Best Things to Do in Portrush (Antrim)

Portrush is a seaside resort town near Portstewart, on the northern coast of Antrim. It doubles as a dormitory town for students of the nearby University of Ulster, and a popular tourist destination due to it boasting three of Northern Ireland’s eight blue flag beaches. Social Media portrays Portrush as a fun-filled destination for families, but is there more to it than its sandy beaches?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: Portrush Railway Station can be reached directly by train from Belfast in 1 hour and 35 minutes. If travelling from Derry there is no direct option so you must switch to a second train in Coleraine. The incredibly scenic journey from Derry to Coleraine takes 40 minutes and a further 10 minutes on a second train from Coleraine to Portrush.

If travelling by bus, Translink 218 brings you to Coleraine from Belfast in 1 hour 40 minutes. Translink 234 brings you to Coleraine from Derry in 1 hour 15 minutes. In both cases you must also hop on a second bus, the Translink 402 to Portrush, which takes 20 minutes.

For good value food look no further than Urban, the town’s newest restaurant. This busy spot is very reasonably priced, with an Italian Chicken Penne costing just £14. The food at Urban is great but it gets a little frantic at times, so service may be sluggish.

For wholesome dining options, explore the vibrant bar scene here. The Harbour Bar offer a scrumptious menu, and a tranquil atmosphere. Indulge in the delightful battered cod for £16 but be mindful not to get too comfortable, as you won’t want to leave once the live music begins!

Hot Beverages: Café Tilly is a must visit. Grab a lovely brew to accompany a £8.50 large fry breakfast in this cozy and dog friendly haunt. The place is constantly brimming with canine friends and even has a doggy menu for your pooch!

Alcohol: This town was once the focal point for nightlife in this part of the country when it was home to Lush, Northern Ireland’s most famous nightclub. Lush’s closure in 2021 definitely saw Portrush transition into more of a pub town than a party town.

Head to the Kiwis Brew Bar to sample the best selection of craft beers in the area. This gastropub offers delicious food to be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, accompanied by incredible pints. Their burgers are particularly tasty! The atmosphere is very friendly and they run live music regularly.

For a more traditional and old school vibe head to the Harbour Bar, one of the oldest pubs in Northern Ireland. They serve food and excellent pints and even have a gin bar for those looking for something a little more classy. The relaxing setting combined with the friendly atmosphere created by the brilliant barmen make this a spot you won’t want to leave! They also run live music seven nights per week.

Ramore Head is the beautiful rocky headland on which Portrush lies. A ramble around the peninsula offers breathtaking clifftop views over the Atlantic Ocean and its islands. The jagged cliffs are home to a plethora of birds, like black guillemots and eiders. On warm days it’s the perfect setting for a picnic, while stormy days bring incredible views of the sea crushing against the coast. Be mindful to keep your distance from the cliff edge, as the winds can be mightily strong.

Ramore Head Walking Trail Information

Three blue flag beaches adorn the area. The resort is sandwiched on either side by West Strand and East Strand, with Whiterocks Beach a short stroll beyond East Strand.

West Strand Beach starts at the harbour and heads towards Portstewart and is the shortest of the beaches. In the summer months swimmers and surfers pack the waters and all year round the promenade is lined with people walking dogs while appreciating the stunning views of Donegal and back towards Portrush itself. There are toilet facilities available at the car park.

East Strand, which sits on the opposite side of the town, is 2.5km of unspoiled golden sands. It too is popular with swimmers and dog-walkers, who are blessed with views of a small group of islands called the Skerries. Its strong waves are perfect for surfing, with stand-up paddleboarding popular here too. There are fantastic sand dunes here that are just begging to be scaled!

Whiterocks Beach, which gets its name from the white limestone cliffs that surround it, sits further out of the town beyond the East Strand. This beach is popular with swimmers, surfers and walkers, who enjoy the more tranquil setting that comes with being further from the center of the resort. The small car park here can fill up quickly so get there early on sunny days if driving.

The atmosphere here has unquestionably changed over the years. It has definitely become more family friendly, being quite similar to Bundoran in the south of Ireland. During the summer there is a very jovial spirit around the town. The beautiful beaches are awash with young families having fun before they descend upon the indoor amusement arcades. Come nightfall the town comes alive with good music and trad sessions. It may not have the same party atmosphere it once had but it certainly has a vibrant pub scene.

There is nothing glamourous about Portrush but it provides good old-fashioned fun while not taking itself too seriously.

Its position on the wild Atlantic coast makes this the perfect spot for Surfing. Surf schools and shops line the town, with our favourite being the family-run Trogg’s Surf School. They have a range of lessons on offer for beginners, with group lessons costing £35 each and a one-to-one lesson costing £55 for an hour.

Seasoned professionals can check out their surf shop that sells everything from wetsuits and surfboards to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Book Surfing Lessons at Trogg’s Surf School

Barry’s Amusements, once unquestionably Portrush’s most famous attraction, opened in 1925 and was the largest amusement park in Northern Ireland until it closed almost 100 years later. In 2022 it was purchased by the Curry family and reopened as Curry’s Fun Park.

Situated in an ideal location in the middle of the town, it opens from April to October until 10pm every night and is a brilliant day out for children of all ages! Amenities include tame carousels, scary rollercoasters and bumper cars known as the drifting dodgems.

This is the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful Causeway Coastal Route, encompassing many of Northern Ireland’s best tourist attractions. A 10 minute drive takes you to the ruins of Dunluce Castle, which recently appeared as the castle of Pyke in Game of Thrones. There is an admission charge of £6, arguably steep for a ruin!

15 minutes away lies Bushmill’s Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world. It runs tours for £9 for an adult and welcomes over 120,000 visitors every year! Book tickets online at least a day in advance to avoid disappointment. The distillery is closed to the public on Wednesdays.

Just beyond Bushmills lies the Giant’s Causeway and its 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Legend has it that these are the remnants of a bridge built by the giant Finn McCool! The visitor experience costs £15 but includes a good handheld audio guide, as well as access to the exhibits in the visitor centre. The green trail is fully accessible and wheelchairs / mobility scooters are free to rent with the visitor experience tickets.

Continue for 30 minutes to find Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. It opens until 5pm every day and costs £15. Visit the small café on site before embarking on a scenic 20 minute walk to the rope bridge, admiring excellent views of the coast and its wildlife as you travel. The bridge is extremely safe, with very little sway and affords magnificent views. It’s absolutely essential to pre-book this experience as it gets very busy.

Book Giant’s Causeway Tickets

Book Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Tickets

Just a 10-minute spin from the town you will find Portstewart, a beautiful and tourist-friendly coastal resort. Although arguably prettier than Portrush, it is certainly quieter and doesn’t have as much amenities. Translink 140b connects the two towns for around £15 for a return.

Book Translink Bus Tickets to Portstewart