These are MUST SEE destinations for anyone visiting for the first time – and rightly so! – but we thought we would take a look at some other things to do in the area.
Some landmarks that may be off the beaten track, some pubs that offer that little bit more, some quirky spots for a bite of lunch, some spectacular views.
5. PROMENADE SCULPTURE
'Fishing Boat' was erected in 1996 by Wicklow based artist Niall O’ Neill, and has pride of place on the promenade at Portstewart. It was built to commemorate the life of local songwriter Jimmy Kennedy and combines Celtic and Viking decorative touches. On further inspection the boat reveals itself to be a giant swooping fish with a shell in its mouth, adding an element of the surreal to the seafront.Songwriter Jimmy Kennedy wrote his world famous 'Red Sails in the Sunset' after being inspired by a boat he saw from the Prom in Portstewart. Photo: CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS COUNCIL
6. GARVAGH PYRAMID
This pyramid was erected by Lord Garvagh after having been on the Grand Tour of Egypt, and is located on high ground in a bluebell wood, west of the car park at Ballinameen Bridge, at the south end of Garvagh. It was intended as the burial vault for Lord Garvagh but it was never used and the entrance has now been bricked up. The pyramid is 18 feet square at the base and is erected on a raised platform 21 feet square; it is 21 feet high and built of freestone blocks. Photo: CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS COUNCIL
7. BENDHU HOUSE
The small Causeway Coast village of Ballintoy has become hugely popular in recent years thanks to the fame of the HBO series Game of Thrones which filmed some of its scenes at the village harbour...BUT take it slowly as you make your way down the winding road to the harbour and take a look at this unique building - Bendhu House.Ulster Architectural Heritage says: "Bendhu takes its name from a nearby headland and was built over a 20 year period by the Cornishman Newton Penprase (starting in 1936 but later completed and extended by two subsequent owners), who had come to Northern Ireland at the age of 23 to teach at the Belfast College of Art. "In 1992 the house was listed Grade B1 by the Department of the Environment, who described it enthusiastically as “a uniquely sculpturesque product of a highly individual and creative artistic personality”." Photo: ULSTER ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
8. GIFTS
Everyone loves a keepsake from their holiday or short break - so if you are bringing a friend to the Causeway Coast area for the first time, check out these incredible gifts from Finn MacCool & Co. Based locally, and part of a unique vocational and leisure rehabilitation service, Finn MacCool & Co's products are lovingly hand-crafted by adults with varied physical abilities and mental health issues under the guidance of skilled tutors. They make a range of products including felted soap, candles, lavender bags, magnets and embroidered linen place mats. Check out their Facebook page for stockists. Photo: FINN MACCOOL