Ballycastle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ballycastle
Ballycastle
Ballycastle
Ballycastle
Ballycastle
Ballycastle is a town in Northern Ireland, located in County Antrim, near to the northernmost tip of the country. Its proximity to the coast, and the fact that it is located on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the Antrim Coast and Glens, has led to it being an extremely popular destination for tourists.

From the shoreline at Ballycastle it is possible to see both the Mull of Kintyre and Rathlin Island, which are just 6 miles across the water. The ferry across to Rathlin Island runs regularly throughout the day, offering an experience you’ll want to take advantage of. Rathlin Island is just six miles long by one mile wide. It is home to no more than 70 people and offers visitors a genuine sense of peace and tranquillity. As well as the rugged landscape and unspoiled environment, the island has its own colony of wild seals and is home to an RSPB Seabird Centre. Once you’ve experienced the glories of nature you could pay a visit to the local pub, pick up some food in the restaurant or enjoy some award-winning fish and chips from a spot with stunning sea views.

The Beach in Ballycastle

Back on the mainland itself, Ballycastle is famed for three quarters of a mile of unspoiled beach – a mix of golden sand and a small amount of shingle, it runs from Ballycastle Marina at one end to Pans Rock at the other, and is just 5 minutes walk away from the town centre. With the unspoiled greenery of Ballycastle Golf Course running behind it for most of its length, and the waters of the Atlantic rolling and crashing up onto the sands, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic walk or a day of family beach fun.

Sea-Based Activity in Ballycastle

The presence of Ballycastle Marina, located just next to the Rathlin Island ferry port, brings together a wide range of activities taking advantage of the easy access to the sea. It’s up to you whether you opt to try your hand at diving, experience the exhilaration of a high speed ‘sea safari’ or enjoy the more tranquil pleasures of a leisurely fishing trip.

Walking Around Ballycastle

From the traditional seaside appeal of the town centre itself, to the stunning scenery which is literally right on the doorstep, staying in Ballycastle means you can walk in any direction and soon find yourself in the midst of some of the finest landscapes the island has to offer. A long walk for ambitious, seasoned walkers is the Moyle Way, which starts in the centre of Ballycastle and takes in the Five Glens of Antrim, the Breen Oakwood Nature Reserve and Glenariff Forest Park. The whole 26 miles may be too much for the casual walker or family group, but any individual section of the walk offers access to rich woodland, spectacular moorland scenery and the shores of rivers and loughs.

Booking Your Ballycastle Trip

Ballycastle certainly ticks the boxes: natural beauty, coastal landscapes, some of Ireland’s best walking routes, high adrenaline action activities and the traditional warmth of Irish hospitality. What more could you ask for?

The Salthouse Hotel

The Salthouse Hotel

4 out of 5
39 Dunamallaght Rd, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
The price is ₹11,192 per night from 12 Nov to 13 Nov
₹11,192
₹13,431 total
12 Nov - 13 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ballycastle. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Ballycastle Museum and Bonamargy Friary ...
9/10 Wonderful! (223 reviews)
"The Salthouse Hotel is by far the best Hotel I have ever stayed in - staff were very friendly food and cocktails were fantastic will definitely return"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

The Salthouse Hotel
Marine Hotel Ballycastle

Marine Hotel Ballycastle

4 out of 5
1-3 North St, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
The price is ₹10,161 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
₹10,161
₹12,193 total
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Ballycastle. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Marconi Memorial and Rathlin Island Ferry ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (60 reviews)
"Staff great.breakfast excellent. Room clean but smelled of dog! Bed comfortable"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Marine Hotel Ballycastle
Glass Island Boutique Luxury B&B

Glass Island Boutique Luxury B&B

5 out of 5
11 Beechwood Ave, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Fully refundable
The price is ₹15,165 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
₹15,165
₹15,165 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury B&B in Ballycastle. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (214 reviews)

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Glass Island Boutique Luxury B&B
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aganmore Farm Glamping

Aganmore Farm Glamping

3.5 out of 5
156 Cushendall Rd, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Ballycastle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Murlough Bay and Fair Head are located nearby.
Aganmore Farm Glamping
Kinbane Self-Catering

Kinbane Self-Catering

4 out of 5
85 Whitepark Road, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Ballycastle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Kinbane Castle and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews)
"Its like a fairytale....sotting on top of a hill in farmland looking at the ocean view. Peefect location for all the attractions on the Atlantic way!"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Kinbane Self-Catering
Makem's Self Catering Cottage

Makem's Self Catering Cottage

4 out of 5
85B Whitepark Road, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star holiday home in Ballycastle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Kinbane Castle and Ballycastle Museum are located ...
"We had a wonderful stay at the cottage. The view, the hospitality, the thoughtful touches all around. Thank you for having us"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2023

Makem's Self Catering Cottage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ballycastle

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
11
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Morton’s fish and chips was great

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We would have stayed in Waterfoot as children and travelled all around the Glens. Had a lovely time re-visiting the area.

5/5 - Excellent

Reg

Great Fish restaurant on the front called Promenade Café. Place where Ferry goes to Rathlin Island and there are eating pubs with live music. Only issue is that after 21.00 difficult to get food other than Chinese, fish and Chips, Indian or kebabs.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The people are extremely friendly and helpful, they just can't do enough for you. There are lots of excellent dining venues where the food is varied and delicious and the service is fantastic. Obviously, the whole area is very beautiful .

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A nice seaside resort on the Antrim coast. Convenient for scenic drives, the Glens and Causeway coast

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice town as a base to travel around the Antrim coastline.

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