visit belfast

28 Best Things To do In Belfast In 2024

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: July 16, 2024

Take every guide on the best things to do in Belfast with a pinch of salt (including this one).

When it comes to what to do in Belfast, there’s  endless  options, so crowning any one of the many Belfast attractions as ‘the best’ does the rest a disservice.

Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital – it’s home to mighty hikes, like Cave Hill, exceptional tours, like Crumlin Road, and a brilliant food and pub scene.

In the guide below, you’ll discover what  we  think are the best places to visit in Belfast, based on 10+ visits to the city.

Table of Contents

The best things to do in Belfast

Click to enlarge map

Northern Ireland’s capital is seen by some as a place that’s only good as a drinking destination, but that couldn’t be further than the truth.

With the likes of the Black Cab Tours, Titanic, Divis Mountain and more, there’s plenty of places to visit in Belfast to keep you entertained.

1. Black Cab Tour

Photos via Shutterstock

A Black Cab Tour is up there as one of the best things to do in Belfast City. On a Black Cab tour, you’ll be brought on a trip around Belfast by a seasoned guide that’ll masterfully take you through the city’s turbulent past.

The Black Cab tour will take you past many of Belfast City’s murals , which are arguably the most well known politicly themed murals in Europe and depict the city’s dense history and culture.

You’ll also see the Belfast Peace Walls and be taken through the now-infamous Shankill Road and Falls Road .

This is a perfect tour for those of you wondering what to do in Belfast when it’s raining, as you can just chill in the car for the duration.

2. Cave Hill Country Park

Photo left via Shutterstock. Others via Google Maps

Cave Hill Country Park offers magnificent panoramic views across Belfast from a number of different vantage points.

Now, the Cave Hill walk is between 2.4m/1.3km and 4.5m/7.2km and varies from handy to hard depending on the trail you choose.

It’s said that Cave Hill’s most famous feature, known as Napoleon’s Nose, was the inspiration for Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels.

You’ll often see a visit here at sunrise listed as one of the most romantic things to do in Belfast for couples by the big US travel guides.

3. The Crumlin Road Gaol

The Crumlin Road Gaol , which dates back to 1845, closed it’s doors as a working prison in 1996 and is now a popular tourist attraction (currently number 2 for fun things to do in Belfast City on TripAdvisor).

The story here begins at a time when women and children were held within its walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and ultimately to its closure.

Walking through the building you can’t help but feel a chill at times. It’s most notable when you’re standing at the tunnel that used to connect the Gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse.

If you’re looking for unique things to see in Belfast, a visit to the gaol is well worth doing (especially on a rainy day).

4. Titanic Belfast

Photos by Chris Hill via Tourism Ireland

A visit to Titanic is arguably one of the most popular things to do in Belfast City Centre. It’s within the walls of Titanic Belfast that you’ll find the monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage.

The attraction opened in 2012 on the exact site where the former Harland & Wolff shipyard was based (you can see the Harland & Wolff cranes nearby) in the city’s Titanic Quarter.

The building itself is an architectural masterpiece and offers some top-class photo opportunities from every angle.

The Titanic Experience spans over nine magnificent galleries that draw together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and interactive features that tell the story of the Titanic in great depth and detail.

5. Divis and Black Mountain

Those that fancy escaping the city for a while will be treated to a spectacular view out over Belfast (and every county in Ulster, in fact) from up Divis Mountain .

There’s a specifically designed 3-mile/4.8km loop walk on Divis Mountain that was designed to maintain the condition of the mountain slope while providing handy public access.

Difficulty wise, it’s moderate, but if you’re wondering what to do in Belfast that’ll treat you to glorious views without having to travel far, get yourself here!

Need an itinerary for the city? See my tried-and-tested one day in Belfast itinerary !

6. Belfast Castle

Our next stop takes us to one of the most impressive castles in Northern Ireland – the fairytale-like Belfast Castle on the lower slopes of Cave Hill country park.

The castle and its grounds are called home by a whole host of wildlife, from long-eared owls, sparrow-hawks and Belfast’s rarest plant, the town hall clockto.

The first Belfast Castle was built by the Normans in the city center in the late 12th century.

A second castle, made out of stone and timber, was later constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, on the same site in 1611. Here’s a guide to visiting.

7. The Botanic Gardens

Although the Botanic Gardens are in fact in the city, it’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from the hustle and bustle. 

The Botanic Gardens were established as a private park in 1828, it wasn’t until 70 years later that they were fully opened to everyday people.

The big attraction here is the Palm House. It was built in the mid-1800s and was one of the first curvilinear glasshouses in the world. Head in here for a stroll and chillllllll for a bit.

Related reads:  Check out our guide to the best hotels in Belfast and the funkiest Airbnbs in Belfast (or, if you’re feeling fancy, the finest 5 star hotels in Belfast ).

8. The Belfast bus tour

If you’re wondering what to do in Belfast that’ll ensure you see all the main attractions without having to walk to each of them, the bus tour is worth considering.

That’s where tours like this one (4.5/5 from 700+ reviews) come in handy. This is a 1 or 2-day hop-on/off tour that takes in the best Belfast attractions.

Over the course of the tour, you’ll see Titanic Belfast, Albert Memorial Clock, the Cathedral Quarter and Northern Ireland War Memorial, Stormont and the political murals.

9. Traditional pubs

There’s some brilliant nightlife in Belfast, once you know where to look. In our guide to the best pubs in Belfast , you’ll find loads of old-school pubs worth nipping into.

Some, like the brilliant Bittles Bar, is an attractions in itself, thanks to its unique exterior.

If you fancy something a bit different, there’s everything from nightclubs to cocktail bars on offer. Here’s some guides to hop into:

• Live Irish music in Belfast
• Cocktail bars in Belfast
• Nightclubs in Belfast

10. Belfast’s history walking tour

It’s rare you see any tour rack up 1,000+ nearly 5/5 reviews, but this 3-hour walking tour that costs around €26 has achieved just that.

The tour takes you through the city’s vast history and along both sides of the Peace Line near the Falls and Shankill Roads.

You’ll hear stories from both the Loyalist and Republican communities and get an insight into how the conflict affected by sides.

If you’re wondering what to do in Belfast to get an insight into the city’s past, this is well-worth doing.

11. St. George’s Market

©Tourism Ireland photographed by Chris Hill

No day of successful exploration has ever been fulfilled on an empty stomach. Doubly so when there’s a hangover present…

One of the best things to do in Belfast, or any city for that matter, is to start the day off in style with a solid feed.

The second you step foot inside St. George’s Market you’ll feel your stomach give an approving rumble as the aroma from fresh produce hailing from every corner of the earth wafts over you.

Interestingly enough, there’s been a Friday market here since 1604 and every week over 240+ traders take to the market every Friday to Sunday.

12. The murals

The Belfast Murals are some of the best known in Europe and they display important aspects of each community’s history, culture and often bloody past.

The murals come in every shape and size and you’ll find them scattered across the city. You can visit them solo, or you can visit them on a tour (recommended – see below).

It’s also worth mentioning that you shouldn’t seek out the murals late in the evening/at night, as many are located in areas to avoid in Belfast after dark.

13. The Ulster Museum

Photos via Ulster Museum on FB

The Ulster Museum offers something for art lovers (see our guide to art galleries in Belfast for more artsy stuff!), history buffs, kids, and the curious.

The collections that you’ll find here will take you across Ireland and to all corners of the world.

You’ll come face to face with dinosaurs, get up close and personal with an Egyptian mummy, and dive into discovery zones.

An afternoon spent here will be packed to the brim with fine art, archaeology, ethnography, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history and so much more.

The best part? It’s completely free! This is another handy one for those of you wondering what to do in Belfast when the weather’s crap!

14. Stormont Estate

Stormont Estate is well worth a visit if you’re looking for a stroll. And you’re spoiled for choice with trails here (the History, Woodland, and Environment trails)

The extensive Stormont Estate is home to a lush woodland park where entry is free, and it’s open to the public year-round.

The estate is also home to the Government of Northern Ireland (see the differences between Northern Ireland vs Ireland ) and several historic buildings whose history you can explore while you’re visiting.

15. St Anne’s Cathedral

St Anne’s Cathedral was built at the beginning of the 20th century on the site of the old St Anne’s parish church.

The cathedral is home to countless works of art, mesmerizing mosaics that depict St. Patrick and historical relics.

When visiting, spend some time admiring the detailed façade of the church. You’ll get a good look at the 130-foot pointed Spire of Hope that rises from the glass ceiling in the cathedral’s roof.

When you move inside, you’ll be able to look up at the spire from below, thanks to the clear glass ceiling that it stands upon.

Related read:  Check out our guide to the best things to do in Northern Ireland (hikes, walks, historic sites and more).

16. The Grand Opera House

Photos of Grand Opera House via Tourism Northern Ireland

Next up is another handy spot for those of you looking for things to do in Belfast at night! Belfast’s Grand Opera House opened just before Christmas in 1895.

The building, which was magnificently designed by the most prolific theatre architect of the period, Frank Matcham, boasts a majestic Victorian auditorium that’ll catch your attention as much as what’s going on on stage.

There’s a packed schedule of shows taking place here throughout the year. A handy place to head to if you’re wondering what to do in Belfast when it’s raining.

17. The SS Nomadic

The SS Nomadic was the original tender ship to the Titanic, and it was built alongside the now-infamous vessel in 1911.

In April 1912, the Nomadic successfully transferred the first and second-class passengers from the shallow dockside in Cherbourg out to the Titanic, which was moored in deeper water nearby.

Stretched out over four decks a visit to Nomadic will immerse you in over 100 years of authentic maritime history via a variety of interactive, hands-on, technical and traditional storytelling methods.

Struggling to decide which part of the city to stay in? See my guide on where to stay in Belfast !

18. The Cathedral Quarter

Although the Belfast Cathedral Quarter tends to be popular for nights out, making it one of the livelier places to visit in Belfast, it’s also home to some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings and streets, along with a wide variety of pubs and restaurants.

It’s also in and around the Cathedral Quarter that you’ll discover some of the finest street art in Belfast !

Go for the impeccable architecture, stay for the delicious food and drink. Here’s the best places to eat in the Cathedral Quarter .

19. Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall first opened its doors way back in 1906. The construction of the building came about after Queen Victoria gave Belfast ‘ City Status ‘ in 1888.

The building, constructed beautifully from Portland stone, is one of the most significant buildings in the city’s history.

It’s worth stopping by just to gawk at the building itself. The grounds around the building are full of monuments and statues that detail the history of both Belfast and the building itself.

Traveller Tip : There are free public tours of Belfast City Hall available from Monday to Saturday, led by an experienced guide.

20. Colin Glen Forest Park

Photos via Colin Glen via Ireland’s Content Pool

If you’re in search of fun things to do in Belfast with kids , The Gruffalo Trail at Colin Glen Forest Park is worth checking out.

This is a recent addition to the park and now one of the most popular family-friendly activities in Belfast.

The trail is home to each of the colourful characters from the picture book, The Gruffalo, and they’re brought to life as sculptures along the trail.

The Gruffalo sculptures are scattered throughout the forest along the river, with the highlight being the 8-foot Gruffalo (above). 

Just keep in mind that, as this is one of the more popular family-friendly activities in Belfast, it can get busy.

21. Belfast Zoo

Photos via Tourism NI via Ireland’s Content Pool

Belfast Zoo opened its doors to the public in 1934, making it one of the oldest visitor attractions in Northern Ireland. 

The zoo is home to a whopping 140+ species of animals, many of which are in danger in their natural habitat.

Popular attractions include Asian elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, California sea lions, penguins, apes, Malayan tapirs, Visayan warty pigs and much much more.

As this is one of the more popular places to visit in Belfast, it’s worth booking your ticket in advance of your trip.

22. Belvoir Park Forest

Belvoir Park Forest is one of the most overlooked places to visit in Belfast, in my opinion. This is a working forest within the city that’s connected to Lagan Valley Park.

There’s a short, 1.5 mile ramble here or, if you fancy a longer stroll, you can combine your walk with a visit into the Lagan Valley Regional Park.

Two other great parks around the city are Ormeau Park and Lady Dixon Park .

23. An exceptional food scene

If you’re wondering what to do in Belfast after a long day spent exploring, or if you fancy a  ridiculously good  breakfast or lunch, you’re in luck.

There’s an endless number of great places to eat in the city, from fine dining and dive cafes to pancakes, the best brunch in Belfast and more. Here are some guides to check out:

• Best Restaurants in Belfast
• Bottomless Brunch in Belfast
• Best Breakfast in Belfast
• Vegan Restaurants in Belfast
• Best Coffee in Belfast
• Afternoon Tea In Belfast
• Sunday Lunch Belfast

24. W5 Belfast

W5 is another handy one for those of you wondering what to do in Belfast with kids on a miserable day. It’s here that they’ll discover 250 exhibits spread across four brilliantly put-together galleries.

There’s the Spacebase (for the 3-7 year-olds), a popular VR Zone and W5’s very own humanoid robot, Robothespian.

There’s also loads of seasonal exhibits and programs for them to get stuck into. There are few kids activities in Belfast that can go toe-to-toe with this place.

25. Victoria Park

I’d argue that Victoria Park is one of the most overlooked places to visit in Belfast by visiting tourists. You’ll find it in East Belfast, near the airport.

Visitors here can soak up lake views, watch the birds or tackle one of several walking trails (see our guide to the best walks in Belfast for more).

There’s also a football pitch, a bowling green and a BMX track, if you’re looking for more high-energy activities in Belfast.

26. The Belfast Christmas Markets

One of the best things to do in Belfast City in November and December is to make your way to the grounds of mighty Belfast City Hall and wander around the Belfast Christmas markets .

The markets boast a combo of top-notch international cuisine and a curated mix of crafts, bespoke artisan products, and yuletide tipples.

Now, obviously these are only going to be running around November/December time, but if you’re visiting during the summer, City Hall is still well worth a nosey around.

27. Day trips from Belfast

If you’ve ticked-off the various Belfast activities mentioned above and below and you fancy exploring some places near the city, you’ve plenty to choose from.

There’s  heaps  of day trips from Belfast that you can head off on (either solo or via an organised tour – more info here ). 

For those with their own transport

• Causeway Coastal Route (starts 15 mins from the city)
• Hillsborough Forest Park (25 min drive)
• Glens of Antrim (45 min drive)
• The Gobbins (35 min drive)
• Beaches near Belfast (from 25 mins away

For those who need an organise tour

• A guided tour of the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast
• Game of Thrones filming locations tour from Belfast

28. Road trips from Belfast

Click here for a high resolution map

Starting your Irish road trip in Belfast? We’ve recently published the largest library of Irish road trips guides available anywhere.

One of the starting points is Belfast. You can pick the number of days you have (2 to 21) and then select a route.

Each itinerary takes in the best things to do in Belfast, first, before moving on to another county.

What to do in Belfast: Where have we missed?

I’m sure that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant things to do in Belfast City Centre from the guide above.

If you have any things to do in Belfast City to recommend, let me know in the comments section below and I’ll check it out.

FAQs about Belfast attractions

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best things to do in Belfast at night to what to do in Belfast when it’s raining.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best things to do in Belfast?

I’d argue that the best Belfast attractions are (outdoor) Divis and Black Mountain and Cave Hill and (indoor) Titanic Belfast and the Black Cab Tours.

What are the best free things to do in Belfast?

We’ve covered several free things to do in Belfast in the guide above, but here’s a few more: Ulster Museum, Belfast City Hall, The Botanic Gardens and Stormont.

What are some fun things to do in Belfast today?

Kick start your day with a feed and then head off on an early morning walk at Divis. Soak up history at Crumlin Gaol then round off the day with a pint in the Cathedral Quarter.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Hilary Avalon

Wednesday 27th of November 2019

Hi, Keith! We are planning our visit for May/June 2020. Do you have an opinion about hiring a tour company to get us out of town to the Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle and the like, vs. hiring a car and driving ourselves? We are intrepid travelers, but we do like to gawk out the window instead of paying attention to the road, if it won't catch us up in a tourist trap to hop on an organized tour. Thanks in advance for your recommendations on topic. I am so happy to have found your site. So helpful! Plus entertaining! Thank you!

Hilary! How's the form?!

Personally, I'm a fan of driving when possible. I just find it easier. That being said, if you prefer to kick back and look out the window while someone else takes the wheel, there's nothing wrong with that!

I've been using GetYourGuide for trips in Europe (most recently in Budapest), as you can see reviews from others and it's nice and straightforward to book.

I found a tour that leaves from Belfast and that takes in the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Old Bushmills Distillery, and Carrickfergus and Dunluce castles... and it's only €23. Here it is .

That probably makes more sense as it ticks all of your boxes bar the Dark Hedges.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with. We've just published a detailed guide to planning the perfect Ireland itinerary . Hopefully that's of some use to you.

Savvy Travel Advice

Belfast Travel Guide: Top 40 Things to do in Belfast Northern Ireland

Last updated: May 21, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 16 Comments

Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland, and there are so many things to do in Belfast! Belfast is probably best known for being where the RMS Titanic was built as well as for the violence and suffering here during The Troubles in the later part of the 20th century.

However, today the city offers a lively historic city center, the famous Titanic Quarter, fun pubs, excellent museums, hundreds of street murals, beautiful gardens and green spaces, Victorian architecture, and a growing tourism industry.  Belfast  is perhaps not as well-known as Dublin to international travelers, but the reward of visiting here is a less crowded city where experiences feel more authentic. 

We’ll share our guide to Belfast attractions, highlighting all the top things to do in Belfast, from central Belfast to the surrounding area. We’ll also share information about how to get there, when to go, public transport options, where to stay, day trip ideas, and other travel information.

Table of Contents:

Basic Info on Visiting Belfast 

Before we share all the things to do and see in Belfast, we wanted to give you all the basic information you’ll need to plan your trip including how to get to Belfast, best times of year to visit, and where to stay.

Where is Belfast?

Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. It is situated alongside the River Lagan on the northeast coast of the island of Ireland.

Note that politically the island of Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom whereas the Republic of Ireland is not and is a separate country.

Getting to Belfast

There are multiple options for getting to Belfast.

By Plane.  Belfast has two airports, Belfast International Airport and George Best City Airport , both of which have flights from a number of domestic and international destinations, primarily within the UK and western Europe. If there is no direct flight, you can get connecting flights from other cities in the UK such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Glasgow.

If you fly into Belfast International Airport, the airport is a short shuttle bus ( Airport 300 service ), taxi ride , Uber, or private transfer from Belfast.

