Looking for all the best things to do in Northern Ireland? Look no further! You have found a list of the best restaurants, towns and cities, pubs, nature, etc. in Northern Ireland! I’m so excited you’re here!
Northern Ireland is a spot I had never really thought to visit before. I love Scotland and England but had never made my way up to the tiny country in the United Kingdom. However, when I worked at a Young Life camp in Scotland during the summer of 2024, I met SO many incredible people, and a lot of them were from Northern Ireland! With their beautiful thick accents and lighthearted spirits, I had to visit their home country to see where all of their kindness and hospitality came from! So I beepbopped over to Northern Ireland to explore.
My friends picked me up from the airport and took me to all of their favorite places! So while I am not a local (sadly), my awesome friends Lucy, Aoife, Ewan, and Anna are the experts who shared all of their lovely UK wisdom with me!
A Little Summary…
Northern Ireland is very small. You can drive top to bottom of the country in around two hours! You can also hop on a train to Dublin in about the same amount of time. It’s not a country with a ton of crazy things to do or wild adventures to go on. It’s a slower pace of life, and one that is really comforting and feels like home. So on your Northern Ireland adventure, let yourself slow down, drink a few pints, and get to know the nicest people you will ever meet.
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Belfast
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. It has some really cool architecture, great restaurants and pubs, a Titanic museum, and so much more! Here are some of my friends’ (and a few of my) best suggestions.
Coffee Shops
- Late
- Terracotta
- Sojourn
- Drip
- Haptik
- General Merchants
Pubs
- Bullhouse East
- Boundary
- Duke of York
- Dirty Onion
- Dirty Duck (just outside Belfast in Holywood)
- Go to Cathedral Quarter if you’re looking for bars or places to go out!
Things to Do and See
- Downtown Belfast
- City Hall!
- Queen’s University
- Crumlin Road Gaol
- Botanic Gardens
- Titanic Quarter
- Stormont (Parliament buildings)
- Ulster Museum
- St. George’s Market
- Try an ulster fry!!!
- Hike up Cave Hill
Bangor
A shoutout to Bangor since so many of my friends live there! Here are their favorite spots!
Coffee
- Coffee Rustler
- Joxer
Pubs
- Courthouse
- Jamaica Inn (better in summer)
The North Coast
There’s a ton of incredible mountains and beaches and towns on the northern coast of Northern Ireland. Here’s a few that I loved (as well as ones my friends recommend!)
Portstewart
I absolutely LOVED this town on the coast. It has a beach, mountains, and incredible views of the ocean and cool rocks. There’s also a golf course if that’s your thing. Be sure to check out Lost & Found coffee shop as well. If you park in the lot across from the old church and next to the fort things that looks like a castle and walk on the path around the fort, you’ll end up at the coffee shop as well as having seen some beautiful views!
Newcastle
Newcastle is a gorgeous little town that you have to visit. It’s right on the water and next to some insane mountains! While you’re there, be sure to explore the Murlough Beach and Nature Reserve, and grab lunch or coffee at Birch.
After walking around here for a bit, head to…
Tollymore Forest Park
You should absolutely go hike around this forest park! There are beautiful bridges, rivers, and greenery that are so worth exploring.
- You do have to pay 5 pounds per car to enter.
After you leave here, make your way to…
Silent Valley
This is an epic reservoir near Newcastle. You can walk through the paths up to the reservoir and then walk through the mountains! You also need to look at the little museum there to see how and why the reservoir was made! One of my favorite things I’ve seen was the rock walls that people had built for miles and miles by hand! Sounds underwhelming, probably, but just take my word for it.
- You do have to pay 5 pounds per car to enter.
After here, head to…
Mourne Mountains
These are gorgeous mountains that you can hike through!
Balleycastle
One of my best buddies lives here and literally got a tattoo of the coastline because of how much she loves it. That should really tell you something!
While here, go to the Bothy coffeeshop. It’s awesome. 10/10 coffee, pastries, and vibes.
Across the road is an incredible beach with mountains; its called White Park Bay Beach. Grab some coffee to go, and go walk on the beach! There are also often cows on the beach too!
Grab a bite at Morton’s Fish & Chips while you’re there, and warm up with a cup of coffee from Ursa Minor!
Check out Ballintoy Harbour nearby.
The Giant’s Causeway
This is one of the most random yet AWESOME things I’ve ever seen. It’s an epic coast with rocks that are all hexagons stacked on top of each other. There are many myths and stories to explain how they were formed, but I’ll let you decide for yourself how you think they got there! You can also hike up to the top of the mountain coast and see o
Pro tip: You do have to pay for your car, but to avoid having to pay per person, just don’t go into the visitors center!
If you don’t have a car but still really want to check this out, click here for a tour!
Other Spots to Hit on the Coast
- Dunsevrick
- 1000000/10 you have to visit this epic coastline and rock formation! There’s an old castle there as well.
- Portrush
- Town and beach
- Portballintrae
- Town and beach
- Dunluce Castle
- Another top recommendation! For more information and ticket prices, click here.
- Bushmills
- This is another incredible small town. What makes it special is the awesome and super old whiskey distillery there that you visit and sample the finest Irish whiskey. Click here to learn more!
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Random and awesome. Be sure to pay a visit.
- Kinbane Head
- Another awesome rock formation by the water. You really can’t get enough!
- The Dark Hedges
- An epic path surrounded by trees. It’s famous especially because of its feature in Game of Thrones. But even if that’s not your thing, be sure to check it out. For more info, click here.
- Fodder in the Woods
- You HAVE to eat here on your way to Newcastle!
A Few Notes
- Bring a rain jacket… and another jacket… and another…
- My friends laughed at me a lot because of how much I loved the green grass. But all the rain really makes the colors soooo vibrant and gorgeous! Anyways, just a shoutout to the grass.
- To explore Northern Ireland, you will need to rent a car or take group tours from Belfast.
- It’s pretty much always freezing. I was there in summer and fall, and I was frozen the whole time. Bring thick socks, scarves, and jackets!
Tours!
If you are a big tour person or don’t have a car to get around (but don’t want to miss the highlights, here are a few tours to help you out!
- Giants Causeway, Rope Bridge, Carrickfergus Castle and Dark Hedges Tour
- Click here!
- McConnell’s Distillery Experience with Tasting
- Click here!
- Game of Thrones Locations Tour
- Click here!
Where To Stay (on a budget)
Here are a few places to check out if you’re looking for a cheap spot for the night!
Belfast
Newcastle
- Hutt Hostel
- Next to the coast and the Mourne Mountains!
- Click here!
Balleycastle
- Corratavey bnb
THANKS FOR READING!
As always, I’m so grateful for you who read and support this blog. Hoping you get to go on all the same adventures as I have, getting to know one corner of the world at a time!
Love ya!
AnitaBelle xx
