A picturesque and charming seaside town on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland, Bangor has long been a favourite of Brits looking for a cheap and cheerful holiday in the sun. Boasting one of the sunniest and driest climates in Ireland, with highs of up to 30 degrees during the summer, Bangor is the perfect destination for a family seaside holiday. With theme parks, a gorgeous marina and some gourmet dining spots, you can't go wrong. Our recommendation for the best places to stay in Bangor are properties located right on the coast.

The marina is the epicentre of town-life in Bangor. Colourful dinghies, yachts and fishing trawlers bob up and down gently in the waters, while seafood restaurants line the promenade. Brightly-coloured Victorian townhouses line the freshly-paved streets, streets that are themselves lined with trees. In many respects, it is your quintessential old-school seaside holiday experience, and while the best beaches are a few miles outside of town, it is great for families. Kids will enjoy the Pickie Fun Park, and in particular, the popular miniature steam-train ride the Pickie Puffer.

Bangor Abbey is the product of many different eras and serves as a nice microcosm of Bangor's past. Founded by Saint Comgall in the early 6th century CE, present-day Bangor grew from this site: suffering Viking raids and lots of rebuilding. Indeed, the church you see today is several centuries old, largely rebuilt when, in 1605, James Hamilton - upon instruction by King James I - settled around the church. Many of the houses and buildings that stand in Bangor today grew out of this settlement. If you're interested in Bangor's history, be sure to visit Bangor Castle, a 19th century mansion doubling as the town hall, and host of the North Down Heritage Centre, whose displays on the history of the region are insurmountable in depth.

What not to miss

• Visit the North Down Heritage Centre and immerse yourself in the history of the region.
• Head a few miles outside of town to Helen's Bay, where you can find some great beaches.
• Take the kids for a day-out to Pickie Fun Park.
• Explore Bangor Abbey.
• Walk along the marina's promenade and drink in the beautiful views of the sea.
• Stroll through the grounds of Bangor Castle.

The ideal destination for an old-school family seaside holiday. Browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Bangor to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Bangor

Guesthouse charm

• Cairn Bay Lodge: a lovely B&B overlooking the stunning coastline, offering elegant rooms with traditional furnishings - patterned wallpaper and spacious bathrooms - and a cosy fire-lit lounge that is perfect for unwinding in after a day of sightseeing. Back to basics and utterly divine!

For an apartment or cottage

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of cottage and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Fly to Belfast and take the train or bus to Bangor.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars. The journey is a 45 minute drive.
• One of the sunniest and driest climates in Ireland (due, in part, to the sheltered location) with summer averages of 20 degrees with highs of up to 30 degrees and winter averages of 10 degrees!

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Northern Ireland
• or the United Kingdom
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Bangor