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Activities & Attractions along the Causeway Coastal Route

A whole host of attractions and activities await travelers along the Causeway Coastal Route. Maybe you’d like to get wet while coasteering under cliffs and over rocks. Perhaps you’d prefer to wet your whistle with some fine whiskey at Old Bushmills Distillery. Or why not explore local myths and legends with a trip to the Giant’s Causeway?

Whatever your passion, you’re sure to find an incredible selection of activities, restaurants and accommodation along this world-famous coastal route, as well as friendly locals to share the experience with. They’ll only be too happy to show you how we do it in Northern Ireland.

Experiences fit for giants

The imposing Carrickfergus Castle is an early stop off if you’re starting the Causeway Coastal Route from Belfast. This medieval construction has had a rich and colourful role in the history of Northern Ireland and its story is integral to the story of its people.

Further along the route is the world famous The Gobbins Cliff Path. When railway engineer, Berkeley Deane Wise, constructed this cliff walk in 1902, it was declared “a perfect marvel of engineering”...“with no parallel in Europe”. Located on the scenic Islandmagee peninsula, The Gobbins is not for the faint-hearted. You will face dramatic and challenging paths that include spectacular suspension bridges, caves, steps and tunnels. In other words, it is an unforgettable experience!

Become king or queen of the North

Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, the Game of Thrones® Tour , by Giant Tours Ireland, offers you a great way to see some of the most spectacular parts of Northern Ireland. Many of Northern Ireland’s remote locations featured as filming locations for the HBO hit TV series, and on an intimate tour like this, you’ll be setting foot in the real life ‘Westeros’.

Thronies will want to experience an aerial tour of the 'Seven Kingdoms', catch a boat from 'Lordsport Harbour' and enjoy themed afternoon tea in Ballygally Castle Hotel. Or why not pack up the car and do the Game of Thrones® self-drive tour, exploring the various filming locations at your own leisure? The official app will help you navigate your way around each of the ‘10 doors’ and other filming locations from the show.

Cross that bridge when you come to it... if you’re brave enough!

Having been inspired by all the stories of bravery and valour, you will no doubt have the courage to cross the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge...or will you? It’s much sturdier now than when it was originally built by salmon fishermen over 350 years ago, yet this experience never fails to stir up all the senses.

With a strong breeze from the Atlantic Ocean blowing through your hair, the sound of the waves crashing and swirling 30 metres below your feet and the smell of the sea filling your nostrils, it’s exceptionally exhilarating. An unforgettable opportunity to get back to nature and test your nerves of steel.

If you prefer to view the bridge from an alternative perspective, you can always see what it looks like from the water with Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours.

Embrace a Giant Spirit

Further along the Causeway Coastal Route is Northern Ireland’s most famous site. Legend has it that the Giant’s Causeway was created when legendary Irish giant, Fionn MacCool, constructed a bridge to Scotland to take on his arch foe Bennandonner. In reality, the famous causeway is the result of a volcanic eruption which left behind this strangely perfect hexagonal patchwork that reaches out into the sea.

The most straight-forward way of experiencing the Giant’s Causeway is to begin your visit at the Visitor Centre and then stroll down to the intriguing stones to search out distinctive formations such as the Camel, Wishing Chair, Granny and Organ.

Away-A-Wee Walk provide guided walking day tours along the stunning Giant’s Causeway cliffs, taking lesser-known paths off the beaten track. If you’re used to trekking across country, this might be the perfect option for you, giving a different perspective of the causeway and avoiding crowds at the same time.

Whatever way you choose to explore it, the Giant’s Causeway, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Northern Ireland, is well worth the visit.

Giant appetites also catered for

On Wendy Gallagher’s Causeway Coast Foodie Tours you can explore and eat as you go. Wash down everything from eel and goat with local craft ales, whiskey, gin, cider or coffee and ingest the views with your eyes.

Along with fresh Atlantic air comes even fresher Atlantic breezes and we will admit, there are days when you will feel the chill on the Causeway Coast. Just as well that one of Ireland’s finest and most famous whiskeys has been produced in the nearby Old Bushmills Distillery for over 400 years. Take a tour and find out all about the maker’s traditional methods before enjoying a kindly drop in their cosy bar.

