Best Beaches in Belfast

The Best Beaches Near Belfast

While Belfast buzzes with culture, great food and amazing things to do, the city is also blessed with a series of fantastic beaches that are only just a short drive away

Whether you fancy a stroll along golden sands, a spot of rock pooling, some wild swimming or a go at a more strenuous type of watersport, beachside fun and relaxation is easily reachable during a Belfast city break.

Just a few minutes out of the city, the shores of Belfast Lough offer promenades, small harbours, marinas and shoreline walks just perfect for taking in the fresh sea air. There are also several beaches to enjoy around the lough, with Helen’s Bay, the closest and one of the most picturesque.

Just 15 minutes away by car from the city centre or not much longer by public transport, this first-rate beach is on the edge of Crawfordsburn Country Park, County Down. Wild swimming is popular here, and the wooded headlands, meadows, a coffee shop, scenic coastal walks and good facilities make a lovely backdrop.

Those looking for solitude should head to a lovely inlet on the tip of the Islandmagee peninsula, about 45 minutes north-east of Belfast. The horseshoe-shaped Browns Bay in County Antrim is covered in white sand and surrounded by pastoral farmlands. A perfect location for picnics, walking, swimming, windsurfing or just enjoying the great outdoors.

Heading south from Belfast by car will bring you to the glorious Blue Flag-awarded Tyrella Beach in Dundrum Bay. Overlooked by the nearby Mourne Mountains – Northern Ireland’s highest range – this mile-long sandy expanse invites brisk walks and rejuvenating dips when the tide rolls in.

The Best Beaches Near Belfast

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Park Bay near Ballintoy is ideal for relaxing strolls, while the curving Blue Flagged West Strand in the seaside resort of Portrush is a hotspot for Northern Ireland’s surfers. The local surf shops can easily fit you up with board and wetsuit rentals.

Twenty minutes further along the County Down coastline, the Mourne Mountains also frame the stunning Murlough Beach, which connects to the National Trust-protected Murlough Bay Nature Reserve. The 6,000-year-old dune system within the reserve was used as a film location in Game of Thrones®. Go for a walk or jog along the delightful sandy coastline, then finish off with a coffee at Murlough House.

Anyone up for a slightly longer drive out of Belfast will be rewarded with the exquisite beaches of the famous Causeway Coastal Route, which leads to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway, the Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and a plethora of other top-line attractions.

The secluded White The East Strand at Portrush is home to Whiterocks Beach, which is backed by limestone cliff faces. An iconic image of Northern Ireland, the medieval ruin of Dunluce Castle overlooks the sands. This is a fantastic beach for any activity, but is especially good for surfers, body boarders and surf kayakers.