If you fly into George Best City Airport, you can take a short shuttle bus ( Airport Express 600 Service ), train ride (it is about a 12 minute walk to the station or you can take the airport shuttle to Sydenham train station), taxi ride , Uber, or private transfer into the city.

Alternatively, you can fly into Dublin Airport which has a lot more international connections and then get a bus or train or drive to Belfast. It takes about 2 hours by car or 2.5 hours by bus from the airport. If you are in Dublin, you can also take a train from Dublin to Belfast which takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.

By Train. Belfast can be reached by train from within the island of Ireland, including the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway. You can save money on fares by booking train tickets in advance. Check routes, fares, and schedules on Irish Rail .

By Bus. If you are in the UK or Ireland, there are daily coach connections to Belfast from a number of cities. Routes from England, Scotland, and Wales all include ferry transport. You can check Translink and National Express for coach connections. 

By Car. For drivers, Belfast is about 70 miles from Derry/Londonderry (about 1 hour, 30 minutes), 105 miles from Dublin (about 2 hours), 260 miles from Cork (about 4 hours, 15 minutes). If you are coming from England, Scotland, Wales, or continental Europe, you’ll need to get a ferry to reach Belfast.

By Ferry. Ferries to Belfast regularly depart from Liverpool (England), Cairnryan (Scotland), and the Isle of Man. The main ferry company we recommend is Stena Line . Check out their ferry routes and schedules here .

Getting around Belfast

Belfast has a good public bus transport system run by Translink . Metro is the name of the main bus service for all of Belfast. 

Driving in and around the city is also fairly easy although finding parking in the central area can be difficult at times although there are several paid public parking structures. Walking or using a bus is recommended for reaching central locations.

There are also, of course, taxis and Uber (mostly operates to and from airport). Taxi tours are also very popular ways to see the city with a driver guide.

Bikes are available to rent through the city’s bike share program , and kiosks are available in many popular tourist areas.

There’s also the City Sightseeing Bus which is a hop-on, hop-off bus that will take you to all the highlights in the city and provides commentary so you can learn a bit more about the city and the sites you see. It stops near most of Belfast’s major attractions including the Titanic Belfast museum, St. George’s Market, Botanic Gardens, and the Shankill Road wall murals.

Currency Used in Belfast?

Belfast is part of the United Kingdom so the pound sterling (GBP) is the legal currency. This is the same currency used throughout the rest of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland).

Note that if you travel south and visit the Republic of Ireland (e.g., Dublin), you will need to get euros as the euro is the official currency of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom whereas the Republic of Ireland is not.

Best time of year to visit Belfast?

The best time of year to visit depends a lot on what you want to do. If you are looking for the warmest weather, you’ll want to travel in summer between June and August. April is often the month with the least chance of rain, humidity, and crowds.

Our favorite times of year to travel in Northern Ireland are May, June, and September. The weather is generally decent, the days are long, and the attractions are not too crowded.

Although note that most attractions in Belfast are rarely that crowded. The exception is the attractions in the Titanic Quarter which can be pretty crowded in summer and during holidays and school breaks. Other popular sites in Northern Ireland like the Giant’s Causeway are also very busy in the summer months. 

If you want to go to a certain event or festival (e.g., concert, Christmas markets, Belfast International Arts Festival ), then we’d recommend you can check the events calendar and plan around those dates!

However, any time of the year is a good time to visit Belfast as most attractions are open year round. Generally, it will be warmer in summer and colder in winter, but predicting the weather is impossible as it can be sunny in January or cool and raining in August.

We’d suggest just checking the weather forecast before you visit, and be prepared for variable weather by bringing plenty of layers and rain gear no matter when you plan to visit.

How many Days should I Spend in Belfast? 

This depends primarily on how much time you have and what you want to do. But I would recommend spending at least 2 full days and nights in Belfast to get a good taste of the city. You can see our 2 day Belfast itinerary for ideas.

If you just have a day, you’ll still be able to see a few of the city’s highlights. Just be sure to plan your time ahead or join a tour to mae the most of your time. 

If you are visiting Belfast because of an interest in the RMS Titanic , then we recommend checking our Belfast Titanic attractions guide . This article includes a suggested 2 day itinerary that includes all the city’s main Titanic and maritime attractions.

For those who have more than a couple of days, there are also several excellent day trips you can take from Belfast as well and we’ll highlight a few of these at the end of the article. If you have longer than a couple of days, you can easily spend a week here and not run out of things to do. 

To figure out how many days to spend in Belfast, I would suggest using this post which lists all the main highlights and things do in Belfast to create a list of places you want to visit. I would then figure out how many days it will take you to see all the Belfast attractions you want (e.g. 3-5 attractions per day), and that should give you a good answer.

Discount Passes in Belfast?

There is no must-have pass for Belfast but there are a couple of discount passes that may help you save money, depending on what you want to do and how you plan to get around Belfast.

Belfast Visitor Pass

Belfast does have a city Visitor Pass which offers free public transport around the city, which includes unlimited travel on all Metro buses, NI Railways, and Ulsterbus services. It also includes the Airport Express 600 services to and from George Best Belfast City Airport (but not the Airport 300 service to Belfast International Airport). You can buy a pass valid for 1, 2, or 3 days.

The pass also includes discount offers on a number of restaurants, attractions, and shops in Belfast. Currently with the pass you can discounts on entry to Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Goal, Ulster Folk Museum,  Ulster Transport Museum, Titanic Distillers tours, Belfast Zoo, and Belfast City Tours. You can check out the latest discount offers here  to decide if it is a good pass for you.

You can purchase the Belfast Visitor Pass in person from Visit Belfast Welcome Centre (9 Donegall Square North), Belfast airport tourist information desk (at both airports), or at any Translink station in Belfast. Or you can purchase it online before your trip.

National Trust Touring Pass

If you plan to travel throughout the UK and visit several historical or cultural attractions, you might save money with a National Trust Touring Pass which allows for free entry to over 300 stately homes, gardens, castles, and historical attractions in the UK. The pass is good for a select amount of days and includes sites across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

A few of the most popular sites covered by the pass in Northern Ireland are Carrick-a-Rede, Castle Ward, the Giant’s Causeway, and Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House.

Accessibility in Belfast

If you or a travel companion has reduced mobility or is traveling in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, check out the accessibility page on the Visit Belfast website. It provides information on accessible public transport, attractions with step-free access and wheelchair accessibility, wheelchair hire, locations of accessible public toilets, etc.

Safety Issues in Belfast?

Northern Ireland is generally considered a safe place to travel, and we haven’t had any safety concerns during our visits.

However, it is no secret that not too long ago, Belfast resembled a bit of a war zone and was not a place many tourists had on the top of their list from the 1960’s to the end of the 1990’s. The Troubles brought a lot of division, hardship, and violence to Belfast and much of the rest of Northern Ireland. Those scars remain today and there are still divisions, but sectarian violence is now rare.

However, rioting does occasionally break out over political and religious issues as it has recently in March and April 2021 . Although most marches and protests are peaceful, we recommend just avoiding any protests, gatherings, or marches if you see them taking place.

As with any place, we always recommend protecting your valuables, protecting yourself against pickpockets, and being aware of your surroundings at all times. Take the normal precautions you would in any other city.

Where to Stay in Belfast?

Belfast has many lodging options, ranging from budget to upscale, and you should not have a problem finding an option that suits your style and budget. Belfast’s tourism industry is also growing rapidly and there are several new hotels planned to open in the next year or two, and lots of good deals.

If you are looking for lodging, then we’d recommend you check out the Belfast accommodation listings on Booking.com which lists a large variety of hotels , apartments , guesthouses , and hostels . 

We recommend staying in a central location, especially if you have limited time in the city, so you are within walking distance (or a short bus ride) from the city center.

Alternatively, if the Belfast Titanic museum and other Titanic Quarter sites are your prime reason for visiting, then you might want to stay in the Titanic Quarter so you can easily walk to all the sites in this area. Although you can walk to the Titanic Quarter from central Belfast, it can take 25 to 35 minutes depending on where you are located.

If you don’t mind staying a little bit out of the city center and are looking for a nice bed and breakfast, we can recommend the highly-rated James Clow B&B along the waterfront. it is about a 25 minute walk to the Belfast city center and a 35 minute walk to the Belfast Titanic.

Here are some specific hotel recommendations:

Accommodation in City Centre / Cathedral Quarter Area

• Bullitt Hotel – This lively centrally-located 4-star hotel offers 3 room types to suit almost any budget. The hotel also has a bar, a cafe, a restaurant, a popular rooftop bar area, and 24-hour desk service. It is a 2 minute walk to the Cathedral Quarter and about a 8 minute walk to St. Georges market or the Belfast City Hall. We spent 4 nights here and can definitely recommend it if you are looking for a central hotel!
• The Merchant Hotel – If you are looking for a 5-star historical luxury hotel, The Merchant, located in a beautiful 1860 building, should definitely be high on your list. Centrally located in the Cathedral Quarter, the hotel offers all the luxury amenities you would expect, including a restaurant, bar and lounge, spa, hot tub, and a rooftop gymnasium.
• Fitzwilliam Hotel – This 5-star hotel is a more modern one (built in 2009) with understated contemporary decor and all the modern amenities. Offers a restaurant, cocktail bar, 24-hour front desk, fitness center, and valet parking. Located next to the Grand Opera House and a 5 minute walk from Ulster Hall.
• Leonardo Hotel (formerly the Jurys Inn) – This 4-star hotel offers spacious rooms, breakfast buffet, bar, and restaurant. This hotel chain usually provides good value for the money. Located near Belfast City Hall and the Opera House, it is just a 5 minute walk from the Great Victoria Street rail station.
• Ramada – This well-rated 3-star hotel is located in the Cathedral Quarter. The budget hotel offers an informal restaurant and bar, 24-hour front desk, and free Wifi. Located near Belfast Cathedral and The MAC.
• Belfast International Youth Hostel – This hostel offers the best location if you are looking for a centrally located hostel. Hostel offers both private shared and private dormitory rooms, an on-site cafe, linens, a communal kitchen, a breakfast menu, self-service laundry, and even free parking.

Accommodation in Titanic Quarter

• Titanic Hotel – This 4-star hotel sits within a historical building that was once the Harland and Wolff headquarters and drawing offices (the company that designed and built the RMS Titanic !). A beautiful historical property that offers Art Deco themed rooms, Titanic memorabilia, bar, restaurant, and room service. We’ve had a lovely 3-night stay here. Only a 2 minute walk to the Titanic Belfast museum.
• Premier Inn – This 3-star hotel offers king sized beds and an on-site bar and grill. It is a 7 minute walk to the Titanic Belfast museum. This no-frills budget chain also offers two other Belfast locations around the city center.
• CK Serviced Apartments – These well-reviewed serviced apartments are great for those looking for a self-catering option in the Titanic Quarter. There is an on-site restaurant, grocery store, cafe, and private parking available. They are only a 7 minute walk away from the Titanic Belfast.
• The Bullitt Hotel , AC Hotel , and the Hilton (next to the waterfront) are across the river but are both within a 25 minute walk (or 12 minute bus ride) of Titanic Belfast. These can be good hotels for reaching both the city center and Titanic Quarter if you don’t mind the walk.

We’ve also stayed in an apartment in Belfast during our first visit to Belfast which was great value for money. You can see the local listings on Vrbo here .

You can also take a look at this list of Airbnb alternatives for more apartment rental options.

Where to find more Information? 

If you are looking for a good sample Belfast itinerary, check out our 48 hour Belfast itinerary which should help give you a good starting point. We also have a suggested 2 day Belfast Titanic itinerary for those interested primarily in Titanic and maritime-related attractions.

Belfast makes an excellent base for exploring Northern Ireland, and you can see our guide to the best day trips from Belfast  for some inspiration. If you are looking for a drive along the coast, see our guide to a suggested  Causeway coastal route road trip .

Game of Thrones fans will love exploring the filming locations for the show in Northern Ireland. You can read about many more filming locations in our guide to Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland here . We also have a detailed guide to  visiting the Dark Hedges .

If you are looking for a printed (or digital) guidebook, there are few that just focus on Belfast and Northern Ireland, such as this one by Rick Steves and this one by Lonely Planet , but most cover the whole island of Ireland, such as  these ones . Just be sure to get a recent edition.

If you are also heading to Dublin, you can check out our 2 Day itinerary and 3 Day Dublin itinerary as well as our Dublin street art guide  and Dublin Pass review .

Once in Belfast, you can get information from local experts, pick up maps and brochures, and make bookings at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre located at 9 Donegall Square North. This is also a visitor center for Northern Ireland so has information for Belfast as well as the rest of the country. You can also call them at +44(0)28 9024 6609 or email them at [email protected].

If you are looking for additional information about planning your trip to Belfast, you can check out the official Belfast city’s tourism website and the Discover Northern Ireland tourism website . If your travels are taking you further afield into Ireland, we also recommend the official Ireland tourism website  which covers the entire island of Ireland. 

Top Things to do in Belfast: Central Belfast

There are many things to do in Belfast and many are conveniently located within central Belfast. We are roughly categorizing central Belfast as encompassing the areas that are often referred to as Belfast City Centre, the Cathedral Quarter, and the Linen Quarter. Once here, you can reach anything within this general area within a 20 minute walk or less. 

The Belfast City Hall is the center point of the city and nearby is the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, which is a great place to start your tour of the city. The Cathedral Quarter, named for St. Anne’s Cathedral, is the city’s historic trading quarter and is packed with Victorian architecture, cobbled streets, and quirky pubs and restaurants. The Linen Quarter is the area south of Belfast City Hall and was an area once dominated by the linen industry in the 19th century and includes a lot of old architecture, restaurants, and the Grand Opera House.

We are also including the Titanic Quarter, the former shipbuilding area formerly known as Queen’s Island where the RMS Titanic was built, within this section since most visitors plan to visit the Titanic Belfast museum. The Titanic Belfast can be reached by walking via a 30 minute walk across the bridge from the Belfast city center area. All of the attractions in the Titanic Quarter can be reached within a 45 minute walk, a 20 minute public bus ride, or by the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses.

All the attractions in this first section are located within a 25 minute public bus ride from Belfast City Hall (Donegall Square) although most are within a 10 to 20 minute walk.

Use this list of things to do in Belfast to choose the attractions of interest to you and put together your own personalized Belfast itinerary!

Sightseeing Bus or Walking Tour

A walking tour or sightseeing bus is always a good way to get a feel for a city and see some of its highlights. We often like to do these on our first day in a new city. Most of these start from the city center area.

Walking tours are a great way to explore a certain area of the city or focus on a specific topic. Available tours focus on highlights, the Titanic Quarter, architecture, whiskey, Queen’s University, the Troubles, and other topics. You can see a list of walking tours here and more walking tours here .

Bike tours around the city are also possible, such as these ones , and even these beer bike tours where you can bring your own alcoholic drinks to enjoy while pedaling a 16-set bike and listing to guide.

For food and drink tours also see  Taste and Tour  which offers gin, whiskey, beer, and food walking tours around central Belfast.

There are two hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses in Belfast, the City Sightseeing buses and the City Tours buses. These buses each stop at 20 to 30 different places and make it easy to reach and visit many of the city’s most popular attractions.

In Belfast, you also have Black Cab tours which are a popular way to see the city and most of these tours focus on the political history of Belfast and its street murals. We cover these tours in greater detail later in the article.

If you prefer boat tours, you might consider this boat sightseeing tour which takes you past the Titanic Quarter.

Belfast City Hall

Belfast’s City Hall was built after Queen Victoria granted Belfast city status in 1888 to reflect its growth in terms of population, economy, and industry. The building, which sits in the center of Donegall Square, was designed by Irish architect Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival Style and it was completed in 1906. The City Hall is a great centerpiece for the city as well as a functioning government building that serves as the headquarters of the Belfast City Council.

Inside the building, there is a free public exhibition space that you can visit. The exhibition was much larger than we expected and currently encompasses 16 different rooms! It tells the history of Belfast through information, photos, and artifacts, and it explores the city’s government, people, famous events, industries, diversity, festivities, and much more.

It is also possible to take a free guided tour of City Hall. A guided tour includes information about the history and government of Belfast and visits to many of the grandest and most important areas and rooms in the building, including the Grand Staircase, Principal Rooms, the Reception Room, and the Chamber. One of the interesting features of the building is the large number of stained glass windows, most of which are original to the building and date to 1906.

Tours are given on a first come, first serve basis and you need to register for them at least 10 to 15 minutes before the stated tour time. So we’d recommend going at least 20 to 30 minutes before the tour time to get a spot. The guided tours of City Hall last around 1 hour, and run at various times throughout the day, depending on the time of year. You can see the tour times on the  official website here .

Outside, there is a large park and gardens area around the building that is a popular place for people to meet and gather. During our last visit, it was being used for a family event and outdoor cinema screenings.

There are also a number of statues and memorials worth seeing around the City Hall building, including the grand 11-foot statue of Queen Victoria, the Belfast Cenotaph , and a 9/11 plaque. You’ll also find the Titanic Memorial Gardens here, which includes a memorial statue as well as a list of all those who perished in the disaster.

St. Anne’s Cathedral

St Anne’s Cathedral , also known as Belfast Cathedral, is an Episcopalian (Anglican) cathedral and one of the best known churches in Belfast. It was consecrated in 1904 and serves two separate dioceses with two Bishop’s Seats.

A former smaller church, consecrated in 1776, was also called St. Anne’s and stood here until the new and much larger cathedral was built. The old St. Anne’s had become too small to accommodate the large number of people moving to Belfast during the Industrial Revolution and a second Anglican church, St. George’s Church (located on High Street), was completed in 1816. It too was not enough and so a new St. Anne’s was built.

The church’s foundation stone was laid in 1899, but the church was rebuilt and expanded a number of times over the next 100 years to reach its present day form. The most interesting recent development was the addition of a stainless steel spire, called the Spire of Hope, to the church in 2007. A church spire was not originally added to the church because the church could not support the weight. The spire is usually illuminated at night.

Inside the church there are a number of elements you can check out if you decide to explore the church. These include the Good Samaritan Window (the only remaining piece of the 1776 St. Anne’s Church), mosaics on the roof of the baptistery and Chapel of the Holy Spirit (St. Patrick is depicted), and the Titanic funeral pall.

There is only one tomb in the cathedral, which is the tomb of Lord Edward Carson , an important 20th century unionist political leader in Ireland. He is one of only a few non-royal people to ever receive a British state funeral.

There is a small fee to visit as a tourist. Visits are self-guided but guided tours can be arranged in advance. Belfast Cathedral is an active church and there are regular worship services and events.