Embrace your adventurous spirit

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or trying something new, we highly recommend that you indulge in a little coasteering along this dramatic coast. Coasteering NI know the best spots to take you and these guys guarantee a day full of thrills, spills, laughter, and adrenaline.

If you prefer to spend your time in the water, Aquaholics Diving & Sea Tours in Portstewart will bring you through the teeming and unspoiled underwater world of Northern Ireland. They offer a full range of scuba diving courses along the Causeway Coast - a first class experience.

Or if you’re keen to keep your feet dry, then you might prefer to take a day trip over to the rugged beauty of Rathlin Island. This is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island, though it’s often so quiet you wouldn’t really know. There are scenic walking trails that bring you to seal colonies and you can visit the popular RSPB Seabird Centre situated at the distinctive West Lighthouse, known as Ireland's only 'upside down' lighthouse!

Inspiring spirits from the past

Back on the coast road is the stunning Dunluce Castle. Built around 1500 by a local family, the castle sparked the imagination of writer C.S. Lewis who reimagined it as the Cair Pereval, home to the rulers of Narnia. Though it has been a ruin for many years, it remains as inspiring as ever and is likely one of the most Instagrammed castles on the planet.

Equally dramatic is the Mussenden Temple which perches some forty metres above the Atlantic Ocean and offers spectacular views west over Downhill Strand towards County Donegal and back east towards Castlerock beach Portstewart and Portrush.

With all that going on, where else would you prefer to be?

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, we strongly advise checking in advance before you travel to your intended destination to ensure its open and book tickets if applicable.

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Number of results: 265

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3 reviews
Straidkilly Nature Reserve

Carnlough

Address

Straidkilly Road, Carnlough, County Antrim, BT44 0LQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 4094

info@ulsterwildlife.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Small and secluded Ulster Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, located on an inland route between Glenarm and Carnlough, on the hill slope above the Coast Road with interesting flora and fauna alongside panoramic views across the Irish Sea to Scotland.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
72 reviews
Downhill Beach

Castlerock

Address

Mussenden Road, Downhill, Castlerock, County Londonderry, BT51 4RP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7034 4723

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

Downhill is a golden sandy beach stretching from Downhill Cliffs in the east towards Magilligan Point. It's overlooked by one of Northern Ireland's leading landmarks, Mussenden Temple, and benefits from classic views of the Donegal Coast and beyond.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Lambs & Landscapes

Glenarm

Address

The Meadow, 67a Dickeystown Road, Glenarm, County Antrim, BT44 0BA

hello@glenarmredsparklamb.com

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

Immerse yourself in a tour of an award winning sheep farm in the Glens of Antrim with 12th generation shepherd Eamonn. Listen, see and learn about how the landscape is managed on this sustainable farm to produce the delicious lamb that is highly…

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Christie Park & Somerset

Coleraine

Address

Christie Park, 55-65 Strand Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT51 3AB

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Riverside walk along the Bann

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
22 reviews
Chaffeur Car Services

Carrickfergus

Address

100 Woodburn Road, West Division, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9336 7899

info@chauffeurcarservices.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Belfast City tours of the Titanic centre Peace wall, Queens, Albert clock, Stormont and Carrickfergus Castle. Also indulge yourself in a full 8hr day of the North coast of Antrim and see Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.

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Castlecat Studio Gallery

Bushmills

Address

76 Castlecat Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8TW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2074 1682

jamesmcnulty48@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Castlecat Studio Gallery is based in a small, tastefully converted stable of a former farmhouse in the hamlet of Castlecat, near Bushmills.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Driving Range & Golf Academy, Roe Valley Resort

Limavady

Address

40 Drumrane Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 9LB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7776 0105

GolfShop@RoeParkResort.com

Type

Type:

Driving Range

The Roe Valley Driving Range & Academy is the only 18 bay driving range in the North Coast complete with indoor bays with automated tee system technology including allowing you to focus on your stance and grip for every shot.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Mountsandel Fort

Coleraine

Address

Mountsandel Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1TW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Archaeological sites

