Ballycastle
is a peaceful harbour
Welcome to Ballycastle
The harbour town and holiday resort of Ballycastle (Baile an Chaisil) marks the eastern end of the Causeway Coast. It's a pretty town with a family-friendly promenade and a good bucket-and-spade beach. Ferries to Rathlin Island depart from here. Castle St and The Diamond are where most of the action is.
Top experiences in Ballycastle
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Ballycastle activities
'Game of Thrones' and Giant's Causeway Day Tour from Belfast
Hop aboard your coach at your central Belfast hotel, and travel along the scenic Causeway Coastal Route. As you travel north, your guide will talk to you about the popular Game of Thrones TV series, adapted from George Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Stop in the town of Cushendun and walk to the caves where Melisandre of Asshai gave birth to her ‘shadow baby’ who went on to slay Renly Baratheon. Hear tales of the power struggles, battles and trysts between the noble families of Westeros, and learn all about the exploits of King Joffrey Baratheon.Travel by coach to Ballycastle to see where Varys was born as a slave in the Free Cities, and after stretching your legs on a stroll, travel to the Dark Hedges road. With its natural archway of intertwined trees, the road is one of Northern Ireland’s most photographed locations and the place where Arya Stark dressed as a boy to escape from King’s Landing. Pose for pictures, and then continue your journey north.The next destination is larrybane Quarry right next to the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – an iconic crossing that connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island. While not used in Game of Thrones, the bridge is framed by magnificent headland that provided a backdrop for several scenes. After a quick photo stop, continue to the fishing village of Ballintoy for lunch (own expense), and then travel to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway,While the location hasn’t been used in Game of Thrones, the site is the Causeway Coast’s showpiece, and it’s well worth visiting while in the area. Walk around admiring the hexagonal rock columns and gaze out at the crashing waves along the dramatic coastline.Board your coach and travel back to Belfast, your tour then finishes in the early evening in the center of Belfast.
Shore Excursion: Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Port
You will be picked up at the port when your ship arrives before starting your tour which includes a city tour to see the wall murals, Peace Walls, Falls Road, Shankill Road,The Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.You will be back at Belfast port between 5pm and 5.15pm.Times are adjusted to suit the ship’s arrival and your bus will be waiting at the port. It is important you leave the ship as soon as it docks. Your experienced driver/guides will advise you every step of the way.Depart from Belfast port and travel inland straight to the Giants Causeway where you will spend 1 hour 15 mins at the stones/visitor centre.Then make a photo stop at Dunluce castle before making the short journey to Carrick-a- Rede rope bridge where you will spend 1 hour 15 mins at the bridge.After leaving the Rope Bridge travel along the Coast road, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Along the way there will be a stop for a lunch break (own expense) in Ballycastle where you spend 1 hour in this quaint little town.After lunch make the journey back to Belfast along the Coastal route for your city tour before returning to Belfast port in time for your ships departure.
Game of Thrones Westeros Way 8 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrive in Belfast - You begin your holiday on arrival to your accommodation in Belfast. If you arrive early you can use this time to take a Black Taxi Tour of the city, visit the Titanic experience or the Botanic Gardens.Day 2: Game of Thrones Bus Tour and Winterfell Experience - Today you will travel South from Belfast on a bus tour exploring some of the locations located around Carlingford Lough & the Mourne Mountains. Overnight in Belfast. Walk Details: The tour will include two treks, totalling 6km during the day. Day 3: Dothraki Sea in the Glens of Antrim - As you travel east towards Larne you will pass along a section of the Antrim Way, Shillanavoghy Valley, which is know to Game of Thrones fans as the Dothraki Sea. Overnight in Larne. Walk Details: Distance: 16kms. Duration: 5hours. Day 4: Harrenhall & Winterfell - You will hike North, with the route starting with a gentle climb as we contour around Agnews Hill, continuing along to the Sallagh Braes. From here you will follow the Ulster Way north along a beautiful ridgeline, until you descend into the quaint village of Glenarmm. Overnight in Cushendall. Walk Details: Distance: 20kms. Duration: 6hours. Day 5: Melisandre's Cave, Renly's Camp, Road to Pike & The Stormlands: En route to Ballycastle, your driver will stop at Cushendun to allow you visit Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre gave birth to the dark spirit. After you see the caves you will be transferred to Murlough Car Park to start your walk on Fairhead. More importantly though you will follow in the footsteps of King Renly, visiting his Camp at Murlough Bay. Overnight in Ballycastle. Walk Details: Distance: 12kms. Duration: 3hours. Day 6: Iron Islands and Giants Causeway - Walk the world famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge – the scene of Balon Greyjoy’s death . As you continue west, you will come to the Giants Causeway, which may not have appeared in the show yet, but has to be visited on any trip to the Northern Coast. Bushmills for your overnight. Walk Details: Distance: 18kms. Duration: 4.5hours. Day 7: Castle Greyjoy and Coast of Dorne - Not long after starting off you will come to Castle Greyjoy (Dunluce Castle), the first of your iconic locations today. At the end of your hike, along this stunning coastline, you will come to Portstewart Promenade.Walk Details: Distance: 19 kms Day 8: Departure - Following a hearty breakfast you will bid farewell to the North, getting the bus south to Belfast for your return home, be it by plane, ship or Dragon!
Rathlin Island Walking Tour
The Mill Bay MeanderThis walk departs both in the morning and in the afternoon from Church Bay and will last for one hour approximately. Start time depends on Rathlin Ferry arrival time. The walk is on surfaced roads, at a gentle space with few inclines. Expect to see seals and shorebirds (perhaps Curlew, Oystercatcher and Herring Gull). You will pass old buildings and hear their story. Shipwrecks didn’t just happen in the days of sail: you will hear about HMS Drake, sunk in WW1 and a ship wrecked as recently as 29 January 2007. The walk lasts a bit more than an hour and children are welcome. Find out what it is like to live on Rathlin today. How are children educated? What if you suddenly get sick? What’s the chances of getting a speeding ticket? What jobs are important?The Lower End WalkBy “The Lower End” we mean the part of Rathlin that points south, towards Ballycastle and Fair Head. It’s called that because it is lower in elevation compared to the other portion. That larger portion points west and is referred to as “The Upper End”. A stream, entering the sea beside St Thomas’ Church, forms the boundary between the two Ends.This walk takes place on a combination of surfaced roads and designated trails. Different routes are available so please ask at time of booking. If you walk to the Rue Lighthouse along the spectacular cliffs at Roonivoolin you will be covering about half the island. Keep your ears open to hear the distinctive call of the Chough: an island bird rarity. Altacarry or Rathlin East Lighthouse is another way to go. Unfortunately you can’t get to see round the East light. If you visit the RSPB Seabird Centre (other end of Rathlin), you will be able to see inside that Lighthouse.Hear the tale of Robert the Bruce or stories of the many other battles fought on Rathlin. You could hike towards the lonely Coastguard Hut, looking out for Buzzard, Raven and Peregrine.This walk lasts around for 4 hours, be prepared to get muddy at times. This tour is unsuitable for children.The Round the Houses WalkThe walk is on a combination of trails, clifftop and surfaced roads off with different route options, but all offering you a great opportunity to cover many parts of Rathlin.In late spring see orchids and maybe the rare Pyramidal Bugle (a favourite of your guide). This walk will last for over 7 hours, but at a relaxed pace. It is sometimes combined with a bus journey, which is at additional cost and subject to availability. With the time at your disposal you could visit all three of Rathlin’s lighthouses. Plenty to see and learn with lots to chat about. This tour is suitable for adults with a good level of fitness (not suitable for children).