Ballymastocker Bay

Ballymastocker Bay will be the ninth name on the list of the best beaches in Ireland. The British Observer Magazine once rated this tawny-colored beach on the western bank of Lough Swilly the second-most beautiful beach in the world, and it is easy to see why. This Blue Flag beauty, which stretches over nearly 2 kilometers from the tourist resort of Portsalon (thus the alternate name of Portsalon Beach), provides spectacular views of the Inishowen Peninsula. Ballymastocker Bay spans from Portsalon Pier to Magherawarden on the east coast of Fanad in Donegal. It is without a doubt one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches, and it was once rated the world's second most beautiful beach, beaten to the top spot by a beach in Seychelles.

There are numerous beaches in Ireland, but none as impressive as Ballymastocker Bay (also known as Portsalon Beach) in Donegal. The beach itself is photogenic: on the R268 Knockalla coastal route, as you come over the high headland, there is a pull-off location with a beautiful view of the beach reaching all the way up to Portsalon.

Location: Magherawardan, County Donegal, Ireland