bangor northern ireland tourism

12 Of The Best Things To Do In Bangor In Northern Ireland

By Author Gillian Birch

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

There’s a handful of things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland and there’s endless places to visit nearby!

And, while many tend to miss it when exploring County Down, the town has a bustling food scene and it’s a great place to explore from.

Below, you’ll discover what to do in Bangor, from walks and great places to eat to heaps of nearby attractions.

Table of Contents

Our favourite things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland

Photos via Shutterstock

The first section of our guide is packed with what  we  think are the best things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland.

These are places that one or more of our team have visited and loved. Dive on in!

1. Kick start your visit with coffee or something tasty from The Guillemot Kitchen Café

Photos via Guillemot Kitchen Café on FB

The Guillemot Kitchen Café serves up delicious home cooking with a trademark twist. Visit the place for its famous breakfasts, boozy brunches and hearty lunches.

While you’ll find plenty of traditional favourites such as the Ulster Fry and Belfast Baps served with sausages, hashbrowns, bacon and a fried egg, there are also choices such as huevos rancheros, tortillas topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, fresh cheese, chillies and fried eggs.

There is also a shop where you can stock up on local cheeses, hampers and feasting boxes, and there are tapas nights, book clubs and other events to join in.

2. Then head for a stroll around Bangor Marina and the North Pier

© Bernie Brown bbphotographic for Tourism Ireland

One of the more popular things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland is to head for a ramble down by the pier.

Bangor Marina runs from the bottom of the town’s Main Street right round to Pickie Fun Park. It is the largest marina in Northern Ireland and was opened in 1989.

Look out for The Pasty Supper while you are there, a sculpture of a man eating a pasty and on the reverse of which is an old map of the town.

The north pier is just a few minutes’ walk away from the gardens and a great place for taking a short stroll, perhaps to walk off some of that enormous breakfast you’ve just consumed in the Guillemot Kitchen Café. 

3. Take the kids to Pickie Fun Park

Photo courtesy of Ards and North Down Borough Council via Ireland’s Content Pool

If you’re looking for things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland with kids, look no further than the brilliant Pickie Fun Park

Why not pedal a giant Pickie Swan around the shallow waters of the lagoon or try a round of golf while there?

The children will love the Adventure Playground and the Splash Pads and then there is the Pickie Puffer, a narrow-gauge railway journey all around the park’s landscape.

For food options, there is the Candy Shack for drinks and ice-cream on a sunny day and there is also the Pickie Café where you can stop off for lunch.

4. Or tackle the North Down Coastal Path

When in Ireland, it’s hard to resist venturing to the country’s magnificent coastline. The North Down Coastal Path in Bangor extends from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east.

The path passes through awe-inspiring coastline with beautiful turquoise seas to your right and fine examples of townhouses to your left and parkland.

Here, you will see relics of Ireland’s past and an abundance of local flora and fauna, as well as grey seals that can be spotted off the shoreline. Sections of the path pass through private roads.

Please respect the Highway Code when using these paths and roads.

5. Spend a fine morning at Castle Park

Castle Park surrounds the town hall and the first place you see if you arrive in Bangor by train or bus as it is directly opposite both stations.

Castle Park is the wooded area that surrounds the hall and is a nice place for a walk on a fine, sunny day.

See if you can guess the names of flora and fauna as you wander around, as the park has many magnificent trees in site that have been there for generations.

Related read: Check out our guide to 29 of the best things to do in Northern Ireland

6. And a wet one in North Down Museum

The North Down Museum may be small, but it packs in a huge amount of information to its small space, telling the history of the Bangor area from the Bronze Age (3300 BCE to 1200 BCE) to the present day.

The museum is at the back of the town hall, situated in what was the laundry and stables of the castle built in 1852.

The collections include Christian artefacts from the ancient abbey of Bangor founded in 558AD by Comgall and thought to be one of the most important monasteries in early medieval Europe, such as slate trial pieces, brooches, pottery and the Bangor Bell.

This is a handy option for those of you looking for things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland when it rains.

Other popular things to near Bangor

Now that we have our favourite things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland out of the way, it’s time to see what there is to do close by.

Below, you’ll find glorious beaches and outstanding forest parks to some of the most unique places to visit in Co Down .

1. Visit one of many nearby beaches

If you’re someone for whom a holiday isn’t a holiday unless there is a beach involved, then you’re in luck as there is a wealth of them around Bangor.

The Crawfordsburn Beach is a 10-minute drive as is Helen’s Bay while Ballyholme Beach is an 8-minute spin away.

Ballyholme Beach is sandy and approximately 1.3 km in length. There is a car park here, public toilets and a children’s play area.

2. Explore WWT Castle Espie

Come and discover the wonder of Wetlands at Castle Espie . Set on the shores of Strangford Lough, here you will find Northern Ireland’s biggest collection of native and exotic ducks and geese from all around the world.

