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I once lived in Portstewart for a year in the student village of Agherton Village, before I was politely asked not to return to the University of Ulster in Coleraine because of my spectacular lack of attendance and interest. Instead most of my memories are of the nightclub Nero’s (now a Baptist Church) next to our wee out-of-town village, the Anchor Bar up from Portstewart Promenade, and Wednesday nights in Kelly’s in Portrush. Otherwise student life was not for me but I at least passed my grades and continued to complete my degree and post-grad diplomas while in Thailand and Asia (distance learning).
I’ve been back and forth to Portstewart since these years because it makes a great base for exploring the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, where it’s kind of a coin toss between Portstewart and Portrush when choosing the main seaside resort along the Causeway Coast. Ballycastle and Castlerock the outside options on opposite sides, and Bushmills sits somewhere in between. These would be the main towns for accommodation, restaurants, fish and chips, golfing, nightlife and beaches. They’re not remote villages.
Anyway, here I share more recent visits with Fanfan, and more recent again with our newborn Beansie.
Portstewart Strand (Drive On Beach)
This would be our main reason for revisiting Portstewart, the National Trust-managed Portstewart Strand, a two-mile golden sand drive-on beach perfect for a barbecue or a picnic. We’d more or less drive from Bangor (around 1 hour 30 minutes) specifically for the beach, with a quick stop in Portstewart itself to grab some fish and chips from Superfry. It’s just up from the Anchor Bar. The only two establishments in Portstewart I remember from my student days.
Portstewart Strand is also one of only two drive-on beaches in Northern Ireland, the other being Downhill Beach near Castlerock. The two are only a few miles apart, but being separated by the mouth of the River Bann, it takes around a 25-minute drive via Coleraine, usually through congested traffic, to reach Downhill Beach. So for me Portstewart is the end (or beginning) of the Causeway Coast and Downhill Beach (Mussenden Temple etc.) is more of a side quest.
Note, while there is no fee for walking on Portstewart Strand, there is a National Trust parking fee for driving onto the beach (about £7–8 at the time of writing). Otherwise Downhill Beach is free if it’s just a side quest. While it’s annoying I kind of understand why they charge fees now. When it was free they still had a warden who would get pissed at me for pulling donuts next to “sand dune number 5” and the time my exhaust fell off after I kept wheel spinning when stuck in the sand. There are a lot of jackass students in these parts.
Portstewart Promenade (The Prom)
My early recollection of Portstewart Promenade (the prom) doesn’t reach past student nights (Tuesdays) at the Anchor Bar, and cheesy chips with thousand island from Superfry, both at the very start of the prom. We otherwise had little reason to venture further along the half-mile seafront stretch of cafés, ice cream parlours, restaurants and tourist shops that dominate Portstewart Promenade. If it wasn’t (cheap) drinks or takeaway food it wasn’t on my radar.
These days what I see most of Portstewart Promenade is their famous/infamous summer “Port Sundays”. Informal coastal Sunday meets for car enthusiasts popping up throughout the summer months. But any day of the week is similar in the area with sports cars and motorbikes following the North West 200 circuit (The Triangle), which starts and finishes in Portstewart (Portmore Road) before linking with Coleraine and Portrush. The North West 200 is also a crazy busy time on the Causeway Coast given it’s one of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle road races.
Beyond the Promenade
I like to think I am more discerning these days (Fanfan makes me) and we find ourselves staying in Portstewart more often instead of doing rushed daytrips from Bangor. Dining in fancier establishments than my usual Superfry suppers on the front. Our most recent stay for example we decided to stay in a B&B on the opposite side of the promenade towards Portrush (Station 36). We ate at the Amici Ristorante Italian restaurant at the Old Golf Course (it was okay), with serene, sunset views across the causeway. While Portstewart seems like a small coastal town, there’s still a lot to explore on a longer visit, even for someone who lived there. We still haven’t ventured to the surrounding holiday parks or golf courses.
