It's one of the most varied spots on this stretch — and a good deal of it costs nothing.
Fair Head and Ballycastle Beach are the real standouts, but don't overlook Bonamargy Friary, the seafront playpark, or the animal farms nearby. With 48 places listed in and around Ballycastle, there's enough to fill several visits.
The best days out near Ballycastle
Ballycastle Beach
Fair Head
Rathlin Island Ferry
Bonamargy Friary
Watertop Open Farm
Ballycastle Seafront Playpark
Ballycastle Museum
Kinbane Head & Castle
Pans Rocks Snorkel (Ballycastle North Beach)
Niche Coastal Sauna
Causeway Coast Boat Tours
Kintra Boat Tours
The Salt Spa at The Salthouse
Moyle Way
Torr Head
Fair Head Cliffs Stargazing
Murlough Bay to Fair Head Clifftop Walk
Fair Head crag
Fair Head Cliffs (GoT — Dragonstone Cliffs)
Knocklayd Summit Walk
Murlough Bay
Dunfin Farm
Broughgammon Farm
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Causeway Coast Way: Ballintoy to Carrick-a-Rede
Larrybane Headland (GoT — Renly's Camp)
Causeway Activities Sea Kayaking
Ballintoy Boat Tours
Tor Head Seal Viewpoint
Ballintoy Harbour
Ballintoy Harbour snorkel site
Altnahinch Reservoir (PAE)
Sheans Horse Farm
Altarichard Forest Stargazing Site
White Park Bay
The Dark Hedges
Gracehill House (The Dark Hedges Estate)
Cushendun to Torr Head Coastal Walk
Cushendun Beach
Cushendun Coastal Snorkel Site
Cushendun Caves
Dunseverick Castle Headland
Dunseverick Castle
Pans Rocks Cave / The Devil's Churn
Ballycastle Golf Club
Trench Farm
Ballycastle Farm Shop
Loughareema (The Vanishing Lake)
Days out in Ballycastle — your questions
What are the best days out in Ballycastle?
Start with Fair Head for dramatic clifftop views, or take the Rathlin Island Ferry for a full island day. Ballycastle Beach is perfect for families, and Bonamargy Friary is a great free stop. Watertop Open Farm is a brilliant pick if you have young children along.
What free things are there to do in Ballycastle?
Quite a lot. Ballycastle Beach and Ballycastle Seafront Playpark cost nothing. Bonamargy Friary and Ballycastle Museum are both free. Head to Fair Head or Torr Head for a coastal walk that won't cost a penny. Pans Rocks Snorkel at Ballycastle North Beach is free too.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Ballycastle?
Ballycastle Museum is the main indoor option — free, and a good way to get a feel for the area's history. If you're happy to embrace the weather, Niche Coastal Sauna or The Salt Spa at The Salthouse offer a warmer, more sheltered afternoon.
What's good for young children near Ballycastle?
Ballycastle Seafront Playpark is free and right by the sea — younger kids love it. Watertop Open Farm and Dunfin Farm are both good for animals and open-air exploring. Ballycastle Beach itself is hard to beat for a simple, fun day out with little ones.