Spring at Castle Espie is particularly rewarding, as the courtship rituals begin and you will see the large colony of black-headed gulls nesting on the reserve.

Spring also marks the return of the terns to breed, migrating birds coming back and full of birdsong, the arrival of the ducklings and the wood sorrel, celandine and snowdrops that are all around, sparkling with new life.

3. Head for a ramble around Crawfordsburn Country Park

Still in need of more walks in peace and quiet? Head for Crawfordsburn Country Park, which can be found on the southern shores of Belfast Lough and is home to two excellent beaches, some mighty fine scenery.

There’s also tranquil walks through the wooded glens and a waterfall that begs to be snapped.

In the park, you’ll see plenty of wildlife (depending on the time of day you visit), ranging from hedgehogs to rabbits, badgers, a large rookery, seals, herons, shags and guillemots.

There is also the Grey Point Fort, an historic monument completed in 1907 to defend Belfast from sea-borne attack.

4. Spend an afternoon at Mount Stewart

Another of the more popular things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland is to take a road trip to Mount Stewart – the most visited National Trust mansion house in NI.

The garden was created by Edith, Lady Londonderry in the early 20th century, building on the landscapes created in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Mount Stuart is said to be an exceptional example of the Irish demesne, with its woodland, orchards and farmlands providing for the household.

The land was acquired by the Stewarts in 1744 and the woodlands they planted, and the bridle paths and farmlands remain unchanged. 

5. Take a spin around the Ards Peninsula

The Ards Peninsula has unspoilt villages, a tranquil abbey and castles to explore. It’s located on the east coastline of Northern Ireland and surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Irish Sea and Strangford Lough.

Villages include Greyabbey, where you will find the 12th century ruins of Grey Abbey and a heritage trail through the village that points out places of note.

Just past Kircubbin is the Echlinville Distillery, where you can book a tour to find out all about the distilling process.

Portaferry is well worth a visit too, with its interesting buildings and architecture and from where you can walk up the Windmill Hill to see panoramic views of the County Down countryside. 

6. Soak up the views from Scrabo Tower

Scrabo Tower is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks. It was built in the mid-19th century to commemorate the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, who was born Charles William Stewart in 1788 and who fought in the Napoleonic Wars.

The tower is a prime example of a ‘folly’, common place buildings in the late 18th and 19th centuries erected mainly for decorative purposes but the style of them suggesting a grander purpose.

By climbing the 122 steps in the tower, visitors will be rewarded with amazing views over Strangford Lough and its islands, and Newtownards and Comber. On clear days, you can even see Mull of Kintyre

What to do in Bangor: What have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant things to do in Bangor in Northern Ireland from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about places to visit in Bangor

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where’s good when it rains?’ to ‘What to see nearby?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best things to do in Bangor?

Spend a fine morning at Castle Park, tackle the North Down Coastal Path, head for a stroll around Bangor Marina and the North Pier or visit Pickie Fun Park.

Is Bangor worth visiting?

Bangor makes a good base to explore part of Down from. There’s also plenty of great places to eat in the town along with some solid pubs.

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Situated just 12 miles from the heart of Belfast  and half an hour by train, the city of Bangor is a popular seaside resort at the tip of the Ards Peninsula. With a story that begins in the Bronze Age and includes the introduction of Christianity to Ireland, Viking raids and Northern Ireland’s textile industry, Bangor has a long and varied history. But it’s as a seaside resort that it found its fame.

Thanks to the growth of the railways during the 19th century, the area became a popular seaside escape and remains so to this day. During its time, it has welcomed many visitors – even the great English author Charles Dickens took time out from his lecture tour of Ireland to swim in Bangor’s Ballyholme Beach.

In 2022, a new chapter of the Bangor story began when it was awarded city status, making it one of six cities in Northern Ireland. And its renown doesn’t stop there – musician Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, actor Eddie Izzard and author Colin Bateman all hail from this newly minted city.

Today, Bangor is notable for Bangor Marina , the biggest marina in Northern Ireland, with over 1,500 boats visiting each year. And while watersports and sailing are the first port of call here, there’s plenty more to enjoy on your visit.

Bangor, County Down

L-R: Bangor Castle; Bangor Castle Walled Garden; North Down Museum; Bangor street

Things to see and do

Those with green fingers will enjoy Bangor Castle Walled Garden . Designed in the 1840s by the Ward family who lived there, this beautifully restored Victorian garden is divided into four sections: a flower garden, herbs and topiary, a kitchen garden and a swamp garden.

Bangor Castle is not open to the public but the grounds of  Castle Park  are free to explore and feature lovely views over Belfast Lough. Look out for the bench dedicated to Belfast-born author CS Lewis who visited the gardens often.