St. George’s Market

St. George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions, and it is believed that a weekly market has been held in this location since 1604. The current Victorian building was built between 1890 and 1896, and today it holds markets each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Since its refurbishment in 1997, it has won a number of awards in the UK and Ireland.

The market vendors include fresh produce and food stuff, arts and crafts, souvenirs, spices, clothing, books, jewelry, and more. The market is particularly well-known for its number of fish and seafood vendors. The market also has food stalls selling prepared food, sandwiches, coffee, and snacks. On most days, there is live music from local artists and bands. The market is a popular and lively place to go on weekends.

Markets are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You can find the latest hours here . A free market shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes, 11am – 3pm, to and from the market from locations in central Belfast (Friday and Saturday only).

The market changes each day it is open with different vendors, although some are there all three days. The venue is also used to host a range of events throughout the year, including musical performances and charity events.

Grand Opera House

The Grand Opera House was built in 1895 by famous English theater architect Frank Matcham . The Grand Opera House has become a city landmark and is well-known for its beautiful interior. It is the only Victorian theater still remaining in Northern Ireland.

Originally, the theatre could seat over 2,500 guests and it hosted a number of operas, plays, musicals, and pantomimes. It was later used for variety shows throughout the early 20th century. In the 1950’s it was converted into a cinema and then in 1972, it closed. The building was almost demolished in the 1970’s during The Troubles, but was saved and reopened as a theater in 1980.

Today, the Grand Opera House is still running as a theater although today it only seats 1,000 people. Current performances include musicals, plays, dances, family shows, recitals, ballets, pantomimes, operas, and educational talks.

You can also book a theatre tour of the Grand Opera House. Guided tours include a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Opera House to learn about the history, day-to-day life of the staff and actors, and to tour the various rooms and areas of the theatre. Tours last about 1 hour, and are normally given on weekends about twice a month.

If you book an opera tour, it is a good idea to show up a little early to explore the self-guided Heritage Exhibition that can be accessed by tour participants.

You can check the performance schedule, check tour times, and book tickets here .

Albert Memorial Clock

The Albert Memorial Clock is a sandstone clock tower that was built as a memorial to Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. It is located at Queen’s Square in the center of Belfast and was built by Irish architect W.J. Barre and completed in 1869. Today, the Albert Memorial Clock is a popular local landmark in Belfast

The clock tower is 113 feet high and includes a number of intricate carvings. The main feature is a statue of Prince Albert wearing his Knight of the Garter robes. The clock’s bell weighs 2 tonnes. The clock tower has sustained damage by both German WW2 bombs and IRA bombs.

It is Belfast’s own “leaning tower of Pisa” as the tower leans due to being built on reclaimed marshy land. The clock tower started to lean soon after it was built and the tilt has worsened over time. In 2002, a restoration project was undertaken by the city to try to strengthen the foundation and to clean and restore the leaning monument.

Metropolitan Arts Centre (The MAC)

The MAC, Belfast’s Metropolitan Arts Centre, was opened in 2012 and is a public art center that includes three major art galleries. The exhibitions vary throughout the year and most are free to visit, but some do have a fee.

The focus of the art is generally modern, contemporary, and experimental pieces and performances. You can see what’s on during your visit by visiting the  art exhibition page .

The MAC also regularly has events and workshops, including art classes, art shows, performances, talks, and family-friendly activities. You can see the  full event listing here .

The MAC has a café bar serving coffee, tea, snacks, hot meals, and alcoholic drinks.

North Ireland War Memorial Museum

The  Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum  is a small museum that covers Northern Ireland’s involvement in World War II. The informational exhibits cover the Belfast Blitz, the roles of women during the war, the Ulster Home Guard, and the presence of a large number of American forces in the area. There are uniforms and medals on display as well as a memorial screen.

It is a small museum fit into one large room, but it is thoughtfully done and well-organized and primarily run by local volunteers. We really enjoyed our visit. Highlights were listening to some of the recordings by people who lived during the war, the lovely stained glass window, and learning more about the Belfast Blitz of 1941.

Belfast was initially thought to be out of the range of Nazi bombers so the military and residents were unprepared for air attacks when they first started happening, resulting in a lot of damage and deaths.

The Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum is free to visit although donations are greatly appreciated. It is centrally located in the Cathedral Quarter near St. Anne’s Cathedral.

Crown Liquor Saloon

The Crown Liquor Saloon, better known as the Crown Bar, is the most famous pub in Belfast. The pub was opened around 1826 by Felix O’Hanlon as The Railway Tavern but it would be its renovation and renaming in 1885 by the Flanagan family that would turn it into the pub we know today. It was known as one of the most beautiful Victorian era gin palaces in the world.

It is ornately decorated and still retains many of its original fixtures and decorations (most of which have been restored) including tiled mosaics, original gas lamp features, stained glass, a granite bar top, snugs, heated footrests behind bar, and carved wooden ceiling. It is now owned by the National Trust who helps protect it but it is run as a pub by Mitchells & Butlers.

The place is a very popular stop for tourists and the bar attracts a number of famous visitors. Famous visitors have included Brad Pitt, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and most of the cast of Game of Thrones .

The pub has a full bar menu and serves both lunch and dinner. There is also an upstairs dining area. It is a popular place so if you plan to stop and eat here, I’d recommend booking a table in advance. You can see the menus and contact info  here .

Belfast Black Cab Tours

The Black Cab tours of Belfast are one of the most popular things to do in Belfast for tourists. The use of taxis in Belfast grew during The Troubles when the cabs were used to transport locals and visitors during the Troubles as they were considered much safer than city buses which were sometimes bombed or attacked by snipers. Also many buses were stolen, burned, and used for barricades in certain parts of the city, resulting in limited public transit.

So more taxi drivers were needed during this period. Many drove defunct bus routes and most drivers operated only in Loyalist/Unionist/Protestant neighborhoods or only in Republican/Nationalist/Catholic areas. For the most part, Protestant drivers picked up Protestant passengers and Catholic drivers picked up Catholic passengers. Both used the same London black taxi models. Following the Good Friday agreement in 1998, the need for taxi services by locals decreased as public transit became safer and more available.

Today, many of the now iconic black taxis are still used to give visitors tours of the city. Most of the cab tours focus on the political history, the Troubles, and the political murals so this is one of the best ways to find out more about the political struggles in Belfast. However, you can also do tours that also include general neighborhood tours and those that focus on general history and culture.

Some of the Troubles focused tours may also stop at places like the Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum and/or the Shankill Bombing Memorial, which are both located not far from the Peace Wall. If these are sites of interest, let your driver know.

Most drivers were also drivers during the Troubles and can share stories about what it was like during that time. Drivers try to provide objective and neutral information; however, as you can imagine this is a difficult thing since many were on one side or the other of the struggle. Most people in Belfast lost family and/or friends during the Troubles. There are many “versions of the truth” about certain events out there.

We did a black cab tour with Touring Around Belfast and had the pleasure of having one of the best known Belfast black cab drivers Billy Scott as our driver guide. Billy is a Blue Badge guide (highest qualification in UK) and was friendly, informative, and made the tour fun. He would stop often and join us in the back seat to give us history and information about places and share relevant stories. He knows so much about Belfast, the Troubles, and the city’s attractions, and is a man that is always up for some great craic.

We had a 2 hour tour scheduled with Billy, and he let us decide what parts of the city we wanted to visit and what we wanted to see and learn about. We asked for a tour that was equally focused on politics as well as general history/culture. We also didn’t know the city well so asked to see some of the highlights of the main city neighborhoods.

It was a great introduction to Belfast, its main neighborhood and attractions, and the Troubles. We saw parts of several neighborhoods including Cathedral Quarter, Queen’s Quarter, the Linen Quarter, Sailortown, and the Titanic Quarter. We also visited the Peace Wall and saw a large number of political murals in both traditionally Loyalist and Republican neighborhoods, including along Falls and Shankill Roads. Most of the tour was in the cab but we were also given the opportunity to get out and walk around a bit at a few of the stops.

We definitely recommend considering a black taxi tour if this is your first time to Belfast or if you want to learn more about the Troubles. It is best to book a cab tour in advance.

We booked with Touring Around Belfast , but there are also several other options including  this tour focused on the political murals and these cab tours .

Victoria Square Shopping Centre

Victoria Square is a centrally located public square and the area is a popular place for shopping and dining. The Victoria Square Shopping Centre is a 4-storey shopping mall and leisure complex opened in 2008. It contains a number of stores, restaurants, a spa, and a cinema. There is also a viewing platform within the central glass dome that offers a good panoramic view of the city.

Outside on Victoria Square is the Jaffe Memorial Fountain that was erected in 1874 by Otto Jaffe as a memorial to his father Daniel Joseph Jaffe. Otto Jaffe was Belfast’s first Jewish Lord Mayor and his father had been a local linen merchant who had helped fund the building of Belfast’s first synagogue at Great Victoria Street.

Explore the Waterfront Area

The waterfront area is located along the River Lagan. Here you’ll find a number of sculptures, bridges, Sinclair Seaman’s Church, the old Customs House, the Barge Museum, and Waterfront Hall (a large entertainment venue).

If you have some time to explore this area, we’d suggest walking the Maritime Mile, which is an outdoor trail that is about 1 mile long, connecting a number of maritime sites. There are information panels along the way. It starts at the City Quays and then continues along across the river to the Titanic Quarter, ending at the HMS Caroline and Titanic Dock . You can find out more about it here .

A pedestrian footbridge, built in 2015, crosses the River Lagan and connects the Waterfront area to the Titanic Quarter.

At the Belfast Harbour offices in Corporation Square, you can stop to visit the Heritage Room exhibition at the Belfast Harbour offices in Corporation Square. The exhibition focuses on Belfast’s maritime history and includes artifacts and artwork.

Outside the AC Hotel is the first of the six Games of Thrones large stained glass windows that were placed here in 2019 to celebrate 10 years of the show’s filming. Each depicts an iconic scene from the show. You can see all 6 by following the Maritime Mile trail along the waterfront.

If you just have a short time, two of our favorite things to stop and see here are the Salmon of Knowledge and the Beacon of Hope.

Salmon of Knowledge

The Salmon of Knowledge, better known as the Big Fish, is a large sculpture of a salmon along the waterfront. It was made by local artists John Kindness. It is located at the meeting point of Belfast’s two major rivers, the River Farset (from which Belfast gets its name) and the River Lagan.

The Salmon of Knowledge is a mythical creature figuring in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. It is said that the Salmon of Knowledge gained all the world’s knowledge after it ate hazelnuts from a holy tree. If caught it could grant universal knowledge to whoever eats it. In one story, it is eaten by  Fionn mac Cumhaill who gains universal wisdom.

The Big Fish sculpture is covered in printed ceramic tiles, and each one tells a different story related to the city’s history. Tiles include all types of information and images, from historical images to drawings from local school children.

Beacon of Hope

The Beacon of Hope, or Thanksgiving Square Beacon, is a large stainless steel and bronze sculpture of a lady holding a large ring, which is meant to symbolize thanksgiving. The woman has a globe at her feet which celebrates peace and harmony, and which is marked with the global cities that have been significantly associated with the people and industries of Belfast.

It sits within Thanksgiving Square near the entrance to the Victorian era Queen’s Bridge. It was made by artist Andy Scott in 2006.

Belfast Barge Museum

The Belfast Barge Museum is a small museum set on a barge that tells the story of Belfast’s industrial heritage and maritime history.

The MV Confiance is a former cargo barge that was purchased in 2006 and sailed to Belfast, and turned into a museum, event space, and a café. It is moored in the River Lagan in Belfast’s waterfront area.

There is a small fee to visit the Belfast Barge Museum. You can find out more information here .

Titanic Belfast Museum

The Titanic Belfast is the most popular attraction in Belfast and a must-see for most visitors. It is a huge attraction where visitors are self-guided through a series of galleries to learn the history of the RMS Titanic .

Belfast was chosen as the site for the Titanic visitor attraction because the RMS Titanic was built in Belfast’s dockyards by local shipbuilding firm  Harland & Wolff . Other famous ships built here include the RMS Olympic and HMS Belfast (currently docked as a museum ship in London). The shipyard continued to build ships until 2003 and today is focused on making offshore wind turbines.

When you visit the museum, you follow a self-guided path (audioguides are available to rent for a small fee) that begins with information about Belfast in the 20th century. Then you continue to follow a path that takes you through a series of galleries that tells you about shipbuilding in Belfast, the building of the RMS Titanic , the launch of the Titanic , its maiden voyage, its sinking, and the aftermath of the tragedy.

There are lots of informational panels, models, photographs, replica interiors of the Titanic , artifacts, and interactive exhibits to enhance the experience. One of the galleries is explored while on a mini-car ride. There are of course references to James Cameron’s famous 1997 film Titanic as well. The final room allows visitors to see video footage and photographs of the Titanic as she now lies at the bottom of the ocean.

If you have any interest in the RMS Titanic or shipbuilding, we highly recommend a visit here. Visitors often spend 1.5 to  2 hours exploring the museum, but leave more time if you are a huge Titanic fan and/or if you plan to eat here.

There is a large gift shop, a grab-and-go cafe, and a restaurant on site. There is also the Hickson’s Point pub located just outside the building.

The Belfast Titanic museum operates a timed ticketing system, with entrances every 15 minutes from opening time. At last check, pre-booked timed tickets were required due to the COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions.

Of all the things to do in Belfast, this is the most popular attraction so we recommend you  get your ticket in advance here  to avoid standing in and line, and coming early to avoid the crowds. Tickets bought online also include your entrance to the SS Nomadic , which is located next to the Titanic Museum.

If you are planning to visit here, we recommend checking out our Titanic sites in Belfast guide as it covers visiting the Titanic Belfast and several other attractions in and near Belfast.

We also recommend leaving some time to explore the area just outside of the Titanic Belfast building. You can see the Titanic and Olympic slipways and the Titanic sculpture by Rowan Gillespie, both are located next to the building. Also next door is the Titanic Hotel which occupies the former Harland & Wolff Headquarters and Drawing Offices where the designs for Titanic were completed.

The  SS Nomadic was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast as a tender boat to serve White Star Line passenger ships such as the RMS Titanic and the RMS Olympic in places where the ships were too large to dock. The ship launched in April 1911, and the SS Nomadic is now the last surviving White Star Line ship in the world.

On April 10, 1912, the SS Nomadic was used to ferry first and second class passengers, their luggage, and ship supplies onto the RMS Titanic from Cherbourg Harbor in France. Many of the most famous passengers sailed on the SS Nomadic to reach the Titanic, included John Jacob Astor IV and his wife, Margaret Brown, and Benjamin Guggenheim.

The SS Nomadic was also used as a passenger ship tender for the RMS Olympic and later for Cunard ocean liners. During WWI and WW2, the ship was used as a minesweeper and troop transport ship. She was retired from service in 1968, and later was used as a floating restaurant ship on the Seine River in Paris for almost 30 years.

In 2006, the Northern Ireland government purchased the SS Nomadic and brought the ship back to Belfast to be restored and turned into a ship museum. Following extensive restoration, the SS Nomadic was opened to visitors in June 2013.

Today, you can tour the beautifully restored ship and learn all about its construction, uses, restoration, and history. The SS Nomadic was built by the same company at the same time as the Titanic so is the closest you can get to having a sense of what it was like on the grand ill-fated ship.

We’d recommend visiting this in conjunction with the Belfast Titanic museum, as you can purchase an entry ticket  that will get you access to both the Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic on the same day. The two attractions are only a short walk apart.

If you plan to only visit the SS Nomadic , you can normally also book a ticket online on their website or purchase one in person at the ship. However, these individual tickets have not been available since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is unclear when and if they will be sold again. So for the time being you need to  purchase a combination ticket  if you want to visit.

W5 Science & Discovery Centre

The W5 Science & Discovery Centre is an interactive science center that is designed to inform and entertain children and families. It contains over 250 interactive exhibits spread across four exhibition areas that are designed for children to be able to be active and engage in hands-on learning and discovery. There is also a daily program of live science demonstrations, talks, and shows.

There is a coffee shop on-site serving sandwiches, soup, snacks, coffee, and drinks.

There is a fee to enter the W5 Science and Discovery Centre. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online in advance.

The W5 is located within the larger Odyssey Pavillion within the Titanic Quarter. There is parking on-site, or you can get here via public bus or the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. The W5 is about a 25 minute walk from Belfast city center or a 10 minute walk away from the Titanic Belfast museum.

In addition to the W5, the Odyssey Pavillion is also home to the SSE Arena which is home to the Belfast Giants (ice hockey team), a multi-plex cinema, a bowling alley, a sports bar, a pizza place, a Segway company, and a coffee shop.

HMS Caroline

The HMS Caroline was a light cruiser built in Birkenhead, England in 1914 for the British Royal Navy. She served during WWI, including during the Battle of Jutland , which was the largest naval battle of the war, and is now the sole survivor from that battle.

In 1924, the HMS Caroline was moved to Belfast Docks to form the headquarters for the Ulster Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. She would serve as a depot ship and strategic operations base for convoy protection during WWII.

The HMS Caroline would serve as part of the Ulster Division of the Royal Navy reserve until 2009 and was decommissioned in 2011. The ship was restored and opened as a ship museum in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter in 2016.

Today, you can do a self-guided tour of the HMS Caroline and learn about her construction, history, and the living and working conditions on board through exhibits, films, recreated historic spaces, and interactive touch screen displays. Start at the Dockside Museum (small museum next to the ship) to learn about the people who served on the ship and then board the ship. There are also nice views of the harbor from the decks of the ship.

There is a small café and a gift shop on the ship. You can purchase tickets on-site or in advance online. You can save a little money by booking your tickets in advance .

The HMS Caroline sits in the Alexandra Graving Dock right next to the Titanic Pump House. It is about a 15 minute walk away from the Titanic Belfast museum. There is parking located here for visitors, and you can also reach it via public bus or the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses.

Samson & Goliath Cranes

Samson and Goliath are two large shipbuilding cranes owned by Harland and Wolff, and they are situated within the Titanic Quarter in the Harland & Wolff shipyard. They were built in 1969 and 1974 at a time when Harland & Wolff was still one of the largest shipbuilders in the world. They were named after the Biblical figures of the same name.

These were obviously not used in the construction of the Titanic. However, an enormous steel gantry, called the Arrol Gantry, was created in 1908 over the slipways for the Olympic and Titanic. It was also a dominant feature in the Belfast skyline for decades and was in use until the 1960’s.

You can’t get too close to the cranes as they are in an active and private industrial area, but they are easy to spot. The two yellow cranes with the H&W logo dominate the skyline and can be seen from many parts of the city.

