Northern Ireland is, in my view, one of many extra underrated components of Europe. Yes, it shares an island with the Republic of Ireland, and each of these international locations share issues like citadel ruins, historical historical past, and delightful surroundings. But Northern Ireland has one thing additional distinctive: the Causeway Coast.
Ireland has some unbelievable shoreline, too, do not get me incorrect. But the Causeway Coast is one thing actually particular, and I believe is motive sufficient by itself so that you can plan a visit to Northern Ireland!
What is the Causeway Coast?
The Causeway Coast is abruptly a geographic space, a authorities district, and a well-liked driving route.
Geographically talking, the Causeway Coast covers a lot of the northern coast of Northern Ireland going through the Atlantic Ocean. The “Causeway Coast and Glens” native authorities district formally consists of components of County Antrim and County Derry. And the Causeway Coastal Route is a driving route skirting the coast of Northern Ireland stretching all the way in which from Belfast to Derry.
So I suppose you possibly can reply the “what is the Causeway Coast?” query a number of other ways!
But for the needs of this publish, we’ll say that the Causeway Coast encompasses the coastal (and barely inland) areas of Northern Ireland between Belfast and Derry. On paper, this can be a distance of lower than 150 miles of coastal driving. In observe, although, the highlights may take you days to see.
How lengthy does it take to see the Causeway Coast?
If you have been to drive from Belfast to Derry roughly alongside the coast, the drive would take you simply over 4 hours, based on Google Maps.
But to be able to actually see all of the highlights on this a part of Northern Ireland, you are going to want a minimum of a few days!
You can see the most important highlights of the Causeway Coast with 2 full days. But 3 or 4 days can be even higher, and would permit you the liberty to take your time and discover much more.
Need to lease a automobile in Northern Ireland? I like to make use of Auto Europe to check costs. Search for a rental automobile right here.
18 issues to see alongside the Causeway Coast
To make this record simpler to prepare, I’m going to take you alongside the Causeway Coast in geographical order from east to west, beginning in Belfast and ending in Derry.
Some of those websites are main highlights (like Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge), whereas others simply make for good photograph stops if in case you have time. Everything from beautiful coastal views to citadel ruins to Game of Thrones filming areas will function on this record!
1. The Gobbins stroll
The Gobbins Cliff Path is situated about half an hour away from Belfast alongside the coast. This adventurous cliff-face stroll takes you throughout bridges and previous caves nearly at sea degree alongside the crashing coast.
The stroll is not essentially a stroll, because it’s 3 miles lengthy out-and-back, and consists of the equal of fifty flights of stairs, a few of that are uneven and slender. You can also solely do that stroll as a part of a guided tour that takes 3 hours, so it isn’t a fast cease and requires some pre-planning (you possibly can ebook tickets right here).
If you could have the time, although, this can be a actually cool journey!
Worth it? As lengthy as you could have the three hours to dedicate to the guided hike and are dressed for the climate (the tour runs rain or shine), then sure!
Cost: £20 per grownup
2. Glenarm Castle
If castles and manicured gardens are extra your pace, you then’ll need to make a cease at Glenarm Castle. This coastal property is the ancestral (and present) house of the McDonnell household, Earls of Antrim. It’s nonetheless used as a non-public house by the Earl and Countess of Antrim, however can be open for excursions on choose dates.
Along with touring the citadel, guests can all the time discover the 18th century Walled Garden, go to the Heritage Center to study concerning the McDonnell household, and see classic automobiles within the Coach House Museum. You may also seize lunch, espresso, or ice cream right here.
Worth it? Yes, particularly when you love fancy estates and gardens.
Cost: Varies
3. Cushendun Caves
Further up the coast are the villages of Cushendall and Cushendun, each quaint little spots with cute cottages and comfortable pubs.
My decide for a cease right here is at Cushendun to see the beautiful seaside and the Cushendun Caves, a sequence of sea-carved caves that have been utilized in Game of Thrones (it was right here that Melisandre gave start to her shadow/demon child). The caves are free to go to and do not take terribly lengthy to stroll round.
Worth it? Only if in case you have time, although it is a fast cease.
Cost: Free
4. Torr Head
Just north of Cushendun, you possibly can detour off the principle street onto the Torr Head Scenic Route (the principle street will flip left; you must flip proper onto Torr Road).
This quick, 15-mile drive between Cushendun and Ballyvoy will not be for the faint of coronary heart (do not let the road down the center of the street idiot you; it is barely wider than a single lane street with frequent cliff-like drop-offs on one aspect), however it’s severely EPIC.
You can (and will) cease at Torr Head itself, a dramatic headland with the stays of an 1800s coast guard/signaling station on high. You can climb as much as the ruins for nice views in all instructions. On a transparent day, you possibly can see throughout the water to Scotland!
Worth it? Yes!
