Ballintoy Harbour: Travel Guide
Read our guide on Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland. Includes tips on things to do and see, how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Northern Ireland's coastline is home to many beautiful places.
The famous Causeway Coastal Route allows visitors to see some of its most amazing sights.
Ballintoy Harbour is one of those little gems worth adding to your Ireland itinerary.
There are several reasons to visit Ballintoy Harbour. The harbor on Antrim's coast is very picturesque, as well as the nearby beach.
On top of that, a beach trip is the perfect option to enjoy a road trip even better.
And then there's the fact that Ballintoy Harbour is one of the Game of Thrones filming locations, making this place more popular than ever.
So here's everything you should know about Ballintoy Harbour before you go.
What to See and Do
The road to the harbor was narrow, windy, and included several sharp bends.
We arrived at Ballintoy Harbour in the afternoon, and there were still plenty of people around.
Although it was a busy spring weekend, we quickly got a parking space. The parking is just right next to the harbor and the beach.
Ballintoy Harbour
So what is there to see and do in Ballintoy Harbour?
For starters, soak in the harbor views, take a leisurely stroll along the beach, and watch the kayakers paddling through the bay's calm waters.
Parking can be challenging, but once you step out of your car, you feel like entering a different world.
There is something calming about Ballintoy Harbour despite all the murmur around.
You can also admire the rock pools, explore the small caves, and enjoy a sunset if you time your visit correctly.
The Ballintoy Beach is a great place to relax, no matter the season.
If you happen to visit the harbor on a stormy day, enjoy the big waves crashing through the rocks.
If you have time, you can walk a short section of the Causeway Coastal Way.
This is technically a 2-3 day hike that connects Portstewart with Ballycastle, passes through the Ballintoy Harbour, and includes other popular places such as Dunluce Castle or Giant's Causeway.
But you can walk along the coast for as long as you want and then retrace your steps via the same trail.
Those who want to stay active can go sea kayaking or paddle boarding.
With crystal clear water and small rocky islands and sea stacks, this seemed like a kayaker's paradise.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Ballintoy Harbour.
Just be sure to wander around a bit, as some truly beautiful scenery can be seen here.
History
Ballintoy was once a busy harbor. The schooners transported local products such as sett stones and burned limestone to the British Isles.
The sett stone was used to pave the streets of fast-developing cities such as Liverpool or Dublin.
The stones were extracted from the nearby Larrybane Quarry.
By the way, this quarry was also used as a Game of Thrones filming location.
Today, Ballintoy is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Antrim's coast.
Game of Thrones
Many scenes from HBO's Game of Thrones were filmed in Northern Ireland.
Ballintoy was used as the Iron Islands, the seat of the House of Greyjoy, in the Game of Thrones series. Several scenes were filmed here.
Ballintoy Harbour was first used in season 2 when Theon arrived back in the Iron Islands and later appeared in season 4.
Ballintoy Beach was featured in episodes 2 - Home and 5 - The Door.
If you're a fan of this TV show, be sure to visit the Dark Hedges and Castle Ward.
Opening Hours
There are no opening times at Ballintoy Harbour.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Ballintoy Harbour. Parking is free of charge at Ballintoy Harbour.
Therefore, Ballintoy Harbour is one of the best free things to do in County Antrim.
If you're traveling around Ireland on a budget, make sure to add this place to your list.
How Much Time Do I Need
If you come to see the Game of Thrones filming location, anything between 30 to 60 minutes should be enough for Ballintoy Harbour.
That said, you can easily spend a whole day at Ballintoy Harbour, at least if you visit on a sunny summer day.
When to Go
Ballintoy Harbour is an all-year-round destination. This little harbor is beautiful at any time of the year, especially on a clear summer day.
However, we're not afraid to say that you will enjoy the short side trip even on a rainy day, at least if you're a Game of Thrones fan.
As hinted above, arguably, the best time to visit Ballintoy Harbour is during the summer.
Days are warm with plenty of daylight, which is ideal for road-tripping.
This season is also great for swimming, kayaking, surfing, or sunbathing.
Spring and fall bring cooler temperatures, but the crowds start to thin out.
By the way, spring is our favorite time to visit Ireland.
There are no tour buses due to narrow roads, but the harbor still gets incredibly busy during the peak season.
Arrive early and try to avoid the weekends.
