Title: Visit County Antrim: Best of County Antrim Travel 2025 | Expedia Tourism - Expedia.co.uk [County Antrim Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-County-Antrim.d6034476.Hotel-Destinations)[Holiday Rentals in County Antrim](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-County-Antrim.d6034476.Holiday-Rental-Destinations)[County Antrim Flights](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-County-Antrim.d6034476.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in County Antrim](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-County-Antrim.d6034476.Travel-Guide-Activities)[County Antrim Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-County-Antrim.d6034476.Car-Hire-Destinations)[County Antrim Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/County-Antrim.d6034476.Holidays-City-Breaks) # County Antrim Travel Guide ## Northern Ireland ![Dunluce Castle which includes heritage elements and a ruin as well as a small group of people](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/41000/41220-Dunluce-Castle.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Dunluce Castle showing general coastal views, a ruin and heritage elements](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/41000/41226-Dunluce-Castle.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![County Antrim](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/42000/42855-Old-Bushmills-Distillery.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Old Bushmills Distillery showing signage](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/42000/42861-Old-Bushmills-Distillery.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Giant\'s Causeway showing general coastal views, heritage elements and rugged coastline](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/144000/144438-Giants-Causeway.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### County Antrim is locatedin the north-east of Northern Ireland and is rich in history and stunningnatural beauty. Characterised by isolated, rugged landscapes, unspoiltcoastlines and bustling cities, County Antrim is afantastic place to visit for all ages. ### Nature and History in County Antrim The marine drive north from Laren, past the famous [Giant'sCauseway](https://www.expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/giants-causeway-antrim-coast-tour-by-railtours-ireland-first-class.a181655.activity-details) to the seaside resort of [Portrush](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Portrush.d6054347.Holidays-City-Breaks),follows 60 miles of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful coastline. Along the marine drive, you’ll pass several coastalvillages, each with their own distinctive character. [Cushendall](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Cushendall.d6139342.Holidays-City-Breaks),just below the north-east tip, is a quirky, colourful town with severalinteresting monuments. The red curfew tower in the middle of the town was builtin 1809 as “a place of confinement for idlers and rioters” and remains, wellpreserved, as a point of interest for visitors. Here you can also see Oisin’s Grace - a megalithiccourt cairn on a hillside near the Glenann River. It is believed to be theburial place of Oisin, the Celtic warrior poet. Further along the coastal road, the serene greencrescent of [MurloughBay](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Murlough-Bay-Ballycastle.d6086609.Attraction) comes into view. Climb further towards the eerie tableland of [FairHead](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Fair-Head-Ballycastle.d6086605.Attraction) in the north-eastern corner of CountyAntrim, a haven for intrepid rock climbers, and enjoy a bird’seye view of [RathlinIsland](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Rathlin-Island-Ballycastle.d6086607.Attraction). Further up the coast, [Ballycastle](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Ballycastle.d182705.Holidays-City-Breaks)offers Blue Flag beaches and dramatic coastal views. Here you can climb the1,695 feet to the summit of Knocklayde, a heather-covered mountain, whichprovides extensive views over Ballycastle, Rathlin Island, Fair Head andScotland. Just six miles off the coast, Rathlin Island offers afantastic place for walkers to enjoy rugged landscape and tranquil beauty. Youcan get the ferry across the “Sea of Moyle” from the mainland. There areseveral bed and breakfasts and restaurants on the tiny island, as well as anRSPB Seabird Centre and walking tours available. ### Significant Towns in County Antrim [Belfast](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Belfast.d6034919.Holidays-City-Breaks),the capital of Northern Ireland, is the largest city in the country. With itsbuzzing energy and countless excellent bars and restaurants, it is a localmust-see and an enjoyable place to spend several days during your trip toCounty Antrim. Belfast is a centre for arts and culture. There areseveral theatres, including the [GrandOpera House](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Grand-Opera-House-Belfast.d6083471.Attraction), [UlsterHall](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Ulster-Hall-Belfast.d6083901.Attraction) and