Causeway Coast Travel Guide

The Causeway Coastal Route runs from Belfast to Derry in Northern Ireland. Located on the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland – including the entirety of the Causeway Coast – is part of the UK. As the route connects the region’s two main cities, it is easy to get to and from the start and end points of the Causeway Coastal Route. The route encompasses the whole coastline of Counties Antrim and Derry/Londonderry.

There are train stations in Belfast as well as a few other places along the way, including Derry, Colraine, and Portstewart. Belfast has two airports – a regional and an international airport – and Derry also has a small airport. There are also bus options throughout Northern Ireland. Learn more about travelling in Ireland.

Visiting the Causeway Coast from Belfast? Check out our travel guide to the city of Belfast to make the most of your stay in Northern Ireland’s vibrant capital.

Discover Belfast

Carrickfergus Castle

One of Ireland’s most impressive Norman castles, this 12th century heap was built by John de Courcy upon conquering Ulster. Due to its strategic position, Carrickfergus Castle remained an important stronghold for the English Crown to maintain control over Ulster and the North.

The Gobbins

The Gobbins Experience is a cliffside trail designed at the turn of the 20th century to provide an invigorating coastal adventure. Including a network of walkways, staircases and bridges that connect the rugged coastal cliffs, the Gobbins is an experience like none other.

Cushenden Cave

Cushenden is a small village on the Antrim coast with a sheltered harbour home to a dark past of invasion, murder and hauntings. The area has risen to recent fame as Cushendun Caves were used in HBO’s Game of Thrones® – the sight where Sir Davos lands ashore, and the rather memorable scene where Lady Melisandre births the terrifying shadow baby.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Connecting the Causeway Coast mainland cliffside with the rocky pinnacle 100 feet (30m) above the swirling sea, this narrow rope bridge isn’t for the faint of heart. It was originally put in place by salmon fishermen who wanted to use the island for its prime fishing opportunities about 350 years ago (the bridge itself has been replaced since then, don’t worry). Unsurprisingly, this wild spot enchanted locations scouts, and the area around Carrick-a-Rede was also used in Game of Thrones®.

Ballintoy Harbour

Descend the narrow, winding road to the tiny and excessively quaint Ballintoy Harbour. Rugged rock walls rise on three sides, forming a sheltered boat slip evoking a fantasy world. This little place was featured on Game of Thrones® as the Island of Pyke. Scenic, wild, and peaceful, it is the perfect place to appreciate the beautiful harshness of the Causeway Coast.

Dunluce Castle

Dramatically clinging to a clifftop, Dunluce Castle perches on a rough headland, seemingly staying up by sheer luck. The castle dates back to the 16th century, with later improvements made in the 17th century and beyond. The feuding rival clans, the McQuillan and MacDonnell families variously inhabited it. Erosion and storm winds have caused some parts of the castle to collapse over the years, leaving behind an eerily beautiful ruin. So magical is this place that fantasy giant C.S. Lewis was inspired by the castle when writing his beloved Chronicles of Narnia – it’s said to be the basis of the castle Cair Paravel in the books (read more here). As with most other places featured here, Dunluce Castle also featured on Game of Thrones®.

Mussenden Temple & Downhill House

Further along the Causeway Coast is a strange, round temple perched 100 ft in the air overlooking the quiet Downhill Beach. A stone’s throw inland are the roofless ruins of the expansive Downhill House. Known as Mussenden Temple, the strange circular structure was built in 1785 as a library dedicated to the memory of a cousin of the lord of Downhill House.

Old Bushmills Distillery

For whiskey lovers, a visit to Old Bushmills is a must. Arguably the oldest licensed distillery on the island of Ireland, Bushmills is a staple of Irish whiskey. You’ll see the iconic brand on the menus and shelves of most pubs, bars, and restaurants, but nothing beats a tour and tasting of their various brews on their home turf with the smell of barley in the air.

Want to know more about Irish whiskey? Read our whiskey guide here.

Derry Walls

Ending in the city of Derry, this city has risen to recent fame due to the popular and hilarious TV show, Derry Girls. With a troubled past, this compact walled city is actually one of the nicest cities to visit in Ireland. The Derry Walls are the city’s most iconic landmark, and a walking tour of the walls provides history and perspective. It is also home to a number of pubs and restaurants, a brewery, and in October, it hosts a massive Halloween festival.