Attractions in Northern Ireland
Mythical coasts, giant legends, and Titanic history 🌊🦕
Showing 70 attractions · Sorted by importance
Belfast Botanic Gardens
📍 Belfast
🌿 GardenHome to the stunning Victorian Palm House and the restored Tropical Ravine, this city garden offers a beautiful escape for all ages.
Belfast City Hall
📍 Belfast
🏛 LandmarkA magnificent landmark offering free tours of its grand interior and beautiful gardens that host seasonal markets and memorials.
Belfast Zoo
📍 Belfast
🦁 ZooFamilies can explore a hillside zoo featuring over 120 species, including giraffes and penguins, while enjoying panoramic views of Belfast Lough.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
📍 Ballintoy
⛱ BeachAn exhilarating rope bridge suspended 100 feet above the Atlantic, offering breathtaking coastal views and a memorable walk to a tiny island.
Carrickfergus Castle
📍 Carrickfergus
🏰 CastleAn impressively well-preserved Norman fortress where children can explore the keep and battlements while learning about 800 years of history.
Castle Ward Farm and Estate
📍 Strangford
🐄 FarmA National Trust property featuring a historic farmyard, rare breed animals, and extensive trails known globally as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Curry's Fun Park
📍 Portrush
🎢 Theme ParkNorthern Ireland's premier seaside amusement park, formerly Barry's Amusements, featuring the Aqua Valley log flume, vintage carousels, dodgems, and modern thrill rides overlooking the Atlantic coast.
Dunluce Castle
📍 Bushmills
🏰 CastleDramatic medieval ruins perched on a clifftop with a history of fallen kitchens and legends that will captivate visitors of all ages.
Exploris Aquarium
📍 Portaferry
🐠 AquariumNorthern Ireland's premier aquarium and seal sanctuary, featuring diverse marine life from the Irish Sea and tropical waters.
Giant's Causeway
📍 Bushmills
⛱ BeachAn iconic UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that provide a unique natural playground for families to explore.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
📍 Hillsborough
🌿 GardenThe official royal residence in Northern Ireland boasts 100 acres of ornamental lawns, walled gardens, and peaceful woodland trails.
Mount Stewart
📍 Newtownards
🌿 GardenRanked among the world's top gardens, this estate features unique themed areas like the Italian and Spanish gardens alongside a picturesque lake.
Mourne Mountains
📍 Newcastle
🌲 NatureAn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty featuring the highest peaks in Northern Ireland and the famous Mourne Wall.
Slieve Donard
📍 Newcastle
🏔 Scenic ViewHike to the summit of the highest peak in Northern Ireland for breathtaking views over the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains.
The Gobbins Cliff Path
📍 Islandmagee
⛱ BeachA dramatic Victorian-era coastal walk featuring bridges, tunnels, and stairways carved directly into the basalt cliffs above the Irish Sea.
The Walled City of Derry
📍 Londonderry
🏘 Town / VillageThe only remaining completely walled city in Ireland, featuring historic gates and ramparts overlooking the modern city and River Foyle.
Titanic Belfast
📍 Belfast
🏛 LandmarkAn award-winning visitor attraction that tells the story of the Titanic through high-tech displays and interactive exhibits in the city where it was built.
Ulster American Folk Park
📍 Omagh
🏘 Town / VillageAn immersive outdoor museum telling the story of Irish emigration through reconstructed historic buildings from both Ireland and America.
Ulster Folk Museum
📍 Holywood
🏘 Town / VillageA recreated early 20th-century Irish village where families can explore historic cottages, shops, and farms with costumed demonstrators.
Ulster Museum
📍 Belfast
🖼 Art GalleryNorthern Ireland's premier museum featuring extensive fine art galleries, spanning from the Renaissance to modern masterpieces, in a beautiful park setting.
Colin Glen Forest Park
📍 Belfast
🧗 AdventureHome to Ireland's longest zipline and a world-class alpine coaster, this park offers high-adrenaline forest adventures for families within the city limits.
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven)
📍 Enniskillen
🥾 Hiking & Cycling11km moderate-to-challenging 4-hour return hike with 550m elevation gain. Features a wooden boardwalk over a protected blanket bog leading to a steep staircase ascent of Cuilcagh Mountain.
Lagan Valley LeisurePlex
📍 Lisburn
🌊 Water ParkNorthern Ireland's premier indoor water park featuring high-speed slides, a lazy river, and a pirate-themed splash area for families.
