Photo: portengaround (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Planning the Causeway Coastal Route
The Causeway Coastal Route squeezes an astonishing amount into 130 miles: nine glens, a rope bridge over the Atlantic, the Giant's Causeway, a 400-year-old distillery and two great cities to bookend it. It's regularly rated among the best road trips in the world, and it earns it.
Two days is enough to drive it; three lets you actually walk the cliff paths. The stops below run south to north — each one lists places to stay nearby so you can break the journey wherever the light catches you.
The route
Causeway Coastal Route
🚦 Before you set off
Single-track roads and holiday traffic change fast — check conditions on the day.
Stage by stage
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1
Belfast
Titanic Belfast deserves a half day before you head up the coast road.
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2
Carrickfergus
A proper Norman castle guarding the lough, twenty minutes in.
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3
Glenarm
First of the nine Glens of Antrim — castle walls, harbour, tearoom.
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4
Cushendall
Red sandstone village where three glens meet; detour up Glenariff for the waterfalls.
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5
Ballycastle
Seafront town with the Rathlin Island ferry and the best fish and chips on the route.
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6
Carrick-a-Rede
The rope bridge — book a time slot ahead in summer, and don't look down.
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7
Giant's Causeway
Forty thousand basalt columns and the legend to go with them. Early morning beats the coaches.
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8
Bushmills
The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, a mile from the Causeway.
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9
Portrush
Seaside resort energy: two beaches, arcades and golf at Royal Portrush.
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10
Derry~Londonderry
Finish inside the only complete walled city in Ireland — walk the full circuit.
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Good to know
- How long does the Causeway Coastal Route take?
- Around 2–3 days to do it justice — the stages on this page break the 130 miles into real days rather than a dash.
- Should I book accommodation in advance?
- Yes, especially May to September — beds along popular routes go early. Each stage lists places to stay nearby so you can book the whole trip before you set off.
- Do I book through this site?
- No — every listing links straight to the holiday operator and you book with them at their live price. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.