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EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland

Portaferry

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Portaferry

Portaferry is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Killyleagh, 31km from Tollymore Forest Park.

Portaferry is a town located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. With a population of 2,525, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Portaferry sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Portaferry to your route.

About Portaferry

Portaferry (from Irish Port an Pheire 'landing place of the ferry') is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It is home to the Exploris aquarium and is well known for the annual Gala Week Float Parade. It hosts its

Read more own small Marina, the Portaferry Marina. The Portaferry–Strangford ferry service operates daily at 30-minute intervals (07:45 to 22:45) between the villages of Portaferry and Strangford, less than 1.5 km apart, conveying about 500,000 passengers per annum. It had a population of 2,514 people in the 2011 Census. The village is located within the Barony of Ards Upper. Pot fishing, mainly for prawns and crabs and licensed shellfish farming takes place within Strangford Lough. Queen's University of Belfast have a Marine Research Laboratory on the shorefront. The village is also home to a research centre for Swedish tidal-kite developer Minesto. The lough is one of the world's most important marine sites with over 2,000 marine species. There are fine Georgian buildings in the village square, including a Market House, now used as a community centre. Portaferry Lifeboat is an essential lifeline for local fishermen and yachtsmen. The Atlantic 75 is the fastest seagoing lifeboat in the RNLI's fleet and is capable of speeds up to 34 knots.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Portaferry

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Portaferry?

Portaferry offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Portaferry?

Plan your road trip to Portaferry with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Portaferry as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Portaferry located?

Portaferry is located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.3809 latitude, -5.5457 longitude.

What is the population of Portaferry?

Portaferry has a population of approximately 2,525 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
2,525
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Northern Ireland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.3809, -5.5457

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern IrelandTown

Worth the detour from Portaferry

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

historic highway

Craigantlet Hillclimb

A hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.

30 km · about 35 min drive

national park

Tollymore Forest Park

Northern Ireland's first state forest park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with Gothic arches, ancient trees and Game of Thrones filming locations.

31 km · about 35 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Mourne Mountains

Granite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.

35 km · about 40 min drive

museum

Titanic Belfast

World-leading visitor attraction in a striking angular building on the exact spot where RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.

35 km · about 40 min drive

museum

Ulster Transport Museum

Major transport museum at Cultra near Belfast, home to a gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12 built just miles away, Irish-built cars, locomotives and a renowned Titanic exhibition.

35 km · about 40 min drive

castle

Carrickfergus Castle

One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, guarding Belfast Lough for over 800 years from its commanding waterfront position.

41 km · about 45 min drive

historic highway

Dundrod Circuit

A 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.

41 km · about 50 min drive

scenic viewpoint

The Gobbins

A dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.

45 km · about 50 min drive

Driving roads near Portaferry

  • 30 kmCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
  • 35 kmMourne MountainsGranite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
  • 41 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
  • 45 kmThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Portaferry.

Killyleagh

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 2,591

Portavogie

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 1,639

Kircubbin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

12 km awayPop. 1,237

Downpatrick

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

12 km awayPop. 10,507

Ardglass

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 1,676

Crossgar

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 1,667

Greyabbey

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

17 km awayPop. 1,030

Ballywalter

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

18 km awayPop. 1,572

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence