8 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In Northern Ireland
Colorful seaside villages like Ballintoy, castle-filled towns like Enniskillen, and Narnia-inspired landscapes in Rostrevor make Northern Ireland home to some of the most adorable small towns in Europe. Between dramatic coastlines, moss-covered ruins, turquoise waters, and charming market towns, these destinations highlight the region’s unique mix of natural beauty and deep history. All eight towns have their own remarkable atmosphere, whether tucked beside lakes, hidden along the Causeway Coast, or surrounded by the Mourne Mountains.
Enniskillen, Fermanagh
Enniskillen is the largest town in County Fermanagh, sitting on an island between the two lakes of Upper and Lower Lough Erne. This historic market town is artsy, lush, green, and surrounded by beautiful waterways. Appreciate the artistic feeling of this town at The Buttermarket, an arts and crafts market set in the historic courtyard of a 19th-century dairy market. Tourists can browse local artisan shops featuring ceramicists, jewelers, textile artists, and painters, and check out the various galleries and craft workshops around the square.
The gorgeous stone Enniskillen Castle is located directly on the River Erne and is home to the Inniskillings Museum and the Fermanagh County Museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the lakelands, the military history of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. Wander through the Castle Garden that overlooks the gorgeous and serene river, and explore the expansive, beautiful historic castle grounds. Tourists can also visit Castle Coole, an 18th-century mansion surrounded by a beautiful wooded landscape. Visitors can take a boat from town to Devenish Island, a place of worship and a monastic site from the 6th century, known for its round tower and high crosses, set against bright green grass and deep blue water.
Ballintoy, Antrim
Ballintoy is a picturesque small village with coastal charm and dramatic scenic views. One can drive down the steep and narrow road to Ballintoy Harbor to enjoy a highly talked-about piece of homemade rhubarb pie or tart at Roark’s Kitchen, an old stone building sitting along the water's edge. Walk down to Ballintoy Point to explore tide pools and small caves, and watch as the waves fiercely crash over the massive rocks. Afterward, one can explore the golden sand beach at Black and White Bay. A cove tucked into the steep grass-covered cliffsides, where you’ll see sheep and cows freely grazing along the beachside. One of the most famous stops of Ballintoy would be the magical Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Walk the 20 whimsical meters of the swinging bridge, 30 meters over the clear turquoise water from one grassy cliff top to another, as you walk from the mainland to a small islet.
Ballycastle, Antrim
Next to Ballintoy, Ballycastle is an incredibly scenic and idyllic small seaside town on the Causeway Coast. A great place to stay to explore the Glens and visit Rathlin Island, the only inhabited island in Ireland. The town of Ballycastle is filled with historic buildings and charming storefronts. Explore the historic sites of Ballycastle by walking the Ballycastle Heritage Trail, a self-guided tour that takes you to 15 historic sites where you’ll learn the town's history over a span of 500 years. A standout is the 18th-century Ballycastle Museum, where you can see Bronze Age artifacts, their inclusion in the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, and the Arts and Crafts Revival in Ireland.
Visit the whimsical sculpture of the four swans of the Children of Lir when walking along the pathways along the water. A folktale of four children who were turned into swans, where they spent 300 years on the Sea of Moyle between Scotland and Northern Ireland, finding their sanctuary on Rathlin Island across the way, where they became human once again. Take a ferry to explore all of the beauty that Rathlin Island has to offer. You’ll have undeniably gorgeous views of the coast where you can watch the dark blue waves crash into the dramatic, lush green cliffsides. On the island, one can visit heritage sites, walk to three different lighthouses, and see wildlife such as puffins and seals.
Rostrevor, Newry
Rostrevor is famously known for being the inspiration for the fantasy worlds of C. S. Lewis’ Narnia. The town is situated at the southern edge of the Mourne Mountains, creating a stunning backdrop to this small village. Surrounding you will be stunning views of the glacial fjord, Carlingford Lough, as well as the Cooley Mountains. What could feel more adorable and nostalgic than stepping back into the fantasy worlds you once knew as a child? Tourists can head into Rostrevor Forest or Kilbroney Park if they’re looking to feel as if they’ve stepped through that magical closet passageway into the world of Narnia. Visitors can experience the magic of the Narnia Trail, where they’ll find wooden statues of Narnia's famous characters, Aslan, Mr. Tumnus, the Beavers, and the White Witch's Castle.
Kilbroney Park is also home to Slieve Martin, a 485-meter hill in the Mourne Mountains. Slieve Martin is where visitors will find the popular hiking landmark, the Cloughmore Stone, a massive glacial granite boulder known as The Big Stone.
