Ballycastle in County Antrim has been ranked the best place to live in Northern Ireland by the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. The 2026 edition came out in March.

The town sits on Northern Ireland's north coast as the eastern gateway to the Causeway Coast. The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Giant's Causeway lie less than 10 miles away. Ballycastle features a beach, marina, independent shops and restaurants. Rathlin Island lies a ferry ride from the harbour.

Scotland's Kintyre peninsula stands visible across the water. The trip to the Mull of Kintyre covers 22km and takes about an hour and a half.

The town hosts the Corrymeela Centre, founded in 1965 as Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organisation. The centre receives over 11,000 visitors each year for residential programs and retreats.

Ballycastle holds the Ould Lammas Fair each August over two days. Records of the fair date to the 17th century.

Average house prices in Ballycastle stood at £252,300 as of March 2026.