Mountsandel Wood is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating to between 7600 and 7900BC. Flint tools were found here, indicating that Stone Age hunters camped here to fish salmon in the natural weir.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Guard Room Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus

Address

Carrickfergus Town Hall Complex, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7DN

Telephone
+ 44 (0) 28 9335 8241

carrickfergusmuseums@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Step back in time at The Guard Room in Carrickfergus Town Hall, immersing visitors in the early 20th-century quarters of the Antrim Artillery militia with interactive exhibits and historical narratives spanning 800 years.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1982 reviews
The Dark Hedges

Stranocum

Address

Bregagh Road, Stranocum, County Antrim, BT53 8PX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2766 0230

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. Thronies will recognise these as the Dark Hedges from HBO's Game of…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Price
Free

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Rathlin Kinramer North Walk

Rathlin Island

Address

Rathlin Island, Rathlin Island, County Antrim, BT54 6SB

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A waymarked route through Kebble Nature Reserve, taking in the north of the island with stunning views of dramatic sea cliffs and of Scotland beyond.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Portstewart Golf Club

Portstewart

Address

117 Strand Road, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7083 2015

info@portstewartgc.co.uk

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Situated on Northern Ireland’s magnificent Causeway Coast, Portstewart Golf Club presents a difficult but fair game. The Strand Course is indisputably the jewel in Portstewart’s crown for both quality of game and scenery.

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Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
129 reviews
Blackhead Coastal Path Walk

Whitehead

Address

Blackhead Car Park, Old Castle Road, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8222

visitorinfo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

A short and delightful circular walk from the picturesque seaside town of Whitehead, around the coastal path to Blackhead with its iconic lighthouse, the most easterly point of County Antrim, then back to Whitehead for refreshments and shopping.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Lough Foyle Trail

Ballykelly

Address

Station Road, Ballykelly, County Londonderry, BT49 9HU

Telephone
0287776 0650

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The eastern shore of Lough Foyle between Ballykelly and Roe Estuary offers a flat coastal walk along the sea wall. This linear route has a number of access points allowing visitors to walk the entire 8km route, or walk shorter sections should you…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- Parking (free)
Broighter Gold Économusée

Limavady

Address

Broglasco House, 80 Broighter Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 9DY

Telephone
+44 (0) 7912 076 607

info@broightergold.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Have you ever wondered how Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil make their award-winning Liquid Gold? Now you can see their process from growing, harvesting a bottling. You will have a tour of their farm, pressing room and you can try the oils before you buy.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Ballycastle Traditional Music Trail

Ballycastle

Address

Anglers Arms, 12 North Street, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6BN

Telephone
028 2076 2024

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Put yourself in the capable hands of two very skilled local trad musicians on a musical journey from the seafront up into the heart of Ballycastle. Visit the pubs where music has been kept alive through generations and at each stop experience live…

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Jet Centre

Coleraine

Address

1 Riverside Park South, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT51 3AW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7035 0000

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

The Jet Centre offers a huge range of fabulous fun activities to suit everyone. This includes: 8 screen luxury cinema (with some VIP screens), bowling, kids soft play, outdoor mini golf, gem mining, licensed snack bar and an arcade. Free parking.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cushendall Golf Club

Cushendall

Address

21 Shore Road, Cushendall, County Antrim, BT44 0NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2177 1318

info@cushendallgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Founded in 1937, the club nestles at the foot of stunning Glenballyeamon in the celebrated Glens of Antrim. This picturesque nine hole course is bounded by the quaint village of Cushendall and the waves of Red Bay.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Meander and Dander - A River in Time

Coleraine

Address

Coleraine Marina, Portstewart Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1EY

Telephone
+44 (0) 74 5592 2622

crew@whiterivercharters.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Experience the tranquil River Bann from the comfort of White River Charter's vintage vessel and discover the fascinating origin story of human settlement in Ireland.

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Cutting Edge Helicopters

Eglinton

Address

City Of Derry Airport, Eglinton, County Londonderry, BT47 3GY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7181 2555

info@cuttingedgehelicopters.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Check out the beautiful scenery from a dizzying new perspective! Cutting Edge Helicopter, situated at the City of Derry Airport, offers the experience of a lifetime in with the choice of various custom charters. The stunning views from above give…

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