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Northern Ireland is, in my view, one of many extra underrated elements of Europe. Yes, it shares an island with the Republic of Ireland, and each of these nations 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 improper. But the Causeway Coast is one thing actually particular, and I feel is cause 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 many of the northern coast of Northern Ireland going through the Atlantic Ocean. The “Causeway Coast and Glens” native authorities district formally consists of elements 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 assume you’ll be able to reply the “what is the Causeway Coast?” query a couple of alternative ways!
But for the needs of this submit, we will 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 follow, 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 kind of alongside the coast, the drive would take you simply over 4 hours, based on Google Maps.
But as a way 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 key 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 hire 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 arrange, 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 in case you have time. Everything from gorgeous coastal views to citadel ruins to Game of Thrones filming places 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 stage 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’ll be able to e book tickets right here).
If you’ve got the time, although, this can be a actually cool journey!
Worth it? As lengthy as you’ve got 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, then you definately’ll need to make a cease at Glenarm Castle. This coastal property is the ancestral (and present) residence of the McDonnell household, Earls of Antrim. It’s nonetheless used as a non-public residence by the Earl and Countess of Antrim, however can also be open for excursions on choose dates.
Along with touring the citadel, guests can at all times discover the 18th century Walled Garden, go to the Heritage Center to study in regards to the McDonnell household, and see classic automobiles within the Coach House Museum. You may seize lunch, espresso, or ice cream right here.
Worth it? Yes, particularly in case 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 choose for a cease right here is at Cushendun to see the stunning seashore 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 beginning to her shadow/demon child). The caves are free to go to and do not take terribly lengthy to stroll round.
Worth it? Only in case you have time, although it is a fast cease.
Cost: Free
4. Torr Head
Just north of Cushendun, you’ll be able to detour off the primary street onto the Torr Head Scenic Route (the primary street will flip left; it’s best to flip proper onto Torr Road).
This quick, 15-mile drive between Cushendun and Ballyvoy isn’t 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 may) 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’ll be able to 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 right down to the coast. You’ll discover a small parking space subsequent to some livestock pastures, after which you’ll be able to stroll alongside a gravel path to the bay itself.
This quiet, protected bay is surrounded by steep, forested hills and is often fairly empty because of its secluded location. Some say it is one of the crucial stunning spots alongside the Causeway Coast – and I can not actually argue! You can stroll out onto the rocks and even get pleasure from a small sandy seashore 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 places 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 beautiful giant seashore (Ballycastle Strand) with views of Fair Head, a marina and seafront play park, and loads of cafe and restaurant choices.
If you are eager 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 may go to free of charge.
7. Kinbane Castle
After being closed for practically two years for conservation work, Kinbane Castle is lastly open once more! And I’m so pleased, as a result of it is personally my favourite smash alongside the Causeway Coast.
Set on a craggy limestone headland, not a lot is left as of late of the nice citadel constructed by Colla MacDonnell in 1547. The citadel was largely destroyed by the English within the sixteenth century, and at the moment solely elements of a guard tower are nonetheless standing. But these stays are in such an epic spot!
To get to Kinbane Castle, you do must stroll down 140 steps (and naturally again up them once more). From the underside of the steps, you’ll be able to discover a rocky seashore and all elements of the headland that the citadel was perched upon. The views again towards the mainland are particularly unbelievable and properly well worth the hike.
Worth it? Absolutely; I would not skip this spot if you may 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 web site is precisely 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 must 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 ft above the Atlantic Ocean. Once you cross the bridge you’ll be able to stroll across the small island, however the primary attraction actually is crossing the bridge itself.
Note that in case you solely need to see the bridge however not stroll throughout it, you are able to do the coastal stroll free of charge! The price solely applies to crossing the bridge.
This spot will get very busy in the course of the summer season months and on weekends, so it is suggested that you simply e book your ticket prematurely, or go early or later within the day. Even then, count on 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 common it’s, sure, I undoubtedly assume it is price it!
Cost: £13 for adults (and keep in mind, that is solely to cross the bridge; you should utilize the parking zone and do the coastal hike free of charge)
Pro tip: You can’t 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 in case you have zoom in your digicam/cellphone) from the Portaneevy Car Park & Viewpoint not far-off, although I’d advocate the hike if you are able to do it!
9. Ballintoy Harbour
Not removed from the rope bridge, you may 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 in case you’re a Game of Thrones fan; if not, you may in all probability skip it.
Cost: Free
10. Dark Hedges
Okay, so the Dark Hedges aren’t ON the Causeway Coast, however the web site is a brief 15-minute drive from Ballintoy Harbour, so I’m together with it anyway.
The Dark Hedges is a lane lined with massive, 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 because of Game of Thrones and Instagram, and the positioning turned a vacationer must-see.
