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Belfast's town center and quayside may be gentrifying, but greater delights beckon to the north. Half an hour by car from Northern Ireland's capital, the beautiful, unspoiled coastline boasts miles of craggy cliffs alternating with white sandy beaches that set off the clear blue-green ocean. Dotting the coast are colorful old harbors and tiny villages tucked away in green glens, waiting to be explored. Drive along the spectacular 40-km A2 coast road from Larne to Cushendall, continue to Ballycastle, either via the coast road or across the moors, and take in the following sights:

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY This UNESCO World Heritage Site, pictured, 3 km east of Bushmills, boasts a stunning cliff walk and a series of uniquely shaped rock formations from way back when molten lava met the cooling seawater. See if you can spot the Camel, the Granny, the Giant's Boot and the Wishing Chair. The polygonal basalt columns are perfect for a midafternoon seaside scramble.

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CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE Once an even shakier bridge used by salmon fishermen to access a tiny island they used as a fishery, the now tourist-safe bridge, less than a kilometer from the harbor of Ballintoy, is a thrilling way to cross over a 25-m-deep chasm. From the island, gaze back toward the mainland at wave-carved cliffsides full of caves and natural archways.

RATHLIN ISLAND Some 9 km off the Irish coast and about 22 km from Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, this cliff-edged island is reachable by a 45-min. ferry ride from Ballycastle. Few vehicles mean Rathlin is a haven for walkers and cyclists; the nature reserve and bird sanctuary area allow visitors to get close to seals and puffins. It's a grand day out, or bunk at the modest Manor House, tel: (44-28) 2076 3964. On a clear day, you can see forever—or at least to Scotland. ntni.org.uk

• Daneet Steffens
• Cliff Hangin'