Where to stay in Ballycastle, County Antrim

Pick your base

Ballycastle in Antrim, and why to stay here

This guide covers Ballycastle on the north coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Ballycastle has a beach, Bonamargy Friary and the ferry to Rathlin. Stay here to spend time at those places, with the harbour or town as your base. A search for Ballycastle can also refer to County Mayo, so choose an address in County Antrim when booking for the Rathlin ferry.

Rathlin is the clearest reason to stay near the harbour. The ferry leaves from Bayview Road in Ballycastle. An overnight here lets the island visit begin without a transfer from Belfast or Portrush that morning. It also leaves somewhere on the mainland to return to. Book the outward and return crossings together before deciding how much to do on Rathlin.

Ballycastle also works for a beach and local-history stay. The council describes a beach running from the marina end towards Pans Rock, with a promenade on the western section. The town heritage trail adds another way to spend time beyond the water. Stay an extra night for the promenade, beach and town trail, with time on the mainland as well as Rathlin.

Harbour, town centre or beach side

The harbour and Bayview Road put you close to the ferry. Walk along the western beach promenade before or after the crossing. It adds time beside the sea without another road journey. A sea-view room farther along the coast does not offer the same departure convenience. Keep the mainland overnight close to the harbour if removing that extra transfer is the reason for staying in Ballycastle.

Castle Street suits a visit with time in the town itself. Ballycastle Museum occupies an old courthouse and market building there, but it is closed for restoration. Use the heritage trail to explore the town's historic locations instead. The area makes sense when looking beyond the promenade, while the harbour is handier for a ferry trip.

The eastern side is the place for beach time and Bonamargy Friary. The council describes sand with some shingle, a dune boardwalk and the golf course behind much of the shore. Bonamargy Friary is another local stop on the coast road towards Cushendall. Choose this side for beach time and the friary, with a separate journey to the harbour on your ferry day.

Reaching Ballycastle without a car

Ballycastle is outside the NI Railways network. The railway reaches Coleraine and Portrush, while the official 172/402 coastal bus information links Coleraine with Ballycastle. Use these buses for the final journey to Ballycastle after arriving by rail. Allow time to change from train to bus at Coleraine or continue from Portrush on the coastal route.

The Causeway Rambler is useful for a coastal arrival or an outing towards the Giant's Causeway. Plan the service for the actual travel date, including the journey back to Ballycastle. Some smaller headlands need transport beyond the coastal bus stops. For a stay without a car, keep the accommodation in town to avoid needing another lift from the bus to a countryside address.

Rathlin Ferry is an additional booking, separate from the mainland bus. The vessels have different luggage arrangements. Check luggage rules and the return sailing with the operator before you go. Keep a mainland option in case the crossing changes. Staying in Ballycastle removes the need to fit a long mainland transfer around the ferry on the same day.

When to choose another base

Portrush has the clearer advantage for a visitor arriving by railway and wanting town beaches. Ballycastle has the clearer advantage for Rathlin and Fairhead. Stay in Portrush for its beaches and rail access, or Ballycastle for Rathlin and Fairhead. If the visit contains several days in both areas, a single move can make sense. For one major coastal attraction, a day trip from one base may be enough.

Belfast is worth keeping as the base for a short visit dominated by Titanic Belfast, City Hall and Ulster Museum. Move to Ballycastle for several days on the coast. Keep Belfast for one coastal excursion, especially if you are leaving out Rathlin. The town has outdoor choices nearby, but its rain plan should not be built around a museum that the council lists as closed for restoration.

The rural area around Fairhead suits a stay with a car. The official visitor information places Fairhead east of Ballycastle and links it with Murlough Bay. It suits time on that headland, with road transfers back to the harbour. For a car-free visitor, the town centre or seafront is more useful. A rural address can say Ballycastle while still needing a drive to the harbour and town.