Within Castle Park, you’ll also find the North Down Museum . This fascinating free-entry space displays artefacts from the region’s history, including the Bronze-Age Ballycroghan swords and a replica Viking longhouse – the Norsemen established a base at nearby Strangford Lough (Strang Fjord) from which they carried out raids along Ireland’s east coast.

Other gems include the Jordan collection, celebrating Bangor native Sir John Newell Jordan's travels in the Far East, along with a host of contemporary exhibitions on music, photography, and handmade craft.

Another Bangor highlight is Bangor Abbey , just beside Castle Park. Established by Saint Comgall in 558AD, it was a great centre of learning and was regarded as one of Ireland’s most important monastic sites. Repeatedly raided by Vikings, the abbey nevertheless survived and still stands tall to this day. Interesting features include a memorial to Titanic’s assistant surgeon, local man John Edward Simpson, stunning stained-glass windows and a beautiful mural behind the alter.

The Salty Dog, Bangor

Local flavours

As you’d expect from a coastal destination, Bangor has a strong seafood scene. Experience a six-course tasting menu at the Boat House where delicious dishes such as Bangor Bay crab and fresh sesame crumbed monkfish are on the menu.

The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro serves vegan and veggie-friendly food, pasta, pub grub and Asian dishes to suit any taste.

For a delicious lunch, head to The Guillemot Kitchen Café for favourites such as blueberry waffles, the Reuben sandwich and the seafood sharing platter.

Pub-wise, don’t miss Donegan’s for hearty portions of fish and chips, flavoursome burgers and steak dinners. For a quirky pub experience, stop by The Rabbit Rooms and tuck into hickory-smoked ribs, Strangford Lough mussels and seafood pie.

Bangor Marina, County Down

The better-known Antrim coast regularly attracts tourists, but less-visited north Down has a craggy green shoreline, sandy coves, lovely towns and frequent trains. Phoebe Taplin, The Guardian

Fun for all the family

If you want to get out on the water and take in the scenery, set out with SUP Hub NI and test your balance with a 2-hour stand-up paddle boarding lesson.

Want to keep the little ones occupied? Pickie Fun Park is one of Northern Ireland’s top attractions with the likes of mini golf, steam train rides, a splash pad and peddle swans rides all in store. If you fancy something more laidback, set off from Bangor marina on a pleasure cruise , taking in Bangor Bay and Belfast Lough.

Walkers will love a ramble (long or short) along the North Down Coastal Path , which spans from Holywood town through coastal habitats and country parks to the rocky outcrop of Orlock Point.

Beyond the city

Bangor is a great base to explore the Ards Peninsula, home to many picturesque towns and villages, as well as Strangford Lough  – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

On 900 acres of the lough’s eastern shore sits the glorious 18th century Mount Stewart House and Gardens . Bedecked in plush fabrics and sporting a 15,000-strong collection of paintings, the mansion is a treat to explore. Those with a love for horticulture will adore the lush gardens, carefully planned and planted by Lady Londonderry over 100 years ago.

Home to almost the entire world's population of Brent geese in the winter months, Castle Espie Wetland Centre is a treat for nature lovers and is full of wild trails. Fancy some island exploration? Head to Strangford Lough's Mahee Island and discover the 5th century ruins of Nendrum monastic site . Or travel back in time at the Ulster Folk Museum where you can experience real thatched cottages, traditional crafts and costumed characters that tell of bygone times.

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Bangor highlights.

Don't miss these things to see and do

Pickie Fun Park

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Little Wing Pizzeria, Bangor

North Down Museum

Bangor Castle (City Hall)

Crawfordsburn Country Park

Helen's Bay

Ballyholme Beach

Bangor Abbey

Accommodation

Helen's Tower

North Down Coastal Path

Bangor Marina is located right in the heart of Bangor city centre close to all major road, rail and air transport networks. The Marina lies at the mouth of Belfast Lough offering exceptional access to world class yacht racing waters.

Enjoy a fun day out at Pickie Fun Park. Try out the 18-hole mini-golf course, giant pedal swans, Pickie Puffer train, children's play area, children's electric car track and more.

It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Varieties of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables mix with sculptures and a unique fountain with a tongue twister! We are thrilled that the Walled Garden is now open all year round (except on particular holidays). Please see opening hours.

Naples style pizzas freshly made with the finest of ingredients.

Visit North Down Museum to explore the fascinating saga of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Museum takes you on a journey through Early Christian heritage and the Vikings to Scottish Settlers and the Victorians.

This impressive building was built for the Hon Robert Edward Ward and his family in 1852. It is presently the headquarters of Ards and North Down Borough Council who use the mansions spectacular grand salon as the council chamber.

With tranquil walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens and a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.

The mile long crescent of sandy beach curving along Ballyholme bay has been a favourite sea bathing spot for generations.

