What to do in Rathlin Island

Activities, attractions and tours
Photo by Manuela Hauer

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!


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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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Giant\'s Causeway which includes heritage elements, rugged coastline and general coastal views

2. 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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Old Bushmills Distillery showing signage

3. 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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Dunluce Castle which includes rugged coastline, a castle and building ruins

4. 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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As if the undulating Irish countryside wasn’t magical enough, close to the town of Ballymoney you can treat yourself to a magical and mysterious moment with a visit to the Dark Hedges. This breathtaking avenue of gnarled beech trees lines the Bregagh Road close to the village of Armoy in County Antrim.

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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Portrush Beach featuring a beach, general coastal views and a coastal town

Day trip destinations from Rathlin Island