Portrush Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Portrush Beach showing a bay or harbour, general coastal views and a coastal town
Portrush
Portrush Beach showing general coastal views, a beach and cruising
Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is NorthernIreland’s quintessential seaside town: a fun and lively resort with sandybeaches, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of daytime amusements.Portrush stretches out across a mile-longpeninsula that juts into the North Atlantic and presents a panorama of theCauseway Coast, from the Giant’s Causeway in the east to Lough Foyle and theheadlands of Donegal in the west. With its range of restaurants, nightclubs,hotels and eye-catching scenery, Portrush is agreat place for a family holiday.

From Flint Stones to Surfers – the History ofPortrush

Portrush was inhabitedsince at least 4,000 BC according to archaeologists, but modernPortrush has a lot more yabba-dabba-doo thesedays, drawing daytrippers to town with its selection of amusement arcades andsurf schools.

Yet there are some heritage sites that are well worthseeing, particularly DunluceCastle which is a short distance from the sea front. The ruins ofDunluce Castle are perched on a cliff at the edge of the sea, a dramaticlocation guaranteed to capture visitors’ imaginations. It dates back to the14th century and was the home of the MacDonnell clan until part of it fell intothe sea in 1639. A fire destroyed the rest in 1641.

Seaside Portrush

Whiterocks beach is a perfect location for familieswhen the sun shines, but the surf schools are out and about in all weather.Portrush is billed as “the surfing capital ofNorthern Ireland” and there is no shortage of instructors and surf shops tohelp novices catch their first wave. Portrush isalso great for windsurfing and other water sports – you can even take a trip ona fishing vessel to see how the professionals do it.

Sports and Leisure Pursuits in Portrush

Serious golf fans need look no further than the RoyalPortrush Golf Club, which hosted the British Open championship in1951 and has plans underway to upgrade it again. Should the committed golferget bored, there are two other courses in town. There are two bowling greens onthe seafront, and several tennis courts. Cyclists will enjoy the 22-mile tourthat goes from the Giant’s Causeway throughPortrush to Benone Strand. And for children there is the pirate-themedWaterworld pool, complete with a Pirate’s Cove, rope bridge, water pistols andscramble net.

Shopping in Portrush

Portrush has shops tocater for all tastes, from edgy surfwear shops and holistic beauty salons toclassic womenswear, handmade jewellery and antiques. The White House departmentstore is a well-known landmark which has stood for more than a century andcontinues to sell its wares to modern customers.

Eating and Nightlife in Portrush

Portrush has no shortageof restaurants – the town boasts a variety of cuisines including stone-bakedpizza and Italian food, modern Irish restaurants, traditional pub grub andseafood. Among the pubs and cafes you’ll find a range of offerings from thegreasy spoon serving an Ulster Fry with black and white pudding to espressobars with the latest blends.

Kelly’s nightclub is a draw for people from aroundNorthern Ireland and has regular spots with big name international DJs, andthere are lots of other modern bars and traditional Irish pubs to choose fromand rest those dancing feet.

Enjoy Portrush

Portrush will liven upany holiday with a host of distractions from extravagant landscapes to adynamic nightlife. It’s also an excellent place to begin exploring NorthernIreland’s famous Causeway Coast, and take in the internationally-renownedGiant’s Causeway World Heritage site and the breathtaking Carrick-a-Rede ropebridge to find out exactly where they filmed Game of Thrones.

Portrush Atlantic Hotel
Portrush Atlantic Hotel
3 out of 5
73 Main Street, Co Antrim, Portrush, Northern Ireland
The price is £160 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£160
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Portrush. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (973 reviews)
Friendly comfortable hotel on sea front
"Great room with sea view, lovely hotel with lift and good buffet breakfast, close to all pubs and restaurants"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Portrush Atlantic Hotel
Inn on the Coast
Inn on the Coast
3 out of 5
50 BALLYREAGH ROAD, Portrush, Northern Ireland
The price is £119 per night from 4 Jul to 5 Jul
£119
4 Jul - 5 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Portrush. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (706 reviews)
"Helpful staff , comfortable stay right opposite the beach , good parking"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Inn on the Coast
Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
3.5 out of 5
39 - 41 Main Street, Portrush, Northern Ireland
The price is £149 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£149
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Portrush. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Royal Portrush Golf Club and Giant's Causeway ...
Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Wee Snug
The Wee Snug
3.5 out of 5
64 Causeway Street, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3.5-star beach apartment in Portrush. Popular attractions Royal Portrush Golf Club and Giant's Causeway are located nearby.
"This was perfect little stay in Portrush, central to everything only a little walk to everything"

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2025

The Wee Snug
Curran Gate Luxury Apartments, Portrush
Curran Gate Luxury Apartments, Portrush
5 out of 5
Causeway St, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Portrush. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and on-site spa services. Popular attractions Royal Portrush Golf Club and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
"The location, accommodations and service were exceptional. I highly recommend this place for future travel."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Curran Gate Luxury Apartments, Portrush
The Links Apartment Self Catering
The Links Apartment Self Catering
3 out of 5
9 The Links, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Portrush. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Royal Portrush Golf Club and Giant's Causeway are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"Hopefully will be back again"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

The Links Apartment Self Catering
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Portrush

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
33
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
28
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The harbour bar is a most for anyone the live bands and the atmosphere was great

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lovely little coastal town but with plenty of pubs and restaurants . Iconic Barry’s Amusements were shut when we were there unfortunately . Giants Causeway really close and was a must to see.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Low season is very quiet. Difficult to find dinner.

5/5 - Excellent

Rodders

Great seaside town which has been done up for the Open and looks fab now.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very friendly folk

5/5 - Excellent

Brian

Portrush and north coast is changing, much smarter area, clean and plenty to do. Thankfully ‘Barry’s’ is still the same 

Cities near Portrush