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Causeway Coast: the Day-by-Day Itinerary

The hexagonal basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway
Photo: Chmee2 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Causeway Coast packs a lot into a short drive. Belfast's Titanic quarter leads to castle ruins on basalt cliffs, the Giant's Causeway's forty thousand hexagonal columns, and a rope bridge swaying over the sea. The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery waits at Bushmills.

Causeway Coast is a 160 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 2–4 days; the plan below is the 3-day version for May, built from 180 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

Customize this plan → 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go

3
days
154 km
distance
2.8 h
driving
22
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Belfast → Ballycastle

1h15 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 2.7–20.4°C · 🌧 ~11 rain days · ☀ 15.9h light
09:00
Ulster Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover diverse exhibits from natural history to art in a grand setting.
50 min · Belfast · Free
open: Tu-Su 10AM-5PM
09:50
Irish Republican History Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Gain insights into Belfast's Republican history through artifacts.
50 min · Belfast · Donation
open: Tu-Sa 10AM-2PM
10:40
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaichmuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Immerse yourself in Irish language and culture in this vibrant hub.
50 min · Belfast
open: M-Th 9AM-6PM, F Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 11AM-4PM
12:45
Ballycastle Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Discover local history in a small, volunteer-run museum.
50 min · Ballycastle · Free
open: Apr-Sep
13:35
Carrick-a-Rede Bridgebeaches & cliffs
Feel the thrill of walking a historic rope bridge over churning waters.
50 min · Ballycastle · Adult £15, child £7.50, NT free
open: Daily 9AM-4:30PM
14:25
Bonamargy Friaryhistory & sagas
Explore the grand ruins of an old Franciscan monastery.
50 min · Ballycastle · Free
open: 24 hours
15:15
Thyme & Co Cafecoffee & bakes
Savor fresh, simple lunches in a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
60 min · Ballycastle
open: M Tu Th F 9AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-3:30PM, 5:30-8PM, Su 9:30AM-2PM
18:30
Anzac Restaurantcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy hearty bar food and friendly service.
75 min · Ballycastle
open: Tu 5-9PM, W-F 4-11:30PM, Sa noon-11:30PM, Su 1-11PM
Overnight: Ballycastle
e.g. Whitepark Bay Hostel · Causeway Coast Holiday Park

Day 2 Bushmills → Portrush

0h34 transit · wraps up ~19:45
🌡 1.9–21.3°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 15.9h light
09:22
Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railwaycraft beer & pubsmuseums & heritagebeaches & cliffs
Ride a charming heritage railway through scenic sandhills.
90 min · Bushmills
open: Sa Su
10:52
Old Bushmills Distillerycraft beer & pubs
Taste history at the world's oldest whiskey distillery.
50 min · Bushmills · Tour: adult £15, conc £12, child £6
open: M–Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM
11:54
Dunluce Castlehistory & sagasbeaches & cliffs
Witness dramatic coastal ruins of a once-mighty medieval fortress.
50 min · Portrush
open: Daily 9:30AM-4PM
12:44
Coastal Zonemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover local natural history in an engaging small exhibit.
50 min · Portrush · Free
open: Jun-Sep daily 10AM-4:30PM
13:34
Royal Portrush Golf Clubhistory & sagas
Play championship links golf with stunning ocean vistas.
90 min · Portrush
15:04
Ramorecraft beer & pubsbeaches & cliffs
Enjoy lively waterfront dining under the open sky.
60 min · Portrush
18:30
Tides
Relish traditional fare in a relaxed spot by the links.
75 min · Portrush
open: M-Sa 12:30-2:30PM, 5-9PM, Su 12:30-9PM
Overnight: Portrush
e.g. Carrick Dhu Caravan Park · Golflinks Hotel

See the remaining 1 days of the 3-day plan →

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