Newcastle, Down
A Victorian seaside resort town nestled into Dundrum Bay, where the Mourne Mountains meet the sea. An active and lively town with nature right out its back door. This town has one of the most stunning backdrops, with views of the highest peak in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard, which rises to 850 meters. You can hike the Slieve Donard via the Glen River path, one of the most popular hikes in Northern Ireland. It begins right in the heart of Newcastle, making its endless beauty easily accessible. At the landmark, one can visit The Ice House, a historical 19th-century stone structure just before the path starts, near the river. Originally built to store river ice leading into the spring and summer months.
Next, visit the Mourne Wall, a catchment area for the Silent Valley Reservoir that took over a decade to build. Nearby is the Tollymore Forest Park, where you can visit ancient trees, secret grottos, winding paths following the Shimna River, ornate stone bridges, a 1757 barn, and its most notable feature, the Hermitage. The Hermitage, which looks like it came straight out of a fairytale, blends into the river's edge and is overgrown with moss; a whimsical stone shelter lies there. Built so that women could watch men fish for salmon on the river. This location, which mimics a fantasy world, was also used to film the early seasons of Game of Thrones.
Portstewart, Londonberry
Portstewart is a northern beach town that began as a fishing village and later became a Victorian coastal town. Portstewart's scenic, small harbor on the northern Atlantic coast is a popular, idyllic stop in Northern Ireland. The Promenade is the town's main center, and visitors will find the streets lined with charming seaside cafes and cute boutique shops. This is where tourists can find gelato at Morelli’s Portstewart. One can try famous flavors like the Irish Black Butter or the Yellow Man, then take a walk along the coastal pathways with a gelato in hand.
Portstewart Strand is another notable stop recognized as a Blue Flag beach, a designation awarded only to coastal areas that meet strict environmental and quality standards. With 6,000-year-old sand dunes, grassy-covered cliffs, and two miles of golden sand, it remains one of Portstewart’s top attractions. This is also one of the few beaches in Ireland where visitors can drive directly onto the sand, making it ideal for swimming, picnics, or a relaxing beach day. Those looking for a meal by the water can stop at Harry’s Shack, located directly on the beach, where guests can enjoy the salty ocean breeze from the outdoor deck.
Bushmills, Antrim
Known for being a conservation village with a historic town center. Take a stroll through The Diamond, the center square of their town, where you’ll wander through cobblestone courtyards and streets, visit historic buildings and storefronts, and feel as if you’re stepping back into time to an older Ireland. Bushmills is just two miles from the famous Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A unique and natural geological formation that consists of over 40,000 mostly hexagonal basalt columns resting along one another on the edge of the sea. Formed by volcanic activity, this is one of Ireland's most famous destinations. Continue on to visit the Dunluce Castle, a castle you would picture on the cover of a fantasy book. A medieval fortress and ruin that sits atop the lush green cliffsides of the Causeway Coast, up against the bright turquoise colored sea. Another famous inspiration for C.S. Lewis’ Narnia, as well as another filming locale for Game of Thrones. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of the world's oldest whiskey distillery, the Old Bushmills Distillery, created in 1784 in the heart of Bushmills.
Glenarm, Antrim
Glenarm is a pedestrian-friendly historic coastal village. It is the 1st of Antrim's 9 Glens, located near the Causeway Coast. Sitting towards the southern end of the Glens of Antrim, this village is filled with Georgian architecture and surrounded by lush green forests. The town square is just a brief walk from the Glenarm Forest, where you'll find trails along the beautiful river. The Glenarm Marina and beach, situated right in front of the town, offer a lovely stop to go for a swim or walk along the sea. One of the highlights of Glenarm is the famous 17th-century Glenarm Castle and Garden. In 1820, the beautiful Walled Garden was built. Home to four acres of stunningly curated gardens. Here you’ll find more than just ornamental orchards and vibrantly colored flowers; other unique features await you on the property of Glenarm Castle and Garden.
Admire the beauty of one of Northern Ireland's largest Victorian glasshouses, or head to the Mount to look across the North Channel, where you’re able to see Scotland. The Castle and Garden are open to the public from spring through fall, and don’t forget to stop at the Tea Room before you leave. The Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival takes place in the front yard of the castle in May, where you’ll see thousands of gorgeous tulips.
Magic Awaits You In One Of These 8 Towns
You can’t go wrong visiting any of these incredible Northern Ireland towns full of charm and whimsy. One can explore a castle reminiscent of fairytales like Glenarm Castle, wander through wooded pathways inspired by the story of Narnia in Rostrevor, or take a scenic boat ride to look at puffins and seals from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island. All of these towns are bound to leave you feeling the magic of these special places.
