North Coast Property: A Guide to Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine

The North Coast of Northern Ireland, stretching from Portrush through Portstewart to Coleraine, is one of the most desirable places to live in the country. The Causeway Coastal Route, award-winning beaches, championship golf, and a growing food and hospitality scene have turned this stretch of coastline into a property hotspot that attracts permanent residents, second-home buyers, and investors alike.

Colin Graham Residential has been active on the North Coast for several years. This guide covers the property market across the three main towns, what you can expect to pay, and why this area continues to draw buyers from Belfast and beyond.

Portrush

Portrush is the most recognisable of the three towns, thanks in large part to Royal Portrush Golf Club, which hosted The Open Championship in 2019. The town sits on a headland between two beaches: the East Strand (the main swimming beach) and the West Strand (Whiterocks), which stretches towards the Giant's Causeway.

Property prices in Portrush

• Two-bedroom apartment: £110,000 to £165,000
• Three-bedroom semi-detached: £150,000 to £220,000
• Four-bedroom detached: £250,000 to £450,000+
• Seafront/premium locations: £400,000+

Portrush property prices have risen sharply since The Open put the town on the international stage. Premium properties along the seafront and on the Dunluce Road command significant prices, but more affordable options exist on the Coleraine Road and in established residential areas away from the coast.

Investment and holiday lets

Portrush is one of the strongest holiday-let markets in Northern Ireland. A well-located two-bedroom apartment can generate £600 to £1,000+ per week during the peak summer season. Year-round occupancy is lower, but the growing events calendar (The Open return visits, North West 200, various festivals) extends the season. If you are considering a holiday let, factor in furniture, insurance, cleaning, and management costs alongside the headline rental income.

Portstewart

Portstewart is quieter and more residential than Portrush. It has a refined, established feel, with an attractive promenade, a strong selection of independent cafes and restaurants, and a loyal community of permanent residents. The Strand is a two-mile beach managed by the National Trust.

Property prices in Portstewart

• Two-bedroom apartment: £100,000 to £150,000
• Three-bedroom semi-detached: £140,000 to £200,000
• Four-bedroom detached: £220,000 to £380,000
• Promenade/Atlantic Circle: £350,000+

Portstewart tends to be slightly more affordable than Portrush for equivalent properties, though premium locations along the promenade and Atlantic Circle are exceptions. The town is popular with Ulster University staff and students (the Coleraine campus is nearby), which supports the rental market during term time.

Rental market

Student lets remain an important part of Portstewart's rental market, though demand for year-round residential lets has grown as more people choose to live on the coast permanently. Three-bedroom houses let for £700 to £950 per month on long-term tenancies. Holiday lets perform well but are more seasonal than in Portrush.

Coleraine

Coleraine is the commercial and service centre for the Causeway Coast area. It is a proper town rather than a seaside resort: the hospital, courts, main shopping, and many employers are based here. The River Bann runs through the centre, and the town has good road and rail connections.

Property prices in Coleraine

• Two-bedroom terrace: £75,000 to £110,000
• Three-bedroom semi-detached: £110,000 to £165,000
• Four-bedroom detached: £180,000 to £300,000
• Riverside/premium locations: £280,000+

Coleraine is the most affordable of the three towns and offers the widest range of housing stock. It is the practical choice for buyers who want to live near the coast but need the services and employment that a larger town provides. The commute to Portrush or Portstewart takes around 10 minutes.

Transport

Coleraine has a train station on the Belfast to Derry/Londonderry line, with regular services in both directions. The journey to Belfast takes roughly two hours. The branch line from Coleraine to Portrush is one of the most scenic railway journeys in the UK. Road links are good: the A26 dual carriageway connects Coleraine to the M2 via Ballymena, making the drive to Belfast around 55 to 70 minutes.

Lifestyle on the North Coast

The North Coast lifestyle is the main draw. Within a short drive you have:

• Royal Portrush and Portstewart golf clubs (plus Castlerock, Ballycastle, and others)
• The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and the Causeway Coastal Route
• Some of the best surfing in Ireland at East Strand and Whiterocks
• A growing food scene, with restaurants, cafes, and local producers gaining national recognition
• The North West 200 motorcycle road race, one of the biggest events in Northern Ireland's sporting calendar

The area attracts a mix of retirees, remote workers, families, and lifestyle buyers who have decided that quality of life matters more than a short commute. The growth of remote working has accelerated this trend since 2020.

Is the North Coast right for you?

The North Coast suits buyers who want a lifestyle change, investors looking at holiday-let or long-term rental returns, and families who value outdoor living and community. The main trade-off is distance from Belfast: if you need to be in the city regularly, the commute is significant.

Browse our properties for sale on the North Coast, or book a free valuation if you own property in the area. Our team visits the North Coast regularly and can advise on both sales and lettings.