A Guide to the Causeway Coast - Northern Ireland's Most Beautiful Drive

Torr Head Drive, Ballycastle

Northern Ireland is an often underrated and overlooked region that surprises visitors with its memorable scenery and friendly people. On this trip I focused on the area between Belfast and Londonderry aka the Causeway Coast). Carry on with me as we travel through what might possibly be the most beautiful chunk of the Emerald Isle.

While it's Northern Ireland's cities that grab headlines, the country has its share of rural beauty as well. The 20 or odd some miles stretch of the Antrim Coast extending from Belfast to Londonderry rates second only to the tip of the Dingle Peninsula as the prettiest chunk of coastal Ireland.

It's a fairly small area, and with a car you can easily see most of its highlights in just a day (connections are patchy by public transportation, and bus service is viable only in summer). An ideal day could lace together Dunluce Castle, Old Bushmills Distillery, and the Giant's Causeway. You'll want the full day, though, so allow two nights in the town of Ballycastle, the region's pleasant hub. These are the highlights of my trip in order:

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

For 200 years, fishermen hung a narrow, 90-foot-high bridge (planks strung between wires) across a 65-foot-wide chasm between the mainland and a tiny island just east of the Giant's Causeway. Today, the bridge (while not the original version) gives access to the sea stack where salmon nets were set during summer months to catch the fish turning and hugging the coast's corner. A pleasant, 30-minute, one-mile walk from the parking lot takes you to the rope bridge. Cross over to the island for fine views and great seabird-watching. Due to a record number of visitors, arrive as early as possible or book online as they only sell 240 tickets (same-day only) for each hour-long entry window.

Giants Causeway // Photo credit: @magichourtravelscapes

Giants Causeway

This five-mile-long stretch of coastline — the highlight of the entire coast — is famous for its bizarre basalt columns. The shore is covered with largely hexagonal pillars that stick up at various heights.

Old Bushmills Distillery

Old Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills claims to be the world's oldest distillery. whiskey has been made here since the 13th century. Distillery tours waft you through the process.  Tours are limited to 30 people and book up so call or book online ahead.

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle

When in Ireland you must see a castle right? These romantic ruins, perched dramatically on the edge of a rocky headland, are a testimony to this region's turbulent past. During the Middle Ages, the castle was a prized fortification. But on a stormy night in 1639, dinner was interrupted as half of the kitchen fell into the sea, taking the servants with it. That was the last straw for the lady of the castle. While it's one of the largest castles in Northern Ireland and is beautifully situated, there's precious little left to see among Dunluce's broken walls.  

Side trips of note near Ballycastle:

The Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges

One of the most popular attractions here is a beautiful row of trees that has been made famous by appearances in TV shows and films such as Game of Thrones. The Dark Hedges make for a popular stop for visitors of the causeway coast.  

Torr Heard, Ballycastle

Torr Head

My personal favorite. This narrow road leads along the rolling coastline of County Antrim with breathtaking panoramic views at each bend.