What to Pack
Ballintoy Harbour is right next to the parking lot, so just wear clothes according to the weather. Remember that the weather in Northern Ireland is unpredictable.
Make sure to have a quality rain jacket, no matter when you visit.
If you're traveling in the shoulder or off-season, layers are key to the success. Be prepared that the coastal areas are often windy.
Before you set off on your Ireland summer vacation, you should pack a few things for the beach.
You will need good sunscreen, a waterproof dry bag for your valuables, and your favorite swimsuit, at least if you dare to enter the water.
Add a few extra items to ensure your beach time is relaxing and enjoyable if you plan to stay longer.
Remember to keep your Ireland packing list simple and light.
How to Get There
Driving to Ballintoy Harbour is an experience on its own.
No matter where you start, be sure to follow the coastal route. It's incredibly scenic.
There are several ways to get to Ballintoy Harbour, including by car, bus, or tour.
Car
The easiest way to get to Ballintoy Harbour is by car.
Renting a car in Ireland is a good idea as you will be able to travel at your own pace and visit all the places you want.
Be prepared that the road connecting the harbor with the main road is short but quite narrow and has some zig-zags.
Driving down can be tricky on a busy day, so go slowly. Here, you can find tips for driving in Ireland.
Ballintoy Harbour is about 90 kilometers north of Belfast and 70 kilometers east of Derry.
Ballycastle is only 10 kilometers from here.
It takes about three hours to get to Ballintoy Harbour from Dublin.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
Parking is free at Ballintoy Harbour.
Given the popularity of Ballintoy Harbour, the parking is limited.
If you're traveling in the peak season, parking at Ballintoy Harbour is not easy.
Try to come early to avoid crowds and secure a parking space.
Only two or three parking spaces were available when we visited in May, so we don't want to imagine what it looks like here in the middle of the summer.
There is also a cafe and public toilets.
Public Transport
Getting to Ballintoy Harbour by bus is possible - Translink's bus 402 stops on the main road near Ballintoy Harbour.
The bus stop is about 1.5 kilometers from the harbor, so you need to walk the rest of the way.
Or hop on the Causeway Rambler, which provides easy access to Antrim's most popular attractions.
Tours
You can book a tour if you're pressed for time or plan to explore the Causeway Coastal Route without a car.
No matter whether you're Game of Thrones or not, this super popular tour features some of the most beautiful places along the Causeway's coast.
You can book this well-rated Causeway Coast Tour in advance here.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Ballintoy Harbour, you have several choices.
The most obvious one is to stay in the Ballintoy village, which is only a short drive from there.
As the village is tiny, the accommodation is limited. Therefore, you might need to look elsewhere.
If you want to stay on the coast, one of the best places is either Portstewart or Portrush. Furthermore, many family-run bed and breakfasts are dotting the coastal route.
Book early if you're traveling along Northern Ireland's coastline during the peak season. Hotels fill up quickly, and prices skyrocket during this period.
So here are tips on the best hotels near Ballintoy Harbour.
Ballintoy | The Fullerton Arms - This family-run guesthouse is located less than two kilometers from the Ballintoy Harbour. Expect a fantastic location, modern rooms, free parking, and a traditional Irish restaurant.
Ballintoy | White Park Bay Youth Hostel - If you're looking for affordable accommodation, this popular hostel is located only five kilometers from Ballintoy Harbour. From clean rooms to free parking and a shared kitchen, this property has everything you will need.
Portstewart | Anchorage Inn - Situated on the main promenade about a 30-minute drive from Ballintoy Harbour, this is one of the best hotels in Portstewart. The hotel boasts stylish rooms, a traditional bar, great food, and welcoming staff. Great value for money.
Staying Safe
Ballintoy Harbour is generally a very safe place to visit.
If you come by car, don't leave your valuables inside.
If you want to spend time on the beach, follow the advice and information about water safety.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Ballintoy Harbour Worth Visiting?
If you're in the area, Ballintoy Harbour is definitely worth visiting. This little harbor is charming, and the beach is a great place to relax.
Ballintoy was in Game of Thrones as the Iron Islands, so the fans can check off another place on their bucket list.
However, we believe Ballintoy is worth seeing even if you're not into this TV show.
Just remember to set your expectations right and be prepared that you won't have this place for yourself.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