Although Harland & Wolff are not much involved in shipbuilding and the two cranes are rarely used today, they have remained as they have become popular symbols of the city of Belfast. They are now sort of protected by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and it is hoped they will continue to remain in Belfast.

Titanic Walkway

The Titanic Walkway is a 500 meter (0.3 mile) walkway on Victoria Wharf which connects the Titanic Slipways to the HMS Caroline . The maritime walkway was first opened in 2018 as a way to make it easier for pedestrians to visit some of the popular attractions within the Titanic Quarter.

The walkway goes along the water and docks. Notable attractions along the route include the Titanic Belfast, Titanic and Olympic Slipways, Mew Light, public art (including a couple of the Games of Thrones windows), the HMS Caroline , and the Titanic Dock and Pump House.

From the walkway, you can also see the Titanic Exhibition Center (giant conference center) and Titanic Studios (filming studios where Games of Thornes was filmed). You’ll also see the Samson & Goliath cranes in the distance.

The Mew Light, or the Great Light, is the world’s first and largest hyper-radial Fresnes lighthouse lens. It was first used at Tory Island Lighthouse in 1887 and later moved to Mew Island in 1928. It was removed from Mew Island in 2014, and has been restored and situated along the Titanic Walkway. Panels around the light tells about its history and how it works.

The Titanic Walkway is a great way to connect a visit to the Belfast Titanic to either the HMS Caroline and/or the Titanic Pump Room & Dock. To start the walk, just head outside the Titanic Belfast museum and head towards the water to visit the Olympic and Titanic Slipways, then head northeast along the walkway towards the HMS Caroline .

If you want a different perspective of the Titanic Quarter, consider a River Lagan boat cruise which allows you to see all the Titanic Quarter sites from the water with onboard commentary. In the summer, there is also the chance to see seals.

Titanic Dock & Pump House

The Titanic Dock and Pump House is a great place to visit to get a better sense of the large scale of the RMS Titanic. This was where the Titanic sat in dry dock before her sea trials and maiden voyage in April 1912.

The White Star liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic were the largest ocean liners ever built at the time, and so larger dry docks had to be built for them. This is where the ships were fitted out and completed in dry dock after being constructed at the slipways across from the Titanic Belfast museum.

Construction on the Titanic began in 1909 and took 3 years. The Thompson Graving Dock, often now called the Titanic Dock, was where the Titanic was fitted out and completed in 1912. The adjacent dock pump house, now called the Titanic Pump House, was used to pump out water from the Thompson Graving Dock as well as the Alexandra Graving Dock (where the HMS Caroline now sits).

Visitors can do a self-guided tour of the Titanic Pump House as well as the Titanic Dock. Walking around and climbing down into the Thompson Graving Dock gives you a good sense of the massive size of these ocean liners as the whole footprint of the graving dock would have been the size of the ship’s hull. Informational placards tell you about its construction, fitting out, the lives of the dock workers, and how the pump room worked.

There is a small fee to visit the Titanic Pump Room & Titanic Dock, payable in Cafe 1404 which is also where you can access the sites. If you’d rather have a guided experience, you can book a guided tour of the dock and pump room or join a walking tour which includes the visit here.

The Titanic Pump House and Dock is located about a 1 minute walk from the HMS Caroline and a 10 minute walk from the Titanic Museum.

Check out the Street Murals

The street murals in Belfast are well-known worldwide and it is a popular city for street art enthusiasts. Even if you are not interested in street art, you are bound to run into some of the city’s street murals as they are everywhere.

Initially, most of the street murals were political and related to The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and were created by people with a variety of perspectives from both sides. Most of the more politically focused murals are further from the city center with many located around the Peace Wall.

There are still a large number of political street murals that you can see and these are the primary focus of many Black Cab and street art tours in Belfast. Some serve as memorials to people who were killed or incarcerated during the Troubles. We saw a number of these murals on our Black Cab tour, which a great way to explore them as they are spread apart.

Within the city center, there is still a lot of street art to see but the majority is not strongly political or religious in nature. Although some do tackle serious topics, you’ll also find street murals of dogs, famous people, fairies, local landmarks, dragons, and monkeys. Some are created by relatively unknown local artists and some are by more famous artists like Smug, and there have been local initiatives that have helped fund legal street art in Belfast.

We did a street art walking tour that primarily focused on the non-political murals with Seedhead Arts . But there are a variety of street mural tours in Belfast including walking tours such as this one and Black cab tours such as this one .

See our guide to street art in Belfast for more information about finding and appreciating Belfast’s and a photo essay of some of the popular murals.

Check out some Evening Entertainment

There is always something going on in Belfast and whether you are looking for a play, stand up comedy act, art exhibit, or just a local band at a pub, you’ll likely find something happening in Belfast. You can find out what’s happening by asking around, visiting the Visitor Center, checking a local newspaper, and/or checking out this page and this website .

We already mentioned the Grand Opera House earlier, but two of Belfast’s others main centrally-located concert and entertainment spaces are the Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall. If you are looking for a concert, play, comedy show, or festival, I’d check out what’s happening at each of these venues during your visit.

Opened in 1862, Ulster Hall was by designed by William J. Barre. A wide variety of notable performances and events have been held here from readings by Charles Dickens to rock concerts by AC/DC and Iron Maiden to political talks by Lord Randolph Churchill and Lord Carson. Ulster Hall underwent a larger restoration in 2007, and it houses one of the few surviving functioning classic English pipe organs.

Belfast Waterfront is a multi-purpose entertainment and conference center located on the waterfront. It opened in 1997 and is used for a number of purposes, including concerts, theatre shows, stand-up comedy, business conferences, and other events. It is a key venue for Belfast International Arts Festival events.

You can see what’s on during your visit at both Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall  here .

Try the Local Drinks in Belfast

Belfast is a great place to have a drink. The city is probably best known for beer and whiskey, but gin is currently a very popular spirit in the city as well. Craft breweries and new distilleries are opening up around Northern Ireland and it is an exciting time to sample some of these new arrivals.

If you are looking for craft beers on tap, a few brewery names to look out for are Hilden, Sheelin, Hercules Brewing (known for their Yardsman beers), Whitewater, and Farmageddon. Northern Irish gins include Shortcross, Jawbox, and Copeland.

The most popular Northern Irish whiskey brand is Bushmills, but Echlinville and Rademon Estate also produce whiskey. Head to The Friend at Hand whiskey shop in the Cathedral Quarter to learn more about Irish whiskey and purchase a bottle, the store says it has the largest collection of Irish whiskey.

We actually did a really fun gin tour around central Belfast with a company called Taste and Tour that included 7 generous drinks and some nibbles in several locations. Gins included famous international brands as well as local ones. The company also does whiskey walks, beer crawls, and food tours around Belfast.

If you are looking for a few suggestions for a place to drink, here are several places we’ve been:

• The Crown Bar – An elaborately decorated Victorian era gin palace that is a local landmark and popular tourist stop. Full bar and restaurant. Reservations recommended if you want to sit and eat.
• Muriel’s Cafe Bar – Muriel’s is the place all the locals tell you to go if you want a cocktail. But you can get everything at the small quirky bar from a traditional pint to a range of craft gins. Also serves food.
• John Hewitt Bar –  A traditional style bar with live music and full range of drinks. Owned and operated by the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre.
• The Duke of York –  This traditional pub has been a staple of the Cathedral Quarter for over 200 years. It was rebuilt after being flattened by a bomb in 1972 during the Troubles. The pub is a local institution and is popular with tourists. It has interesting furniture and decorations and is filled with local memorabilia related to brewing and distilling. It also has colorful outdoor murals.
• Sweet Afton Bar & Brewery  – A bar and restaurant in the Linen Quarter serving classic favorites and local craft beers. They also serve a few American craft beers.
• Sunflower Public House – If you are looking for a simple pub, the Sunflower Public House may be your spot. The corner pub is probably best known for keeping its security cage around its front door which became a common occurrence during The Troubles. Good place for a pint and often has live music.
• Babel Bar:  If you’re looking for a rooftop bar, the Babel Bar in the Bullitt Hotel is a great choice. One of the few rooftop bars in Belfast. Also a second bar located in the hotel courtyard. Full range of drinks and cocktails.
• The Cocktail Bar – If you are looking for a classy bar and don’t mind the higher price of drinks, The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel is likely the place for you. This Victorian era luxury hotel is a beautiful setting for a drink. Hotel also has a jazz bar, a classic pub, a champagne lounge, and other dining spots.
• Whites Tavern : If you like old historical taverns, Whites Tavern may be the place for you. This tavern has been serving drinks since 1630. Serves hearty pub food and regularly has live music.
• Bittles Bar.  Found near Victoria Square, this curiously shaped pub is not dissimilar to the Flat Iron building in New York. Built in 1868 and has been service great beer ever since.

If you are looking to experience a local brewery, we’d recommend a trip just outside Belfast to Lisburn (10 miles away) where you can visit Hilden Brewery , Ireland’s oldest independent brewery. Hilden is a well-known craft brewery and you can sample the beers, take a tour of the distillery, and eat in their restaurant.

Sample the Irish Food

The dish most associated with Northern Ireland is Ulster fry. An Ulster fry is the Northern Irish version of the British “full breakfast” that you’ll find throughout the UK and Ireland. It normally includes fried eggs, sausage, back bacon, soda farl, tomato, black pudding, and potato bread. White pudding, hashbrowns, fried mushrooms, and baked beans are also normal accompaniments. Served with tea or coffee and eaten in the morning for breakfast.

You’ll find many of the dishes common throughout Ireland and the UK in Northern Ireland so dishes like Irish stew, bangers and mash, Sunday roasts, and fish and chips are common. Potatoes have long been important to Ireland so you’ll find potato dishes like colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale), potato bread, boxty (potato pancake), and champ (mashed potatoes with spring onion, cheese, and butter). Seafood dishes are common particularly fried eel and salmon.

Agriculture is a major industry in Northern Ireland and you can find a lot of locally grown, raised, and produced food products. These are easy to find at St. George’s Market as well as in local grocery stores and on the menus of local restaurants in Belfast. Some to look out for are dairy products (Abernethy butter, milk, cheese, ice cream), local seafood (salmon, eels, oysters), breads (soda bread and potato bread in particular), Bramley apples (as well as apple juice, jam, and cider), and locally raised meats (beef, pork, venison).

If you have a sweet tooth, a popular Northern Irish candy is Yellowman which is a chewy honeycomb toffee-like candy.   Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory is a popular local spot to buy handmade candies, chocolates, and fudge.

Things to do in Belfast: Beyond Central Belfast

If you have more than a day or two in Belfast, you may have time to explore beyond central Belfast and the Titanic Quarter. Your choices of things to do in Belfast beyond the central area are varied and include museums, gardens, parks, a zoo, political sites, and a Victorian prison.

We particularly recommend the Queen’s Quarter area which includes Queen’s University, the Ulster Museum, and the Botanic Gardens. The Crumlin Road Gaol will appeal to those who enjoy touring old prisons. The Cave Hill Country Park includes hiking trails, the Belfast Zoo, Belfast Castle, and a children’s playground. The Peace Wall is a popular stop for seeing the political murals, usually during a Black Cab tour. There are also plenty of green places around Belfast for hiking, walks, and even wildlife viewing.

Most of these attractions are located within the city of Belfast but some lie in areas just outside Belfast. Most can be reached by public bus within 30 to 40 minutes, and some can be visited using the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. All are located within a 30 minute drive fo the city center, and some are less than a 10 minute drive from the city center.

The first physical divides or peace lines were built in 1969 after the outbreak of riots in Northern Ireland and the beginning of the Troubles. The walls, fences, and other barriers were used to divide predominately Ulster/Protestant/Unionist areas of a neighborhood from predominately Loyalist/Catholic/Nationalist areas of a neighborhood.

The initial walls were meant to be temporary measures to help protect people on both sides, but they became bigger, longer, and more sturdy over time. Today there are over 40 wall structures, called peace lines or peace walls, stretching for miles in Belfast. These are primarily in the residential areas in the northwest areas of Belfast. They also exist in a few other towns and cities in Northern Ireland such as Londonderry/Derry.

Interestingly, the number of Peace Walls has not decreased since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, but have actually increased. Some of the walls have gates which allow access during daylight hours but these gates are closed after dark. They are sometimes policed, but not so much these days. Sectarian violence has significantly decreased, but many residents still find the walls comforting and many people in these neighborhoods have grown up with the walls.

In recent years, the walls and political murals painted along or near the walls have become tourist attractions. Most black cab tours stop here as ours did. Visitors have the opportunity to write their own message on the Peace Wall, which has been covered in murals, as well as signed by famous people including the Dalai Lama and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

There is a large movement to remove the Peace Walls in the near future, and the government hopes the walls will be removed by 2023 in cooperation with people on both sides of the wall.

Crumlin Road Goal

The HMP Crumlin, better known as the  Crumlin Road Gaol , is a former prison that opened in Belfast in 1846. For over 150 years, it was one of Northern Ireland’s main prisons, and is today the only surviving Victorian era prison in Northern Ireland.

At the time the prison was built, it was one of the most up-to-date prisons of its time and was designed to house up to 500 prisoners. However, in later years, during the Troubles, there were so many people sent to prison that it was forced to hold many more than this, resulting in cramped conditions. The Crumlin Road Gaol closed in 1996 as a prison, and following an extensive restoration project, was opened as a visitor attraction in 2012.

Visits are timed and guided. Guides lead you through the major parts of the prison and explain the entry process for new inmates. The tour includes a visit to the cell blocks, the tunnel which linked the prison with the courthouse over the road, and the execution chamber. Seventeen prisoners were executed on site by hanging, with the last execution taking place in 1961.

The knowledgeable guides on the tour share lots of information about the history of the prison, its architecture, and notable inmates. The regular tours lasts about 75 to 90 minutes. There are also sometimes specialty tours offered such as paranormal tours and night tours of the prison.

There is a fee to tour the prison, and tour times can be booked in advance online or on site. It’s definitely worth booking your tour in advance, as this is both cheaper and will also guarantee the time you want. Tours run about every 30 minutes.

There is a gift shop and an on-site coffee shop where you can get sandwiches and drinks.

Stormont Estate – Northern Ireland Parliament

The Northern Ireland Parliament buildings are located on the Stormont Estate. The Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for Northern Ireland, was established under the Belfast Agreement 1998 (Good Friday Agreement). Before being used for government purposes, the estate belong to Reverend John Cleland.

The main Northern Ireland Assembly building was designed by Sir Arnold Thornely and is 365 feet wide (one for each day of the year) with six floors and six front pillars (one for each NI county). It was completed in 1932.

The public can visit the Parliament buildings during most of the year, Monday to Friday. Tours are free and last about 1 hour. The tours include stops to learn about the history and architecture of the buildings and to see the Great Hall, the Senate Chamber, and the Assembly Chamber. The public can also sit in on Assembly debates and committee meetings. See latest tour times here .

Outside, you can admire the building and wander along some of the walking nature paths around the parkland. There are several statues and memorials, and there is also a picnic area, fitness area, and children’s play area.

There is a coffee shop and gift shop within the main building. The Members’ Dining Rooms are also open to the public for meals and afternoon tea, reservations are recommended.

The Stormont Estate has parking and can also be visited by public bus or by using the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. There is no fee for visiting the Stormont Estate or Parliament Buildings; however, you will need to go through a security check at the gate and airport-style security to gain entrance to the building.

C.S. Lewis Square

The C.S. Lewis Square is a square located in East Belfast dedicated to the Belfast author Clive Staples Lewis . C.S. Lewis is most famous for his children’s fantasy book series The Chronicles of Narnia series as well as his Christian apologetic adult nonfiction books such as Mere Christianity .

The square contains a number of large bronze sculptures depicting characters from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  including Aslan, The Beavers, and The White Witch. The sculptures were made by Northern Irish artist Maurice Harron and are situated in a place not too far from Lewis’s birthplace. This is a fun place to bring any fan of the Narnia series!

Fans of C.S. Lewis may also want to see other sites related to Lewis in the area, including this birthplace on Dundela Avenue (Blue Plaque marks spot), Little Lea (family home on Circular drive), St Mark’s Church (where he was baptized and grandfather was rector), Holywood Arches Library (“The Searcher” statue), Belmont Tower, and Campbell College. You can follow a self-guided trail or book a local tour guide.

Next to C. S. Lewis Square is the EastSide Visitor Centre which is a great place to stop to learn more about the city’s attractions and things to do in East Belfast, including self-guided walking trails and walking tours. The local Greenways (walking and cycling routes on disused railway lines) also run right past here. The Centre also has a coffee bar called JACK Coffee Bar which features locally sourced food, products, and artwork.

The square is can be reached by public bus about 20 minute from center. There is parking available nearby.

Queen’s University

Queen’s University was chartered in 1845 and opened in Belfast in 1849. It was built to encourage university education for Catholics and Presbyterians at the time as Trinity College in Dublin was at that time an Anglican university. 

There are some beautiful buildings in terms of architecture on the Queen’s University campus, particularly the Lanyon building designed by English architect Charles Lanyon. You can check out the Naughton Gallery , an art gallery with both permanent and temporary exhibitions, which offers free public admission. You might also want to see what’s playing at the Queen’s Film Theatre , a popular independent cinema. 

Queen’s University is situated next to the Botanic Gardens in Queen’s Quarter, which is a lovely area of Belfast. It is a university student area with lots of coffee shops, independent retail stores, small entertainment venues, and the excellent Ulster Museum. A great place to wander around and explore.

Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are located in south Belfast within the Queen’s Quarter near Queen’s University. The gardens were originally started as a private park in 1828 but became a public park in 1895. The gardens were one of the most popular Belfast attractions in the Victorian era, and structures in the garden have recently undergone major renovations.

Two of the main features of the gardens are the Palm House conservatory and the Tropical Ravine House. The Pam House is a curvilinear cast iron Victorian glasshouse designed by Charles Lanyon and built by Richard Turner, and display a range of tropical plants. The Tropical Ravine features a sunken ravine and includes a number of the oldest seed plants around today, as well as banana, cinnamon, bromeliad, and orchid plants. There is also a rose garden.

The Botanic Gardens is an important venue for concerts, festivals, and other local events, The Ulster Museum which sits near the main entrance to the gardens. The gardens are a popular place for students of next door Queen’s University to take walks and study.

The Botanic Gardens are open to the public during daylight hours and free to visit. The Palm House and Tropical Ravine have more limited hours.

