Best of Ballycastle

Set along a scenic stretch of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, Ballycastle is a small town that draws holiday makers from across the UK during the summer months. The shoreline near town is the big draw, and you’ll find dozens of appealing beaches, including Ballycastle Strand, just a short walk from the center of Ballycastle. The town itself has an impressive architectural heritage, with more than 50 buildings dating back to the 18th century. Just north of Ballycastle, the ruins of Kinbane Castle have a fairytale-esque location on a headland jutting into the sea. 

The Causeway Coast is packed with highlights. Near Ballintoy, you can venture across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge out to a tiny island. The narrow 66-foot (20-m) suspension bridge is set high above the crashing waves and has magnificent views over the rugged seaside. The Giants Causeway also draws big crowds. Stretching along the wave-battered shoreline, the otherworldly stone columns indeed look like the handiwork of giants, and you’ll have limitless photo opportunities of this unusual Unesco World Heritage Site. Ballycastle is fast becoming one of the top culinary destinations in the region, and you can taste local produce while visiting scenic spots along the shore on a Toast the Coast food tour.