Cost: Free
5. Murlough Bay
If you thought Torr Head was cool, then wait till you see Murlough Bay!
Also situated off the Torr Head Scenic Route, Murlough Bay is reached by way of a slender gravel street main all the way down to the coast. You’ll discover a small parking space subsequent to some livestock pastures, after which you possibly can stroll alongside a gravel path to the bay itself.
This quiet, protected bay is surrounded by steep, forested hills and is normally fairly empty due to its secluded location. Some say it is one of the vital lovely spots alongside the Causeway Coast – and I am unable to actually argue! You can stroll out onto the rocks and even take pleasure in a small sandy seaside at low tide.
Murlough Bay was utilized in a number of Game of Thrones scenes, too, although you will not discover it as crowded as different filming areas in Northern Ireland.
Worth it? Definitely
Cost: Free
6. Ballycastle
From Murlough Bay, it is a quick drive to the city of Ballycastle, one of many bigger cities on the Causeway Coast (inhabitants of round 5200). Ballycastle has a stunning massive seaside (Ballycastle Strand) with views of Fair Head, a marina and seafront play park, and loads of cafe and restaurant choices.
If you are desirous to make a journey to Rathlin Island, the ferry leaves from Ballycastle.
Worth it? Yes, it is a actually cute city with some good cafes.
Cost: There are a number of free public parking heaps on the town, so you can go to without spending a dime.
7. Kinbane Castle
After being closed for almost two years for conservation work, Kinbane Castle is lastly open once more! And I’m so blissful, as a result of it is personally my favourite destroy alongside the Causeway Coast.
Set on a craggy limestone headland, not a lot is left as of late of the good citadel constructed by Colla MacDonnell in 1547. The citadel was largely destroyed by the English within the sixteenth century, and at this time solely components of a guard tower are nonetheless standing. But these stays are in such an epic spot!
To get to Kinbane Castle, you do need to stroll down 140 steps (and naturally again up them once more). From the underside of the steps, you possibly can discover a rocky seaside and all components of the headland that the citadel was perched upon. The views again towards the mainland are particularly unbelievable and nicely definitely worth the hike.
Worth it? Absolutely; I would not skip this spot if you can also make the trek down the steps!
Cost: Free
8. Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
Not removed from Kinbane Castle, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is without doubt one of the high spots to go to alongside the Causeway Coast. The website is strictly what it is billed as: a 60-foot-long rope bridge connecting the mainland to a small island.
The bridge was first constructed about 250 years in the past and was traditionally utilized by fishermen to go over to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede to fish for salmon. Today, it is totally a vacationer attraction managed and maintained by the National Trust in Northern Ireland.
You do need to hike from the doorway space/parking zone to get to the bridge (it is about 1 kilometer or .6 miles every means), and the bridge itself is suspended nearly 100 toes above the Atlantic Ocean. Once you cross the bridge you possibly can stroll across the small island, however the principle attraction actually is crossing the bridge itself.
Note that when you solely need to see the bridge however not stroll throughout it, you are able to do the coastal stroll without spending a dime! The price solely applies to crossing the bridge.
This spot will get very busy through the summer season months and on weekends, so it’s endorsed that you just ebook your ticket upfront, or go early or later within the day. Even then, anticipate a slight wait. (The photograph above was taken pretty early within the morning on a September day, and you’ll see the road of individuals ready their flip to cross the bridge.)
Worth it? Despite how standard it’s, sure, I undoubtedly assume it is value it!
Cost: £13 for adults (and keep in mind, that is solely to cross the bridge; you need to use the parking zone and do the coastal hike without spending a dime)
Pro tip: You can not see the rope bridge from the parking zone. If you do not have time to do the hike, you *can* get a glimpse of it (particularly if in case you have a very good zoom in your digital camera/telephone) from the Portaneevy Car Park & Viewpoint not far-off, although I’d suggest the hike if you are able to do it!
9. Ballintoy Harbour
Not removed from the rope bridge, you can also make a fast cease at Ballintoy Harbour, a small fishing harbor that was made well-known by Game of Thrones (it was utilized in a number of scenes set within the Greyjoy Kingdom of Pyke within the Iron Islands).
Worth it? For a fast photograph cease when you’re a Game of Thrones fan; if not, you can in all probability skip it.
Cost: Free
10. Dark Hedges
Okay, so the Dark Hedges aren’t ON the Causeway Coast, however the website is a brief 15-minute drive from Ballintoy Harbour, so I’m together with it anyway.
The Dark Hedges is a lane lined with large, twisted beech timber. The timber have been initially planted within the 1700s by the Stuart household to line the avenue main as much as their manor, Gracehill House. In the mid-2010s, although, the Dark Hedges have been made well-known due to Game of Thrones and Instagram, and the positioning turned a vacationer must-see.
