What to do in Rathlin Island

Activities, attractions and tours

A rugged coastline with large rock formations and a dramatic sky.
A coastal landscape with a ruined stone structure and a clear view of the sea and distant mountains.
A coastal path with a stone wall, rocky beach, and houses in the background.
A lighthouse on a grassy hill with a cloudy sky.
A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, grassy areas, and a calm sea.

Rathlin Island Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Rathlin Island has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Rathlin Island, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Rathlin Island with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Rathlin Island

Rathlin Island is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Rathlin Island, and make it a breeze to explore Rathlin Island and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Rathlin Island to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Rathlin Island, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Rathlin Island.

Rathlin Island attractions

Rathlin Island has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Rathlin Island to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Rathlin Island.

Looking for things to do in Rathlin Island can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Rathlin Island or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Rathlin Island attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Enjoy 90 minutes at leisure to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Afternoon Giant's Causeway Half Day Tour from Belfast

£28
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Afternoon Giant's Causeway Half Day Tour from Belfast
Luxury Giants Causeway Tour in Mercedes + FREE Belfast Mural Tour

Luxury Giants Causeway Tour in Mercedes + FREE Belfast Mural Tour

£700
per traveller
Luxury Giants Causeway Tour in Mercedes + FREE Belfast Mural Tour
Private Luxury Mercedes Giants Causeway Tour from Belfast

Private Luxury Giant’s Causeway Tour from Belfast by Mercedes

£695
per traveller
Private Luxury Giant’s Causeway Tour from Belfast by Mercedes
Private Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Cruise Terminal

Private Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Cruise Terminal

£580
per traveller
Private Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Cruise Terminal
11 Hour Day Trip Giant’s Causeway from Belfast

11 Hour Day Trip Giant’s Causeway from Belfast

£736
per adult
11 Hour Day Trip Giant’s Causeway from Belfast
The Giant's Causeway

Full-Day Private Giant's Causeway Experience

£600
per traveller
Full-Day Private Giant's Causeway Experience
Belfast Private Luxury Tour - Giants Causeway : Scenery & History

Belfast Private Luxury Tour - Giants Causeway : Scenery & History

£729
per traveller
Belfast Private Luxury Tour - Giants Causeway : Scenery & History
Premium Fully Customizable Shore Excursion Tour From Belfast Cruise Terminal

Shore Excursion: Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Port

£580
per traveller
Shore Excursion: Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Port
Giants Causeway private tour from Belfast

Giants Causeway tour Belfast

£599
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Giants Causeway tour Belfast
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Top places to visit

1. Giant's Causeway

Nestling beneath other-worldly cliffs on the Atlantic fringes of County Antrim, there’s far more to the Causeway Coast than the single surf-drenched promontory created by the legendary giant Finn MacCool – or else by volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, depending on which version you believe.
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A rocky coastal landscape with a calm sea, green moss-covered rocks, and a distant island.

2. The Dark Hedges

The Stuart family, who wished to impress visitors to their home in the nearby Gracehill House, planted the beech trees here some 200 years ago. It is quite apparent from a visit here just how successful they were, as the Dark Hedges still astound visitors today.
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A pathway lined with large trees, a group of people walking, and a hill in the background.

3. Old Bushmills Distillery

The Bushmills Distillery began life more than 400 years ago and the company still uses its original trademark today. Its malt whiskey grew in popularity over the years and won many international awards in the Victorian era. The whiskey certainly made an impression on some, receiving a mention in James Joyce’s Ulysses, and it has continued to grow in popularity, particularly in the US, winning awards and being beloved by many a celebrity.
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A row of wooden barrels with labels indicating they are from the 1600s and contain single malt whisky.

4. Dunluce Castle

Thanks to its important defensive position, Dunluce Castle was constantly fought over, changing hands many times until one night in 1639, when a violent storm saw part of the structure crash down into the sea below. The castle was abandoned shortly after, and evidence suggests further bad luck befell the village located here when a fire destroyed it just a few years later in 1641.
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A coastal ruin with a view of the ocean.

5. Portrush East Strand Beach

Portrush Beach is a shoreline that attracts vacationers from Belfast in the summer. It is split into several picturesque parts with their own distinct charms. Visit a different section of beach each day for a varied experience of dunes, sandy stretches and a tall sculpture that adorns the coastline.
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A coastal town with houses along the beach and waves crashing onto the shore.

6. Carrick-a-Rede

Many years ago it was a much more precarious crossing, when salmon fishermen would use the bridge to check their nets, before the catch here dried up. Today the bridge is one of the country’s most beloved visitor attractions - around a quarter of a million people every year make the trip across and back, though every now and again some lose their nerve and have to be rescued from the island!
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A coastal landscape with a suspension bridge, rocky cliffs, and a clear blue sea.

Recommended things to do in Rathlin Island

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Rathlin Island

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Rathlin Island

A seal resting on rocks by the sea with a distant island in the background.

Campbeltown

A stone tower on a grassy cliff overlooking a coastal sea.

Islay Island

A bridge with a pedestrian walkway, a historic clock tower, and a cityscape with buildings in the background.

Londonderry

A coastal town with houses along the beach, a clear blue sea, and green hills in the background.

Ballymena

A coastal stone structure with a dome, overlooking the sea.

Coleraine

A coastal landscape with a cliff, grassy fields, and a village in the distance.

Limavady

A coastal promenade with houses, a bike path, and a sea wall.

Portrush

A coastal landscape with a beach, rocky cliffs, and a small building near the shore.

Carnlough

Frequently asked questions

Is Rathlin Island worth visiting?
Offering a mix of nature and history, there are many things to do in Rathlin Island. While you're here, visit Ballintoy Harbour, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Rathlin Island?
Start your day with a visit to Ballintoy Harbour and Sheep Island. Then, tour other parts of Rathlin Island for a bite to eat and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Rathlin Island?
Don't leave without visiting Ballintoy Harbour, ranked the top tourist attraction in Rathlin Island.
Is three days enough to stay in Rathlin Island?
Three days is plenty for a quick trip to Rathlin Island — you'll hit the main sights and get a good feel for the place. But if you truly want to soak it all in, plan at least a week to check out some nearby highlights too.
What are some activities to do in Rathlin Island with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, a fun-filled itinerary sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Rathlin Island with kids.
What to do in Rathlin Island for adults?
From incredible food and cultural highlights to thrilling activities and unique experiences, there are plenty of interesting things to do in Rathlin Island for adults.
Are there free things to do in Rathlin Island?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Rathlin Island is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without getting your cash out. Murlough Bay is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.