10 Most Breathtaking Towns In Northern Ireland

If you have ever wondered what golf, Game of Thrones, and Giant's Causeway have in common, there is a well-kept travel secret: they are all compelling reasons to visit the most breathtaking small towns in Northern Ireland. You will find world-class golfing in Portstewart, Portrush, and Newcastle, iconic views made famous by television appearances in places like Ballintoy, and enough rugged scenic beauty to make you wonder why Northern Ireland is often overshadowed by its southern neighbor when travelers visit the British Isles. So if you find yourself up north, these are ten villages and towns to consider adding to your Northern Irish itinerary.

Portstewart

Locals looking for a seaside escape in Northern Ireland have long favored the Victorian resort town of Portstewart. Its appeal is decidedly upmarket, centered upon its beaches and the prestigious Portstewart Golf Club, but what’s truly most winsome about this well-loved seaside resort on the Causeway Coast is its old-fashioned feel. The town’s historic heritage is well-preserved, and if playing a round of golf or exploring the sand dunes of Portstewart Strand isn’t your style, try a stroll down the Victorian-era Promenade with a stop for ice cream at Morelli’s or admire the castle-like facade of Dominican College, formerly Old O’Hara Castle, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Rugged sea views and beaches perfect for swimming meet retro charm: what’s not to like?

Cushendall

There are loads of scenic places to stop on the Causeway Coastal Route, a scenic drive connecting coastal towns across the northern coast of Northern Ireland to the iconic Giant’s Causeway. Cushendall is one such stop, notable for the mountain views on offer at Cushendall Beach and the lush woods of Glenariff Forest, both of which make excellent places to take a long walk in nature. Fans of the smash-hit TV series Game of Thrones will want to visit Cushendun Caves, a set of sea caves with panoramic coastal views that were used to film several key scenes from the franchise.

Ballintoy

Another coastal village that has gained popularity among Game of Thrones-loving tourists in recent years, thanks to its harbor featuring prominently in Game of Thrones, is Ballintoy. Today, that harbor, unchanged since Medieval times, is still the town’s main draw, with many coming just to take in the views over tea at the Ballintoy Harbor Cafe. Only a few miles away, you can also ramble across the nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which is not for the faint of heart. So while most visitors come to Ballintoy for their Game of Thrones moment or simply to marvel at the spectacular harbor as a site of scenic beauty, many stay for its surrounding wonders.

Kilkeel

Lonely country avenues bisecting fields where sheep and cattle graze near the edge of the sea. If this is the image of Northern Ireland you see when you imagine making a trip there, you will want to make your way to Kilkeel. Not only does it have the pastoral melancholy of a Gothic novel, but it’s also a productive fishing harbor. The Nautilus Centre gives visitors a hands-on look at the town’s maritime heritage, and it is a great jumping-off point for road trippers on the Mourne Coastal Route, which traces the namesake seaside mountain range along the coast of County Down. Finish your day with hearty traditional grub at Tam O’Shanter in town.

Portrush

Visitors to Portrush are usually coming for one (or both!) of two things: a round at the esteemed Royal Portrush Golf Club, or a side trip to the iconic Giant’s Causeway several miles to the east. These are undoubtedly top draws in the Portrush area, but the town itself has far more to offer. A seaside path from Portrush to the nearby town of Bushmills makes an ideal place for a stroll, and bathers love East and West Strand Beaches. Portrush, like neighboring Portstewart, has long been a much-beloved coastal resort town.

Rostrevor

If you came to the British Isles in search of a bucolic village with lake views and rolling hills, Rostrevor is your ticket. Its picturesque setting at the foot of the Mournes Mountains is the kind of setting in which magical happenings wouldn’t seem at all out of place, but for those of us with more of a fondness for the heart-pounding than the heartwarming, it’s also an excellent place to go mountain biking at Kilbroney Park or hike the five-mile trail up Slieve Martin. And every summer, the town plays host to the delightful Fiddlers Green Festival, a celebration of Irish traditional music that puts a spring in the step of this laid-back town.

Portbradden Harbour

Portbradden Harbour is by all means a tiny dot on the map, a hamlet that stands where a productive salmon fishery once existed in a beautiful harbor without the tourist crowds you may find elsewhere along the Causeway Coast. Its diminutive size suited its former claim to fame: St Gobban’s Church, a miniature chapel once billed as the smallest church in Ireland, stood here until it was demolished in 2017. Although the eleven-by-six-foot church that once stood here is no more, Portbradden Harbour, built right up to the sea, at the western end of Whitepark Bay, remains one of the most unspoiled and beautiful towns in this heavily trafficked region. The area is also a great spot for nature lovers, with three miles of beach at Whitepark Bay, home to dozens of species. It is a particular highlight for orchid lovers, with nine native species.

Newcastle

Located at the foot of the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, Newcastle is known for its dramatic meeting of the mountains and the coast, and, like much of this stretch of the Northern Irish coast, for its world-class golf. It’s also a worthy stop for Tollymore Forest Park, a public park that could easily double as the enchanted forest in a storybook, and the seaside Newcastle Promenade, flanked on one side by the sea and on the other by rows of postcard-perfect town scenery. Additionally, the Royal County Down Golf Club draws golf enthusiasts from far and wide to play the links in one of the most scenic settings imaginable.

Glenarm

Glenarm Castle was once the seat of the rulers of County Antrim, in which this thoroughly enjoyable town is located, and it’s still the main tourist draw to Glenarm today. And the rest of the town, with much of its traditional architecture intact, including the stunning St. Patrick's Church, does its part to keep the moody vibe of this Causeway Coast town alive. But it’s not all dark stone and sense of mystery in Glenarm: the annual Glenarm Castle Highland Games usher in a lively two days of traditional sports, dance, and bagpiping in competitions and exhibitions for the enjoyment of the visitors from around the world.

Hillsborough

Those looking for stately architecture and historic sights should prioritize Hillsborough on their Northern Ireland itineraries for one main reason: it’s the home of an official royal residence, Hillsborough Castle, set against a hundred acres of manicured grounds. But the castle and gardens aren’t the only excellent example of Georgian architecture in this delightful town of just under 4,000. The town’s streets have retained their historic character, and you will see it on display at restaurants like the Plough Inn, an upscale pub, as well as on any ramble through the streets. History buffs should also make a stop at Hillsborough Fort, built to defend a strategically important road in 1650.

Think of Northern Ireland, and you might think of pubs, golf courses, sheep, and any number of things. But you might overlook just how scenic this region really is, because around every corner in Northern Ireland is a breathtaking view. Whether you like a charming old-fashioned downtown, medieval harbours and castles, or a beautifully untamed coastline, the best towns in this small but scenic country have much to offer you.