Slieve Donard via Glen River
📍 Newcastle
🥾 Hiking & Cycling9km challenging 5-hour round trip hike to Northern Ireland's highest peak with 850m elevation gain. Rugged stone paths and steep final ascent alongside the Mourne Wall.
Streamvale Open Farm
📍 Belfast
🐄 FarmA highly popular family-run farm offering live milking demonstrations, tractor rides, and animal cuddling sessions on the edge of the city.
The Causeway Coast Way
📍 Portstewart
🥾 Hiking & Cycling53km moderate 2-3 day coastal walk from Portstewart to Ballycastle with approximately 950m elevation gain. Passes Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle. Bike rental: Causeway Coast Cycle Tours (causewaycoastcycletours.com)
The Derry Walls
📍 Derry/Londonderry
🏰 CastleAn intact 17th-century fortification surrounding the city center, perfect for a historical walk with impressive cannons and views.
The Mourne Way
📍 Newcastle
🥾 Hiking & Cycling42km challenging 2-day trek across the Mourne Mountains from Newcastle to Rostrevor with 1,350m elevation gain. High-altitude mountain terrain and valley passes. Equipment rental: Life Adventure Centre (lifeadventure.co)
Todd's Leap Activity Centre
📍 Ballygawley
🧗 AdventureAn award-winning adventure destination featuring 4x4 off-roading, a giant swing, and zip-lining across scenic hills and valleys.
Benone Strand
📍 Limavady
⛱ BeachOne of Ireland's longest beaches, offering seven miles of golden sand and panoramic views across to the hills of Donegal.
Crumlin Road Gaol
📍 Belfast
🏰 CastleA historic prison that offers guided tours through its wings and cells, providing a fascinating look at the region's judicial past.
Enniskillen Castle
📍 Enniskillen
🏰 CastleA majestic waterside stronghold housing museums that tell the story of the county's history and military heritage.
Glenariff Forest Park
📍 Ballymena
🌲 NatureKnown as the 'Queen of the Glens', this park offers spectacular waterfall walks through lush woodland and deep river gorges.
Gracehill Moravian Village
📍 Ballymena
🏘 Town / VillageA remarkably preserved 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a central square, historic church, and unique Moravian architectural style.
Hillsborough Royal Village
📍 Hillsborough
🏘 Town / VillageA picturesque Georgian village home to the official royal residence in Northern Ireland, featuring historic architecture and grand gardens.
Marble Arch Caves
📍 Enniskillen
🏔 Scenic ViewTake a guided tour through a subterranean world of rivers, waterfalls, and spectacular limestone formations in this UNESCO Global Geopark.
Murlough National Nature Reserve
📍 Newcastle
🌲 NatureA fragile 6,000-year-old sand dune system at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, ideal for birdwatching and coastal walks.
Mussenden Temple
📍 Castlerock
🏛 LandmarkPerched on a 120-foot cliff, this iconic circular building offers breathtaking views of the coastline and Downhill Strand beach.
Portstewart Strand
📍 Portstewart
⛱ BeachA stunning two-mile Blue Flag beach and National Trust site famous for its high sand dunes, surfing, and family-friendly swimming waters.
Rowallane Garden
📍 Saintfield
🌿 GardenA carved landscape filled with rare plants and hidden corners, this garden is perfect for families looking to explore a wilder, more informal beauty.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
📍 Belfast
🌿 GardenBest known for its world-class International Rose Garden, this park provides expansive lawns and themed gardens ideal for family picnics.
The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre)
📍 Belfast
🖼 Art GalleryA multi-award-winning contemporary art venue in the Cathedral Quarter featuring three major galleries with rotating international exhibitions.
Tollymore Forest Park
📍 Newcastle
🌲 NatureThe first state forest park in Northern Ireland, featuring Gothic bridges, grottos, and scenic walks along the Shimna River.
WWT Castle Espie
📍 Comber
🦁 ZooA beautiful wetland center offering families close encounters with exotic waterbirds, nature trails, and scenic views of Strangford Lough.
Andersonstown Leisure Centre
📍 Belfast
🌊 Water ParkA state-of-the-art aquatic centre featuring the first indoor surfing simulator in Northern Ireland and three high-speed water slides.
Antrim Castle Gardens
📍 Antrim
🌿 GardenThese historic 400-year-old gardens feature unique Anglo-Dutch water features, a Victorian pleasure garden, and a modern jubilee clockwork garden.