Ulster Museum

The  Ulster Museum  is Belfast’s largest museum and one we highly recommend taking the time to visit. The museum has over 1 million objects in its collection which include items related to art, history, and natural science. The museum is located near the main entrance to the Botanic Gardens.

We really enjoyed our time in this museum as there is a bit of everything so just about everyone can find a section of the museum to enjoy. There were dinosaur bones, Neolithic stone axes, jewels, fine art, meteorites, and history exhibits detailing ancient and recent history including the partition of Ireland and the Troubles. If you want relative objectivity in relation to Belfast history, this is probably the best place to find it.

The museum has a number of permanent exhibitions, but also has changing temporary exhibitions. When we visited one of the exhibitions was a massive Game of Thrones Irish linen tapestry that tells the full story of the TV series and sewed locally. The GoT linen is not currently on display but you can see it and learn more about it here .

The museum has an on-site coffee shop which serves hot food and drinks. There is also a cloakroom with lockers that can be rented for £1.

The museum is free to visit, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Museum of Orange Heritage

The Museum of Orange Heritage is a museum and interpretive center that covers the history, culture, and traditions of the Orange Order, also known as the Loyal Orange Association. If you want to  learn more about the Orange Order, this is a good place to do it. However, it is a good idea to be aware of the religious, cultural, and political significance of the order before you choose to visit.

If you are not familiar with the Orange Order , they are a Protestant fraternal organization that is strongly associated with the Ulster loyalists and British unionism. The main stated goal of the order is to protect and promote Protestantism, although opponents have criticized the group for being anti-Catholic. The group is probably best known for their marches and parades, known as Orange walks, particularly those that take place on July 12th. Some of these walks have been controversial.

Their history dates back to 1795 and it is from King William III, the Prince of Orange, that the organization gets its name. King William III was a Protestant king who defeated the Catholic king James II in the Williamite-Jacobite War in Ireland in the 17th century. The first Orange Order societies formed to commemorate King William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690.

The museum includes informational and interactive exhibits, and includes artifacts including items owned by King William II. Obviously, the information is going to have a pro-Loyalist bias given its being presented by the society. A good counterpoint if you are planning to visit is the Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum.

The center also has a research and genealogy facility for those wanting to research their family history within the Orange Order.

The museum is located at Schomerg House in the Castlereagh area of Belfast and is generally open Monday through Saturday. It is a 15 to 20 minute bus ride from the town center.

Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum

The Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum is a small museum in West Belfast dedicated to the history of the Republicans in Ireland since the 1960’s. It is situated in the Conways Mill Complex and the mill dates back to 1842. The museum focuses a lot on internment and imprisonment experiences during the Troubles.

The museum is named after Eileen Hickey, a woman who herself was imprisoned in Armagh in the 1970s, and a large portion of the artifacts were collected by her. The museum includes informational exhibits and a number of objects related to the Troubles, particularly related to internment during that time.

The Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum obviously has a Republican (Nationalist / Catholic) bias and focuses on the more positive aspects of the Republican side. But it does have some inclusive information and objects as well. So just know this when you visit and it can be a good counterpoint to a visit to the Museum of Orange Heritage.

The museum is free to visit although donations are greatly appreciated. Some black cab tours stop here.

There are several parking spaces here for drivers. You can also get here by public bus but there is no bus stop super close by (10 to 15 minute walk away). I would recommend stopping here as part of a Black Cab tour or Troubles related tour as it is not far from the Peace Wall.

RSPB Window on Wildlife (Belfast Lough Reserve)

The Belfast Lough Reserve is an area of grassland, lagoon, and mudflats that is considered a special place for local wildlife. It is protected and maintained by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), a bird charity in the UK. There are four components of the reserve: Belfast’s Window on Wildlife, Harbour Meadows, Holywood Banks and Whitehouse Lagoon.

The area provides a place for local birds and wildlife as well as migrating bird species. Over 100 bird species have been observed here and species that are regularly seen include wigeons, teals, oystercatchers, Arctic terns, curlews, and godwits. There are also konik ponies and small mammals who live here.

The public can best learn about the species and have a chance to observe them by visiting the RSPB Window on Wildlife . It is a small center run by staff and volunteers that provides information on local and migrating species and an area with a large window where you can view species in the lagoon and mudflats surrounding the center. There are also a couple of hides and the staff sometimes offers guided walks during certain times of the year.

At the center, you can borrow binoculars to see more from the window and staff can help point out different birds. When we visited we saw several bird species as well as rabbits. The staff member we talked to was very friendly and this place seems a world away from downtown Belfast!

There is a small charge to visit the center and use the shelters. It is free for RSPB members.

Cave Hill Country Park

Cave Hill, also written as Cavehill, is a large hill formed by basalt lava flows that overlooks Belfast. It has long been a popular spot for local and tourists, and some believe that the hill with its “Napoleon’s Nose” rock formation was the inspiration for the giant in Jonathan Swift’s famous book Gulliver’s Travels .

Cave Hill Country Park is known for its caves, rock formations, ring fort remains, walking and hiking paths, and for being the site of the Belfast Zoo, Belfast Castle, and a large playground. It is a great place if you want to get out of Belfast, do some hiking, and get some nice views over the city (you can see all the way to Scotland on clear days). Given the attractions located here, it is easy to make a whole day of it out here.

The hiking trails are well-signed and range from relatively short and easy to longer and more strenuous. The trails take you near many of the landmarks in the park, including Belfast Castle, Napoleon’s nose, caves, McArt’s fort, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Volunteer’s Well stream, and interpretive signs help point out features, geology, and history.

Cave Hill Country Park is about a 5 mile (8 km) drive out of central Belfast. You can also get here via public bus from Belfast.

Belfast Zoo

The Belfast Zoo  is located on the outskirts of Belfast on the slopes of Cavehill, encompassing 55 acres and has over 1,000 animals from over 100 different species. The zoo offers daily zookeeper talks, feeding times, and other activities.

The zoo opened in 1934 and is one of the most popular paid attractions in Belfast. It suffered a lot during the Belfast Blitz and the 2018 family-friendly film Zoo  focuses on the true story of the “elephant angel” who cared for a baby elephant during WWII.

In addition to the animals, the zoo also recently opened a new children’s playground called the Adventurers’ Learning Centre. The zoo is also home to the 1930’s  Art Deco Floral Hall, once a popular dance and music venue. The Floral hall was shut and became derelict during the Troubles, but there are plans to refurbish and reopen it as an event space in the future.

The zoo has two cafes on site which serve hot food and drinks as well as a picnic area. There is also a large visitor center and a gift shop.

Most of the zoo and its facilities are wheelchair accessible; however, the zoo is situated on the side of Cavehill so many parts are uphill and some of the paths are steep. There are wheelchairs for free rental and a zoo-mobile vehicle, which can be reserved in advance with the zoo.

The zoo can be reached by public bus from central Belfast, and the zoo offers free parking for visitors. You can purchase tickets on-site or in advance.

Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle was commissioned in the 19th century by George Hamilton Chichester, the 3rd Marquess of Donegall and was designed by Charles Lanyon and his son. If you’ve been to Scotland, the castle may look familiar as it was built in Scottish baronial style. There was an original Belfast Castle built in the 12th century by Normans and it sat not far from where the Belfast City Hall stands today.

Only a small portion of the castle is open to visitors today as much is used as space for offices, conference and event rooms, and dining. It is a popular wedding and conference venue today.

But if you are in visiting Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle is definitely worth a stop. Can be a good place to stop before or after a hike or a visit to the nearby Belfast Zoo. Also close to the Fortwilliam Golf Club.

There is a small exhibit inside about the history of Belfast Castle worth taking a look at. There is also a restaurant and cafe where you can get a meal, coffee, or drink. Outside, the formal garden are beautiful and offer nice views over the city, and they also have cat statues!

Ulster Folk Museum & Transport Museum

The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is two separate museums with the Ulster Folk Museum and Transport Museum being located at different but adjacent sites. You can purchase admission to each museum separately, or buy a dual ticket to visit both museums.

The Ulster Folk Museum focuses on telling the story of the people and culture of Northern Ireland from the past to present, with a focus on the early 1900s. The museum is spread out across over 20 buildings set up to resemble a traditional village which includes a number of dwellings of the early 1900’s as well as replicas. These include thatched cottages, farm houses, schools, churches, shops, a mill, workshops, and more. There are also costumed guides, daily demonstrations, and activities such as open-hearth cooking, needlework, weaving, and craft demonstrations.

The Transport Museum focuses on the history of transport in Ireland from its early history to the modern era, from horse-drawn carriages to airplanes. One of the big draws to the museum is that it contains the largest railway collection in Ireland, and includes steam locomotives, passenger carriages, and a large amount of memorabilia. Other popular exhibits include pogo sticks (invited in Northern Ireland), a DeLorean DMC-12 car (the manufacturing plant was in Northern Ireland), a vertical take-off airplane, and a Titanic exhibition which includes some original artifacts. 

If you plan to visit both museums, be sure to purchase the dual ticket to save money on admission fees. There is a cafe on-site in the Ulster Folk Museum which serves snacks and drinks.

The Ulster Folk Museum & Transport Museum are situated in the town of Cultra which is about 7 miles (11 km) east of Belfast. There is free parking on-site for visitors, the museums can be reached by bus from Belfast (30 to 40 minute ride), or you can take a train (nearest stop is Cultra Halt).

Minnowburn is a natural area of meadows and woodland around the Lagan River on the southern edge of Belfast. It is a perfect place for a walk, family picnic, or gentle hike in a bucolic setting.

Terrace Hill is a popular spot to get a view across the Lagan Valley and to have a picnic, and the trail here is dotted with sculptures and has a garden on top. The garden was built by Frederick Russell who wanted a garden to go with Terrace Hill mansion (circa 1856). The Russell family had earned their money from the linen industry and later the flour industry.

This area is now maintained by the National Trust and is a lovely place to come if you want a bit of an escape from the city. There are a few main trails and paths here that you can follow, some that  run through the small village of Edenderry. It is easy to spend a few hours here on a nice day.

If you are looking for a nice gentle hike, we can recommend the Giant’s Ring trail. It is an easy 2.2 mile circular trail that takes you along the riverbank and through woodland and farmland, and past the Giant’s Ring. The Giant’s Ring is a Neolithic henge earthen monument, believed to have been constructed around 2700 BC.

Located about 4 miles outside of Belfast. No great public transit connections, although there are bus stops within a 15 minute walk of Minnowburn.

Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is a 128 acre park located in South Belfast. The park consists of woodland, meadows, fields, a walled garden, formal rose gardens, and a Japanese garden. There is also a children’s playground and there is a coffee shop located in the former stables. The park is a popular place for local families and walkers.

The park was laid out around Wilmont House, a Victorian house originally built for James Bristow, but later purchased by Sir Thomas Dixon and Lady Edith Stewart Dixon . The Dixons would leave the house and park to the city of Belfast and it is currently maintained by the Belfast City Council.

The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is particularly known for its formal gardens and roses. Its roses are world famous and each year the roses attract thousands of visitors. The annual highlight here is Rose Week, a weeklong event where there is a flower show, games, concerts, puppet shows, family events, food vendors, and more. We attended Rose Week in 2018 and it was a lot of fun.

The park is located about 6 miles from Belfast city center and there is free parking available. You can also reach it by public bus with stops within a 5 minute walk of the park.

Belfast Map of Top Belfast Attractions

The map below shows the locations for each of the mentioned main things to do in Belfast, including the centrally located and nearby attractions. You can use this to help guide and plan your itinerary. We recommend trying to group together locations that are close together.

Click  here   or on the map below for a closer look and to see exact locations:

Things to do in Belfast: Day Trips from Belfast

Run out of things to do in Belfast? If you have more time in Northern Ireland and want to venture further afield, there are lots more things to do within a 1 hour to 2 hour drive of the city.

If you are looking for a day trip or quick overnight trip, our top recommendations depending on your interests would be to drive along a section of the Causeway Coastal Route, visit the Giant’s Causeway, do a whiskey tour, explore Saint Patrick Country, do a Game of Thrones tour of filming sites, or visit a few of the many castles and historic homes in Northern Ireland.

We have some of our favorites below, and we also have a complete guide to the best day trips from Belfast here .

Giant’s Causeway

The  Giant’s Causeway  is the most famous natural attraction in Northern Ireland and its only UNESCO world heritage site. The Giant’s Causeway is a geological feature, which consists of approximately 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that form a staircase-like pathway out to sea. It has been featured in a number of films, TV commercials, and advertisements.

The site is managed by the National Trust, and there are a number of visitor services here including parking, a shuttle bus, an exhibition center, a gift shop, and a cafe. Although it is free to visit the site if you arrive on foot or by bicycle, there is a fee and ticket needed to park, visit the exhibition center, get the audioguide, use the shuttle bus etc. It is definitely worth it to get a ticket to take advantage of these services.

Entry is free for National Trust members. If you are planning on visiting both the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, you might consider investing in a  National Trust Touring Pass . This will give you free access to both these attractions, as well as many other National trust properties across Northern Ireland and the UK.

You can drive (about 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Belfast), take public transit, or join a group or private tour from Belfast (or Dublin) to visit the Giant’s Causeway. You can see a number of available day tours to the Giant’s Causeway here and here .

Causeway Coastal Route

The  Causeway  Coastal Route is a scenic tourist driving route that winds approximately 120 miles from Belfast to Londonderry (or Derry). Most of the route is along the coast with lots of scenery as well as a number of Northern Ireland’s top attractions.

Some of the most popular stops along the Causeway Coastal Route are the Giant’s  Causeway , Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, and Bushmills whiskey distillery. Just off of the route are also popular stops like the Glenariff Nature Reserve, Rathlin Island, and  the Dark Hedges .

Most of the route is accessible to all drivers, but there is a narrow and windy section that is not suitable for those driving in larger vehicles and campervans. Many of the attractions, depending on the time of the year, can be visited by public transit. I would not recommend this as a day trip if you want to do the full route, but you can visit a few of the highlights on a day trip.

Many people see parts of the route as part of a day tour from Belfast so they can avoid renting a car and don’t have to worry about drinking if stopping for whiskey tasting. Day tour options include tours such as this full day tour  from Belfast.

We have driven the Causeway Coastal Route twice and really enjoyed it! See our guide to the highlights of the Causeway Coastal Route to help plan your own trip.

Learn about Saint Patrick

If you are interested in the history, life, and religious beliefs of Saint Patrick, there are a number of sites within Northern Ireland associated with the saint. Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain and came to Ireland first as a slave of Irish pirates and later as a Christian missionary. He would become a bishop in Ireland during the 5th century and is often regarded as the founder of Christianity in Ireland.

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He is a venerated saint in a number of Christian religious faiths including in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, and the Lutheran Church. Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17th, is observed in Ireland (and in many other countries) as a religious and cultural holiday, celebrating his life and the arrival of Christianity into Ireland.

A few important places associated with Saint Patrick in Northern Ireland are The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick (an informative and interactive exhibition about Saint Patrick’s life and legacy, a good starting point!), Down Cathedral (where Saint Patrick is believed to be buried) and Struell Wells in Downpatrick, Slemish Mountains (where Saint Patrick is believed to have been forced to work as a slave), and the two Saint Patrick’s cathedrals of Armagh.

Counties Down and Armagh are the two counties that are collectively known as Saint Patrick’s Country and have the most St. Patrick’s related sites. For more places associated with Saint Patrick, see this list of sites . Most of these places are located within a 1 hour drive of Belfast.

If you are looking for one place to go to learn more about Saint Patrick, I’d recommend heading to Downpatrick as there are several sites in and around the town associated with the saint. If you visit Downpatrick and are looking for a guide, this very good value 2-hour walking tour may be of interest.

If you are looking for a day tour, there are not many that are focused on Saint Patrick, but this group day tour  from Belfast includes a visit to The Saint Patrick Centre, Down Cathedral, historic ruins of Monasterboice, and Dublin. There is also this private day tour by minivan from Belfast which focuses on Downpatrick sites and County Down.

Games of Thrones Tour

The popular American HBO TV series Game of Thrones (2011-2019) was filmed primarily in Belfast at Titanic Studios, but also in a number of real-world locations around Northern Ireland. Over 20 filming locations have been used in Northern Ireland, most of them outdoors, to represent different locations such as Winterfell, Lordsport Harbour, Dothraki Grasslands, Kingsroad, Robb Stark’s camp, and the forest of the direwolves.

Note that some filming locations are on private land and are not accessible, but most are open to the public. The locations have included Tollymore Forest, Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay, the Dark Hedges , Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, and Downhill Strand.

You see this list of the Games of Thrones filming sites in Northern Ireland to help you plan your itinerary.

You can visit many of these locations on your own, or you can join a tour. If you want to be amongst other fans and learn more behind-the-scenes information, there are many Game of Thrones themed tours that leave from Belfast and focus on GoT sites and attractions. Many also include the chance to use props and dress up like characters from the Game of Thrones for photos. Some are even led by those who worked on the show.

Here are a few tour options to consider:

• This full day tour includes 9 stops which include Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbor, Larrybane, and Cushenden Caves. Also visits the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge.
• This GoT day tour includes filming locations such as Dark Hedges, Carnlough Harbour, Cusheden Caves and Dunluce Castle. Tour also includes the Giant’s Causeway and a view of the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.
• This full day GoT tour includes visits to Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, and Tollymore Forest.
• This private guided day tour includes a guide who was an actors or extra in the Game of Thrones series

Go Whiskey Tasting

Ireland is well known for its whiskey and one of the most famous and oldest distilleries in Ireland is located in Northern Ireland. Along with Jameson in Dublin, Bushmills is one of the brands most associated with Irish whiskey worldwide.

Bushmills was established in 1784, although the first license to distill whiskey on the current site was granted back in 1608! Today, Bushmills is one of Ireland’s best selling Irish whiskey brands, offering both blended and single malt whiskeys. The whiskey is produced on the Bushmills Distillery site using water from Saint Columb’s Rill, a tributary of the River Bush.

Old Bushmills Distillery is a very popular place to visit and you can take a tour of the distillery to see how and where the whiskey is made, do a tasting, visit the gift shop, and/or have a meal here. Public tours are on a first come, first serve basis unless you are in a group of 15 or more so we recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before you want to do a tour. The distillery is about a 1.5 hour drive from Belfast city center.

Another whiskey distillery Echlinville Distillery , opened in 2013, also offers public tours and tastings. Be sure to make a reservation in advance if you wish to visit here. Echlinville was the first Northern Irish distillery to be granted a distilling license in almost 125 years! The distillery is located about a 50 minute drive from Belfast city center.

