United Kingdom · 2026 itinerary
Derry 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Derry: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Free guided tours up the clock tower of the neo-Gothic Guildhall, with views over the city walls and diamond. Tours run at set times and last 30 minutes.
🕐 Mon-Fri 10:00, 11:30, 14:00, 15:30; Sat 11:00
Free entry💡 Booking needed in summer — ring ahead or check at the tourist office inside. The tour includes the council chamber, which has a stained-glass window showing St Columba.
Hotels near Guildhall Tower Tours →A row of twelve large wall murals in the Bogside painted by local artists. They show key moments from the Troubles, including the Battle of the Bogside.
🕐 24 hours, but best viewed in daylight
Free entry💡 Go on a weekday morning — fewer vans. The mural on Rossville Street 'The Siege' has a hidden detail: a child's face in the smoke. Look closely.
Hotels near People's Gallery Murals →Ardmore Restaurant · ££
Glendermott House · ££
Deeper Into Derry
Small, self-guided museum covering the Civil Rights movement and Bloody Sunday. Exhibits include personal items and a replica street scene from 1969.
🕐 Tue-Sat 10:00-16:30
💡 Ask the staff for the key to the Free Derry Corner mural (just around the corner) — you can take photos without the usual tour bus blockade. Opens at 9:30am, not Mondays.
The only completely intact city walls in Ireland, built in the 1600s. A full walk is about a mile, with cannons and views over the Bogside and river Foyle.
🕐 24 hours
💡 Start at Bishop's Gate entrance early morning to dodge crowds. The War Memorial is a good photo spot with few tourists.
Starbucks
Brewers Fayre
Final Favourites & Departure
A large green space along the River Foyle with walking trails, a walled garden, and a playground. Also has a small farm with goats and sheep.
💡 Walk the river path from the walled garden to the Peace Bridge — takes 20 minutes, flat ground, good for spotting herons. Free parking at the main entrance.
Laurence's Bar
Link 47
Getting Around Derry
Book online for a 20% discount. Sit on the left for views of Lough Neagh after Toomebridge. Taxi from buscentre to hotel is £8.
Route 3 or 12. Get off at 'Beech Hill stop' on Bishop Street. Cash fares are exact change; contactless accepted on board.
Bus 12 from the station drops you right outside Beech Hill. Buy a day pass for £5.50 if you plan multiple trips.
Pre-book with Foyle Taxis to avoid surge pricing. The A6 is the main route; ask for a driver who takes the faster motorway via Randalstown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Derry?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Guildhall Tower Tours and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Derry?
See our full best time to visit Derry guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Holiday Inn Express, City Hotel, Groarty Manor Bed & Breakfast. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.