Explore more of the Causeway Coast . Bushmills . 북아일랜드 ( Northern Ireland ) nationaltrust . org . uk 1 . Ballintory Harbour , County AntrimFramed by limestone cliffs , views embrace Larrybane Head , Sheep Island , Rathlin Island and even Scotland . The working harbour and distinctive , white - washed church provide inspiration for artists . 7 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 2 . Ballycastle , County AntrimFairhead , Ireland ' s north - easterly trip , shelters the sandy beach of this friendly resort . Each August , Ballycastle hosts Ireland ' s oldest fair - the Auld Lammas Fair . 12 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 3 . Benone Strand , County Derry - LondonderrySet against a backdrop of dunes , cliffs and mountains , this golden strand hosts events like shore angling and power kiting . Nearby , Benone Tourist Complex runs family activities . 25 miles from the Giant ' sCauseway . 4 . The Braid , Ballymena , County AntrimThe Braid , Ballymena ' s civic and cultural centre , weaves together history and contemporary culture through changing museum displays , art exhibitions , theatre and film . 12 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 5 . Bushmills Village , County AntrimBushmills is a gateway to the Giant ' s Causeway . The village developed around the crossing of teh river Bush whose water once powered seven mills . 2 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 6 . ' Old Bushmills ' Distillery , Bushmills , County AntrimTake a tour of Irelands oldest distillery , in operation since 1608 . It ' s the only place in Ireland to make triple - distilled malt . Revive yourself with a taste of the golden liquid . 2 . 5 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 7 . Carnfunnock Country Park , Ballygally , County AntrimThis park taken in 473 acres of woodland , gardens , ponds and coastline . Attractions include walking trails and a maze in the shape of Northern Ireland . 50 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 8 . Carrick - a - Rede , Ballintoy , County AntrimSlamon fishermen traditionally used a rope bridge , spanning a 20 metre wide chasm , to reach Carrck Island . Are you brave enough to cross the bridge ? Don ' t look down ! 7 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 9 . Carrickfergus Castle , Carrickfergus , County AntrimBuilt in 1177 , this fortress saw action right up to the Second World War . The menacing stronghold bears the scars of sieges by the Scots , Irish , English and French . 67 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 10 . Cushendall , County AntrimWith its curfew tower of 1817 , ' The Capital of teh Glens ' lies at the foot of Lurig Mountain . Ruined Old Layde Church is one of the Glens ' oldest historical sites . 27 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 11 . Cushendun , County AntrimFamous for its Cornish style cottages , designed by Clough Williams - Ellis betteen 1912 and 1925 . Walks along the Glendun River lead to the Glendun Viaduct , built in 183924 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 12 . The Walled City of Derry - LondonderryDerry - Londonderry on the banks of the Foyle is one of Europe ' s finest walled cities . Walk the walls , visit cathedrals and museums , experience contemporary culture and enjoy the amenities of city life . 40 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 13 . Downhill Demesne , Castlerock , County Derry - LondonderryThe ruined , eighteenth century mansion belonged to the eccentric taveller and antiquarian , the Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry . His summer library , Mussendun Temple , perches on the cliff edge . 18 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 14 . Dunluce Castle , Bushmills , County AntrimWalk over the mermaid ; s cave to the Norman castle perched dramatically on the edge of a basalt headland . The ruins tell of Vikings , clan chiefs , sieges , shipwrecks and a curse . 4 . 5 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 15 . Giant ' s Causeway and Bushmills Railway , County AntrimExperience a more leisurely pace of travel as you follow the route of the former Giant ' s Causeway Tram from just outside Bushmills to the Giant ' s Causeway . 0 . 2 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 16 . The Walled Garden at Glenarm , Castle Glenarm , County AntrimThis eighteenth century walled garden beside the family home of the Earls of Antrim is one of Ireland ' s oldest . Explore the kitchen garden and discover hidden sculptures and fountains . 42 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 17 . Glenariff Forest Park , Cushendall , County AntrimWith its waterfall walkway , this park lies within Glenariff , the largest and most beautiful of the nine Glens of Antrim . At its mouth is the golden curve of Waterfoot beach . 34 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 18 . The Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden , Ballymoney , County AntrimThis garden commemorates the motorcycle road - racing world champion , Joey Dunlop , Northern Ireland ' s famous road race , the International North West 200 takes place near the Giant ' s Causeway each summer . 13 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 19 . Portballintrae , County AntrimThis picturesque harbour village began life as a cluster of whitewashed fishermen ' s cottages around a bay . During the summer the sheltered little harbour is bursting with activity . Off the coast of Portballintrae a team of Belgian divers brought up the greatest find of Spanish Armada treasure ever recovered from a wrecked ship , the Girona . 2 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 20 . Patterson ' s Spade Mill , Templepatrick , County AntrimHear the hammers , smell the grit , feel the heat , as your guide explains how spades are made at Europe ' s last working , water - driven spade mill . 50 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 21 . Portrush , County AntrimAll the thrills and spills of the seaside are here . From water sports and ten - pin bowling , to fine food , nightlife and Barry ' s - Northern Ireland ' s favorite funfair . 8 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 22 . Portstewart Strand , Portstewart , County Derry - LondonderryThis is the perfect spot for lazy summer days . Dunes , rich in wild flowers and butterflies , along a two mild golden strand . 12 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 23 . Rathlin Island , County AntrimSteeped in legend and culture , Rathlin is Northern Ireland ' s only island with permanent residents . Visitors include divers , bird watchers , geologists , botanists , sea anglers and lovers of wild rugged scenery . 13 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway to Ballycastle ferry port 24 . The Roe Valley Country Park , Limavady , County Derry - LondonderrySix miles of paths lead through the wooded gorge of the river Roe . Historic buildings tell of past uses of the river as a source of power for linen weaving . 25 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 25 . Royal Portrush Golf Course , Portrush , County AntrimThe golf is even more spectacular than the sea views on Royal Portrush ' s tow championship courses . Northern Ireland golfing legends , Darren Clarke , Graeme McDowell and Rory Mcllroy all like to play a game of golf here . 7 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 26 . Slemish Mountain , Ballymena , County AntrimPilgrims climb this volcanic plug ( 437 metres ) on St Patrick ' s Day , in honour of Ireland ' s patron saint , who tended sheep here as a boy . 38 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 27 . Titanic Belfast , Belfast CitySee the shipyard which built RMS Titanic and the dock where she was launched . The Titanic Belfast visitor attraction recreates the story of the liner from birth to tragic fate . 60 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway . 28 . White Park Bay , County AntrimHeadlands and dunes , rich in archaeology , shelter this inspirational arc of golden beach . As you walk listen to the whistle and squeak of its ' singing sands '. 5 miles from the Giant ' s Causeway .