(I’d say this website is extra of an Instagram darling than a Game of Thrones one, although, for the reason that timber solely appeared in a single scene in a single episode of the present.)
Regardless, it is now a well-liked cease in Northern Ireland. The a part of Bregagh Road the timber are planted on has been closed to vehicular site visitors to be able to defend the timber, so now you might want to park in rather a lot entrance of the Hedges Hotel and stroll by way of a wooded path to see the positioning.
(And please abide by these new guidelines; parking close to the timber is actually killing them, and no one desires your automobile ruining their images.)
Worth it? Some individuals are underwhelmed, particularly in the event that they go to on a busy day. But I do assume the timber are cool, and it is a pretty fast cease.
Cost: Free
11. White Park Bay Beach
Even although it’s possible you’ll not affiliate the UK and Ireland with seashores, there are loads alongside the coast! White Park Bay is a gorgeous arc of golden sand alongside the Causeway Coast that stretches between two headlands. The seaside is managed by the National Trust, and is a shocking spot to go to.
Getting all the way down to the seaside does require a little bit of a stroll by some sand dunes, however you too can get a glimpse of the entire seaside from the parking space.
Worth it? Definitely value stopping to see, even when you do not need to stroll all the way down to the seaside.
Cost: Free
12. Dunseverick Castle
Another citadel destroy you possibly can cease at is what’s left of Dunseverick Castle. There’s been a fort or citadel on this craggy promontory since a minimum of the fifth century, and it is mentioned to have been attacked by Vikings and visited a minimum of as soon as by Saint Patrick. Dunseverick Castle was ultimately destroyed within the 1600s, and at this time solely the shadow of a gate tower stays.
From the citadel parking space, it is doable to stroll down into to boggy valley and climb as much as the citadel website. (Just watch out, as the bottom is spongy and the hills are steep!) You can see the tower up shut, in addition to historical low earthworks surrounding the positioning.
From Dunseverick, the Causeway Cliff Path can take you to Giant’s Causeway in a single course, or Dunseverick Harbour within the different.
Worth it? The citadel destroy itself is much less spectacular than others you may see, however the pure surroundings right here is superb! The hike could also be boggy and moist, although, so make sure you put on correct footwear when you do it.
Cost: Free
13. Giant’s Causeway
Probably probably the most well-known website alongside the Causeway Coast is Giant’s Causeway itself.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 40,000+ interlocking hexagonal basalt columns that have been shaped throughout an historical volcanic lava stream – or by the Irish big Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool), who is alleged to have constructed the Causeway to be able to attain Scotland to problem the enormous Benandonner. You can imagine whichever origin story you like. ????
Giant’s Causeway is without doubt one of the hottest vacationer points of interest in Northern Ireland. There’s a customer heart the place you possibly can study concerning the Causeway, they usually additionally provide audio guides and guided excursions.
The stones are a slight distance away, so know that this is not a fast photograph cease! From the customer heart, it is about half a mile to the most important focus of basalt columns. There are two totally different strolling trails you need to use to achieve them; one alongside the underside of the cliff (the Blue Trail), and one cliff-top stroll (the Red Trail).
I like to recommend taking the Blue Trail downhill from the customer heart, spending as a lot time as you need exploring the stones (they’re formed completely to behave as pure steps; simply watch out if it is moist!), after which connecting to the cliff-top Red Trail by way of the Shepherd’s Steps.
Yes, the uphill climb is steep, however it’s quick, after which it is largely flat or downhill in your means again to the customer heart (and the views from the clifftop are superior!).
There’s additionally a shuttle bus that runs between the customer heart and the stones by way of the Blue Trail that you need to use for a number of kilos additional. This is value it for anybody with mobility points (or when you simply do not need to stroll a half-mile uphill on the way in which again to the customer heart).
Worth it? Yes, for positive! It’s the preferred website in Northern Ireland for a motive.
Cost: Technically it is free to go to the stones, however parking and going contained in the customer heart prices £13. Booking forward is beneficial.
Pro tip: Since that is such a well-liked website, it may well get very crowded. And making an attempt to discover the stones once they’re lined in individuals will be irritating. To keep away from the worst of the crowds, get there as near opening time as doable to beat the tour buses, or go within the night round or after dinnertime.
14. Old Bushmills Distillery
A non-natural spot value visiting alongside the coast is the Old Bushmills Distillery within the village of Bushmills. The village is near Giant’s Causeway, and Old Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, with a license to make whiskey relationship again to 1608.
You can take a tour of the distillery to study all about Irish whiskey and the way Bushmills makes its triple-distilled “water of life.” Everything they make is distilled, aged, and bottled proper right here.
Worth it? If you’ve got not visited a distillery earlier than, or are a fan of Bushmills, then undoubtedly! (Even when you do not drink whiskey, visiting a distillery to study concerning the historical past and craft will be attention-grabbing.)
Cost: Distillery excursions price £15 and final 1 hour.
15. Dunluce Castle
How about another citadel destroy for you? Dunluce Castle is the most important destroy you possibly can go to alongside the Causeway Coast. There’s been a fortification of some sort on this rocky outcrop for greater than 1000 years, however the present citadel ruins are largely from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when Dunluce was the seat of Clan McQuillan, after which Clan MacDonnell.
You can tour the citadel ruins and see some historic reveals inside. Just beware that it is mentioned to be haunted by a banshee!
Worth it? I actually assume this citadel is extra spectacular from the surface (and from a distance, so you possibly can see the steep cliffs it is constructed on high of), however when you take pleasure in historical past you may in all probability assume touring it’s value it.
Cost: £6 per grownup, which you’ll pay while you go to
16. Magheracross Viewpoint
I’m satisfied that most individuals skip this spot as a result of it is marked as “Magheracross Car Park & Viewpoint” on Google Maps – and what’s thrilling about a parking lot?
This automobile park, nevertheless, presents up a few of the most epic views of the Causeway Coast!
Walking paths result in viewing platforms with views in direction of Dunluce Castle and a group of white limestone rock formations and arches.
There’s ample parking, in addition to picnic tables and benches if you wish to deliver a snack or meal with you.
This spot was very quiet once we visited within the late afternoon, so we despatched the drone up – and obtained a few of the finest footage of our complete journey!
Worth it? Yes, sure, sure! Great photograph ops right here.
Cost: Free
17. Portrush
Elliot and I drove into the city of Portrush as a result of I used to be looking for the white rock formations you possibly can see from Magheracross Viewpoint (however Google Maps wasn’t fairly positive the place they have been). This ended up being a contented accident, as a result of the city of Portrush is lovable!
Portrush is without doubt one of the largest cities on the Causeway Coast, with a inhabitants of about 7000 individuals. The city is constructed on a small peninsula, and has a lot of cafes, eating places, and pubs to select from. You’ll additionally discover the legendary Royal Portrush Golf Club proper on the coast. The golf membership is house to the well-known Dunluce Links, mentioned to be one of the vital difficult golf programs on this planet.
Worth it? Definitely value stopping for a meal, a cup of espresso, or a pint.
Cost: Depends on what you do!
18. Mussenden Temple
The final spot on this record is inside Downhill Demesne, an 18th century property in County Londonderry that is now managed by the National Trust. The former mansion on the property is generally destroyed, however the true “star” right here is the Mussenden Temple, a spherical constructing perched proper on a cliff edge that was initially constructed because the property’s library.
The spherical, column-covered construction was modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Rome, and is without doubt one of the most-photographed buildings in Northern Ireland.
On the property there are additionally strolling trails, gardens, a espresso store, and some extra buildings/buildings to see.
Worth it? If you could have time for a cease, sure. The grounds are a pleasant place for a stroll.
Cost: £5 parking price
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Where to remain on the Causeway Coast
Like I discussed above, seeing every thing alongside the coast of Northern Ireland goes to take you a minimum of a few days. So staying alongside the coast is good!
You may both select a central location as a base, or cut up your time between spots within the east and west. There are a number of small resort and B&B choices alongside the Causeway Coast to select from, however listed here are a number of recommendations to get you began:
- Ballygally Castle – Located within the east not removed from Belfast, this can be a enjoyable possibility when you’ve all the time needed to sleep in a citadel! It was in-built 1625, and is situated proper on the ocean.
- Glass Island B&B – Looking for an upscale B&B vibe? Then you possibly can’t beat Glass Island in Ballycastle. With a handy location and a very good cooked breakfast every morning, this is able to make an important base for exploring.
- Whitepark House – Another incredible mattress and breakfast possibility is the character-filled Whitepark House in Ballintoy. It’s each cozy and splendid; excellent for a coastal getaway.
- Bayview Hotel – This Portballintrae resort is an award-winning resort near Giant’s Causeway. It has an on-site restaurant and rooms with sea views.
- The Bushmills Inn Hotel – Found within the coronary heart of Bushmills, this 4-star boutique resort dates all the way in which again to the 1600s! This cozy spot additionally has fireplaces, an on-site restaurant (which serves afternoon tea), and a standard gas-lit bar.
- Galgorm – And although this spa resort will not be on the coast, it is nonetheless an important base for the Causeway Coast. Along with resort rooms, cottages, and shepherd’s huts to remain in, visitor additionally get full entry to the resort’s thermal village.
Causeway Coast excursions
Don’t need to lease a automobile and drive your self? You clearly may have much less freedom and adaptability to go to each spot on this record when you ebook a tour, however it’s doable to see a number of the highlights on day journeys like these:
Who’s able to plan a visit to see the Causeway Coast?