair only leave from a small selection of airports so it probably works out cheaper to fly into Belfast International which is over an hour away.
This is a great airport to fly into if you sightseeing in Belfast or heading up to explore Derry!
By Train:
Derry has a train station called Londonderry Railway Station.
If you’re arriving by train, you can take a taxi or walk from the station to the city centre. The walk is around 10-15 minutes so is easily doable, you just need to walk over Peace Bridge.
By Bus:
The city is well-connected by bus services. The main bus station in Derry is Foyle Street Bus Station. From there, you can walk straight to the city gates to enter the walls.
By Car:
Once you’re in the city, you can follow signs for the city walls or other local landmarks to guide you to Derry Walls. There are parking facilities available in the city centre in locations like Foyleside.
Where To Stay In Derry (I Have Stayed In These Hotels!)
There are plenty of great places to stay in Londonderry, even if it is just for a night.
I have stayed in a few hotels and these are the ones I recommend the most for visitors:
😍 Maldron Hotel Derry– This is where I try to stay every time unless it’s fully booked. It is right by the City Walls, really central and the staff have always done their best to help and accommodate with things like early check-in.
Why You Should Stay Here:
✔️ Right by the walls
✔️ Amazing staff
✔️ Bar has great food (I love the squid here!)
✔️ A small walk from the Aircoach stop
✅ Da Vinci’s Hotel Derry– I loved staying here and the bar is a great place to watch live music and drink. Though it is a 20-minute walk into Derry, you can order a taxi at reception.
Why You Should Stay Here:
✔️ The rooms are comfortable and have a great tea & coffee selection
✔️ Bar is a great place to spend an evening, especially on a Friday
✔️ Staff are helpful (not as friendly as the Maldron Hotel)
❌ Is a 20-minute walk to the city centre
The Best Experiences To Do In Derry
Apart from the Walls, there are other great things to do when visiting Londonderry. For the best time, these are the best things you should consider doing:
✅ Derry Girls Original Sites Tour
✅ Go For A Pub Lunch And Try Tobacco Onions
✅ Bloody Sunday and Bogside Murals Walking Tour
✅ Walk Along Peace Bridge
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m sure you have a few more questions you need answers to before you visit Derry. To help you out, these are the most common questions travellers have:
Yes, Derry is a walkable city with a compact city centre. The historic sites, including Derry Walls, are easily accessible on foot. Walking allows visitors to explore the charming streets, landmarks, and cultural attractions.
Yes, you can walk across the Peace Bridge in Derry. The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge that spans the River Foyle. It also has some pretty amazing views, especially at night.
Absolutely, it is one of my favourite places to visit! Derry’s warm hospitality, vibrant atmosphere, and historical significance make it a compelling destination for those seeking a wonderful travel experience.
Spending 2 to 3 days in Derry allows you the perfect amount of time to explore its historical sites, like the City Walls and Guildhall, and enjoy cultural attractions such as the Peace Bridge and Bogside murals.
Can You Walk The Walls Of Derry? Final Thoughts
Exploring the historic walls that surround the city in Northern Ireland is a must-do activity for anyone visiting. It is also a super popular trip for anyone visiting Belfast from Dublin!
One of the great things about them is how accessible they are. There is no fee and they are always open.
I love the views you can get over the city from them so I recommend going just for that. But if you truly want to learn about Derry and its role in history, you need to book a Walking Tour.
The Walls take a max of 2 hours to explore so you will have plenty of time to explore other things in the city and grab a pint of Guinness.
No matter how you get to Derry, try and bring lightweight luggage. There are lots of hills and cobbled streets around the city which make things slightly challenging.
I hope you found this article useful! Here are some more relevant posts to help you plan your trip:
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Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
