The Tower Museum — an award-winning museum opened in 1992, ingeniously embedded within the medieval O'Doherty Tower ruins and Magazine Gate bastion. Since opening, it has won multiple awards including Irish Museum of the Year and UK Museum of the Year, and has been shortlisted for European Museum of the Year. The museum is located at Union Hall Place within the city walls, cleverly utilising the space of Magazine Gate bastion to condense Derry's millennia-long history across five floors of galleries. Two permanent exhibitions — "The Story of Derry" traces the city's journey from prehistoric times to the present day, offering the golden key to understanding this complex city; "Armada Shipwreck — La Trinidad Valencera" displays salvaged artefacts from a 1588 Spanish Armada vessel, including bronze cannons, sailors' shoes, pottery and coins — one of the world's most important underwater archaeological collections. A new "Derry Girls Experience" zone was added in 2024, recreating classic sets including the Quinn family living room and Erin's bedroom, making it an essential pilgrimage for fans of the show. The fifth-floor open-air rooftop viewing platform offers the only 360-degree panoramic viewpoint within the city, encompassing the historic city walls, River Foyle and Peace Bridge. In 2026, "The Story of Derry" exhibition closed on 1 March, with some collections moving to the DNA Museum opening in 2027 — seize the final opportunity for a museum journey spanning millennia.
From Armada bronze cannons to the youthful memories of Derry Girls, from a millennium of city history to 360-degree panoramas atop the city walls — step into Northern Ireland's most underrated treasure museum
In the morning, ascend the 17th-century city walls at Shipquay Gate and walk anticlockwise along the 1.5km diamond-shaped walkway, passing the "Roaring Meg" iron cannon at Double Bastion and six bastions, overlooking the Bogside murals and the River Foyle — the "Maiden City" that was never breached unfolds beneath you. Descend the walls to explore the Guildhall, admiring the exquisite stained glass windows donated by the London Livery Companies beneath the Big Ben-inspired clock tower, learning about the complex history of the Ulster Plantation. In the afternoon, enter the Tower Museum, travelling through Derry from the Stone Age to the present — "The Story of Derry" uses immersive scenes to recreate key moments including the siege gate-closing, medieval market streets, industrial revolution and peace process; "Armada Shipwreck — La Trinidad Valencera" displays the bronze cannons, sailors' leather shoes, pottery fragments and coins recovered in 1971 by the Derry Sub-Aqua Club in Kinnagoe Bay; the "Derry Girls Experience" recreates the Quinn family living room and Erin's bedroom, where fans can pose for photos sitting in Sister Michael's chair. Finally, ascend to the fifth-floor open-air viewing platform for a 360-degree panorama of the entire city — the historic city walls, St Columb's Cathedral spire, the S-shaped arc of the Peace Bridge and the distant DNA Museum construction site. In the evening, walk along the eastern section of the walls to St Columb's Cathedral, then cross the Peace Bridge in the lingering echo of the 1689 siege bells, bringing a perfect close to your half-day museum journey.
Just a 2-minute walk from the museum on Shipquay Street, a TripAdvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice winner. Featuring the highest quality seasonal local Irish ingredients with a menu balancing tradition and contemporary style — burnt-butter Foyle salmon (£18), slow-braised veal cheek with black garlic jus (£22), Indian Tikka curry chicken (£14) are all worth trying. Breakfast served until 11:30, Detroit-style pizza available all day on weekends. Extensive and affordable wine list. Average £20-35, advance booking recommended.
Less than a minute's walk from the museum, a TripAdvisor 4.8-rated Asian culinary gem. Signature Thai green curry, Vietnamese Pho beef noodle soup (£12) and Tom Yum soup (£9.50) are fresh, balanced and authentic. The owner is from Vietnam, and every dish carries genuine Southeast Asian home-style flavours. Small and cosy, often full at lunchtime. Average £10-18, no reservation needed but arrive before 12:30.
A warm Italian restaurant a 3-minute walk from the museum, famous for handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. Signature seafood linguine (£14), spicy salsiccia pizza (£13) and tiramisu (£6.50) are must-order combinations. Relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed lunch after visiting the museum. Average £15-25, advance booking recommended for weekend dinners.
A 5-minute walk away, a TripAdvisor 4.7-rated hidden gem. Signature hummus with pitta bread, charcoal-grilled chicken shawarma (£14) and pomegranate molasses roasted aubergine are unforgettable. Large mezze platter (£18) is perfect for sharing, refreshingly paired with mint lemonade. Elegant and warm decor, the perfect choice to reward your taste buds after a half-day museum tour. Average £15-28, advance booking recommended.