Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down towards the sea and extraordinary adventures are never far away.
County Down is one of those places that seems determined to show off!
You've got the magnificent Mourne Mountains, lovely seaside towns, ancient castles, grand estates and some of the prettiest coastal scenery in Ireland. It's steeped in stories too, from St Patrick's final resting place to the legends of the Mournes, and Game of Thrones fans will spot plenty of familiar locations.
Whether you're climbing mountains, exploring Strangford Lough or eating fish and chips by the sea in Newcastle, County Down has something for everyone.
There are no border checks, but prices are in pounds sterling (£), speed limits are in miles per hour, and it's worth checking your phone plan and car insurance cover before you go.
Granite peaks, reservoirs and valleys dominate the south of the county. Slieve Donard (850m) is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, and the dry-stone Mourne Wall links fifteen summits.
Why visit? Hiking, photography and mountain scenery.
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, Newcastle has a long promenade, a beach, plenty of places to eat and a great base for the mountains.
Why visit? Families, seaside walks and short breaks.
Woodland, the Shimna River, stone bridges and follies. Several Game of Thrones scenes were filmed here.
Why visit? Nature, photography, families and film fans.
Tradition says St Patrick is buried in the grounds of Down Cathedral, under a huge granite stone, and that Saints Brigid and Columba lie with him. The St Patrick Centre in town tells his story.
Why visit? Early Christian heritage and Irish history.
A lake, woodland trails, an arboretum and the famous Peace Maze, one of the largest permanent hedge mazes in the world.
Why visit? Families, walking and cycling.
A reservoir deep in the Mournes, with designated walks, dramatic scenery and the story of the engineering that supplies Belfast's water.
Why visit? Landscapes and engineering heritage.
An 18th-century house with one Classical front and one Gothic front, because the owners couldn't agree. The farmyard became Winterfell in Game of Thrones.
Why visit? Historic houses, nature and film fans.
On the Ards Peninsula, with some of the finest gardens in the British Isles, a grand house and lakeside walks.
Why visit? Gardens, heritage and relaxing walks.
An internationally important wildlife area, ringed by villages and viewpoints. A small car ferry links Strangford and Portaferry across the narrow mouth of the lough.
Why visit? Wildlife, scenery and peaceful coastal exploring.
The official royal residence in Northern Ireland, with gardens and guided tours on its public visiting days.
Why visit? Architecture, history and gardens.
A marina town with coastal walks to Crawfordsburn Country Park and Helen's Bay, where woodland meets the shore.
Why visit? Seaside days and family outings.
Early Christian ruins on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough.
Dunes and beach with views to the Mournes, cared for by the National Trust.
A storybook castle above a charming lakeside village.
Forest walks and views over Carlingford Lough. C.S. Lewis said the area was his idea of Narnia.
A huge prehistoric earthwork enclosure with a dolmen at its centre, on the edge of Belfast.
Atmospheric 12th-century Cistercian ruins.
A Victorian tower on a hill above Newtownards, with big views over Strangford Lough.
Norman castle ruins with superb views of the Mournes and the bay.
A striking black-and-yellow lighthouse on the coast south of Killough.
Our Hidden Ireland collection is where we keep the places most visitors drive straight past.
History and legend, clearly labelled.
Tradition holds that Patrick landed near Saul, founded his first church there and died there around 461. Down Cathedral marks his traditional grave, and Brigid and Columba are said to be buried with him.
Built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the catchment of the Silent Valley reservoir, the wall runs for about 22 miles over fifteen mountains. Walking its length is a classic Mourne challenge.
Built around 2700 BC, the Giant's Ring has drawn stories for centuries. In the 1700s it was even used as a horse-racing track!
Castle Ward's farmyard became Winterfell, and Tollymore's forests and bridges appear in the opening episodes of Game of Thrones.
Our Friday Night Frights series explores ghost stories, myths and folklore from all over Ireland.
Realistic days, each focused on one part of the county.
Places with a strong local reputation. We haven't eaten at these ourselves yet, so treat this as a starting point rather than our personal picks, and check opening hours before you set off.
Prices are in pounds sterling (£). Please check opening hours before you travel.
Prefer a guide, a ready-made tour or someone else to do the driving? These are good places to start:
Disclosure: GetYourGuide, Klook and TourRadar links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Tours on TourRadar are our picks, not trips we've taken ourselves. Availability and prices change, so always check the provider's page before booking.
Opening times, tours and access arrangements change, so please check official websites before you travel. Useful links: Discover Northern Ireland and National Trust.
Keep exploring the north:
Slán go fóill, and safe travels! — Nicola & Podge