(I’d say this web site 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 visitors as a way to shield the timber, so now it’s good to park in loads 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 needs 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 lots alongside the coast! White Park Bay is a phenomenal arc of golden sand alongside the Causeway Coast that stretches between two headlands. The seashore is managed by the National Trust, and is a surprising spot to go to.
Getting right down to the seashore does require a little bit of a stroll by means of some sand dunes, however it’s also possible to get a glimpse of the entire seashore from the parking space.
Worth it? Definitely price stopping to see, even in case you do not need to stroll right down to the seashore.
Cost: Free
12. Dunseverick Castle
Another citadel smash you’ll be able to 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 finally destroyed within the 1600s, and at the moment solely the shadow of a gate tower stays.
From the citadel parking space, it is attainable to stroll down into to boggy valley and climb as much as the citadel web site. (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 path, or Dunseverick Harbour within the different.
Worth it? The citadel smash itself is much less spectacular than others you will see, however the pure surroundings right here is wonderful! The hike could also be boggy and moist, although, so you should definitely put on correct sneakers in case you do it.
Cost: Free
13. Giant’s Causeway
Probably probably the most well-known web site 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 movement – or by the Irish big Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool), who is claimed to have constructed the Causeway as a way to attain Scotland to problem the large Benandonner. You can consider whichever origin story you like. 😉
Giant’s Causeway is without doubt one of the hottest vacationer sights in Northern Ireland. There’s a customer middle the place you’ll be able to study in regards to the Causeway, and so they additionally supply 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 middle, it is about half a mile to the most important focus of basalt columns. There are two completely different strolling trails you should utilize 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 middle, 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, but it surely’s quick, after which it is largely flat or downhill in your means again to the customer middle (and the views from the clifftop are superior!).
There’s additionally a shuttle bus that runs between the customer middle and the stones by way of the Blue Trail that you should utilize for a couple of kilos additional. This is price it for anybody with mobility points (or in case you simply do not need to stroll a half-mile uphill on the way in which again to the customer middle).
Worth it? Yes, for certain! It’s the preferred web site in Northern Ireland for a cause.
Cost: Technically it is free to go to the stones, however parking and going contained in the customer middle prices £13. Booking forward is really useful.
Pro tip: Since that is such a well-liked web site, it will possibly get very crowded. And attempting to discover the stones once they’re lined in individuals may be irritating. To keep away from the worst of the crowds, get there as near opening time as attainable to beat the tour buses, or go within the night round or after dinnertime.
14. Old Bushmills Distillery
A non-natural spot price 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 courting 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 in case you do not drink whiskey, visiting a distillery to study in regards to the historical past and craft may be fascinating.)
Cost: Distillery excursions value £15 and final 1 hour.
15. Dunluce Castle
How about another citadel smash for you? Dunluce Castle is the most important smash you’ll be able to go to alongside the Causeway Coast. There’s been a fortification of some type 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 displays 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 skin (and from a distance, so you’ll be able to see the steep cliffs it is constructed on high of), however in case you get pleasure from historical past you will in all probability assume touring it’s price it.
Cost: £6 per grownup, which you’ll pay whenever 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 carpark?
This automobile park, nevertheless, gives up among the most epic views of the Causeway Coast!
Walking paths result in viewing platforms with views in the direction of Dunluce Castle and a set 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 received among the greatest footage of our entire 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’ll be able to see from Magheracross Viewpoint (however Google Maps wasn’t fairly certain 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 number 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 residence to the well-known Dunluce Links, mentioned to be one of the crucial difficult golf programs on this planet.
Worth it? Definitely price 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 actual “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/constructions to see.
Worth it? If you’ve got time for a cease, sure. The grounds are a pleasant place for a stroll.
Cost: £5 parking price
Want extra Northern Ireland? You may additionally like these posts:
Where to remain on the Causeway Coast
Like I discussed above, seeing the whole lot alongside the coast of Northern Ireland goes to take you a minimum of a few days. So staying alongside the coast is right!
You may both select a central location as a base, or break up your time between spots within the east and west. There are numerous small lodge and B&B choices alongside the Causeway Coast to select from, however listed below are a couple of strategies to get you began:
- Ballygally Castle – Located within the east not removed from Belfast, this can be a enjoyable choice in case you’ve at all times wished 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’ll be able to’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 implausible mattress and breakfast choice is the character-filled Whitepark House in Ballintoy. It’s each cozy and splendid; good for a coastal getaway.
- Bayview Hotel – This Portballintrae lodge is an award-winning lodge 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 lodge 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 conventional gas-lit bar.
- Galgorm – And although this spa resort isn’t on the coast, it is nonetheless an important base for the Causeway Coast. Along with lodge 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 hire a automobile and drive your self? You clearly could have much less freedom and adaptability to go to each spot on this record in case you e book a tour, however it’s attainable to see numerous the highlights on day journeys like these:
Who’s able to plan a visit to see the Causeway Coast?