19 Best Things to do in Antrim (2025 Edition)

If you’re on the lookout for things to do in Antrim in 2024, you’ve landed in the right place!

People visiting Antrim tend to flock to either Belfast City or the coast and, while both are great, there’s plenty more to this county.

From hikes and leisurely walks to the incredible 9 Glens of Antrim and more, there’s and endless number of places to visit in Antrim.

In the guide below, you’ll discover a clatter of things to do in County Antrim at any time of the year, from the world-famous Giant’s Causeway to the often-missed Rathlin Island.

The best things to do in Antrim

From stunning coastal drives to ancient castles and breathtaking natural wonders, Antrim is packed with unforgettable experiences.

Here’s a look at the best things to do in this captivating corner of Northern Ireland.

1. The Causeway Coastal Route

 

2. Glenariff Forest Park

Glenariff Forest Park is special – there’s no two ways about it. Although less well-known than some of its Causeway Coastal Route contemporaries, Glenariff is one of the nine Antrim Glens.

The park, which covers an impressive 1,000 hectares, is a glorious wonderland of lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and wildlife.

There are several trails to tackle here, ranging between 0.4 miles/0.6 km to 5.9 miles/9 km in length. See our full guide.

3. The Torr Head Scenic Route

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Antrim, you can’t go wrong with the Torr Head Scenic Route (not suitable for campers/large vehicles).

The route is around 14.5 miles (23km) in length, although it often feels much longer, as you navigate bends, cliff side roads and narrow stretches of tarmac.

It stretches from Ballycastle to Cushendun and there’s plenty to see along the way. Just make sure to take your time and drive carefully.

5. The Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge

There are few Antrim tourist attractions that offer an experience as unique as the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

There has been a bridge, which hangs 25 feet above the icy waters below, connecting the mainland to the island since back in 1755.

The tour here is great, but not when it’s manic busy – so try and arrive as early as you can to avoid crossing with crowds. More info here.

6. Divis and Black Mountain

The Divis and Black Mountain walk is arguably one of the most overlooked things to do in Belfast by those that visit.

The walk, which is reasonably handy if you have a moderate level of fitness, treats those that conquer it to panoramic views of the city.

There’s a little cafe next to it and the trail up and down is very straightforward. Well worth doing if you’re visiting the capital.

7. Crumlin Road Gaol

Crumlin Road Gaol is another of the more unique places to visit in Antrim, and it’s the perfect spot to visit if you’re in Belfast when it’s raining.

Crumlin Road Gaol is the only remaining Victorian era prison in Northern Ireland, and the tour here offers an illuminating insight into the city’s past.

Over the 150 years, the gaol housed everyone from murderers to loyalists and republican prisoners. Here’s what to expect if you visit.

8. Dunluce Castle 

You’ll find the ruins of Dunluce Castle along the Causway Coastal Route, near the Giant’s Causeway and The Dark Hedges.

According to legend, on a stormy night in 1639, part of the castle’s kitchen collapsed into the icy waters below. It’s said that when the kitchen dropped into the sea, only a kitchen boy survived, as he was sat in the corner of the kitchen which remained intact.

There are few castles in Northern Ireland with a location as dramatic as Dunluce. You can take the tour if you like or admire it from afar.

9. Slemish Mountain

Slemish Mountain is, according to legend, where Saint Patrick worked as a shepherd after being captured by pirates and taken to Ireland at the age of 16.

The mountain rises to an elevation of 437 m (1,434 ft) and can be summited on a 1.2 mile hike that takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on pace.

The Slemish Mountain walk is one of many hikes in Antrim that tends to be missed by many that visit, as it lays slightly off-the-beaten-path.

10. Cave Hill

You’ll find Cave Hill Country Park a stones throw from Belfast City, where it’s home to some of the vest views in the county (it’s also home to Belfast Castle).

There are several trails here, ranging from tough to handyish, depending on fitness levels. The most popular is the Cave Hill walk.