Founded in 558AD the main body of the building dates from 1830's, the tower from 15th century and steeple dates around 1693. Interesting gravestones include a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic, local man John Edward Simpson.

Helen’s Tower, perched above the rolling hills of County Down, is an enchanting three storey, stone tower nestled deep in the woods of the Clandeboye Estate, standing on top of the world with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Adults only

Friendly staff, gorgeous rooms and great food will make you stay a memorable one.

Relatively flat scenic coastline

Getting to Bangor

Fly to Belfast International Airport or Belfast City Airport and you’re almost there. Or head to Dublin or Shannon and take the scenic cross-country route. Coming by ferry? Belfast is your closest port.

• 1.1 Visitor information
• 3 Get around
• 10 Stay safe

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&amp;lang=en&amp;name=Bangor_(Northern_Ireland)\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a></span>"}'/> Bangor is a town on the south shore of Belfast Lough, in County Down . It was a holiday resort from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century but is now chiefly a commuter town for Belfast.

Bangor in Irish is Beannchor , a horned or peaked curve, referring to the shape of its bay. In the 6th and 7th centuries its monastery rivalled Armagh as the religious and cultural centre of Ireland, but Viking raids finished it off, and its Norman revival under St Malachy was never so important. It remained a small place until the Ulster Plantations of the 17th century, when it grew as a port. Over the next 200 years a major linen industry developed across Ireland, however Bangor's speciality was cotton, with steam-driven mills lining the sea front. But as the scale of production processes grew, Bangor couldn't compete with the Lancashire mill towns and this industry faded. The railway arrived in 1865 and the town morphed into a seaside resort and commuter town for Belfast, acquiring its Victorian architecture.

It remained a tourist resort into the 1960s, but its cool climate and bracing sea temperatures were no match for the Med. "The Troubles" then set in: there were murderous bomb attacks in Bangor but the town escaped more lightly than most, though it suffered from the blight that descended on Belfast. Conversely, it has benefited from the revival following the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The counties of Northern Ireland have been abolished and since 2015 Bangor has been the administrative centre of Ards and North Down Borough, so local government is a significant local employer. in 2011 its population was 61,011, which makes it the third largest town in Northern Ireland.

Visitor information

• Visitor Information Centre , 34 Quay Street ( in the 17th-century Tower House near the marina's pier ). M-Sa 9:15AM-4PM, until 5PM Jun-Aug . ( updated Apr 2024 )

Most long-distance routes by air, sea, rail or bus involve travelling via Belfast . One exception is George Best City Airport, where most flights are from the UK: you walk or take the free shuttle bus to Sydenham station for the Bangor train, and don't travel via the city.

Trains from Belfast run every 30 min and take an hour to Bangor, for a single fare of £6. They start from Portadown and run via Lurgan , Lisburn , several Belfast stations including Great Victoria Street (for Europa bus station), Botanic (for Queen's University), Lanyon Place (for trains from Dublin) and Titanic; then Sydenham (for City Airport), Holywood , Marino, Cultra (for the Transport and Folk Museums), Seahill, Helen's Bay (for Crawfordsburn), Carnalea and Bangor West, terminating at Bangor railway station on Abbey Street.

Ulsterbus 502 runs hourly M-Sa from Belfast Laganside, taking just under an hour via Lanyon Place, Holywood, Cultra, Kilcooley and Crawfordsburn. It doesn't serve Europa bus station except the last bus of the day towards 9PM, and the four buses that run on Sunday. Bangor Buscentre is south side of the railway station.

Bus 6 runs south past the Somme Museum to Newtownards . Change there for Bus 9 / 10 down the Ards Peninsula to Mount Stewart, Portaferry, and the ferry to Strangford .

Bus 3 runs hourly, daily, east along the coast to Donaghadee.

Taxis can be found by the railway and bus stations.

National Cycleway 93 / 99 [ dead link ] runs from Bangor down the peninsula to Newtownards, Portaferry, Strangford, Downpatrick and Newcastle. It's all on-road. You can also cycle to Downpatrick by hugging the west bank of Strangford Lough.

