There is a beautiful coastal drive that many people from the UK have never heard of, even though it is easy to get to and offers some of the best views in all of Britain and Ireland. The Causeway Coastal route is located in Northern Ireland and is home to stand-out spots, giving you a road trip like no other.
The Causeway Coastal route stretches between the bustling city of Belfast in County Antrim and Derry/Londonderry. While these two historic and vibrant spots have enough to offer in their own right for those looking for an exciting weekend escape, it is the coastal route that lies between them that is the real show-stopper, and can be completed by driving either way between the two cities. But if you needed any further inspiration, here are some things that you simply cannot miss on this gorgeous coastal drive in Northern Ireland.
How long does the Causeway Coastal Route take?
The Causeway Coastal Route, driving from Belfast to Derry, takes as long as you want it to take, depending on how long you want to stop at each spot along the way. At 120 miles long, some people advise giving yourself a few days and staying in towns like Larne, Ballycastle, and Colerane along the way.
However, if you are on a strict time limit, you could do the Causeway Coastal Route in two to three hours.
How to get to the Causeway Coastal Route
To get to Belfast from mainland Britain, you can fly into belfast International Airport. However, if you would prefer to bring your own car over, ferries to Belfast set sail from Cairnryan, Liverpool Birkenhead and Douglas.
Ferry journeys to Belfast from Britain are offered by both Stena Line and Steam Packet.
Scenic stand-outs on the UK’s most scenic coastal drive
The Causeway Coastal route is home to several standouts. Most famously, there is the Giant’s Causeway, made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed millions of years ago by a volcanic eruption. While the natural beauty of this place is outstanding, it also has a lot of interesting Irish folklore attached to it, including stories of the infamous giant Finn McCool.
Meanwhile, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge offers some amazing views of the dramatic coastline. Crossing the bridge here isn’t for the faint hearted but worth it for those who want once-in-a-lifetime views.
Other gorgeous spots along the route include Glenarm, Torr Head, and Waterfoot.
Visiting Belfast and Derry
The cities of Belfast and Derry are known for their rich and interesting history, much of which you can learn about during a trip there. In Belfast, there are attractions like the Titanic Museum, the Black Cab Tours and the Peace Wall.
Over in Derry, you will find amazing insightful attractions such as the Tower Museum and the Museum of Free Derry, which charts the events of Bloody Sunday.