Ark Open Farm
📍 Newtownards
🐄 FarmSpecializing in rare breeds, this large farm park features indoor and outdoor play areas, a fairy trail, and a wide variety of friendly animals.
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
📍 Armagh
🔬 ScienceA leading astronomical research and education centre offering immersive digital dome shows and celestial science exhibits.
Castlewellan MTB Red Route
📍 Castlewellan
🥾 Hiking & Cycling19km moderate-to-challenging mountain bike trail with approx 450m elevation gain. Includes technical trail features like 'The Great Expectations'. Bike rental: Life Adventure Centre (lifeadventure.co)
Derry Halloween
📍 Derry~Londonderry
🎭 EventLate October, 4-day duration. Widely recognized as Europe's largest Halloween festival and a premier global destination for the holiday, attracting over 100,000 visitors. The event celebrates the ancient roots of Samhain with a massive carnival parade, extensive fireworks, and 'Awakening the Walled City' light installations. Highly family-friendly with interactive street theatre and workshops.
F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio
📍 Banbridge
🖼 Art GalleryA dedicated art space featuring a stunning sculpture garden and gallery celebrating the work of the renowned surrealist sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam.
Fermanagh Lakelands Scenic Drive
📍 Enniskillen
🚗 Road Trip100km paved circular route (1 day) around Upper and Lower Lough Erne. Highlights include the island town of Enniskillen, the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Belleek Pottery, and various jetties offering views of the 154 islands.
Let's Go Hydro
📍 Carryduff
🧗 AdventureA massive water sports park featuring one of the largest inflatable aqua parks in the UK, alongside wakeboarding and kayaking facilities.
Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre
📍 Enniskillen
🔬 ScienceA UNESCO Global Geopark site offering a deep dive into subterranean geology through guided cave tours and geological displays.
Mountpanther Farm Park
📍 Clough
🐄 FarmA large-scale farm attraction offering an exotic animal walk-through, reindeer, and massive indoor and outdoor play zones for children.
Mourne Coastal Route
📍 Newry
🚗 Road Trip132km paved scenic loop (1-2 days) circling the Mourne Mountains. The route follows the Irish Sea coastline through Newcastle and Kilkeel, featuring views of Slieve Donard, Silent Valley Reservoir, and the dramatic Spelga Dam mountain pass.
Pickie Funpark
📍 Bangor
🎢 Theme ParkA beloved coastal family destination featuring iconic giant swan pedal boats, a miniature railway, and an adventure playground on the Bangor waterfront.
Rathlin Island RSPB Seabird Centre
📍 Rathlin Island
🌲 NatureA major nature reserve hosting one of the UK's largest seabird colonies, including puffins and razorbills, on dramatic sea cliffs.
Rostrevor MTB Red Route
📍 Rostrevor
🥾 Hiking & Cycling27km expert-level mountain bike trail with significant elevation gain and technical descents. Offers stunning views of Carlingford Lough. Bike rental: East Coast Adventure (eastcoastadventure.com)
Share Discovery Village
📍 Lisnaskea
🧗 AdventureIreland’s largest outdoor activity center located on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, specializing in water-based fun and inflatable aqua parks.
Templemore Baths
📍 Belfast
♨ Hot SpringOriginally opened in 1893, this is the last surviving Victorian-era public bathhouse in Northern Ireland. Following a major £17 million restoration, visitors can bathe in the historic 'Minor Pool,' which retains its original 19th-century architectural features, including ornate red-brick masonry and wood-paneled changing cubicles. The facility serves as a significant cultural landmark, featuring an interpretive center dedicated to the history of public health and swimming in the city.
The Jungle NI
📍 Moneymore
🧗 AdventureA premier outdoor activity center offering family-friendly zorbing, paintball, and a high-ropes treetop adventure course set in a mature woodland.
The Lake Kilrea
📍 Kilrea
🌊 Water ParkA massive outdoor inflatable water park set on a freshwater lake, offering one of the most challenging aqua-obstacle courses in the region.
Whiterocks Beach
📍 Portrush
⛱ BeachA scenic beach known for its striking white limestone cliffs and natural sea arches, perfect for coastal walks and water sports.
Belfast Castle
📍 Belfast
🏰 CastleA Victorian-style landmark located on the slopes of Cave Hill, featuring beautiful gardens and a popular cat-themed trail for kids.
Oxford Island Nature Reserve
📍 Craigavon
🌲 NatureA designated National Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Lough Neagh featuring meadows, reed beds, and wildlife hides.
