Coast & beaches Family-friendly Food & drink Walking
More than one famous stop
Most people know the Giant’s Causeway from photographs, and many see it on a long day trip from Dublin or Belfast. Stay a couple of nights and you’ll find the whole coastline is the attraction: castles on cliff edges, sandy beaches, old harbour villages and a rope bridge to an island, all within half an hour of each other.
Bushmills makes a handy base, close to the Causeway and with a few good pubs, but Portrush, Portstewart and Ballycastle all work too, depending on your style.
The Giant’s Causeway, done right
The Causeway is a field of about 40,000 basalt columns stepping into the sea, formed by volcanic activity around 60 million years ago. Legend says the giant Finn McCool built it to reach Scotland. Either way, it’s extraordinary.
Here’s the local tip: the stones themselves are free to visit on foot. The National Trust charges for the visitor centre and car park, which include an audio guide and exhibition. Go early in the morning or in the evening, when the coach tours have gone and the light is softer. Then take the clifftop path for the view from above, and come down the Shepherd’s Steps.
Along the coast
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: a swaying bridge 30 metres above the sea to a tiny island where fishermen once caught salmon. Book a time slot in advance, especially in summer.
- Dunluce Castle: a ruined medieval castle on the cliff edge, where part of the kitchen is said to have fallen into the sea.
- The Dark Hedges: an avenue of twisted beech trees made famous by Game of Thrones. Go at dawn for the best chance of having it to yourself.
- Whitepark Bay: a sweeping beach between the Causeway and Ballintoy, often with cattle wandering in the dunes.
- Ballintoy Harbour: a tiny, photogenic harbour at the bottom of a steep lane.
Bushmills Distillery
Bushmills traces its licence to distil back to 1608, and the tour walks you through the working distillery, its smells of malt and wood, before finishing with a tasting. It’s an ideal rainy afternoon, and a good reason to stay in the village rather than drive.
Portrush and the beaches
Portrush is the classic seaside town of the north coast, with amusements, chippers and long beaches either side of the town. Royal Portrush has hosted The Open, and golfers will want to book a round well ahead. Next door, Portstewart Strand is a long, wild beach with big dunes behind it for a good walk.
Surfers love this stretch of coast, and several schools offer beginner lessons in summer.
When to go
Spring and early autumn are the sweet spot. Summer is busy, and the July holidays in Northern Ireland bring big crowds to the coast. The weather changes fast here, so pack waterproofs and good shoes whatever the month.
When it rains
The Giant’s Causeway visitor centre, the Bushmills Distillery tour and a long lunch in Portrush or Ballycastle are your best options. Dunluce Castle has a small exhibition, and the coast is dramatic in rough weather, so wrap up and watch the waves from a safe spot. Avoid the rope bridge in high winds: it closes when it’s unsafe.
Where to stay
Bushmills is the handiest base for the Causeway, with old inns and pubs. Portrush and Portstewart suit a seaside break with more nightlife and restaurants, and Ballycastle is closest to Carrick-a-Rede, Fair Head and the Rathlin ferry.
A two-night plan
Friday: arrive in Bushmills or Portrush and have dinner by the sea.
Saturday: the Giant’s Causeway early, then Carrick-a-Rede, Ballintoy Harbour and Whitepark Bay.
Sunday: Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges, then the Bushmills Distillery or a walk on Portstewart Strand before home.
Good to know before you go
- Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling, though cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Book Carrick-a-Rede time slots online, especially in summer.
- Visit the Causeway early or late to miss the coach tours.
- The first two weeks of July are very busy on the north coast.
- The Causeway Rambler bus links the main sights in summer, so you can leave the car at the hotel for a day.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Giant’s Causeway free?
The stones are free to visit on foot along the public path. You pay for the National Trust visitor centre and its car park, which include an audio guide and exhibition.
Can I do the Causeway Coast without a car?
Yes, in summer. Take the train to Coleraine or Portrush and use the seasonal Causeway Rambler bus, which links Bushmills, the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.
How long should I spend on the Causeway Coast?
Two nights lets you see the main sights without rushing. Three adds time for beaches, walks and a round of golf.
Is the Causeway Coast good for families?
Yes. The Causeway itself, the beaches at Portrush and Whitepark Bay, Dunluce Castle and the rope bridge are all great with children.
Where we’d stay
An old coaching inn with turf fires, a short drive from the Causeway.
Right beside the Giant's Causeway, so you can walk down at sunrise.
On the seafront in Ballycastle, handy for Carrick-a-Rede.
We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Getting there without a car
You can do this coast by train and bus, especially in the summer months.
- Train from Dublin to Belfast, then Belfast to Coleraine and Portrush, about 4 hours in total.
- The seasonal Causeway Rambler bus between Coleraine, Bushmills, the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.
- Day tours from Belfast if you’d rather not plan the connections.
Timetables change, especially on bank holidays, so check with the operator before you travel.
