The NC500's 6 best-rated beaches and beauty spots to see
The route is home to dozens of beautiful locations loved by visitors, which offer everything from peace and tranquillity to spots where extraordinary wildlife can be seen.
With so many places to see and so little time, here are some of the best-rated spots to check out.
NC500's best beaches and beauty spots according to Google Reviews and Tripadvisor
Here are some of the best beaches and beauty spots on the NC500, according to Google and Tripadvisor reviews.
Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Location: Ness Rd, Fortrose, IV10 8SD
Rating: 4.6 out of 5.1k reviews
One visitor said: "Nice spot and is listed as one of the best places to spot dolphins. We didn't get lucky, but it's a nice beach. Not many facilities, so if waiting around best to come with supplies."
Sandwood Bay Beach
Location: Sandwood Bay Beach, Lairg, IV27 4RU
Rating: 4.8 out of 212 reviews
One visitor said: "Beautiful beach, well worth the walk. I'd give yourself 1.5 hours to walk there and probably 2 hours to walk back. The walk is nice, but the star of the show is the stunning sand, dunes, and beautiful blue water."
Falls of Shin
Falls of Shin (Image: Getty Images) Location: Lairg, IV27 4ET
Rating: 3.9 out of 670 reviews
One visitor said: "Lovely spot to stop off and appreciate the beautiful and quaint nature. There is a big car park, a visitor centre and toilets available."
Bealach na Bà
Bealach na Bà (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Location: Strathcarron, IV54 8ND
Rating: 4.8 out of 1029 reviews
One visitor said: "Amazing road! Obviously quite dangerous but it's the most amazing views, loved every second of this journey and this road will always be a highlight, if anyone gets the chance to travel this road they should!"
Clachtoll Beach
Clachtoll Beach (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Location: Lairg, IV27 4JD
Rating: 4.9 out of 261 reviews
One visitor said: "Beautiful beach to play in the water or take the dog for a run."
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Smoo Cave
Smoo Cave (Image: Getty Images) Location: Lairg, IV27 4QA
Rating: 4.4 out of 1291 reviews
One visitor said: "You'll drive right past Smoo Cave when you drive the NC500 from Thurso to Durness. It is a free attraction, including free car parking."
The user went on to dub it a "must-do" for anyone travelling the route.
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Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Amazing beach 45 minutes from Glasgow one of the UK's best
The location was named alongside other beaches easily accessible by train, including Tynemouth Beach in England and Llantwit Major Beach in Wales. Introducing the ranking, The Telegraph said: "Whether you favour a traditional, bucket-and-spades affair, or prefer somewhere more peaceful, the coastline is the place to be on a sunny day. "And while some of the more remote spots require a car to reach them, many of our most spectacular beaches are perfectly accessible by train." Troon Beach was named alongside spots across the UK (Image: Getty Images) 'Spectacular' beach less than an hour's train ride from Glasgow named one of the best in the UK Troon Beach, which is less than an hour's train ride from Glasgow, was named one of the best in the whole of the UK by The Telegraph. Discussing the beach, the newspaper said: "Close to cafes, shops and restaurants, Troon's popular beach is ideal for a summer day out. "A day on the esplanade might include a game of hide-and-seek in the Italianate garden, or a scramble over the climbing frame in the well-equipped playground. "Throughout the summer months, kite-surfers make it their regular spot. And the two-hour, two-mile treasure trail is a pleasing diversion regardless of the weather." There is a lot to do at Troon Beach no matter the weather (Image: Getty Images) Highlighting how to get here, the title added that the ScotRail train service from Glasgow to Ayr stops off at Troon and takes around 40 minutes. The Marine Troon, which was described as a "landmark" hotel, was recommended as a place to stay nearby. The publication said: "Its rooms offer spectacular views across to the Isle of Arran. From £265 per night." The location has also been praised on Tripadvisor, with users there giving a rating of 4.2/5 out of 427 reviews. Recommended Reading: One person wrote: "Lovely clean sandy beach that gets well looked after and it shows. A perfect beach for dog walkers." Another said: "Fabulous unspoilt sandy beach where you can walk for miles. The sand is clean and the beach is edged by sand dunes." A third added: "A beautiful beach ideal for everyone. Easy, traffic free access with dedicated walkways and cycle lane. Stunning views across to the Isle of Arran."
Metro
10 hours ago
- Metro
The sunniest city in Europe is an 'underrated gem' — with return flights for £44
The UK may have been basking in high temperatures this week, but the weather seems to have turned. So if you're craving the sun, a new study has revealed the best European destinations to soak up some rays. According to research from holiday rental platform Holidu, the top spot for sunshine in Europe is an underrated port city in Spain's southeastern region. Cartagena boasts an impressive 283 hours of sun per month, with temperatures averaging 19.1°C and peaking at 29°C during the summer months of July and August. The study analysed data from World Weather Online, looking at cities across Europe with populations of over 200,000. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Researchers then extracted the number of sun hours per month from 2009 to 2025 to calculate each city's overall monthly average. And perhaps unsurprisingly, the top five spots were taken by Spain. In addition to heading to Cartagena, those looking to get the most Vitamin D can head to Alicante, Malaga, Murcia, and Granada, which round out the list of the sunniest spots in Europe. There's plenty to discover in Europe's sunniest city. The coastal spot in Spain's Murcia region is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture yet is often overshadowed by larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona or Seville. Travellers have frequently hailed it as 'underrated' and a 'hidden gem' across social media. One of its main attractions is the preserved Roman theatre, built between 5 and 1 BCE. The theatre had a capacity for more than 6,000 people and was used for theatrical performances during Ancient Rome. The theatre has a museum attached to it, with an entrance fee of just £5. The attraction has a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor with visitors describing the theatre as 'stunning' and 'worth every penny'. Beyond the theatre, Cartagena is home to several other historic landmarks. The Castillo de la Concepción, a castle perched on a hilltop, offers breathtaking views of the city below. For a more relaxing experience, just a few kilometres away from the city is the Playa Cala Cortina. The picturesque cove is surrounded by steep cliffs and lush greenery. Elsewhere, visitors can explore the Punic Wall, a defensive wall dating back to the 3rd century BC, and the Naval Museum to learn about the city's maritime past. The closest airport to Cartagena is Murcia International Airport (RMU), which is about a 30-minute drive from the city. If you're planning to visit, you can find return flights from London to Murcia on Skyscanner for as little as £44. More Trending From there, you can take a 35-minute bus, which costs around £4, or opt for a taxi, which usually costs around £30. As the Holidu study reveals, the hottest months of the year in Cartagena are July and August, with temperatures often reaching a peak of 29°C. While considered an underrated city, Cartagena still gets quite busy during the summer. If you're looking for a stress-free time to visit, the shoulder seasons, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are best. You'll still enjoy pleasant weather but with fewer crowds. Cartagena, Spain – 283 hours of sun Alicante, Spain – 279.6 Malaga, Spain – 279.3 Murcia, Spain – 277 Granada, Spain – 274.4 Catania, Italy – 273.7 Sevilla, Spain – 273.4 Cordoba, Spain – 268.2 Marseille, France – 266.1 Madrid, Spain – 265.1 Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Europe's 'fairytale' country is so tiny it could fit into the UK 1,521 times MORE: Ryanair shares warning over 'unfair' issue making holidaymakers miss their flights MORE: 'The strangest place in the world': Your top UK attractions for a quirky day out
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Little-known UK attraction named 'one of UK's best theme parks' despite no rides
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