Information
Landmark: Cushendun CavesCity: Antrim
Country: Ireland
Continent: Europe
Cushendun Caves, Antrim, Ireland, Europe
Overview
Tucked into the quiet coastal village of Cushendun in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the Cushendun Caves offer a striking natural stop along the windswept Causeway Coastal Route.Shaped by coastal waves for more than 400 million years, these caves loom with jagged walls and a haunting, otherworldly beauty.Their strange, almost alien beauty has landed them in pop culture, most famously as a backdrop for sweeping scenes in HBO’s *Game of Thrones*.First.The caves sit in Cushendun, a charming little village along the wind-swept Antrim Coast.The village is picture-perfect, with whitewashed cottages and sweeping views of the sea, so it’s a favorite stop along the Causeway Coastal Route between Belfast and Derry.From the harbor, it’s just a short stroll to reach the Cushendun Caves.The path to the caves winds along the shoreline, past salt-sprayed rocks and jagged outcrops.These caves belong to an ancient formation carved by coastal erosion some 400 million years ago.These rocks formed during the Caledonian Orogeny, a chain of mountain-building events that helped shape much of Northern Ireland’s rugged landscape.Along Cushendun’s coast, the Atlantic’s relentless waves have bitten into the cliffs, carving deep, echoing caves into the stone.These caves twist into tunnels and open into caverns, each etched with its own shapes, rough textures, and streaks of color, like a sculpture carved by time.Step inside, and the dim light and jagged walls give the place a quiet, haunting air.Soft light spills through the cave’s openings, throwing jagged shadows across the damp rock and making the walls seem almost otherworldly.Step outside and the scene shifts-beyond the caves, the coastline unfurls in sweeping curves, the North Channel glinting all the way to the distant shape of Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre on a clear day.Photographers flock here for the striking mix of sheer coastal cliffs, glassy water, and horizons that seem to stretch forever.The Cushendun Caves, carved deep into the rock, shot to fame as a Game of Thrones filming spot.In Season 2, the caves set the stage for one of the show’s most unforgettable moments, when Melisandre-the Red Priestess-brings a shadowy creature into the world during a strange, torchlit ritual.Thanks to their role in *Game of Thrones*, the Cushendun Caves now draw fans from across the globe, eager to step into the spot where the scene came alive.They’re a key stop on Northern Ireland’s *Game of Thrones* trail, alongside other filming locations scattered through the countryside.Just a short walk away, Cushendun Village-shaped in the early 1900s by architect Clough Williams-Ellis-stands out with its unique, almost storybook charm.The village carries a timeless charm, with whitewashed Cornish-style cottages and weathered stone buildings framing the path to the caves.At its heart sits Mary McBride’s Pub-one of Northern Ireland’s tiniest-where locals squeeze around the worn wooden bar.It also has a Game of Thrones door-one of several carved from Dark Hedges wood to honor the series-and Glenmona House, with its sweeping parkland just outside the village, is well worth seeing.Once a grand 19th‑century mansion, the estate’s gardens invite you to wander under leafy branches or spread a blanket for a picnic by the caves, where soft echoes drift from the stone.For photographers, the Cushendun Caves are pure gold.Soft light filters through the caves, and the sweeping coastal views make them perfect for capturing striking, one-of-a-kind landscape shots.Jagged rock formations catch the light, their shadows curling into dark recesses that lend each photo a quiet mystery.The caves are open to the public, so anyone can wander through at their own pace.Some spots can be dim and slick underfoot-especially after a rain when the stone’s still damp-so wear sturdy shoes and watch your step.You can visit the caves any time of year.The caves look different as the tides shift and the light changes-at low tide, or when the sun slips in at an angle, shadows stretch across the stone walls in striking patterns.You can reach Cushendun by car along the scenic Causeway Coastal Route.You can park in the village, then stroll a few minutes to the caves.If you’re coming without a car, buses from bigger towns like Ballycastle or Ballymena will drop you near Cushendun.If you need it, you can grab a local taxi or rent a bike for the final stretch of the trip.The Cushendun Caves mix rugged cliffs, centuries of geological history, and a dash of pop culture, all tucked into the quiet, postcard-perfect setting of Cushendun Village.If you’re after an outdoor adventure, the perfect photo spot, or a glimpse of Game of Thrones history, these caves make an unforgettable stop along Northern Ireland’s rugged, wind-swept coast.