• 54.6642 -5.67139 1 Bangor Marina is the attractive centrepiece of town. It has 530 berths and is navigable at all tides with at least 2.2 m depth. If you're meeting someone in Bangor, the standard rendezvous is the McKee Clock, built 1915, at the foot of High Street.
• Beaches: closest is Ballyholme, a long sandy expanse east edge of town. Others are Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn.
• Crawfordsburn is an attractive little village west of Bangor, where the main attraction is The Old Inn, see Sleep. There's a beach, and a pleasant forested country park, bounded by an impressive railway viaduct. Trains stop nearby at Helen's Bay, while buses run through Crawfordsburn.
• 54.623 -5.694 5 Helen's Tower : see Newtownards for this Victorian Folly, approached by a woodland walk.
• 54.609 -5.681 6 Somme Museum : see Newtownards for this museum of World War I.
• 54.63 -5.53 7 Donaghadee is a small port which in the 17th century became the main route to Great Britain as ships outgrew the channel and harbour at Belfast. It was popular with couples eloping to Scotland in the 18th century, when Ireland had the same restrictive marriage laws as England: you could sail to Portpatrick , get hitched, and return to Ireland same day. The town acquired its fine harbour and lighthouse in the 19th century, and the Moat or Motte was built as a mock-castle to store explosives used in constructing the harbour.
• 54.675 -5.529 8 Copeland Islands were inhabited until their lighthouses were automated. They're now a birdlife reserve, reached by boat trips from Donaghadee.
• Pickie Funpark , Marine Gardens BT20 5AG , ☏ +44 28 9145-0746 . M 9AM-4PM, Tu-Su 10AM-6PM . Amusement park for younger children, no white-knuckle rides. Genteel attractions are the miniature railway, adventure playgrounds, paddling pool and swan-shaped pedalos. Adult or child £12.50 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Omniplex Cinema is east side of Castle Park.
• The Coastal Path Walk stretches west to Holywood and east to Orlock. From Bangor marina:
• Football: Bangor FC play soccer in the NIFL Championship, Northern Ireland's second tier. Their home ground Clandeboyne Park (capacity 1900) is a mile southwest of town centre.
• Aurora Leisure Complex on Castle Park only has memberships of 3+ months, no walk-up facilities.
• Asda a block south is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 1-6PM and has a filling station.
• Edge of town on the ring road are Springhill to the west, and Bloomfields to the south.

• Wolsey's , 26 High St BT20 5AY , ☏ +44 28 9146-0495 . M-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su 12:30PM-midnight . Hearty pub grub in a lively restaurant and bar. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• The Salty Dog , 10-12 Seacliff Rd BT20 5EY , ☏ +44 28 9127-0696 . Food daily 7AM-10PM . Dog-friendly hotel and restaurant east side of marina. Cuisine is a mix of traditional Irish and modern. B&B double £100 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Jamaica Inn , 188 Seacliff Rd BT20 5HA , ☏ +44 28 9147-1610 . M-Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-midnight . Good seafood at this beachfront cafe, dog-friendly. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• Tom's Dining Rooms ( formerly Papa Joe's ), 7 Hamilton St BT20 4JP , ☏ +44 28 9146-1529 . M-F 11AM-8:20PM, Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-8:30PM . American-style diner, cuisine is nominally New Orleans cuisine, but has all the US favourites. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Star of Bengal , 108 Abbey St BT20 4JB , ☏ +44 28 9146-3271 . Daily 5-10:30PM . Reliable Indian restaurant and takeaway next to the Abbey. Unlicensed so BYOB, no corkage charge. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Bokhara , 2A King St BT20 3AH ( 1st floor, corner of Main St ), ☏ +44 28 9145-2439 . Daily 5-11PM . Popular Indian restaurant with all the standard offerings. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Donegans , 37-39 High St BT20 5BE , ☏ +44 28 9146-3928 . W Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 12:30-9PM . This pub is now primarily a restaurant, standard offerings. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Coq & Bull , 10 Estate Rd ( at Clandeboye Lodge ), ☏ +44 2891852500 , [email protected] . Noon-9:30PM . Good, honest food. ( updated Mar 2024 )
• Jenny Watts , 41 High St BT20 5BE , ☏ +44 28 9127-0401 . M Tu 11:30AM-11PM, W-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su 12:30PM-midnight . Bangor's oldest pub, established 1780. Downstairs is traditional décor and occasionally live music, with a small beer garden to the rear. Upstairs is a modern lounge with a dance floor and cocktails. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Fealty's , 35 High St BT20 5BE , ☏ +44 28 9146-0088 . M-Th 2-11PM, F 2PM-1AM, Sa noon-1AM, Su 2-8PM . Highly regarded trad pub with classic and modern beers. Cash only. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• Betty Blacks , 13-15 High St BT20 5BG , ☏ +44 28 9147-2121 . Th-Sa M noon-1AM, Su noon-midnight, W 9PM-1AM . Cocktail and party bar. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Distilleries: Copeland in Donaghadee makes whisky, rum and gin; and Echlinville Distillery , 10 miles south of Newtownards, produces whiskey and gin. Both offer tours.
• Goat's Toe , 53 Main St, BT20 5AF . Lively, gay-friendly bar with live music downstairs and an open rooftop bar. ( updated Sep 2023 )

