Happily, none of Northern Ireland’s coastal spots were ranked among the bottom 30. Conversely, one made it into the ‘best’ list in this year’s Which? seaside town rankings
The best seaside town in Northern Ireland has been crowned – and it’s not Ballycastle or Portrush.
Each year, the readers of Which? vote on which coastal spot is their favourite. It’s been another bad year for England’s Bognor Regis, which came last for a second year in a row. Visitors complained of how expensive it is and how the place feels rundown.
Happily, none of Northern Ireland’s coastal spots were ranked among the bottom 30. Conversely, one made it into the ‘best’ list.
There are a number of contenders. Portrush in County Antrim is probably the country’s best-known seaside town. It sits on a jagged peninsula and features three massive sandy beaches.
Newcastle in County Down is another classic. It sits directly between the Irish Sea and the massive Mourne Mountains. It is the perfect mix of mountain hikes and seaside strolls. So is Ballycastle in County Antrim. The historic market town is regularly voted one of the best places to live. It has a beautiful Blue Flag beach and a bustling traditional harbour.
But it’s none of these that made it into the Which? list. That honour goes to Portstewart in County Derry.
Portstewart is one of the prettiest spots on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, and it’s easy to see why people love it. Portstewart Strand is a big draw. The two-mile Blue Flag beach is managed by the National Trust and backs onto a dramatic dune system. What makes it unusual is that you can drive right onto the sand, which is a big plus if you’ve got kids or gear to haul. It’s great for swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, or just a long walk through the dunes.
Beyond the beach, there’s a lot to like. The Promenade harks back to the Victorian-era seafront with cafes, ice cream parlours, and sea views. It’s the social heart of the town, especially in summer.
Much like Broadstairs in Kent, Portstewart has an ice cream dynasty called Morelli’s. The ice cream institution sits on the Prom and has been running since the early 1900s.
If you’re minded to play golf, then you’ll love Portstewart Golf Club. It has three courses, including a championship links course right along the coast. Royal Portrush, one of the world’s top links courses, is nearby too.
For the more culturally minded, Flowerfield Arts Centre was Northern Ireland’s first. It’s set in a Victorian mansion and has exhibitions and events year-round.
The town is brilliantly placed as a base for exploring the wider coast, providing easy access to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle, and Mussenden Temple. The area’s also become a bit of a pilgrimage spot for Game of Thrones fans, thanks to nearby filming locations.
Compared to buzzier Portrush next door, Portstewart tends to feel a little quieter and more residential. It is a nice base if you want proximity to the sights without quite as much bustle.
TOP 30 SEASIDE TOWNS & VILLAGES
- Bamburgh — 84%
- Tynemouth — 82%
- St Andrews — 81%
- Aldeburgh — 80%
- Crail — 80%
- Frinton-on-Sea — 80%
- Portmeirion — 80%
- St Davids — 79%
- Bude — 78%
- Southwold — 78%
- North Berwick — 77%
- Plockton — 77%
- St Ives — 77%
- Swanage — 77%
- Lyme Regis — 76%
- Lytham St Annes — 76%
- Portstewart — 76%
- Conwy — 75%
- Dornoch — 75%
- Filey — 75%
- Lynmouth — 75%
- Sidmouth — 75%
- St Mawes — 75%
- Tenby — 75%
- Tobermory — 75%
- Wells-next-the-Sea — 75%
- Whitley Bay — 75%
- Broadstairs — 74%
- Falmouth — 74%
- Llandudno — 74%
BOTTOM 30 SEASIDE TOWNS & VILLAGES
- Ilfracombe — 57%
- Minehead — 57%
- Bridlington — 56%
- Cleethorpes — 56%
- Fishguard — 56%
- Seaton — 56%
- Torquay — 56%
- Abersoch — 55%
- Colwyn Bay — 55%
- Morecambe — 55%
- Newquay — 55%
- Barry Island — 54%
- Skegness — 54%
- Mablethorpe — 53%
- Margate — 53%
- Paignton — 53%
- Southport — 53%
- Herne Bay — 52%
- Littlehampton — 51%
- New Brighton — 51%
- Weston-super-Mare — 50%
- Burnham-on-Sea — 48%
- Clacton-on-Sea — 48%
- Southend-on-Sea — 47%
- Bangor — 46%
- Blackpool — 46%
- Fleetwood — 46%
- Great Yarmouth — 46%
- Lowestoft — 46%
- Bognor Regis — 41%
Results are based on an online survey conducted in January-February 2026 of 5,320 Which? Connect panel members who spoke about 11,999 experiences of visiting a UK seaside town for leisure purposes in the previous 12 months.


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