There are a number of distilleries expected to open throughout Ireland in the next several years, so if whiskey is a strong interest, I’d do some research on any recent openings. Just note that most distilleries when they first open are not offering their own whiskey yet.

If you do not have a car, you can reach Bushmills Distillery by bus or by a combo of bus and train. You can also book a private transfer or join a group tour that stops at the distillery, like this one .

Just note that most group tours only allow time for you to do a quick tasting, not a distillery tour.

Castles, Palaces, and Country Homes

The UK is known for its many castles, palaces, and stately homes, and Northern Ireland has several that are open to the public to visit. Most are located within a 1 hour drive of Belfast. Some are only open seasonally so do check dates and hours before planning your visit.

Here are several to get you started:

• Carrickfergus Castle – A 12th century castle built for Sir John de Courcy alongside the Belfast Lough (3 sides are surrounded by water). Today it is one of the best preserved medieval buildings in Northern Ireland. This castle saw a lot of action and was besieged  by the Scottish, Irish, English, and French and was used by the military until 1928. There is a fee to visit.
• Castle Coole – A 18th-century neo-classical mansion and landscape park in Enniskillen that was built for the Corry family. The property is now owned and managed by the National Trust but many of the contents of the mansion are still owned by the Earl Belmore (Corry family) who still lives on the estate. The house is open to the public in the summer months and the estate is open year-round. There is a fee to visit.
• Castle Ward – An 18th century mansion house built for Lord Bangor and his wife, known for having two different exterior architectural sides on each side (one side Palladian, one side Georgian Gothic). Estate also has a medieval tower house, farmyard, and gardens, and was home to the Ward family from 16th century until the estate was given to National Trust in 1952. Also a Game of Thrones filming location and there is a GOT archery experience offered here. There is a fee to visit.
• Dunluce Castle – A 15th century castle ruin perched alongside the sea that was lived in by the MacDonnell family until around 1690. Castle ruins are a popular stop for visitors on the Causeway Coastal route. There is a fee to visit.
• Hillsbourgh Castle – An 18th century Georgian house build for the Hill family. It is now an official government residence in Northern Ireland and managed by the Historic Royal Palaces. It is currently used as the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the official residence of the British Monarch and other member of the British royal family when visiting the region. Fee to visit and best to book in advance if you want to visit the house interior as tickets numbers and tour times are limited.
• Mount Stewart – A grand 19th-century neoclassical mansion house and garden in County Down built for the Marquesses of Londonderry. Now owned and managed by the National Trust. The property is well-known for its beautiful interiors, large collection of art and furniture, family memorabilia, and its world-class gardens. If you love gardens, we recommend visiting here in the late Spring or Summer months to see them in their full glory. Fee to visit.

Note that Castle Ward, Castle Coole, and Mount Stewart are all National Trust properties so members get free entrance. If you are planning to visit these, or other Trust properties in Northern Ireland such as the Giant’s Causeway or Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, you may save money with a National Trust Touring Pass .

So there is our list of things to do in Belfast Northern Ireland!  Have you been to Belfast? If so, any favorites among the above or places you’d add to this list? If you haven’t visited yet, which of these Belfast attractions would make it on your Belfast itinerary?

As always, feel free to ask us any questions you may have about things to do in Belfast or planning a trip to Northern Ireland!

Planning a trip to Belfast? Pin this article on Pinterest to read it later:

**Disclosure: We partnered with Discover Northern Ireland who helped us plan the logistics of our second trip to Belfast, and who also covered our accommodation and arranged some of our visits to local attractions in order for us to share our experiences as travel writers. However, as always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.**

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Evie mason Post author

December 21, 2023 at 3:50 am

I stumbled upon a fantastic Belfast itinerary that highlighted the must-visit spots in the city, and it really made my trip planning a breeze. So many helpful hints and great attractions reviewed here. The mention of the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre at Donegall Square was invaluable–helped me snag some discounts for my sightseeing tours and even a bike tour around the city.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

December 21, 2023 at 3:11 pm

Glad that you had such a wonderful visit to Belfast and that our Belfast Travel Guide was helpful to you in planning your trip. Sounds like you got a chance to do visit a lot of attractions and do a lot of tours, and glad you were able to find some discounts on a couple of your tours!

Best, Jessica

Janell Richison Post author

August 27, 2019 at 10:23 am

I love this site, and it is so informative, thanks so much. I am planning a trip in the very near future, after finding out my ancestry is far from what I thought it was, which I thought was just African and French, turned out to be anything but that. I did two test, and both came back with ties to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Finland, i.e. on the European side, and AMD (Age Macular Degeneration, being the only hereditary ailment, with a low risk, which is common in Ireland). In Ireland, the lineage points to Belfast, only; in Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Fife; in England Merseyside, Manchester, Wales, Lancashire, and Country Durham. That being said, is it possible to visit all of these places from Belfast? My twin and I would love to kill three birds with one stone. Any suggestions?

August 27, 2019 at 12:41 pm

Glad you are enjoying our travel blog! It is exciting to learn more about one’s genealogy and then go visit the places where one’s ancestors lived.

So it looks like your lineage points to all four countries of the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Wales is its own country (not part of England), but both are part of the UK. So that’s a lot of places to try to visit. How much time do you have? I’d recommend at least 2 weeks if you are trying to visit all these places.

Also note that some places you list are cities like Edinburgh and Manchester, but others are counties or regions like Lancashire and Fife, whereas one is an entire country (Wales). So unless you have a lot of time, you would want to narrow those places down to where you’d actually want to visit. For example, maybe you want to visit St. Andrews in Fife and Liverpool in Merseyside. Maybe you want to visit Cardiff and Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

Then I’d decide how you plan to get around. Are you wanting to get around by public transportation, join a tour (or series of tours), or drive yourself? Or some combination of those?

So yes, there are ferries that you can take from Belfast to Scotland as well as England. But you could not use it as a base to visit the other places as they are too far away. But it would be a good beginning or ending point for your trip.

If you want to try to see all (or most of these places) I’d probably recommend flying into London and leaving out of Belfast. Or flying into Belfast and leaving out of London.

Happy to help more once you have an idea of how much time you have and how you’d like to travel around the UK.

Tamara W Post author

July 22, 2019 at 8:33 pm

I love your site! It is very well organized. I’ve spent some time in Northern Ireland on two separate occasions and can vouch for all you have said about the people (the best that I’ve ever met….but I must include Dubliners, as well) and how they do not know their own land as well as they would like. I would like to add that the Mourne Mountains are GORGEOUS and about an hour’s cab drive (but trains go there as well).

My favorite spot is all the way down to the border to Rostrevor for Kilbroney Nature Park overlooking Carlingford Lough. Stunning landscape and views in summer when the heather is in bloom! Beautiful hiking with very good facilities. Also, there is a LOT to do in Bangor which is a 20-minute cab drive (trains and busses also will take you there) from Belfast City Center. In Bangor you will see the marina, the excellent North Down Museum, Bangor Castle and more. Birthplace of Christianity in Ireland! For C.S. Lewis fans, the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn nearby is where many literary authors used to hang out, and where C.S. Lewis took his friends and honeymooned with his wife Helen Joy Davidman. There is a statue to Amy Carmichael, missionary to southern India and founder of Dohnavur Fellowship there, at Hamilton Road Prebyterian Church, as Amy’s family was significant in Millisle where she was from, and then Belfast as well.

In Belfast, you can see her church and mission that is still going in the Shankill district (“The Welcome Evangelical Church” and its new facility for the disabled “The Amy Carmichael Center” next door). Down the road from the Mission is a statue of the mill worker girls called “shawlies” that Amy helped and the old mill where they worked is across the street from the statue. The Welcome church was built just for the mill girls so they could go to church. There are a HOST of C.S. Lewis sites: The Shand Theatre, Campbell College, St. Mark’s (where his grandfather was rector and there is a red door with a lion door pull that played a large part of Lewis’s Aslan imaginings), his home Little Lea on Circle Street, his mural on the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour of Belfast, etc. I had more fun with the extremely friendly cab drivers showing them where these places are and what these Belfastians did that they were not aware of. They were happy to learn about it!

I am looking at your Dublin itinerary and will keep coming back as I am planning a third trip out to extend the trip. Glenlara Elite Travel did a WONDERFUL tour of the Antrim Coast if anyone is interested. Frances is an excellent tour guide and made our trip just amazing. Cave Hill park is one of my favorite in-town hikes. Also St. George’s Market in downtown for shopping.

July 23, 2019 at 3:50 am

Hi Tamara, So glad you are enjoying our posts on Dublin and Belfast and thanks for providing some of our favorite places in Northern Ireland. We have mainly explored Belfast and surround and then along the coast, but there is definitely much more to see in Northern Ireland and you have listed a number of places we have not been like Bangor. We will have to go there on our next visit! Yes, Cave Hill is nice place to hike in Belfast and we list a few places you might want to try next time if you haven’t been in our Belfast itinerary.

We agree that Dublin is great as well and plenty to do there and in the surrounding area! Wishing you a wonderful return to Ireland & Northern Ireland!

Bea Post author

December 31, 2018 at 2:41 am

I am very keen to visit Northern Ireland this year! Looks like I have great things to look forward to 🙂

January 1, 2019 at 1:28 pm

Hi Bea, Yes, there is lots to do and see in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland. Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip. Best, Jessica

Anisa Post author

December 30, 2018 at 12:24 pm

I have wanted to go to Belfast for a few years now but haven’t made it yet. This is a great guide, so comprehensive as always. The Titanic Museum is top of my list, but I also want to go to Giants Causeway. Hopefully, I can find a weekend to fit it in soon. Happy New Year to you both

December 30, 2018 at 4:43 pm

Hi Anisa, Hope you can a chance to visit Belfast soon. Have a wonderful New Year’s! Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

December 30, 2018 at 3:03 am

Quite an extensive guide to Belfast you have here! There definitely seems to be way more things to do than I originally knew about! I’m especially interested in the Opera House! Saved for later! Happy Holidays!

December 30, 2018 at 6:29 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, if you like opera houses, the Grand Opera House is the only Victorian theater remaining in Northern Ireland. It will be getting a facelift in 2020 😉 Best, Jessica

Anda Post author

December 29, 2018 at 3:53 pm

Excellent travel guide, like always! I’m going to bookmark this for our future travel plans. My husband and I always wanted to visit Ireland and if we make it there we’ll definitely want to see Belfast. Having so much useful information in one single post will make my life so much easier. I usually have to search the web for hours and hours, before I am able to put together a decent itinerary. Thanks for sharing this, Jessica. I wish you and Laurence a wonderful New Year!

December 29, 2018 at 4:57 pm

Hi Anda, Yes, I had been working on this post for a while and I actually took some places off the list that we visited as there were just so many. We were really surprised how many thing we have done there!

If you go to Ireland, I hope you get a chance to visit, there are lots of neat things to see/do in Belfast and Northern Ireland in general. All of Ireland is great of course (we still have much more to see ourselves!) but I do have some special feelings towards Belfast.

In many parts of the UK, people still look at you a bit strange if you say you are going to go spend time in Belfast as most people lived through The Troubles and you did not go to Belfast “for fun”. But we really have loved our two visits. On a few of the tours we did, we were the only people not from Ireland as so many Irish people told us that they never really had the chance to explore their own city growing up and they are excited about all the new things that are available now. It was really nice to be able to hear their stories and hear about how much they’ve seen the city change. It is great to hear about positive change and to see so many derelict buildings getting a second life.

Wishing you and your husband a wonderful 2019!!

Jill Post author

December 29, 2018 at 2:44 pm

I’m visiting Ireland for my first time next year and I’m so excited. Unfortunately, due to time constraints I won’t be visiting Northern Ireland but I am sure I will be back. I’ve heard such wonderful things about Belfast that I know I will visit it someday!

December 29, 2018 at 4:37 pm

Hi Jill, Ireland is a great country to explore and I am sure you’ll have a great trip. If you are going to Dublin, we do have a 3 day Dublin itinerary that may be useful in planning your time there. Northern Ireland will still be there next time, we’d recommend a week to see many of the highlights. Northern Ireland is easy to combine with a trip to the rest of Ireland as well as Scotland as well as there are regular daily ferries between the two 😉 Happy travels! Jessica

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38 Best Things to Do in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Written By: The Planet D

Northern Ireland

Updated On: April 4, 2024

Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a city that must be added to any Ireland Itinerary. It’s a place where the blend of past and present offers an exhilarating array of things to do. Trace the steps of history at the shipyards where the Titanic’s story began, explore its iconic landmarks from tales behind the Crumlin Road Gaol, or meander through the paths of the Botanic Gardens. We took a journey through Belfast, where each corner has a story, and the list of things to do in Belfast unfolds with a treasure trove of experiences. So, stock up on your British pounds and learn how to convert from kilometers to miles, we’re taking you on a journey of all the best places to visit in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Table of Contents

Top Things to do in Belfast

Located just two hours north of Dublin , Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom (not the Republic of Ireland). Belfast may be just a hop, skip, and jump from Ireland’s more famous city, but it feels worlds away. Check RentalCars.com for car rental comparisons.

1. Titanic Belfast

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular things to do in Belfast is to visit Titanic Belfast. This incredible interactive museum is dedicated to the ill-fated Titanic voyage. The RMS Titanic was built right here in the shipyards of Belfast. This huge museum takes you through the journey of building the Titanic to the rescue of survivors off the coast of Canada.

Titanic Belfast houses multimedia displays that share first-hand account stories playing over loudspeakers as you walk through its galleries showcasing replicas of rooms on the Titanic and relics salvaged from the site.

There’s a Disney-like ride in the middle of the self-guided tour where you hop on a ride as you journey to the bottom of the ship, gliding through the bowels of the mighty ship. We have visited this museum three times, and we always find something new. The best time to visit Titanic Belfast is early in the morning. This is the most popular attraction in Belfast, and tour busses arrive quickly, so stay ahead of the crowds by being first in line.

Get your tickets ahead of time so that you can walk right in instead of standing in line for entry tickets. Read more about another Titanic Museum in Canada: The Best Things to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
• Website: Titanic Belfast
• Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP, UK

2. SS Nomadic

Once you finish off in Titanic Belfast, your ticket includes a self-guided tour of the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world. It’s an interesting stop to see firsthand what it was like to step aboard the Titanic.

The SS Nomadic was used to ferry passengers to the Titanic and was built with the same finishes as the Titanic herself, giving you a first-hand look at what it was like for passengers on the Titanic.

It was often referred to as the mini Titanic as it was built alongside the ship and is exactly one-third its size. Its most famous voyage took first and second-class passengers from Cherbourg, France, to the deeper waters to board the Titanic. It did not follow the Titanic’s fate, however, and served for another 50 years, seeing many famous passengers walk its halls, including Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.

• Website: Explore SS Nomadic
• Address: Hamilton Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK

3. Titanic’s Dock and Pumphouse

When visiting Belfast, you’ll probably spend a good chunk of your time in the Titanic Quarter learning about the city’s maritime history. The Titanic Quarter centers around the former Harland & Wolff shipyard and it’s worth spending a few hours in this area taking in its fascinating history. You don’t necessarily need to go inside Titanic Belfast for the Titanic Experience.

See where the massive ship sat in the dry dock before launching. This is where the Titanic was constructed and you can walk its entire footprint. Visitors can descend 44 feet (13 meters). Located right next door is the pumphouse that was used to drain water from the dock that was then known as the Thompson Dry Dock today there are exhibits and machinery used when building the Titanic on display.

Address: NI Science Park, Queens Rd, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK

4. Titanic Hotel

Even if you are not staying in the Titanic Hotel, it’s worth going inside for a drink or to grab some lunch. Half hotel, half museum, this historic hotel is located directly across the street from Titanic Belfast. Located in the former headquarters of Harland & Wolff, the builders of the Titanic, there are historic photographs, vintage posters, and memorabilia from the heydays of the White Star Lines.

The Drawing Offices and half a dozen key heritage rooms within the hotel are open to public tours (subject to availability) providing an opportunity to view the artifacts, restoration works, and interior decoration of this important maritime heritage building. Tours can be booked to see the art deco themed rooms, and former offices including Lord Pirries Office and the Corridor of Power.

• Book your stay at the Titanic Hotel
• Address: Titanic Quarter, 8 Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK

5. Titanic Studios

One of Europe’s largest film studios is located in the Titanic Quarter. Game of Thrones was filmed right within these walls. While it is still a working studio and there aren’t any tours, you can go to another studio tour just 30 minutes outside the city. But if you take a stroll by, you just may catch a glimpse of your favourite Hollywood or UK movie star.

6. Linen Mill Studio Tours – Game of Thrones

Linen Mill Studios is an incredible interactive museum dedicated to Game of Thrones. During its filming, many integral scenes were filmed right in these studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. This is one of the best museums we’ve ever visited and Game of Thrones fans will want to spend at least a few hours participating in the exhibits. Read about our full experience here.

Walk through authentic sets and stand side by side with John Snow and Arya Stark as you admire recreations of iconic sets such as The Night’s Watch and Kings Landing. You can sit on the Iron Throne, create your own sigil, and try your hand at capture motion. It’s truly a movie buff’s dream. Read more: A Game of Thrones Tour of Northern Ireland

There is even a gift shop where you can pick up some of your favourite Game of Thrones memorabilia.

• Opening Hours: August 9:30am- 7:30pm / Nov – Dec 10:00 am to 5:30 pm / All other months 10:00am to 6:30 pm
• Website: Game of Thrones Studio Tour Address: 245 Castlewellan Rd, Banbridge BT32 3SG, UK
• Free parking with shuttle to museum and there is a coffee shop on site.

7. HMS Caroline

The HMS Caroline is a restored warship from World War I. It is a floating museum that you can do self-guided tours on to learn about its history and what life was like on board the last remaining British WW1 light cruiser still afloat. It is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland. It has been closed since 2020 but is scheduled to reopen later this summer.

• Opening Hours: Closed
• Address: Alexandra Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK

8. Samson & Goliath Cranes

You can’t help but notice the two giant yellow cranes towering above the Titanic Quarter. The cranes have become a symbol of Belfast hailing to a time when it was home to the largest shipbuilders in the world.

They are not in operation anymore, but they are protected and will remain a part of Belfast’s heritage for years to come. When in operation, they could lift 840 tonnes. Goliath stands 96 meters high, while Samson is 106 metres tall.

9. Glass of Thrones

Strolling along the waterfront from the Titanic Quarter to downtown isn’t your usual waterfront walk. There are plenty of stops and attractions along the way, most notably the Glass of Thrones. Paying tribute to Game of Thrones, there are six stained glass exhibits housing scenes from the popular HBO Series. Check out Game of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real-life

Each stained glass displays a different house or key moment in the Game of Thrones, representing the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, Targaryens, White Walkers, and the Iron Throne. Watch for them as you walk the Maritime Mile from HMS Caroline past Titanic Studios to the AC Hotel across the river.

