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Causeway Coast: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 3-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go.

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3
days
160 km
distance
6.7 h
driving
20
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Belfast → Ballycastle

6 curated stops
Transit
2h54
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
7.7°C–12.9°C
Rainy days
~11
Daylight
15.9h
09:00
Divis read more map ↗
Hike the basalt crag with sweeping city views and open moorland.
50 min · Belfast
10:10
Ulster Museum ulstermuseum.org read more map ↗
Discover diverse exhibits from natural history to art in a grand setting.
50 min · Belfast · Free
open: Tu-Su 10AM-5PM
11:15
SS Nomadic read more map ↗
Step aboard this historic tender ship linked to Titanic.
50 min · Belfast · Same ticket as Titanic
open: Daily 11AM-4:30PM
14:35
Fair Head read more map ↗
Stand beneath towering dolerite cliffs popular with climbers.
50 min · Ballycastle
15:40
Giant's Causeway read more
Marvel at an imposing cascade of hexagonal basalt columns along the coast.
50 min · Ballycastle
16:45
Rathlin Island read more
Spot the island six miles north, an easy day-trip away.
50 min · Ballycastle
Overnight: Ballycastle
e.g. Whitepark Bay Hostel · Causeway Coast Holiday Park
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Bushmills → Portrush

6 curated stops
Transit
1h34
Finish
~17:25
Temperature
7.2°C–13.1°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
15.9h
10:00
Old Bushmills Distillery bushmills.com read more
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
11:05
Portballintrae read more map ↗
Stroll along a breezy promenade with whitewashed cottages and modern buildings.
50 min · Bushmills
12:10
Dunluce Castle read more
Visit the ruins on the cliffside with dramatic coastal views.
50 min · Bushmills
13:00
Flash In The Pan search
Enjoy classic fish & chips done right.
60 min · Bushmills
open: Daily noon-10PM
14:25
Ramore Head read more
Enjoy breezy views from the headland that defines the peninsula.
50 min · Portrush
15:30
Coastal Zone discovernorthernireland.com read more
Discover local natural history in an engaging small exhibit.
50 min · Portrush · Free
open: Jun-Sep daily 10AM-4:30PM
16:35
The Skerries search map ↗
Spot rocky islets offshore, a nature reserve near the Giant's Causeway.
50 min · Portrush
Overnight: Portrush
e.g. Carrick Dhu Caravan Park · Golflinks Hotel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Derry

6 curated stops
Transit
2h14
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
7.2°C–13.0°C
Rainy days
~13
Daylight
15.9h
10:00
Grianan of Aileach read more map ↗
Stand atop an ancient ringfort with stunning views.
50 min · Derry · Free
open: 24 hours
11:10
Burt Castle read more map ↗
View a 16th-century Z-plan turret from the O'Doherty clan, now on private land.
50 min · Derry
12:45
St Eugene's Cathedral steugenescathedral.com read more map ↗
Appreciate the neo-Gothic design of the Roman Catholic cathedral.
50 min · Derry
open: Daily 7:30AM-8PM
13:45
Free Derry Corner read more map ↗
See powerful political murals and a monument marking nationalist history.
50 min · Derry
14:45
St Columb's Cathedral stcolumbscathedral.org read more map ↗
Admire the grand architecture of the Church of Ireland's cathedral.
50 min · Derry
15:45
Foyle Valley Railway Museum facebook.com read more map ↗
Visit exhibits on narrow-gauge railways of Donegal.
50 min · Derry
16:35
Guapo search map ↗
Enjoy tasty and affordable Mexican burritos in a cozy setting.
60 min · Derry · –
open: M–Sa noon–9PM, Su 2–9PM

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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