A Day in Derry: Your Ultimate 24-Hour Guide

You’ve got a day in Derry, a mere 24 hours to absorb as much culture, history, and cuisine as you can. Ack! Where to even begin? Derry (aka Londonderry or The Walled City) has so much to see and do, you’ll definitely find yourself wishing you had more time. But alas, a day in Derry is all you’ve got, so let’s make the most of it. Here’s your 24-hour Derry itinerary, packed with enough cool experiences and local gems to make your friends back home jealous and leave you itching to come back for more.

Before You Go to Derry

There’s two things you need to ensure you do before you go. First, Derry is a highly walkable city, so invest in a really good pair of walking shoes. You will thank me later. Second, buy a Visit Derry Pass online before you leave so that you’re not fussing upon arrival or spending more money than you need to. Reasonably priced at £25.00, it’s more than worth it and will get you into many of the attractions listed below.

Starting Your Day – Getting a Lay of the Land

You’re going to start your day with Martin McCrossan Walking Tours. You do not need to book this in advance but you do need to show up promptly at 11 Carlisle Road for the 10am tour. From here your guide will walk you through the gates of the Walled City and give you a history lesson that spans from the 6th century up to present. Having very little knowledge of Derry prior to my visit, I can honestly say that our guide Charlene McCrossan gave us just the right amount of context so that when we went deeper into the history in our next few stops, we didn’t feel likes such rubes.

I’m positive every tour guide with McCrossan Walking Tours is stellar, as it’s the only 5 star tour operator in Derry, but if you’re lucky enough to end up with Charlene, do ask her to do her impression of Aunt Sarah from Derry Girls. Brilliantly on point!

Deeper into Derry History

Derry’s history is so rich and complex, it must be approached several different ways in order to absorb it all. From understanding why a wall was built around it in the early 1600s to U-boats being sunk in the River Foyle at the end of WWII to the start of The Troubles, you are going to need to visit three museums, but don’t worry, you’ll have a stop for sustenance in between. Let’s go!

Tower Museum

After you leave your walking tour, you’ll want to head straight to the award-winning Tower Museum. The Tower Museum covers Derry’s history from it’s prehistoric origins right up to a special Derry Girls exhibit with memorabilia from the show. Filled with interactive multimedia and historic artifacts, the Tower Museum is just big enough to give you a firmer grasp of Derry’s history, but small enough that it won’t consume most of your day.

Lunch at Stitch & Weave

Once you leave the Tower Museum, it’s time to fuel up at Stitch & Weave located in Ebrington Square. Stitch & Weave offers up delicious seasonal and local food with stunning views of the Foyle. Because we’re jamming in a lot here, your short 11 minute walk over from the Tower Museum, is also an an excellent opportunity to take in the city views and learn the history of The Peace Bridge, a walking/cycle bridge that connects the waterside, where a largely unionist population still lives to the cityside where nationalists largely reside.

After you’ve filled up, walk off a bit of your lunch on your 16 minute walk over to the Museum of Free Derry.

Museum of Free Derry

The Museum of Free Derry is an absolute must when visiting Derry, particularly if civil rights are of interest to you. Covering Derry’s intense history from 1968 to 1972, this interactive museum allows guests to walk through at their own pace and learn about The Battle of the Bogside (widely accepted as the catalyst for the over 30 years of civil disobedience and violence known as The Troubles) to Bloody Sunday, when 14 men and boys were killed by British soldiers.

Curated with protest signs, weapons, letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, and audio and video recordings, the Museum of Free Derry provides a comprehensive overview of an incredibly tumultuous time in Derry and a window into why this city continues to stand staunchly for civil rights globally. Word to the wise: if you’re a crier like me, you may want to bring tissues for this one, or risk leaving with mascara-stained shirt sleeves. Yes, I did that.

Derry Peacemakers Museum and Gasyards Centre

Located just down the road from the Museum of Free Derry, The new Derry Peacemakers Museum and Gasyards Centre picks up where Free Derry leaves off, from August 1972 to May of 2007. Like Free Derry, this museum uses archival footage and interactive media to tell the story of how peace finally came to Derry after decades of turmoil.

Not opening until July 2024, I was able to take a hard hat tour of the project when I visited for a sneak peek. I was incredibly moved without seeing a single exhibit and only having it explained to me, so I anticipate this museum to be as moving as the Free Derry Museum. Worth noting, the Derry Peacemakers Museum also has an exhibit that focuses heavily on the impact female activists had in moving the peace process forward.

Get a Different Perspective

The River Foyle is a superstar both historically and in the here and now. A quick boat tour with Foyle Adventures is a must. The Foyle served as a border of sorts between Northern Ireland (unionists) and the Republic (nationalists) for many years. It’s also the resting place of many German U-boats which were surrendered here at the at end of WWII and subsequently sunk. Today however, the River Foyle allows for a unique view of a city at peace. (hot tip: watch for seals in the water)

Time to Freshen Up

Okay, your feet are tired and you need a breather before a travel debrief with your companions over dinner. There is no better place to do this than at The Ebrington Hotel, located in the historic Ebrington Square, your accommodations for the evening. So take another stroll over The Peace Bridge and if time permits, try to book yourself a massage in their spa or take some time to unwind in their hydrotherapy pool before dinner.

From Grain to Glass at Walled City Brewery

You’re almost at the finish line of your day in Derry and now it’s time to let loose and commit all you learned about Derry today to memory over drinks and dinner. It’s also time to maybe throw on some fancy shoes, because you’re not going far. The Walled City Brewery and Kitchen is your next stop and is conveniently located beside The Ebrington Hotel.

If beer is your beverage of choice, be sure to book the Grain to Glass Experience before dinner. The taproom located at the back of this historic 1872 building, is where brewmasters will walk you through the process of how they make their beer before allowing you to pull a flight for yourself. After your brewing experience head on over to their gastropub for more storytelling over incredible food.

Sweet Dreams of Derry

It’s been a day, so head back over to your room at the Ebrington Hotel to drift into a peaceful slumber. Be sure to take advantage of their extraordinary breakfast offering included with your stay before heading out the next day.

And there you have it—a whirlwind day in Derry that’s packed with history, culture, and delicious food. From the moment you set foot on the historic streets, to the emotional depths of its museums, and the vibrant flavours at the Walled City Brewery, Derry offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re gazing out over the River Foyle or walking the Peace Bridge, this city leaves a lasting impression. Trust me, one day is just the beginning—you’ll be planning your return trip before you know it. So, lace up those walking shoes, grab your Visit Derry Pass, and get ready to fall in love with the Walled City.

Disclosure: I was invited by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, and Northern Ireland Tourism to learn more about Ireland. All opinions expressed in this article are my own.