County Antrim features several notable towns renowned for their historical significance, natural beauty, and tourist appeal:
- Belfast (337,210 inhabitants): Belfast functions as the capital city and main commercial centre of county Antrim. Visitors can expect a range of shops, eateries, and services in the city centre, together with Titanic Belfast featuring interactive galleries on the ship’s history at the former shipyard site, Crumlin Road Gaol with guided tours of prison cells, St George’s Market for local produce and crafts, the Ulster Museum with exhibits on art and history, Botanic Gardens for walks, and City Hall with tours. The area serves as a base for exploring nearby coastal routes and provides access to black taxi tours of historical districts.
- Newtownabbey (67,200 inhabitants): Newtownabbey forms a suburban area north of Belfast. Visitors might expect Belfast Zoo with animal enclosures across parkland grounds, Theatre at the Mill for performances, and Sentry Hill Historic House with displays on local Victorian life. The district offers quiet residential surroundings and access to nearby parks for walks.
- Lisburn (49,890 inhabitants): Lisburn lies southwest of Belfast in the Lagan Valley. Visitors can expect the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum with exhibits on linen production history, Ulster Aviation Society collections of aircraft, and local shops in the city centre. The area provides riverside paths and serves as a calm base close to Belfast.
- Ballymena (31,270 inhabitants): Ballymena is a market town in mid-Antrim. Visitors might expect the Mid-Antrim Museum with local history displays, access to nearby Gracehill Moravian Settlement for heritage walks, and local amenities in a rural setting. The town offers proximity to countryside lanes and serves as a base for regional exploration.
- Carrickfergus (27,460 inhabitants): Carrickfergus stands on the north shore of Belfast Lough. Visitors can expect Carrickfergus Castle with tours of its medieval structure, St Nicholas’ Parish Church, and the Andrew Jackson Centre on American connections. The town provides coastal walks, harbour views, and a historical atmosphere close to Belfast.
- Antrim (24,490 inhabitants): Antrim lies beside Lough Neagh. Visitors might expect Antrim Castle Gardens with restored grounds, Italianate features, and Clotworthy House exhibits, along with a 10th-century round tower in the town centre. The area offers lakeside paths and access to nearby parkland for strolls.
- Larne (19,020 inhabitants): Larne functions as a harbour town and gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route. Visitors can expect promenade walks along the coast, Olderfleet Castle ruins, and access to nearby attractions such as The Gobbins Cliff Path for guided cliff trails. The town provides ferry links and serves as a base for coastal drives.
- Ballymoney (11,130 inhabitants): Ballymoney is a small market town in north Antrim. Visitors might expect local amenities, historical sites, and quiet rural surroundings for relaxed exploration close to the Glens of Antrim.
- Ballyclare (10,430 inhabitants): Ballyclare lies in a rural part of the county. Visitors can expect a modest town with basic facilities and access to nearby countryside paths.
- Greenisland (6,250 inhabitants): Greenisland is a small coastal settlement near Carrickfergus. Visitors might expect peaceful seaside views and local services in a quiet residential area.
- Portrush (6,130 inhabitants): Portrush is a seaside town on the north coast. Visitors can expect beach access, a promenade for walks, and proximity to coastal scenery along the Causeway route.
- Ballycastle (5,590 inhabitants): Ballycastle sits at the start of the Glens of Antrim. Visitors might expect harbour views, access to nearby beaches, and a base for exploring coastal and glen landscapes.
- Derriaghy (5,440 inhabitants): Derriaghy functions as a suburban area near Lisburn. Visitors can expect local community facilities and proximity to urban amenities in the wider Belfast region.
- Crumlin (5,150 inhabitants): Crumlin lies close to Lough Neagh. Visitors might expect rural surroundings, local services, and access to lakeside areas for gentle outings.
- Randalstown (5,070 inhabitants): Randalstown is a small village near Lough Neagh. Visitors can expect quiet countryside paths and a peaceful setting focused on local life.
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Largest town in the county: a walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Antrim:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies –Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
