What is the best base town in County Down?
Newcastle, if the Mournes are the point: you wake under Slieve Donard, the main walks start from the town, and evenings look after themselves. Downpatrick suits a Saint Patrick and lough trip: central for Strangford, Castle Ward and the Portaferry ferry, and quieter at night. Belfast is the honest third option, and the one we would not talk you out of: Down is an easy county to tour from the city, with the coast road north and the motorway south, if a city base suits the wider trip better. What we would not do is split single nights between all three.
Useful pages: Where to go · Ready-made itineraries · The Wild Atlantic Way road trip · Dublin · County Cork · County Kerry · County Galway · Northern Ireland · Portrush · Visiting Irish castles · Plan your journey · Heritage · Golf in Ireland · Ireland's cities · Ireland in the movies · Best hiking trails in Ireland · The Southwest in 5 Days · The Great Links golf itinerary · Quieter places
More in Regions and itineraries
- Should I choose the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, Dublin or Northern Ireland first?
- How long do I need to drive the Wild Atlantic Way properly?
- What are the best bases on the Wild Atlantic Way for a seven day trip?
- Which counties give the best first taste of the southwest?
- Dublin or Galway: which city should be my main base?