It’s from this trail that you’ll be treated to the views in the photos above. Here’a a full guide to the walk.

11. Murlough Bay

Murlough Bay is an outstanding area of natural beauty that’s located along the Antrim Coast, not far from Torr Head.

Known for its unspoiled landscape, Murlough Bay is exceptionally beautiful (and very remote). Now, how you see it is up to you.

If you’re stuck for time (or if you/a travel companion has limited mobility) there’s a parking area that’ll treat you to stunning views. There’s also tough walk, as you’ll discover in this guide.

12. Belfast’s many parks

If you’re visiting the capital and you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle for a bit, you’re in luck – there are plenty of walks in Belfast that’ll make you feel like you’ve left the city behind.

The city is home to a plethora of public parks, each of which is home to one or more walking trails to tackle at a leisurely pace. Here are some of the best:

• Colin Glen Forest Park
• Belvoir Park Forest
• Ormeau Park
• Botanic Gardens
• Stormount Park
• Lady Dixon Park

13. Fair Head

The Fair Head Cliffs are some of the most unique on Ireland’s coastline and they rise to an impressive rise 196m (643 feet) above sea level.

There are several trails to head off on here but, be warned, the conditions here are wild, and those visiting should use extreme care and avoid walking anywhere near the edge.

If you’re looking for things to do in Antrim that most tend to miss, a visit to Fair Head is well worth adding to your itinerary (here’s a full guide to Fair Head).

14. Hillsborough Forest Park

The 200-acre Hillsborough Forest Park is located in the Georgian village of Hillsborough near Belfast, not far from Hillsborough Castle and it’s glorious gardens.

Start your visit with a coffee from the little truck in the car park and then head off on the 2km Lake Walk, that takes around 45 minutes or so to complete.

If you’re looking for some worthwhile day trips from Belfast, you can’t go wrong with a few hours spent rambling around here.

15. The Gobbins

The Gobbins is often described asthe most dramatic cliff walk in Europe, and for good reason! It’s a short, 35-minute drive from Belfast, not far from Carrickfergus Castle.

The walk was originally aimed at Edwardian thrill-seekers that wanted to experience a chunk of the dramatic Antrim coastline up close.

You can head off on a 2.5-hour tour here (good fitness needed) that’s well worth a look. Here’s a guide to the tour.

16. Cushendun Caves

The Cushendun Caves shot to fame when they became one of several Game of Thrones filming locations in Antrim.

Located on the southern end of Cushendun Beach, the caves are easily accessed (it’s around a 10-minute walk down to the caves if you park by the beach).

The caves formed the backdrop for the Stormlands and was the setting for a couple of important scenes from the series in season 2 and again in season 8.

17. The Old Bushmills Distillery

The Old Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery on earth and it’s one of the most popular whiskey distilleries in Ireland.

For over 400 years, the little village of Bushmills has been producing some of the best whiskey in the land. 

The distillery, which opened in 1608, attracts around 120,000 visitors each year and the tour is well-worth doing even if you don’t actually drink whiskey.

18. Rathlin Island

If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path things to do in Antrim, look no further than a spin out to Rathlin Island.

The island is just 6 miles/10 km from the town of Ballycastle and you can reach it by ferry (it takes just 25 minutes).

There are several walking trails on the island along with a Seabird Centre and a heap of history to uncover. Discover things to do on the island in this guide.

19. Street art and murals

The Belfast murals are arguably the best known political murals in Europe. They’re best visited on a Black Cab Tour, but you can also see them on a self-guided ramble.

Just make sure to visit during the day, as some are located in areas of Belfast to avoid at night, like The Falls Road and The Shankill Road.

There’s also plenty of street art in Belfast, if you’d like to dodge the politics. And, if it’s raining, there are loads of art galleries in Belfast to nip into.

Places to go in Antrim: Where have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that there’s plenty of things to do in County Antrim that we’ve unintentionally missed in the guide above.

If there’s something that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments section below and we’ll check it out!