• Address for display near HMS Caroline 11 Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9AD, UK

All Glass of Thrones Locations

The six stained-glass exhibits line the waterfront trails. Many people walk in the opposite direction starting at AC Belfast and ending at HMS Caroline. Here is a list of all the windows.

• Glass 1: Stark at AC Belfast
• Glass 2: Baratheon at Lagan Weir 
• Glass 3: Targaryeon at Odyssey 
• Glass 4: White Walkers at SS Nomadic 
• Glass 5: The Iron Throne at Titanic Slipway 
• Glass 6: Lannister at HMS Caroline

10. Titanic Walkway

Located within the Maritime Mile is the Titanic Walkway that spans from Victoria Wharf which connects the Titanic Slipways and Alexandra Dock. The Mew Lighthouse is featured at the end of the wharf with a modern installation housing the 130-year-old lighthouse that in its time was one of the largest optics ever made.

• Address: Titanic Quarter, The Maritime Mile, Belfast BT3 9FH, UK

11. Belfast City Hall

It’s worth taking a stroll around Belfast City Hall to see its lovely architecture and the grounds of the civic buildings of Belfast City Council. There are plenty of displays and memorials around City Hall, including the Titanic Memorial Gardens. Make sure to visit it at dusk to see it lit up with colorful lighting.

Due to its booming population, economy, and industrial advancements, Queen Victoria granted Belfast city status in 1888. Soon after, City Hall was constructed to mirror the city’s expanding prosperity,

You can also book tours of Belfast City Hall, they happen every day and are free. The experienced guide will take you on an hour-long tour through the building. No reservations are needed, tours are available on a first come first served basis.

• Website – www.belfastcity.gov.uk
• Address: Donegall Square N, Belfast BT1 5GS, UK

12. Victoria Square Shopping Center

We stumbled upon this Belfast attraction by accident. Wanting to take a shortcut back to our hotel, we noticed Victoria Square among the walking streets of downtown Belfast. Located in the heart of Belfast City Centre, Victoria Square was a lovely shopping centre with name-brand stores in a covered gallery.

When we entered the modern shopping center we noticed a high-tech dome in its center. We’d already been walking a lot that day and were happy to see an elevator to the top. We came out to a panoramic view of the city of Belfast.

13. Victoria Square lookout

There are in-house tour guides to offer guidance on the sights, but luckily for us, there was a local man with his daughter up there with us who pointed out Belfast attractions such as Belfast City Hall, The Titanic Quarter, and Cave Hill. It’s free to enter and one of the things to do in Belfast that we highly recommend.

From the Victoria Square lookout, we had a panoramic view of Belfast city and the surrounding area. You can walk up or take the elevator to the top of the lookout.

14. Black Taxi Tour

During our first trip to Belfast, we took a Black Taxi political tour through Shankhill Roads and Falls Road. This was a fascinating tour through the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods of Belfast that are still divided today. The 25-foot-high walls divide the areas where strong lines are drawn between Loyalists and nationalists.

The gates are still locked today, and since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, more walls have been built to divide territories. The walls are called Peace Walls which are designed to keep the peace in the neighborhoods. There is a tenuous peace between the two communities in Northern Ireland, and they still feel the division, but these walls keep that feeling of safety. Book your tour at TouringBelfast.com

The Troubles

When thinking of Belfast in Northern Ireland , people often envision The Troubles of the 20th century, where religions fuelled violence and divided the city (quite literally). The long walls separating the areas of Shankhill Road and Falls Road are still standing today. However, the Northern Ireland Executive is working to dismantle them. It has been a slow process, so for now, they are still standing.

During our first few visits to Belfast, we were guilty of focusing only on the troubles and doing day trips to the Causeway Coast. When visiting again, we spent more time in the city centre to really discover things to do in Belfast that set it apart from other European cities. Today, Belfast is so much more than a city struggling with religious differences. There are many things to do in Belfast that set it apart from its troubling past and make for an amazing city to visit.

15. Taxi Tour Today

We took another tour this summer and noticed a difference from our Black Taxi Tour a few years ago. Today, our drive didn’t focus as much on the political tour as he did on talking about positive messages. While the murals are still standing, there seem to be fewer than we remember.

Our driver said that they are trying to create new role models and build the community. It was good to take two different tours, as the Black Taxi tours don’t only focus on politics. We went through all the quarters of Belfast getting an overview of the city which helped us get our bearings and navigate where to go next on our own.

16. Crumlin Road Gaol (Jail)

One of the places you’ll drive by during your taxi tours is the Crumlin Road Gaol, but make sure to go back and visit it properly. Gaol is the word for jail in Gaelic. This was a working jail up until 1996 and both republican and loyalist prisoners were held here including women and children.

Here, we learned where the phrase, “take him down originated” The Crumlin Road Gaol is located directly across from the Crumlin Road Courthouse. When a person was condemned, they were taken down to an underground tunnel connected directly to the jail. Your visit includes a walk to this tunnel. You’ll also see the prison cells and execution cells where the majority of the 17 men were executed.

17. Street Murals and Political Murals

One of the best ways to see the political murals is to take a black taxi political tour, but we have also explored them on our own. During our first visit to Belfast more than a decade ago, the Shankhill and Falls Roads murals were all political murals, but they are now interspersed with street art and positive messages of looking forward while still paying tribute to the past and those who gave their lives for their cause.

The murals are important in Belfast culture, depicting historic events from Shankhill Road to Clonard Martyrs Memorial Gardens and the walls along Falls Road. We got in our rental car and drove around the neighborhoods, searching for murals and memorials. One of the easiest ways to find murals we didn’t know of was to look for the black taxis. They were pretty easy to find.

If you don’t have a rental car, this tour is a great option  when visiting Belfast to learn the story of “The Troubles” and events in Northern Ireland’s tumultuous history. You’ll discover the Belfast murals and go through the former conflict areas of The Falls and Shankill Road.

18. Belfast Castle

It took us three visits to Belfast before we finally stopped at Belfast Castle. Located in Cavehill Country Park, Belfast castle stands high above Belfast on a hill within the grounds of Cave Hill Country Park. It is free to enter and inside you can tour its rooms and grab a bite to eat at the cafe.

We felt like we had the rooms to ourselves as we walked through the floors. It didn’t take long, but it’s always cool to go inside. We also explored a bit of the hiking trails and if you are into that sort of thing, the Belfast Zoo is located nearby.

There is free parking for the castle and a coffee shop inside.

19. Cave Hill Country Park

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to truly explore Cave Hill Country Park, but for outdoor lovers, this is one of the best things to do in Belfast. It can easily be combined with a tour of Belfast Castle. explore the caves but you can explore the history and caves along this historic 7.2 km path (4.5 miles) in around 3 hours.

There are plenty of things to keep you occupied for an afternoon at Cave Hill Country Park, including hiking trails to archaeological sites and gardens leading to Belfast Castle. Whether you are in the mood for a serious hike or a casual walk, there’s something for everyone.

A fun fact is that the hill that Cave Hil Country Park is situated on is believed to have been the inspiration for Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels.

20. Colin Glen Forest Park

Nestled on the outskirts of Belfast, Colin Glen Forest Park is a great place for families. As a sprawling woodland located in the Belfast Hills, this park has a SkyTrek high ropes course, and the exhilarating Black Bull Run, Ireland’s first official Alpine Coaster.

This is one of Belfast’s most popular attractions as tourists and locals alike spend a day Colin Glen Forest Park to enjoy outdoor activities like golfing at the state-of-the-art Toptracer driving range. Whether you’re hiking through its forest paths, taking in the panoramic views, or seeking adrenaline-pumping activities, Colin Glen is a must-visit destination on any Belfast itinerary.

21. Belfast’s Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are located in the university district, and a visit here can be combined with a trip to the Ulster Museum. This area is just about one mile from the Belfast city centre and is within walking distance from City Hall.

Established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, Belfast’s Botanic Gardens are a quiet retreat within the busy university area of bustling Belfast. Don’t miss stopping by its greenhouse to see an early example of this iron glasshouse.

Make sure to go inside the Palm House standing at the heart of the gardens. This iconic Victorian greenhouse invites visitors to explore its two wings: the cool wing, home to temperate plants worldwide, and the tropical wing, where exotic plants and towering palm trees thrive. There is also a coffee shop in the Botanic Gardens where you can grab a coffee and relax.

22. Lady Dixon Park

If you want more outdoor experiences in Belfast, Lady Dixon Park is another option. Located in South Belfast, Lady Dixon Park is an extensive park dedicated to the memory of Lady Edith Dixon, who is renowned for her significant contribution to the city’s greenery.

Lady Dixon Park features a rose garden that hosts an annual Rose Week festival, drawing visitors from all over. Ideal for families, nature lovers, and those looking to unwind, the park offers a variety of activities.

Visitors can enjoy walking trails that wind through woodland and along the River Lagan, spacious picnic areas for a leisurely lunch, and playgrounds for younger guests. The park is also equipped with a café for refreshments. Whether you’re interested in a peaceful stroll, bird watching, or simply enjoying the outdoors.

23. Ulster Museum

Located within the Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum is the largest museum in Northern Ireland. When visiting the Ulster Museum, you’ll take a walk through history dating back to the dinosaurs through to the history of Northern Ireland to today.

Ulster Museum is part of the national museums and galleries of Northern Ireland combined with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Art Museum, which is worth stopping to see just outside of Belfast.

24. Queen’s University

After visiting the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum, take a stroll over to another famous Belfast Landmark at Queen’s University. This area is a great place to hang out and the buildings of Queen’s University offer some of the greatest architectural designs in the country. In fact, the Lanyon Building is often seen in advertising for Northern Ireland Tourism.

As with the case of visiting so many cities, we love strolling university grounds. They are the heartbeat of the city with gorgeous architecture, and Queen’s University in Belfast reminded us a bit of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

25. St. Anne’s Cathedral

No visit to any European city would be complete without visiting its cathedral, and Belfast is no exception. St. Anne’s Cathedral (Also known as the Belfast Cathedral) is aptly located in the Cathedral Quarter. The cathedral began construction on the sight of St. Anne’s parish Church in 1895 after deciding that a cathedral was needed in the city.

Fun fact, St. Anne’s Parish church was used until 1903 as the building was built up around it. It took another 80 years to complete. Between the World Wars, The Troubles, and inflation there were several delays in completing St. Anne

St. Anne’s Cathedral is less than a kilometer from the Belfast city centre. You can book tours of the Cathedral Quarter.

26. Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC)

Located directly behind St. Anne’s Cathedral in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, The Metropolitan Arts Centre is a place for music, art exhibitions, and live theatre. If you are looking for things to do in Belfast at night, check out one of the performances here.

Or you can go inside during your stop at the Belfast Cathedral to peruse its galleries. Exhibitions are free, and you can try your hand at creating some of your own art at its interactive imagination stations. (Donations welcome)

27. The Salmon of Knowledge (The Big Fish)

One of our favourite things to do in Belfast is to stroll along the waterfront taking in the sights from Titanic Belfast to the Belfast City Centre. From Glass of Thrones displays to the other murals including the Big Fish at Lagan Lookout.

This is a great place to cross the Lagan River to begin your walk towards Belfast City Centre as from the fish, there are plenty of attractions. Take in the views of the river, before heading up Queen’s Square to see the Albert Memorial Clock.

28. Albert Memorial Clock

Pisa may be the most famous leaning tower in the world, but Belfast has its own leaning tower with the Albert Memorial Clock. The tower was built on reclaimed land and weighs a whopping 1,000 tonnes which caused it to sing into the ground. Whether you are walking or taking a tour, it’s easy to see the lean of the tower

29. Go, Pub Hopping

No trip to Belfast (or Ireland for that matter) would be complete without visiting its pubs throughout central Belfast. If you are looking for things to do in Belfast at night, head out to the bars around Belfast city center and go pub hopping. Make sure to start at McHughs Bar located just a hop skip and a jump from Albert Memorial Clock. It dates back to 1711 making it the oldest surviving pub in Belfast.

30. Crown Liquor Saloon

Located on Grand Victoria Street, the Crown Liquor Saloon is a beautifully preserved Victorian gin palace owned by the National Trust.

One of Northern Ireland’s best-known pubs, the Crown Liquor Saloon, dates back to 1826 and was once the mightiest of Victorian gin palaces. Its ornate exterior attracts customers from around the world, and inside, it has been meticulously restored by the national trust. It is probably one of the most beautiful pubs you’ll ever visit.

31. St. George’s Market

Who doesn’t love a market? St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. If you happen to be in Belfast on a Friday, check out St George’s market that has been running on this exact site since 1604. It is also open on Saturdays and Sundays for the City Food and Craft Market with rotating craft, food, antique and garden markets.

Food lovers can indulge in various culinary delights, from gourmet street food to fresh, local produce, making it an ideal spot for a delicious breakfast or lunch.

Meanwhile, craft aficionados will find themselves enthralled by the variety of handmade goods, ranging from jewelry to ceramics and beyond. Whether you’re after a taste of Northern Ireland’s culinary offerings or searching for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, a visit to St George’s Market is an essential part of any Belfast itinerary.

32. Parliament Buildings (Stormont)

The Parliament Buildings of Northern Ireland are located on the Stormont Estate in East Belfast and are often referred to simply as Stormont. The seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly offers visitors a chance to explore Northern Ireland’s political history and enjoy walking trails in the surrounding parkland.

The parliament buildings are open to the public for free guided tours from 9:00AM to 4:00PM daily. (closed on public and bank holidays). It is an interesting thing to tour parliament buildings, we have done so a couple of times in our nation’s capital of Ottawa Canada.

The Parliament Buildings are located in Stormont Park, where you can enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of Belfast. There is a 4km long woodland walk and even a 1.6km fitness trail with outdoor gym equipment.

33. Grand Opera House Belfast

If you want to catch a live performance in Belfast, consider booking tickets to a show at the Grand Opera House Belfast. From ballet to opera to musical theatre, it has it all.

If you don’t catch a show, consider taking a tour of the Grand Opera House Heritage Exhibition to explore this venue that has been a large part of the city’s history. The Grand Opera House has a 125 year history where the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Luciano Pavarotti have walked its halls.

Located on Great Victoria Street the Grand Opera House is a splendid example of Victorian architecture that has hosted countless performances since its opening in 1895.

34. Belfast Barge Museum

A great complement to your Titanic Belfast tour is to visit the Belfast Barge Museum. This permanent exhibit showcases what is called “The Greatest Story Never Told.” Learn of the people who worked on the River Lagan, most notably Harland & Wolfe, the company that built The Titanic.

The Museum is free to enter and is worth giving a donation to see its artifacts and visual displays from this bygone era.

35. Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Located just outside Belfast, The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum offers a unique glimpse into Northern Ireland’s past. This expansive museum is divided into two distinct sections: the Folk Museum, where visitors can wander through a meticulously recreated early 20th-century town, complete with costumed actors and traditional crafts, and the Transport Museum, which houses an impressive collection of steam locomotives, electric trams, motorcycles, and automobiles, showcasing the evolution of transport in the region.

Ideal for history buffs, families, and anyone interested in the cultural heritage and technological advancements of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum provides an educational and enjoyable day out. With its interactive exhibits and picturesque setting, it ranks high on the list of must-visit destinations for those exploring the best things to do in Belfast and its surrounding areas.

36. Mussenden Temple

Belfast is a great place to make a base in Northern Ireland and because many of the top Belfast attractions are just a short drive away, you can see a lot of the country quickly.

37. Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges aren’t as lush and attractive as they once were after pruning in recent years, but they are still one of Northern Ireland’s most photographed attractions. This beautiful row of beech trees lines an old country lane. It has gained in popularity thanks to Game of Thrones which featured it in season one as Arya Stark rode away from King’s Landing along the King’s Road. Read more: The Dark Hedges of Northern Ireland – Tips to Visit and What you Need to Know

The Dark Hedges are located on Bregagh Road on privately owned land. So please be respectful as they are in bad shape. In an independent expert review, it was revealed that 11 out of 86 trees along the road were in deteriorating condition, presenting a possible danger to the public. 6 trees have been removed, and 4 others are being monitored.

Derry ended up being one of our favorite places to visit in Northern Ireland and it can be done on a day trip from Belfast. Officially known as Londonderry by the British Government, Derry is a small city that can be explored in a day or two. Derry was ground zero for the troubles and when walking through the Bogside area of Derry, you’ll still see murals and monuments to victims of Bloody Sunday and the conflict.

The walls of Derry are our favourite Londonderry attraction. It surrounds the city centre and is considered one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe. A visit to Derry is a fascinating way to learn about Northern Ireland’s history. Read more: Things to do in Derry – Londonderry, Northern Ireland

39. Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s most famous attraction, and it is just a 90-minute drive from Belfast City Hall. This extraordinary natural phenomenon was formed by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. The UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases more than 40 thousand basalt pillars that are stacked perfectly, leading out to the sea.

It looks as if each pillar has been laid there by some sort of giant entity. In fact, there is a legend about the Giant’s Causeway and how the giant Fionn McCool built it. Read more: How To Visit the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular day trips from Belfast and it can easily be done in just one day. However, we suggest staying overnight at the Causeway Hotel so that you can visit at sunrise and sunset before the tour busses arrive.

If you don’t have the time or the budget, you can book this highly rated day trip from Belfast to Giant’s Cause to explore it and other attractions on the Causeway Coast.

Where to Eat in Belfast

Dining in Northern Ireland has come a long way baby and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experiences in Belfast. These venues were modern with sophistaced foods and wine pairings.

• Deane’s Meat Locker – Meat lovers will enjoy this restaurant but there are vegetarian choices as well.
• James Street & Co – fantastic cocktails, fine wine and grilled dishes with a modern feel
• Drawing Office – Located in the Titanic Belfast Hotel this is a great stop for lunch or an elegant dinner.

Where to Stay in Belfast

Ten Square Hotel Belfast – We stayed at the Ten Square Hotel and can highly recommend it. Located directly across from Belfast City Hall, we loved this hotel. We were within walking distance of many attractions and the rooms were modern and chic.

Titanic Hotel Belfast – We didn’t stay here, but we did tour it and if you want to explore more of Titanic Belfast, this is an excellent location. It’s not located in the city center, so you’ll really only be near Titanic Quarter attractions, but this historic hotel will take you back in time with restored art-deco themed rooms and the grand elegance from the era of the Titanic.

