Friends, ready for cliff-edge drama and photogenic geology? County Antrim squeezes a lot into a compact coastal drive—hexagonal stones, rope-bridge thrills, tumble-down fortresses, and green valleys laced with waterfalls.

Use this practical, detail-rich guide to plan a 1–3 day route with smart stops, proper costs, and easy ways to move between highlights.

Giant’s Causeway

Antrim’s showstopper is a surreal puzzle of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Pedestrian access to the stones is free; the National Trust’s Visitor Experience (parking, exhibition, audio guide, guided walks) is optional and must be pre-booked for car park access. If you skip the Visitor Centre, use public lots or the coastal path. Leave no trace—don't wedge coins into rock joints.

Dunluce Castle

Perched on a basalt headland, these atmospheric ruins are open daily in peak season (approx. 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., last entry 30 minutes prior). Entry is about £6 (about$8); family tickets available. Bring firm-soled shoes for uneven stone and coastal paths.

Portrush Coast

Plan a beach break on sweeping white sands, plus old-school amusements right in town (seasonal). Golfers book Dunluce Links months ahead; non-golfers chase golden-hour photos along the promenade. Check opening times for the amusement park before you go, especially outside school holidays.

Glens Trails

Nine green valleys carve Antrim’s interior; Glenariff Forest Park is the crowd-pleaser. The Waterfall Trail is about 3.5 km (about 1.5 hours) in length with steps, boardwalks, and spray-cooled viewpoints—doable for most with care. Parking is typically around £5 per car (about$7), gates closing at dusk.

Antrim Gardens

Stroll formal avenues and water features at Antrim Castle Gardens—free entry—with long weekday opening hours and shorter weekend windows. It’s an easy picnic stop between Belfast and the north coast.

Carrickfergus

On Belfast Lough, stout walls and a photogenic keep make Carrickfergus Castle a worthy quick stop en route to the coast. Typical hours cluster around mid-morning to late afternoon (seasonal). Verify day-of times, as schedules shift slightly through the year.

Film Locations

Track cinematic scenery along the Causeway Coast. Start at the Dark Hedges near Ballymoney for a tunnel of beech trees, then loop to Dwejra-like shore drama at Ballintoy and the headlands near Dunluce. Cushendun Caves and the glens round out a compact, self-drive circuit—sunrise or late afternoon is best for soft light.

Belfast Highlights

Spend a half-day in the Titanic Quarter. Tickets for Titanic Belfast are £24.95 online (about$34) and £26.95 walk-up (about$36); family and concession rates available. Book ahead during holidays and pair with a waterfront walk among shipyard slipways.

Causeway Transit

Car-free is easy. NI Railways reaches Coleraine; from there, Ulsterbus 402 “Causeway Rambler” runs to major sights, including the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce, and Ballycastle. The run between Coleraine and the Causeway takes ~30–36 minutes and operates daily in season; consult current timetables.

Timing Tricks

At the Causeway, arrive for first light or the last two hours before closing to thin crowds and catch warm side-light on the stones. For Carrick-a-Rede, book the earliest crossing to minimize queueing and wind disruptions. Dunluce pairs beautifully with nearby Magheracross viewpoint—stop for wide-angle coastal shots after your castle visit.

Safety & Gear

Coastal paths can be slick—wear grippy footwear and avoid cliff edges in gusty conditions. Pack a windproof layer even in summer, plus sunscreen and reusable water bottle. If driving, expect narrow rural lanes; take them slowly and use designated lay-bys for photos.

Where to Base

Ballycastle suits early Carrick-a-Rede starts; Portrush is best for beach time and family amusements; Bushmills is handy for the Causeway and Dunluce. In peak months (June–August), secure stays weeks in advance and budget extra time for car parks near headline sights.

Costs Quick-Glance

Carrick-a-Rede: about £13.50–£15.50 ($18–$21)

Dunluce Castle: about £6 (about$8)

Glenariff parking: about £5 per car (about$7)

Titanic Belfast: about £24.95 online (about$34)

Lykkers, Antrim rewards a simple plan: anchor your day on one headline stop, add a short trail or viewpoint, then roll a scenic coastal drive between them. Which moment will be your first snapshot—hexagonal stones under sunrise, a brave step on the rope bridge, or castle walls framed by sea spray?