An A-Z of things to do in and around Portrush — the smaller stuff, not the headline attractions. For Dunluce Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and the Dark Hedges, see their own guides.
A – Amusements (Barry’s / Curry’s Fun Park)
Barry’s Amusements — now Curry’s Fun Park — has been the fun-fair at the centre of Portrush for over 90 years. Rides, a traditional carousel, and the arcade. Open April to October, 12:30pm–9:30pm. Find out more.
B – Beaches
Northern Ireland has eight Blue Flag beaches — three of them are here: West Strand and East Strand in town, and Whiterocks on the coast towards Bushmills.
West Strand starts at the harbour and stretches towards Portstewart, backed by the railway. A 1km promenade for walking, cycling, or a dog walk, with several surf schools based here.
East Strand starts at the Arcadia and runs over 2 miles east, backed by Royal Portrush Golf Club’s dunes — climb them for views over the course and coast. Home to the Airwaves International Airshow, beach volleyball, and the world’s only Parkrun run entirely on sand.
Whiterocks is known for its white limestone chalk cliffs (65–142 million years old). A continuation of East Strand, quieter, and popular with surfers.
C – Coastal Walks
Two main routes out of Portrush, both worth the things to see along the way.
Portrush to Portstewart (west): follows the Causeway Coast Way along the West Strand promenade — the “Port Path” — past Ballyreagh golf course and a string of small coves, out to Portstewart. Keep going and you’ll reach Portstewart Strand, another 2km of Blue Flag beach.
Portrush to Bushmills (east): along East Strand and Whiterocks, past the Royal Court Hotel, out to Magheracross viewpoint — one of the best views in Portrush, looking towards Dunluce Castle and Rathlin Island. From there it’s about 3km on to Bushmills.
D – Distillery Tour
Old Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in the world, granted its warrant to distil in 1608 — though illegal distilling in the area predates that by centuries. Bushmills whiskey is the only Irish whiskey that’s triple-distilled, matured in reused sherry or port barrels. Tours run year-round. Find out more.
E – Escape Rooms
Locked-room puzzle games, roughly an hour, suitable from age 9 up. Book via their website.
F – Food Tours
Causeway Coast Foodie Tours, hosted by Wendy Gallagher, run several formats including “Catch and Sea” — head out from Portrush Harbour on the fishing boat Causeway Lass, catch your own breakfast, and have it cooked for you by a local chef. Book a Food Tour.
G – Golf
Beyond Royal Portrush itself, there’s Ballycastle Golf Club, Castlerock Golf Club, Portstewart Golf Club, and further afield Kilrea, Roe Valley, Gracehill, and Bushfoot.
H – Helicopter Tours
A different angle on the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Portrush. Fly Vertical and Cutting Edge Helicopters both run tours — the latter also offer a Game of Thrones-themed flight. Find out more.
I – Indoor Play
Four soft-play centres within 15 minutes: Wacky Workshop (in Treasure Island arcade, Portrush, ages 9 and under), Cheeky Chimps and Alley Kats (both in Coleraine), and Treasure Island (Ballymoney, pirate-themed, up to age 12).
J – Jet Centre
Ten-screen cinema, ten-pin bowling, mini-golf, and soft play, plus an Asian-fusion restaurant (Yoko) — good for a wet day with kids. Find out more.
K – Kayaking
Sea kayaking and open canoeing on the doorstep, with routes taking in the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and Ballintoy Harbour — including Game of Thrones-themed kayak tours. Causeway Kayaking Tours, Portrush Yacht Club.
L – Live Music
Something on most nights, from traditional sessions to modern. The Atlantic Bar, Kiwis Brew Bar, The Springhill Bar, The Harbour Bar.
M – Magheracross Viewpoint
About a mile along the Causeway Coastal Route towards Bushmills — Dunluce Castle in one direction, Portrush and Whiterocks in the other. Also one of the better spots in Ireland to catch the northern lights, given low light pollution and the open view north across the Atlantic.
N – North Antrim Coast Road
Better known today as the Causeway Coastal Route — a waymarked driving route from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry, rated among the best road trips in the world by Lonely Planet and others. Takes in Torr Head, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and the Glens of Antrim.
O – Surfing
Portrush’s beaches are well known for surf, with several year-round schools: Ocean Warriors (Portstewart), Portrush Surf School, Alive Surf School, Troggs Surf School, Long Line Surf School, Woodies Surf Shop.
P – Play Parks
Arcadia Park (behind the Arcadia, East Strand) — paddling pools, sand, climbing frames for toddlers. Diversity Park (Portstewart, at Flowerfield Centre) — designed with disabled and sensory-needs children in mind, ages 3–8. Crescent Park (Portstewart) — climbing frames, swings, a large paddling pool, ages 3–8. McGaw Park (Ballymoney) — playground plus an outdoor gym and multi-use games area for older kids.
R – Running
Portrush Parkrun: free, timed 5k every Saturday at 9:30am on East Strand — the first parkrun in the world run entirely on sand (started September 2012). Register online, free, bring your barcode. Born to Run Tours, set up by Jonny Graham, run guided routes taking in the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Game of Thrones locations. Find out more.
S – Sea Tours
Causeway Lass Fishing — 20+ years running deep-sea fishing trips, plus a “Catch and Sea” breakfast tour with Causeway Coast Foodie Tours. Find out more. Portrush Sea Tours — RIB trips from an hour around the coast to full-day charters to Islay or Jura. Find out more. Abhainn Cruises — find out more. Aquaholics — sea tours from Portstewart and Portrush out to Rathlin, Donegal, or the Scottish islands. Find out more.
T – Torr Head
A quieter stop on the Causeway Coastal Route, with views towards the Mull of Kintyre. Historically used to relay transatlantic shipping movements back to Lloyds of London in the 1800s. Nearby: the ruins of Altagore Cashel, dating to the sixth century.
U – Diving and Coasteering
Wrecks and reefs along the Causeway Coast, including WW2 and WW1-era wrecks (HMS Drake, U1003). Aquaholics, Portrush Yacht Club. For something more adrenaline-heavy, Causeway Coasteering runs cliff-jumping and scrambling sessions along the coastline, including for stag/hen parties and corporate days.
V – Visitor Centre
Worth a stop for local knowledge and activity bookings — the Portrush centre is under the town, across from Barry’s. Find out more.
W – Waterworld
An indoor pool and water park at the harbour, between the Ramore and the Yacht Club — water slides, a playground, and a six-lane ten-pin bowling alley. Council-run, open certain times of the summer — check before you go. Find out more.
X – Xplore Outdoors
Coasteering, bodyboarding, kayaking, and climbing/abseiling, based out of the East Strand Watersports Centre. Adventuremark-accredited. Find out more.
Y – Yachting
Causeway Coast Sailing runs trips on a six-berth 30-foot yacht, from a few hours taking in the sunset to a weekend sail out to Rathlin Island. Find out more.
Z – Coastal Zone
Portrush’s marine and coastal centre (formerly the Portrush Countryside Centre), run by DAERA — discovery pools, exhibitions, and a viewing platform over the Skerries. Sits within the UK’s first marine protected area for harbour porpoise, and next to the Portrush National Nature Reserve.