• Lots of B&Bs around the marina. There's no camping locally, but many caravan sites strung along the coast.
• 54.661 -5.675 1 Ennislare House , 7 Princetown Road BT20 3EA , ☏ +44 28 9127-0858 . Smart welcoming B&B in a Victorian house with 10 rooms en suite. B&B double £60 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.665 -5.654 2 Cairn Bay Lodge , 278 Seacliff Rd BT20 5HS , ☏ +44 28 9136-7646 . Quirky comfy B&B in Edwardian villa, with five rooms en suite and Starfish Cafe. B&B double £100 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.664 -5.667 3 Marine Court Hotel , 18-20 Quay Street BT20 5ED , ☏ +44 28 9145-1100 , fax : +44 28 9145-1200 , [email protected] . Decent mid-range place, some tired decor but value for money. B&B double £80 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.658 -5.668 4 Premier Inn , Castle Ave BT20 4TH , ☏ +44 871 527 8000 . Reliable budget chain hotel near the railway station. Double room £50, breakfast £10 pp . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.636 -5.719 5 Clandeboye Lodge , 10 Estate Road BT19 1UR ( 3 miles southwest of town ), ☏ +44 28 9185-2500 , fax : +44 28 9185-2772 , [email protected] . 4-star hotel in extensive grounds, comfy and good service. Helen's Tower is a mile south. ( updated Mar 2024 )
• 54.659 -5.729 6 The Old Inn , 15-25 Main St, Crawfordsburn BT19 1JH , ☏ +44 28 9185-3255 . Beautiful atmospheric coaching inn dating from 1614. It was where the stagecoach from Belfast changed horses on the way to Donaghadee ferry port, so many famous periwigged or petticoated gentry broke their journey here, including Peter the Great of Russia, Charles Dickens, and George H Bush. It gets great reviews for room comfort and dining. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £110 . ( updated Oct 2020 )

Usual advice about road safety, care of valuables, and avoiding antisocial drunks around the pubs.

Mobile connections are poor, especially considering that Bangor is a prosperous commuter town for the nearby city. As of Oct 2020, only O2 has a good 4G and mobile signal throughout town; EE, Three and Vodafone have lots of dead spots. 5G has not reached this area.

• Belfast is only 20 min by train, but deserves several days to explore.
• Holywood has the Ulster Folk Museum and Transport Museum side by side. By bus or train, get off at Cultra.
• Newtownards has the lavish house and gardens of Mount Stewart. Continue down the Ards peninsula to Portaferry, which has a car ferry to Strangford .

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The Sunny Seaside City of Bangor

1. Bangor Marina

Starting with Bangor Marina, as I assume most visitors to Bangor will be arriving by yacht, so Bangor Marina would be the first port of call for most. At the same time, it probably is the highlight of our scenic seaside city, meaning it will likely top most people’s to-do list for attractions in Bangor. Then, for those without a yacht (you don’t have a yacht?) and are arriving by bus/train it’s just a short walk to the bottom of Main Street to find Bangor Marina and all our delightful seaside attractions. It’s just next to the McKee Clock ( directions here ).

So Bangor Marina is fairly central to the seafront attractions, and it’s just really nice to potter around, with the sea views, coastal breezes, the yachts… and our Bangor Seafront guide here . While the seaside-facing promenade is really quite delightful, unfortunately, the Queen’s Parade side opposite is still a bit of a disaster. However, exciting new developments have been penned for the area years in the years ahead. For now, make the most of the infamous Bangor whingers by telling them “… them there art pods look fantastic”. They at least host a decent market ( Market Fresh ) here on occasional weekends.

2. The Eisenhower Pier

Found next to Bangor Marina, is Bangor Pier, known officially as the Eisenhower Pier, to commemorate General Dwight D. Eisenhower who readied his navy fleet in the seas opposite before storming the shores of Normandy on D-Day. Although some locals are having none of it, and continue to call it the North Pier. I have no idea why. Anyway, Bangor Pier is the berthing place for the larger boats visiting Bangor.

Bangor Pier is also home to some flaky Guillemots, also known as the Bangor penguins, who seem to come and go as they please (they’re migratory I think). There’s also a smaller pier at the entrance known as the long hole which was once used to berth smaller boats. These days it’s more popular with joggers and dog walkers, and it is a great place to feed some seagulls. Fishing and boat tours are also organised from the Pier (as well as Pickie Fun Park) by Bangor Boat Tours. Anyway, here is our wider guide to the Bangor Eisenhower Pier .

3. Pickie Fun Park

Pickie Fun Park is on the opposite (south) side of Bangor Marina, a venue that once hosted an outdoor swimming pool (Pickie Pool), which really is a bit nuts given the ‘Baltic’ temperatures (as they say) around here. These days swimmers have to make do with the sea just further along at Skipping Stone Beach. Anyway, nowadays it is a Fun Park, with lots of family fun for, or at least fun for the kids, including attractions like the Pickie Puffer (a kiddies train track), Disco Ducks (I dunno), and Bangor’s iconic Swans (Pedalo Swans). Don’t forget your Barry’s Lemontop ice cream.

