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Major city · United Kingdom

Portstewart

Give Portstewart one full day and one night: walk the 3 km (1.9 mi) Strand at low tide, then use it as a base for the Causeway Coast by bus.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Portstewart is a Victorian seaside town on the north coast of Northern Ireland, 15 minutes by bus from Coleraine and 3 miles west of Portrush. The National Trust Strand is the reason to come; the Giant's Causeway, Bushmills and Carrick-a-Rede are within a day's reach by bus. Two nights covers the town and one coast day.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, many places closed)
Airports
BFS · BHD · LDY
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Portstewart999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999112
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Portstewart, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare, short hop£2.50–5 (≈ US$4–7)
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
  • Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
  • High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £170 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Portstewart Strand (National Trust beach)Morelli's ice cream on the PromenadePortstewart Golf ClubGateway to the Causeway Coast
Airports
BFS Belfast International (About 1 h 15 min by road (check); no direct rail or bus, change at Coleraine) · BHD George Best Belfast City (Train from Belfast to Coleraine, then bus 140a; about 2 h 30 min total (check)) · LDY City of Derry (About 45 min by road (check); bus links via Coleraine)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (12). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Portstewart: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

18 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

15 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

16 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

5°C (41°F)

13 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

12 rd

Jul

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

14 rd

Aug

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

15 rd

Sep

16°C (61°F)

10°C (50°F)

15 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

8°C (46°F)

17 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

5°C (41°F)

17 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

18 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes. Bus 140a/140b runs a triangle between Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush; frequency is roughly every 20 min Monday–Friday, hourly Saturday, every two hours Sunday (check current timetables with Translink). Change at Portrush for bus 402 along the coast to Bushmills, the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede and Ballycastle (check frequency and last return). A car helps for the coast road and Castlerock, where there is no footbridge or ferry across the River Bann.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Portrush

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus 140a/140b from the town centre, about 15 min

Change here for bus 402 along the coast.

Giant's Causeway and Bushmills

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h (check)

Bus 140 to Portrush, then bus 402 along the coast

A full day; check the last 402 back.

Castlerock

caution

Door to door: About 1 h (check)

Bus or train via Coleraine; no bridge or ferry across the River Bann

The direct coast path west is rough road walking.

Coleraine

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus 140a/140b, about 15 min

Market town and rail junction; Mountsandel Iron Age fort.

Derrygo

Door to door: 1.5–2 h (check)

Bus to Coleraine, then train to Derry

Walled city; better as an overnight than a rushed return.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

The Promenade

Sea front, walk to beach and eating strip; most hotels and B&Bs are here.

The Diamond / town centre

Behind the Promenade, 5 min walk to the sea; quieter, close to shops and buses.

Strand Road and Atlantic Circle

North end near the golf club and Strand car park; good for beach access, a walk from the centre (check).

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
Mid
£70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £120£240
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £95£380
Bus 140a Coleraine ↔ Portstewart, one way2 × £3 · check£6
Bus 402 Portrush ↔ Giant's Causeway, one way2 × £5 · check£10
Strand car park, one day1 × £8 · check£8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8£16
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£66
Trip total≈ £182 per person per day, bed included£726≈ US$1,000

2026 estimate in pounds, to check; travel to Northern Ireland excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Ice cream at Morelli's or Roughans£3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Fish and chips£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
Pint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
Bus fare, short hop£2.50–5 (≈ US$4–7)
Taxi Coleraine → Portstewart£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime seaside town; the real risks are cold water and rip currents on the Strand, wind on the cliff paths, and alcohol on the Promenade at night. Standard UK precautions apply.
  • Strand parking is charged and may need pre-booking in peak season (check with the National Trust); access on foot is free dawn to dusk.
  • Driving on the beach is no longer allowed.
  • Sunday buses are every two hours: check the last return before you set out.
  • The Promenade beach is rocky except for one small corner; the Strand is the swimming beach.
  • Northwest 200 motorbike races in May close roads around Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999 or 112
Police non-urgent
101
NHS non-urgent
111

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PortstewartPortstewart

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Embassy

No embassies in Portstewart; the US consulate-general is in Belfast, and most other countries have embassies in London or Dublin (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus Coleraine → Portstewart: about £3 (≈ US$4), 15 min
  • Bus Portrush → Giant's Causeway: about £5 (≈ US$7), 25 min
  • Taxi Coleraine → Portstewart: £12–18 (≈ US$16–25)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Please — Please
  • Excuse me — Excuse me
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?

English is the everyday language; a few Irish phrases are used locally but not needed.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Portstewart. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, many places closed) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for BFS, BHD and LDY with last-bus checks and taxi fallbacks.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Promenade, The Diamond, Strand Road and the golf club.
  3. Place pages with verified access rules for Portstewart Strand and opening hours for Flowerfield Arts Centre.
  4. Eat pages with last orders for the Promenade strip and Harry's Shack.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources