We have 2 full days to explore Londonderry and area, Sunday June 12th and Monday June 13th. These dates cannot be changed.
The plan is 1 day to explore the old city and 1 day to do a day trip to the Coleraine area, a beach or seaside area, great scenery, perhaps the Giants Causeway, though we have been to several other places with Basalt Columns so could be included but not required.
We have been to several distilleries, so Bushmills is not on our to do list.

We prefer off the beaten track and quieter areas to explore on the day trip. Places to walk, great scenery/views and historical sights, perhaps quirky not much interested in stately homes, we have done many previously.
Question: Sunday or Monday to explore Londonderry old city, or to do the day trip? Which day would be busier or quieter in either location?
Question: Can anyone suggest a circular route that starts and ends in Londonderry? 8-10 hours total time? For this part of our trip, we don’t want to be tied to locations that require booking online and prepaying for visiting, whatever turns up along the road is fine.
We will have travelled from Belfast June 11.
Thanks!

I personally was quite fascinated with both Londonderry and Giant’s Causeway. Londonderry’s history truly makes it special. I’d advise watching a few episodes of Derry Girls to get in the mood.

if you do a trip from Derry to Balintoy you can see Giants Causeway, Carrick -a -rede with its famous rope bridge , the Doagh famine village and th eulster American folk park .
We loved seeing Dunluce Castle or rather whats left of it .The coastal road is one of the ,most scenic in the world. . You could also catch a ferry to Rathlin island .
You could also go the other way and go to Donegal.