Strung along Northern Ireland’s north-east shoreline, the Causeway Coastal Route links Belfast with Derry~Londonderry by way of the Antrim coast. Over about 120 miles, the road squeezes between grassy headlands and the Atlantic and North Channel waters, winding through harbour villages, skirting clifftops and passing rock formations that rank among Europe’s most ancient. Plenty of people call it one of the great coastal drives on the planet, and it earns the title. Its true reward, though, has little to do with spotting sights through the windscreen.
What sets this coastline apart is how tightly packed its highlights are. In one day behind the wheel you can go from a Victorian walkway fixed into the face of basalt cliffs, to the shell of a medieval castle perched above the waves, to a natural marvel formed some 60 million years ago. The scenery shifts constantly, and the light shifts even quicker. Each village has a harbour of its own, a personality of its own and its own claim to the best fish and chips on the coast.
This drive rewards travellers who are happy to linger. It is made for those who would gladly sit on the harbour wall at Ballintoy for an hour, watching the water, rather than hurry on to the next viewpoint. Give it three or four days and an unhurried frame of mind, and the Causeway Coast will repay you well beyond what you came for.
In This Email:
The Causeway Coastal Route: Ireland’s Most Dramatic Drive - Below, we walk through five of the best stops along the Causeway Coastal Route — places that deserve more than a quick photo. We have included practical details, the history behind each site, and a suggested itinerary to help you plan a real trip.
The Gobbins Cliff Path
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The Dark Hedges
The Giant’s Causeway
Dunluce Castle
A suggested 3-day itinerary for the Causeway Coastal Route
When to visit and how to get there