Pickie Fun Park was also home to one of the most revered monuments in Bangor known as the “Pastie Supper Lover” only for it to be removed due to its somewhat sketchy positioning next to a children’s play park. We’re now waiting for his return at a more prominent spot at Bangor seafront. Anyway, Pickie Fun Park is seasonal, normally through Spring and Summer , opening daily from 09:00AM – 09:00PM . There maybe other varying dates during the rest of the year. Here’s our full guide to Pickie Fun Park in Bangor .

4. The North Down Coastal Path

Following on from Pickie Fun Park, you can actually walk from Bangor to Holywood and beyond along the scenic North Down Coastal Path, but it is a good 10miles (16km) between the two. Fortunately, it does run alongside the Bangor to Belfast train line , so there are a number of handy stops (7 in total) to hop on to complete the return journey. Expect lots of wild and rugged scenery (as seen in our awesome video below) including cragged coves and coastlines, lots of sand and pebble beaches, also various connecting attractions and forest parks along the North Down Coastal Path.

Highlights along the way would including, in order, Strickland’s Glen at Smelt Mill Bay. Then it’s the Carnalea Coast before the old ‘boathouse’ at Swineley Bay, before reaching Crawfordsburn Country Park . Crawfordsburn Country Park is easily worth the visit alone. Most people would then hop on the train at Helen’s Bay for the return journey. Otherwise, the wild and scenic coastlines are the highlight of this region and the North Down Coastal Path also runs in the opposite direction from Bangor to Groomsport. Check out our North Down Coastal Path guides from Bangor to Holywood and Bangor to Groomsport .

5. Main Street Shopping

Admittedly the main shopping streets have been a bit dead of late, or, to be more specific, the past 10 years, or 15 maybe. Which is the same for many/most British town centres thanks to out-of-town retail parks and online shopping. So Bangor isn’t best known as a shopping destination due to the lack of big brand stores in the city centre. For larger retail stores, like Next or…, my knowledge is lacking here, most people head out to the out-of-town shopping centres like Bloomfield Shopping Centre. There are a handful however on Main Street with Menary’s and JD Sports… and we’ve shared a full list of central businesses here .

Otherwise, there are lots of boutique and small independent shops in central Bangor, many found on the Main Street, but mostly they are scattered in-and-around alleys and backstreets. Maybe check out High Street. There are also loads of charity shops, something we’re famous for, if you fancy picking up some secondhand furniture or some jigsaws during your visit to our scenic seaside city (we like jigsaws). Otherwise, we eagerly await the arrival of the newly revamped Flagdeliver Centre (coming soon) and the Queen’s Parade Redevelopment (coming later).

6. Bangor Castle and Castle Park

For those not arriving by yacht (you don’t have a yacht?), the first sight in Bangor will likely be Castle Park and Bangor Castle which pretty much opposite Bangor’s bus and train stations. They’re hard to miss. So this is where the old Town Hall, or Bangor Castle as it’s now better known, sits, and the area makes a decent starting point when exploring the more central areas of Bangor city centre. Although most people just rush down Main Street to the seaside excitement of Bangor-by-the-Sea.

So Castle Park is more of a wooded area than your typical city centre park. There are no play parks or activities, no ponds, ducks or swans (check out Ward Park for these), and otherwise, it’s really just nice for a romantic walk. Along the way expect dog walkers, and dogs, and squirrels, and squirrels being chased by dogs. There are also loads of exciting trees for those big into botany, including a ‘fine collection of mature conifers and deciduous trees’. Castle Park is also home to Bangor’s other main tourist attractions including the North Down Museum and Victorian Walled Garde ( Full Guide to Castle Park Here ).

7. North Down Museum

Connecting to the side of Bangor Castle is the North Down Museum, a name that can be a bit misleading to newcomers, as it’s named after the old local borough council (North Down), and it’s just so others in the region don’t feel left out. At the same time, most people just call it Bangor Museum, because it’s in Bangor, or the Bangor Heritage Centre which was its earlier name before it received its fancy museum status. Anyway, it’s just a short walk from the main stations and there’s lots of parking round the back when arriving by car ( here ).

The North Down Museum centres a lot on Bangor’s Christian Heritage , and there’s a similar theme in Castle Park where a walkway dotted with fancy plinths (Columbanus Bell Walk) connects to the ancient Bangor Abbey (established 558 by Saint Comgall). Other notable attractions include the iconic Bangor Bell, a glass beehive in the upper floor, and a replica of Bangor Castle made out of 2011 sugar cubes. It is also free entry to the museum and the onsite cafe, Coffee Cure, give’s some added incentive for the visit ( Full tour of the Museum Here ).

