City: Northern Ireland
Top Things to do in Northern Ireland
Top 7 Scenic Drives in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the United Kingdom (green)
Restaurants in Northern Ireland
1. Coast Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By 816johna - Belfast, United Kingdom
The Antrim Coast Road drive is a must do activity for anyone visiting Northern Ireland. Start at Larne and drive northwards towards Ballycastle for the best views...they just keep getting better and better. Stop off at any of the small villages and towns along the way to relax and take in the sights. It's a lovely way to spend a day.
2. Causeway Coastal Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,114 reviews
The Causeway Coastal Route is a designated tourist drive around the coast of Northern Ireland between Belfast and Londonderry. The route follows the coast and takes you to several major tourist attractions including The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, The Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery and the Glens of Antrim. There are a further nine shorter scenic routes that loop off the main Coastal Route. These are : Islandmagee, Slemish Mountain, Glenariff, Glendun, Torr Road, Glenshesk, Bann Valley, Binevenagh Mountain and the Roe Valley.
Reviewed By nyackgirl47 - New York City, United States
We rented a car at the airport in Belfast, and drove to Derry. Very inexpensive way to see everything if (a) you can drive a stick shift car, and (b) you can acclimate to driving on the opposite side of the road (we're American, so we had to acclimate!). We spent a couple of days in Derry, and then took the Causeway Coastal Route straight down until we picked up the highway just outside Ballygally (spent the night there enroute). We sought out several of the Game of Thrones sites enroute, so we kind of did our own tour (saw the dark hedges, the caves, and a couple of the doors - one at Mary McBride's pub and the other at the Ballygally Castle). You will see so much along this route - the seaside resort town of Portrush (where the British Open golf tournament is currently being played), the remains of the Dunluce castle, the Carrick rope bridge, adorable little towns. It's wonderful!
3. Gortmore Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By 816johna - Belfast, United Kingdom
The drive up to Gortmore from Downhill is exciting to say the least. Low gear and a very steep road with blind bends make it a road to be careful on. Eventually it is worth it when you reach the viewpoint. There are stunning views over to Donegal, up Lough Foyle towards Londonderry and down the North Coast as far as the Giants' Causeway. Even on a warm calm day at sea level the wind at Gortmore is keen and cool.
4. Antrim Coast Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
An undeveloped, scenic stretch of road that passes along the nine Glens of Antrim.
Reviewed By ksparky70
We were on a tour and this was a beautiful drive along the coast of Ireland on our way to The Giant's Causeway which was fascinating and the cute Video online makes you look at the coast in a whole different way.
5. The Dark Hedges
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,823 reviews
Reviewed By ykk87 - Toronto, Canada
The dark hedges can be extremely crowded, so try to visit early morning or late evening. It is a wonderful spot to admire these beautiful trees. A short walk from the Hedges hotel which has parking. Many tour busses and cars park along the road but space is limited. Definitely worth a stop on your drive.
6. Manannan Mac Lir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By JKDee52
Worth the detour from the coast road, up a narrow mountain road to see this striking statue and admire the view from a height. #Ample safe parking and good steps up to statue.
7. City Panoramas: Gobnascale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