Things to Do Near Portstewart (The Causeway Coast)
The Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) begins at Portstewart and stretches around 30 km (18 miles) east to Ballycastle along Northern Ireland’s North Antrim coastline, taking in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway. When staying in Portstewart, this is the stretch of coastline I’d focus on before heading off on any side quests.
| Attraction | Distance | Approx. Drive | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrush | 4 miles | 8–10 mins | Seaside resort with beaches, restaurants and attractions. |
| White Rocks Beach | 6 miles | 12 mins | Free beach. |
| Dunluce Castle | 8 miles | 15 mins | Historic castle (admission fee). |
| Giant’s Causeway | 11 miles | 17–20 mins | Natural attraction (free to access; Visitor Centre parking and tours are paid). |
| Old Bushmills Distillery | 11 miles | 20 mins | Working whiskey distillery (guided tours available). |
| Ballintoy Harbour | 20 miles | 30 mins | Scenic harbour and Game of Thrones filming location (free). |
| Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge | 21 miles | 30 mins | National Trust attraction (admission fee). |
| Whitepark Bay | 22 miles | 32 mins | National Trust beach (free access). |
| Ballycastle | 27 miles | 40 mins | Coastal town with beach, harbour, shops and restaurants. |
Causeway Coast Side Quests
There are lesser tourist attractions along the Causeway Coast along with extensions which often confuses it due to the Northern Irish tourist boards pretty much milking the actual Area of Outstanding Beauty (30km) coastline and UNESCO status of the Giant’s Causeway. The Causeway Coastal Route (190km) for example. 85% of it outside the Causeway Coast and with far fewer attractions to explore. The same goes for the Causeway Coast and Glens.
Otherwise there are a few worthwhile side quests near Portstewart and along the Causeway Coast including Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple, the Dark Hedges (Game of Thrones fame) and Rathlin Island (although Ballycastle would be the best base here). Many of these attractions are also run by the National Trust (Portstewart Strand, Giants Causeway Visitor Centre, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Mussenden Temple so a pass can really pay off.
Planning a Trip to Portstewart (FAQs)?
If you’re planning a visit to Portstewart, these are some of the questions I see asked most often, along with a few answers based on my own experiences living here and returning over the years.
Is Portstewart worth visiting?
Yes. Portstewart is one of the most popular seaside towns on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, known for Portstewart Strand, its scenic promenade, golf courses, restaurants and as an excellent base for exploring attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Portrush.
What is Portstewart famous for?
Portstewart is best known for Portstewart Strand, one of only two drive-on beaches in Northern Ireland. It’s also known for its lively promenade, coastal scenery, championship golf course and its location along the Causeway Coast.
Is Portstewart Strand free?
Yes. Walking on Portstewart Strand is free. However, there is a National Trust fee for vehicles driving onto the beach, unless you’re a National Trust member.
Can you drive onto Portstewart Strand?
Yes. Portstewart Strand is one of only two beaches in Northern Ireland where visitors can drive directly onto the sand, making it popular for picnics, barbecues and family days out.
Which is better, Portstewart or Portrush?
It depends what you’re looking for. Portrush generally has more attractions and nightlife, while Portstewart has a quieter atmosphere, a scenic promenade and the famous Portstewart Strand. Both make excellent bases for exploring the Causeway Coast.
How far is Portstewart from the Giant’s Causeway?
The Giant’s Causeway is around 11 miles (18 km) east of Portstewart and can usually be reached in around 20 minutes by car.
Is Portstewart a good base for the Causeway Coast?
Absolutely. Portstewart sits at the western end of the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Portrush, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, the Giant’s Causeway, Ballintoy Harbour and Ballycastle all within an easy drive.
Is there parking at Portstewart Strand?
Yes. Visitors can park directly on Portstewart Strand by paying the National Trust vehicle fee. There are also parking options within Portstewart itself for those visiting the promenade or walking onto the beach.
How long should you spend in Portstewart?
A day is enough to enjoy Portstewart Strand and the promenade, but staying two or three nights allows you to use Portstewart as a base for exploring the wider Causeway Coast, including Portrush, Bushmills and the Giant’s Causeway.
What are the best things to do in Portstewart?
The top things to do in Portstewart include driving onto Portstewart Strand, walking the promenade, enjoying the cafés and restaurants, playing a round at Portstewart Golf Club, and using the town as a base for exploring the Causeway Coast.
Is Portstewart better than staying in Belfast for the Causeway Coast?
If your main goal is exploring the Causeway Coast, I’d choose Portstewart every time. You’re much closer to attractions such as Portrush, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, meaning less time driving and more time sightseeing.