The MAC, which offer a wide range of performances fromtheatre companies all over the world. The Ulster Orchestra, Northern Ireland’sonly full-time symphony orchestra, is based in Belfast and there are manytraditional Irish bands playing throughout the city. Ranging from Edwardian buildings, such as the CityHall, to modern high rises, the landscape of Belfast is vast andvaried. The county town of Antrimstands 18 miles northwest of Belfast. Situated in the north-east of NorthernIreland on the banks of the Six Mile Water, Antrimis a picturesque town with a range of important historical buildings. [AntrimCastle](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Antrim-Castle-Antrim.d6086589.Attraction) is of particular note. All that remains is the Barbican Gate,the old gateway to the castle, which stands proud on the banks of the river.About a mile from the town is one of the most perfect of the round towers ofIreland, which stands, at 93 feet high, in the grounds of the Steeple near theprehistoric “Witches’ Stone”. ### Enjoy County Antrim Explore the rugged, unspoilt coasts and beautifulmountain ranges of County Antrim. Enjoy thebuzzing nightlife of Northern Ireland’s capital or relax on one of the county’saward-winning beaches. A place of colour, contrast and character,County Antrim is one of Northern Ireland’s mostbeautiful treasures. ### Popular cities in County Antrim [BelfastKnown for Friendly people, Bars and Tours](https://expedia.co.uk/Belfast.dx6034919) Small in stature, yet culturally influential beyond its borders, Belfast has grown out of The Troubles of 20th-century Europe to offer visitors captivating history, art, music and more. ## Reasons to visit - Waterfront Hall - Queen's University of Belfast - Grand Opera House [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Belfast.dx6034919)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Belfast-Hotels.d6034919.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [BallycastleKnown for Friendly people, Sea and Ferries and boats](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballycastle.dx182705) 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. ## Reasons to visit - Ballintoy Harbour - Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge - Ballycastle Beach [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballycastle.dx182705)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballycastle-Hotels.d182705.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [BushmillsKnown for Bars, Historical and Castle](https://expedia.co.uk/Bushmills.dx182710) For the quintessential Northern Irish experience, the small village of Bushmills in County Antrim won’t disappoint. ## Reasons to visit - Giant's Causeway - Dunluce Castle - Old Bushmills Distillery [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Bushmills.dx182710)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Bushmills-Hotels.d182710.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [BallymenaKnown for Small town, Spas and Sea](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballymena.dx5626) Ballymena is a pretty, historic town in Northern Ireland, just a 30-minute drive from Belfast. ## Reasons to visit - Glenarm Castle - Glenariff Forest Park [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballymena.dx5626)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballymena-Hotels.d5626.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [PortrushKnown for Friendly people, Sea and Beaches](https://expedia.co.uk/Portrush.dx5712) Portrush is Northern Ireland’s quintessential seaside town: a fun and lively resort with sandy beaches, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of daytime amusements. Portrush stretches out across a mile-long peninsula that juts into the North Atlantic and presents a panorama of the Causeway Coast, from the Giant’s Causeway in the east to Lough Foyle and the headlands of Donegal in the west. With its range of restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and eye-catching scenery, Portrush is a great place for a family holiday. ## Reasons to visit - Portrush East Strand Beach - Portrush West Strand Beach [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Portrush.dx5712)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Portrush-Hotels.d5712.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [LisburnKnown for Friendly people, Spas and Golf](https://expedia.co.uk/Lisburn.dx6140078) The original birthplace of Ireland’s linen industry, Lisburn offers stunning scenery, historic architecture and a modern, bustling city centre. The city and surrounding areas provide a unique insight into Irish culture and history, and the romance of the rolling hills of [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Lisburn.dx6140078)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Lisburn-Hotels.d6140078.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels when you book in the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app ![QR code to download the app](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/qr-code/footer_qr/3_QR_FOOTER.png)