A sandy beach and a pretty white-limestone harbour tucked into the Glens, right on the Antrim Coast Road — and the very steps where Arya climbed out of the canal in Braavos in Game of Thrones. Free to wander, open all year.
What you'll do — play on the sandy bay, potter round the little working harbour and its colourful boats, find the famous Game of Thrones steps down to the water, and stroll the village with its historic Londonderry Arms and the white stone bridge striding over the Coast Road.
How long & who for — an easy one to three hours: a quick harbour-and-beach stop, or a longer morning with a walk and a bite. Lovely for all ages — buckets and spades on the sand, and it's a proper photo spot for grown-ups too.
Cost & parking — the beach and harbour are free. There's parking by the harbour and around the village; spaces are limited and can fill up on a sunny weekend, so arrive early.
Bring the lot — beach kit, a coat for the sea breeze, and a picnic. The village has cafés, a shop and pubs, and public toilets, so you're well set for a snack or an ice cream.
No lifeguard. It's an open beach and a working harbour, so keep a close eye on children near the water, watch the tide, and take care on the old harbour steps — they can be wet and slippery.
Dogs — check the seasonal rules. Dog restrictions apply on Carnlough beach at certain times of year under the council's beach order, so look for the signs on the day and keep dogs under control.
Plan your visit
Can I just turn up? Yes — it's free.
Carnlough beach and harbour are open and free to visit any day of the year — no booking, no ticket, just turn up. Because it sits right in the village, everything's on hand: cafés, a shop, pubs and public toilets are all a short stroll away, so it's an easy stop whether you're doing the whole Coast Road or just here for an hour. There's parking by the harbour and around the village, but spaces are limited and can fill on a bright weekend — come early if you can. The one thing to check on the day is the dog rules, which change with the season.
Sandy beach & working harbourPublic toilets in the villageParking nearby (limited)Cafés, shop & pubs a stroll away
Good to keep in mind:
There's no lifeguard, so mind children near the water and the tide, and take care on the old harbour steps — they can be slippery. Dog rules on the beach change with the season, so check the signs on the day.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🪣Beach kitBuckets, spades and a towel for the sand, plus swim gear if you fancy a paddle on a warm day.
🧥A coat for the breezeIt's a coast — a fresh, bracing spot in any weather and gorgeous when the sun's out. Layer up and enjoy it.
📷A cameraThe harbour, the white bridge and the Game of Thrones steps are made for photos — bring something better than a quick phone snap if you can.
🧺A picnic (or coins for the café)Grand for a picnic by the sea, with the village cafés, shop and pubs right there if you'd rather buy.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free. The beach, the harbour and the Game of Thrones steps are all open to everyone with no ticket or booking. You'll only spend if you buy in the village cafés and shops.
Opening
Open all year in daylight hours — visit any time. The village and its cafés keep their own hours, busier and longer in summer.
What you'll see
A sandy bay on the Antrim Coast Road, a working limestone harbour with fishing and pleasure boats, the famous stone steps used as the Braavos canal in Game of Thrones, the white limestone bridge over the Coast Road, and the historic Londonderry Arms in the village.
Toilets
Public toilets are available in the village — handy for a beach day. Opening can vary by season, so it's worth having a back-up plan for very early or late visits.
Parking
There's parking by the harbour and around the village. Spaces are limited and fill up on sunny weekends, so arrive early where you can.
Dogs
Dog restrictions apply on Carnlough beach at certain times of year under the council's beach order (the Dogs on Leads / beach order for Carnlough). Rules change with the season, so check the signs on the day and keep dogs under close control around the harbour.
Lifeguard
No lifeguard service. It's an open beach and a working harbour, so supervise children closely near the water, mind the tide, and take care on the wet harbour steps.
Food
Well served — cafés, a shop and pubs in the village, plus the historic Londonderry Arms hotel for a bite. Easy to pair the beach with lunch or an ice cream.
How long
Allow one to three hours: a quick harbour-and-beach stop, or longer with a village stroll, the Game of Thrones steps and a coffee.
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Yes — the beach, the harbour and the Game of Thrones steps are all free and open to everyone, any day of the year. You'll only spend if you buy something in the village.
Where are the Game of Thrones steps?
They're the old stone steps down into the water at Carnlough harbour — used as the Braavos canal where Arya climbs out after being attacked. They're right there on the harbour and free to see; just take care, as they can be wet and slippery.
Is there parking?
Yes, there's parking by the harbour and around the village, but spaces are limited and can fill up on a sunny weekend, so it's best to arrive early.
Can I bring the dog?
Dog restrictions apply on Carnlough beach at certain times of year under the council's beach order, and the rules change with the season. Check the signs on the day and keep your dog under close control around the harbour.
Are there toilets and somewhere to eat?
Yes — there are public toilets in the village, plus cafés, a shop and pubs a short stroll from the beach, and the historic Londonderry Arms for a proper bite.
Is there a lifeguard?
No, there's no lifeguard at Carnlough. It's an open beach and a working harbour, so supervise children closely near the water and mind the tide.
Getting there
Carnlough is on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, about 14 miles north of Larne in County Antrim, roughly an hour up the coast from Belfast. The beach and harbour sit right in the heart of the village, with parking nearby.
A limestone harbour that ended up in Game of Thrones
Carnlough's harbour was built in the mid-1850s as a working port for the local white limestone. Records tie the scheme to the Marquess and Marchioness of Londonderry, whose family drove the plan; a mineral railway ran down from the quarry above the village, crossing the Coast Road on the striking white limestone bridge that still stands today, and out to the ships at the quay. When the trade faded the harbour stayed, and it's now a pretty spot for fishing and pleasure boats — with a sandy bay beside it and the Glens rising behind.
Then, more recently, the wider world came calling. The old stone steps at the harbour stood in for the canals of Braavos in Game of Thrones — the spot where Arya, wounded, hauls herself out of the water in Season 6. It's a genuinely famous few seconds of television, and the steps are free to find and photograph whenever you visit. Come for the beach and the harbour, stay for the story — and mind your footing on those steps; they can be slick.