8. The Walled Garden

This restored Victorian Garden is “a real hidden gem”, or this is at least how it is touted by the local tourist board. But is definitely worth a walk around if you like gardens, and flowers, and there’s a fancy fountain smack back in the centre. It’s really quite beautiful in the summer. It is also free to enter, like pretty much all Bangor tourist attractions. Again, the Walled Garden connects to the back of Castle Park and it pairs well with a visit to Bangor Castle and the North Down Museum. Make a day of it.

Note, the walled garden is a seasonal attraction in Bangor, given the UK is dead and withered for half the year, so it only really opens for the bloom in Spring through to the end of Summer and near Autumn. The Walled Garden is also found next to  Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex (aka Bangor swimming pool) if you fancy a swim during your visit to Bangor, and it’s not far from the rather retro-looking  Omniplex cinemas and Bingo hall. Anyway, they’re all there if you need them. Here for a full bit on the walled garden .

9. Ward Park

Following a slight detour from Main Street (along Hamilton Road), Ward Park is a bit hidden to tourists, yet it’s only a short walk to find and it’s is well worth digging out. Unlike Castle Park, Ward Park is more like your traditional town centre park, with ponds, and ducks, and play parks, and people feeding ducks. There are even aviaries and habitats for more exciting and exotic birds. Otherwise I’ll be lazy here, with a copypasta from the Discover NI website. “Ward Park covers an area of 37 acres and among its attractions are a children’s playground, all-weather hockey pitches, cricket pitch, bowling greens, putting green and tennis courts”.

Other notable attractions include the War Memorial monument which is somewhat central to the park, and a U-Boat gun which is great for swinging upside down on. Fun (slightly disturbing) fact. A good few years back (2005) some drunken louts (from Ards I’m guessing) broke into the bird cages and slaughtered 24 banty hens and a peacock (a very rare occurrence in Bangor, thankfully). So the local media obviously tracked down ‘Councillor Dianna Peacock’ to report on it .

10. Food and Drink in Bangor

Fancy a poke? There’s a general tourist tick list when it comes to seaside eating which includes fish and chips, and a good ol’ poke. Both easy to find along Bangor seafront with local chippies (chip shops) for your suppers and ice cream shops for your pokes (ice cream). All mixed in with your usual local pub grub, cafes (lots of Ulster Fries), and restaurants serving seaside fare. A full list of restaurants here .

We’re not so clued up when it comes to the nightlife scene in Bangor but most of it would be centered around the bottom of the High Street and the nearby seafront stretch along Quay Street. But not exclusively. There’s also a bunch more central, like the Goats Toe, and a more amiable option with the Jamaica Inn further along the seafront, and… we otherwise only turn up for takeaway and kebabs. Check out the beast below. From Chillies. She’s a beaut!

Where to Stay in Bangor?

The obvious hotel for tourists in central Bangor is the Premier Inn, found just opposite the bus and train stations, otherwise, most accommodation and hotels in Bangor are found along the seafront stretch and coastal paths of Bangor. One of the more prominent would have been the Marine Court, which overlooks the seafront area, but this is now (temporarily) closed to tourists and visitors to Bangor. This follows many of Bangor’s seafront hotels that have shut up shop through the years (the Royal and Windsor Hotels) due to the whole collapsing of the economy etc.

Otherwise, the main seafront hotel is now the boutique hotel and bistro the Salty Dog ( rates etc. here ) next to the pier, along with a bunch of smaller guesthouses and B&B’s along the seafront road leading from the Pier (Seacliff Road) as well as a handful near Pickie Fun Park. Note, be careful when booking online, as the typical list of Bangor hotels ( full list here ) often includes hotels that are miles out from the city centre. They are all nice hotels tbf (e.g. the Old Inn especially), but they’re obviously not convenient for tourists in Bangor city centre.

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Things to do in Bangor Northern Ireland: Tourism, Attractions, Stories and Events in Bangor and North Down on Northern Ireland’s Gold Coast.

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Welcome to Ards and North Down

Embrace the natural landscapes and seascapes as you journey the 115 miles of scenic coastline winding your way along the edge of Belfast Lough, on to the Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough .

Explore water’s edge beauty spots and heritage sites, savour our award-winning local food and drink, be inspired by our creative makers and experience exhilarating activities and events – it’s all waiting for you!

Local museums each have a unique story to tell. North Down Museum in Bangor , travels back to the Bronze Age through a series of rooms, each dedicated to a particular era. Uncover the magic of the National Trust’s Mount Stewart . Tour the 19th century stately home, stroll in world-class gardens or wind along idyllic woodland and farmland walking trails in this magnificent Irish demesne.

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Our scenic shoreline is yours to escape to and explore with a boat trip around the loughs, or a coastal walk or bike ride.

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Meet the makers, hear their stories, or why not take a class?

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Ards and north down is the ideal location to escape, relax and have fun..

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Delve into rich culture and heritage, explore parks and gardens, discover the coast and feast on fabulous food.

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