How to Get to Belfast

We drove to Belfast from Dublin as it is only a two-hour drive between the cities. There are even day tours that will take you from Dublin should you only have a short amount of time.

You can also get to Belfast by bus and train. There is a direct train that connects Dublin from Dublin Connolly and arrives at Belfast Central.

International tourists will fly into Belfast International Airport.

If you are flying from Europe or anywhere within the United Kingdom, you will land at George Best Belfast City Airport, which is located just 5 minutes from Belfast City Centre.

Getting Around Belfast

Belfast is small, or as our taxi driver liked to say, it’s cozy. Belfast is easy to get around by walking, driving or taxi, and you can see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. We’ve visited Belfast on three separate occasions and found renting a car to be the best way to get around, but Black Taxi Tours and the Hop on Hop Off busses are also a fantastic way to see the top tourist attractions.

Belfast is a small city that is easy to get around. We found that many of the top Belfast attractions were within walking distance of the Belfast city center. Belfast is divided into four quarters that all meet at Belfast City Centre. North Belfast, East Belfast, South Belfast, and West Belfast.

A great place to start your trip to Belfast is to stop at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre where you can get in depth information on tours and you can pick up bus and rail tickets.

Belfast Districts

Belfast is then divided into 7 districts, The famous Titanic Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, Queen’s Quarter, Linen Quarter, Market Quarter, Gaeltacht Quarter, and Smithfield and Union Quarter

• Titanic Quarter – Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is one of the most popular places to visit in Belfast. Titanic Museum
• Cathedral Quarter – St. Anne’s Cathedral, street art of Hill Street, plenty of pubs and coffee shops.
• Queen’s Quarter – Named after Queen’s University, here is where you’ll find Ulster Museum and Belfast Botanic Gardens.
• Linen Quarter – The city’s center is situated around Belfast City Hall. Here you’ll find the Grand Opera House, the Crown Bar and plenty of other pubs and restaurants.
• Castle District – Belfast Castle, Cave Hill Country Park
• Gaeltacht Quarter – Murals and Peace Wall, Black Taxi Tours
• Smithfield and Union Quarter and Market Quarter

We have visited Belfast Northern several times on our own, with different tour companies and with the aid of Tourism Ireland.

• 27 Best Things to Do in Northern Ireland
• A Game of Thrones Tour of Northern Ireland
• The Dark Hedges of Northern Ireland – Tips to Visit and What you Need to Know
• 34 of the Best Things to do in Dublin, Ireland
• Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland: Best Areas and Hotels for Every Budget
• 23 of The Very Best Things to do in Ireland

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

How To Visit the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

The Ultimate Causeway Coastal Route Itinerary, Northern Ireland

Things to do in Derry – Londonderry, Northern Ireland

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Wow! this place is looking so beautiful and You shared amazing information about beautiful Belfast. Love your photos. Thanks…

The Perfect 1, 2, or 3 Days in Belfast Itinerary

Last Updated on May 22, 2023

by Lizzie Fitzgerald

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Belfast isn’t usually top of the list for Irish destinations but this is a gross oversight. Just 1, 2, or 3 days in Belfast can offer you a world of insight into the island’s captivating history but also delivers tons of unexpected gems in and around the city. A typical Belfast itinerary is actually a speedy affair on a bus from Dublin but do yourself a favour and stay a few days to really to know the city and some of the nearby attractions.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Belfast?

Belfast has many faces and the question of how many days to spend in Belfast should be determined by what you want to gain from the experience.

To even begin to explore the many threads of the political and historical tapestry here, you will need at least 1 day, but compressing 400 years of history won’t be an easy task.

With 2 days in Belfast, you can fill up on an Ulster fry, visit a few pubs, and do all things Titanic related.

Outside the city are also several must-see stops and you will need at least 3 days if you want to see major attractions like the Dark Hedges and Giant’s Causeway on a day trip. 

Between all the historical sights and day trips, you need another whole day on your Belfast itinerary to just appreciate the city for what it is.

Getting To & Around Belfast

Belfast is easily accessible by a variety of transportation options. If you’re arriving by air, you can fly into Belfast International Airport or George Best Belfast City Airport, both of which offer flights to major cities across Europe and the UK.

If you prefer to get to Belfast by train, the city has two main train stations: Great Victoria Street and Belfast Central. Both stations have regular services to Dublin , as well as other cities across Northern Ireland and the UK.

One major thing to remember is to hold on tight to your train ticket if you booked a return trip. You cannot be reissued a ticket and you will have to buy a new one if seats are available. Save yourself the headache and guard it with your life!

Additionally, Belfast is well-connected by bus, with services to Dublin and other nearby cities. You can view bus schedules here.

You can also drive from Dublin to Belfast in about 2 hours and there are also many interesting stops to make along the way. If you need to rent a car for your trip, you can browse Rentalcars.com to compare options.

Once you arrive in Belfast, getting around the city is relatively easy. The Belfast city centre is compact and walkable, so it’s easy to explore on foot.

If you prefer to use public transportation, Belfast has an extensive bus network that covers most of the city. There is also a city bike-share scheme, which allows you to rent bikes from various locations around the city.

Overall, getting to and around Belfast is straightforward and convenient, with plenty of transportation options to suit different preferences and budgets.

1, 2 or 3 Days in Belfast Itinerary

Day 1 – belfast historic highlights.

The tumultuous history of Belfast and Northern Ireland in general has been well documented and you should spend 1 day in Belfast getting to know both sides of the story.

Black Cab Tour

Taking a black cab tour of Belfast is one of the best ways to learn about the troubles. Your driver cum guide is a local who was personally involved or affected by the unrest that has plagued the country.

They will take you to see the Peace Walls and drive to the famous murals in the residential areas including the famous painting of Bobby Sands.

These tours give you sobering insight into the strife of unionists and loyalists and you will visit the often-overlooked Irish Republican History Museum which delivers a poignant retelling of the civil war. You can book your tour here.

City Hall Tour

Belfast City Hall sits in the centre of Belfast on Donegall Square. One of the best ways to experience this impressive building is through a free guided tour, which offers an insight into the history, architecture, and cultural significance of City Hall.

The tour takes visitors through the various rooms and spaces of the building, including the impressive Great Hall, the Council Chamber, and the elegant Reception Room.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of the city, the role of City Hall in local government, and the various events and ceremonies that take place here throughout the year.

Crumlin Road Gaol

Every major city across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has a historic prison to visit. In Belfast, you can go to Crumlin Road Gaol.

The prison was in operation for over 150 years and was the site of many important events in Northern Ireland’s troubled history.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the prison, which includes the old cells and the execution chamber, and learn about the prison’s history and the lives of the inmates who were held there.

Parliament Building Tour

If you’re interested in politics and history, a tour of the Northern Ireland Parliament Building is a fascinating experience. Located in the Stormont Estate on the outskirts of Belfast, the building is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of the building and the role it plays in the political and cultural life of Northern Ireland.

You’ll visit the impressive Senate Chamber and Assembly Hall, where the country’s politicians debate and make decisions, and see the beautiful artworks and artefacts that decorate the building.

While you are there, pop into the café to enjoy a deliciously warm scone as you drink in the views from the top of the hill.

Day 2 – Titanic, Markets & More!

If you have 2 days in Belfast, spend this time sinking your teeth into classic tourist attractions and getting to know the best local haunts.

The Titanic Belfast

This is one of the main attractions and a top place to visit that pulls people to Belfast and it is worth every ounce of its tourist trap glory.

The impressive iceberg-shaped building sits on the very site where the iconic boat was built and takes you on the journey from conception to construction, its launch, and ultimately to its final resting place at the bottom of the ocean.

This is one of those museums where you are constantly impressed by how much they could have created with only a little.

We all know the story of the Titanic (sans Jack and Rose) but this experience takes you on an immersive journey through the shipyard and there are recreations of the cabins and lifeboats as well as a glass floor projection of the shipwreck that will have you reaching for your seasickness meds. You can pre-book tickets here.

St. George’s Market

St. George’s Market is one of the oldest and most popular attractions in Belfast. This historic indoor market has been a fixture of the city since the 19th century, and it’s still a vibrant hub of activity today.

Visitors can explore the market’s stalls, which sell everything from fresh produce and seafood to handmade crafts and souvenirs.

There’s also a food court where visitors can sample a range of local and international cuisines, making this an excellent lunch stop. If you’re interested in learning more about the food in Belfast, you can take a food tour.

The Victoria Square Dome

The Victoria Square Dome is a striking modern landmark that dominates Belfast’s skyline. This glass dome is part of the Victoria Square shopping centre and it is a quick and free thing to do in Belfast.

Take a lift to the top of the dome to be rewarded with panoramic views of Belfast and the surrounding countryside.

C.S. Lewis Square

C.S. Lewis Square is a charming public space that’s dedicated to the life and work of the famous author and theologian. The square is located in East Belfast and features a range of sculptures and installations that celebrate Lewis’s most famous works, including The Chronicles of Narnia.

Visitors can explore the square’s gardens and take in the sculptures, which include a life-sized depiction of Aslan the Lion.

Head to the pub

No visit to Belfast would be complete without a proper visit to a pub. Bittles Bar is one of the best pubs in Belfast to visit. It is intimate, colourful, and historic and you will be surrounded by paintings of famous figures from local history.

This is one of many fantastic pubs you can find on your trip to Belfast and there are countless that are great options. You’re sure to find some great, cosy vibes and a cool pint of Guinness wherever you choose to visit.

Day 3 – Causeway Coast 

There is a popular circular route from Belfast that takes you north, through the Glens of Antrim, along the coast, and back through the countryside.

You can visit these locations independently if you rent a car, which will give you the flexibility to skip some stops, spend more time at others or even visit Belfast Castle on your way out.

Otherwise, you can book a day tour such as this full-day tour or this full-day tour for a cost-effective and comprehensive experience that will quickly fill the third day in the Northern Irish capital.

Regardless of the option you choose, his day trip is perfect if you’re spending more than just a weekend in Belfast.

Giant’s Causeway

Samuel Johnson famously said that this natural wonder was “worth seeing, yes; but not worth going to see.” Oh, how wrong he was.

The Giant’s Causeway is a collection of hexagonal basalt columns paving a fabled path into the stormy Atlantic. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but it is surprisingly not too overrun with tourists (not all the time anyway). 

You can pay to enter through the visitor’s centre, however, it is actually free to visit the Causeway itself if you don’t park at or access the visitor’s centre.

There is a shuttle bus available, too but the walk down to the Causeway is lovely and downhill so save your money for the ride back up. Keep in mind that there are numerous longer walking trails at the Giant’s Causeway and you can easily spend a few hours here enjoying all it has to offer – especially if you like to hike around and get spectacular views.

Don’t just clammer around and take a few selfies. Grab a seat on one of the stones away from the crowd and take a second to soak it in.

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is a medieval ruin perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This historic site offers stunning views of the coastline and the surrounding countryside, as well as a glimpse into Northern Ireland’s rich history.

Visitors can explore the castle’s ruins and learn about its colourful past, which includes sieges, battles, and legends of ghosts and smugglers.

Ballintoy is a picturesque harbour village on the North Coast of Northern Ireland that was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones.

Visitors can explore the village’s quaint streets and colourful buildings, or take a walk along the harbour wall to enjoy views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. The nearby Ballintoy Church is as cute as it gets, and the village is also home to several historic buildings and ruins.

Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills Distillery is one of the oldest whiskey distilleries in Ireland, and it’s located in the town of Bushmills, just south of the Giant’s Causeway.

The distillery has been producing its famous Irish whiskey for over 400 years, using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations of master distillers.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the distillery, learn about the history and craft of whiskey production, and sample some of the distillery’s award-winning whiskeys. The tour takes you through the various stages of the whiskey-making process, from the malting of barley to the ageing of the spirit in oak casks.

If you are strapped for time, simply pop into the cosy tasting room and sample some of their finest malts, the perfect way to cap off a day of exploring.

Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges is another popular day trip destination that could be ruined by Instagrammers but if you time it just right it could be showstopping.

This beautiful avenue of beech trees has become famous in recent years due to its appearance in the hit TV series Game of Thrones and even if you aren’t familiar with the show, the eerie beauty of the avenue is undeniable.

Take a leisurely stroll along the avenue, admiring the stunning natural arches created by the intertwined branches. It is beautiful in all seasons and transforms from a lush leafy lane in the summer to the haunting, almost skeletal-looking King’s Road that was depicted in the series.

The Dark Hedges is located near the town of Ballymoney, and it’s easily accessible by car or bus from Belfast.

Where to Stay in Belfast

Harpers Boutique B&B – This boutique bed and breakfast in the Queen’s Quarter of Belfast is a great choice if you want a clean and comfy place to stay. They have stylish and comfortable rooms on offer and a great breakfast included in the price each morning.

The Warren Belfast – This centrally-located hotel is the perfect choice if you’re after a luxurious stay while exploring Belfast. Situated in the heart of the Queen’s Quarter, there are countless plush rooms available, great amenities, and a filling breakfast included in the room rate.

Central Belfast Apartments: Citygate – If you’d prefer self-catering facilities, then these fully-furnished apartments are a great choice with free parking and a great location in the centre of the city.

Vagabonds – One of the best hostel options in Belfast, this is a great option if you prefer a dorm bed or a private room in a social atmosphere.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Belfast hotels!

Whether you only have 1 day in Belfast or a few to spare, there is more than enough to do in town to fill your time. Strike a balance between historic sightseeing and fantastical attractions on your Belfast itinerary to fully appreciate all the city has to offer.

Are you planning to visit Belfast? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Lizzie Fitzgerald

Lizzie is a writer for The World Was Here First. She loves travelling and discovering new places but also often finds herself returning to her favourite destinations. She has a particular affinity for Greece where she has visited countless islands and destinations on the mainland.

Hello….Thanx for all of this invaluable information. we are contemplating visiting Ireland in early September of this year..Will be traveling to Belfast from Dublin…assume that there is an daily train from Dublin to Belfast which is the most direct path to take..from Belfast we are contemplating journeying to Edinburgh what is the best mode of transportation..should we fly or is there an ferry? need some direction here…thank you again so very very much….looking forward to hearing….regards…

Happy this was helpful! There are plenty of trains daily between Dublin & Belfast. I think best is to fly from Belfast to Edinburgh – it will save lots of time and you will be able to spend more of your holiday in your chosen destinations rather than in transit 🙂

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10 things every Belfast local knows

Jul 24, 2022 • 6 min read

Read on for everything you need to know, including the local lingo, before you visit Belfast © Steven Raymer / Getty Images

Belfast has boomed in the 21st century thanks to its vibrant arts scene, a culinary culture that has given rise to Michelin-recognised restaurants, a thriving television-and-movie industry that’s caused some to dub it the “Hollywood of Europe”, and gentrification projects celebrating local heritage in once-neglected neighborhoods. 

Though the capital of Northern Ireland is now a safe and increasingly popular place to travel, it was embroiled in violent sociopolitical conflict from 1968 to 1998. Peace has continued unabated since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, yet some still hold entrenched views over whether Northern Ireland should remain a part of the UK or join the Republic in a united Ireland.

This is the conversational topic you should avoid when visiting – it's a complex subject and respecting that fact is appropriate. This is especially important if you plan on venturing into areas around the city’s fractured peace lines. But don’t let this deter you – Belfast is a wonderful tourist destination and the locals are incredibly warm, funny and welcoming.

So, if you want to visit Belfast like a pro, keep the following 10 tips in mind.

The Belfast dialect is unique

The Belfast brogue is often praised for being one of the most pleasant accents in the Anglophone world. But you’ll notice the local vernacular is rife with slang, linguistic quirks and dialectic phrases that don’t always follow an obvious logic.    

“Craic” (pronounced as crack), means “fun” or “a good time”. If someone says “What’s the craic?” it means, “How’s it going?”. “What about ye?” or simply “Bout ye?” carries the same meaning. 

You’ll become well acquainted with the words “aye”, meaning “yes”, and “wee”, meaning “small”. People may use odd grammar, like “I says” or “Here’s me” when talking about something they said in the past tense. Many finish their sentences with a reaffirmation; a holdover from Belfast’s Celtic language routes. As an example: “I'm from Belfast, so I am.”   

If you frequent pubs, as Belfast natives are wont to do, you may encounter the word sláinte (pronounced “slawn-che”), meaning “cheers” in Irish Gaelic. In present company, you’re okay to repeat it, but be wary of using it elsewhere as the Irish language can be a conversational hot potato in unionist neighborhoods. 

Make restaurant reservations, particularly on the weekend

As Belfast’s restaurant scene has grown in stature, so have the waiting lists for its premier eateries. If you plan on sampling the Michelin-star fare – OX , Deanes EIPIC , and Muddlers Club currently make up the roster – make sure you book your weekend reservations early. The same applies to other fine dining options and the most popular theater shows in the city.  

Tipping is recommended, but not mandatory

Tipping 10 to 15% is usually standard in Belfast restaurants, especially during dinner times. There is no obligation – if you find service unsatisfactory, forgoing a tip is down to your own discretion – though Belfast’s competitive restaurant scene has fostered a workforce of high-quality front-of-house staff, knowledgeable sommeliers, and career waiters that usually merit a few extra quid (pounds) for their service skills. Also bear in mind, that some restaurants will include a gratuity on the bill.

Sundays can be sleepy

Because of its Christian roots – and the sanctity of the Lord’s day of rest – it was once common to see tourists wandering around Belfast city center on Sundays wondering why everything was shut. Though this has changed somewhat in recent years, there remains a stipulation that shops of 280 sq meters or more can only sell goods between 1pm and 6pm. Restaurants, bars and amenities stores may be open, but business hours will likely be affected. Most businesses will also shut down on religious holidays, such as Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Make sure to check in advance before venturing forth in spontaneity.

Always prepare for the possibility of rain

Northern Ireland’s climate is defined as “temperate”, with summer humidity, heavy winter snowfall and weather disasters exceedingly rare. That said, given Belfast’s northern latitude and coastal location, rain is never off the table. Carrying a rain jacket, umbrella or extra layer, even in the summer, is a good idea.   

Use sterling, not euros

Though Northern Ireland shares a porous border with the Republic of Ireland, which is in the Eurozone, pounds sterling is the traded currency. It’s also worth noting that Belfast is financially digitized, meaning you can use contactless payments in most bars, restaurants and shops.   

Use guided tours when visiting certain neighborhoods

Belfast’s street art is among the most powerful and provocative in the world. Depicting political prisoners, paramilitary groups, and the nexus where peace and conflict collide, the murals are reminders of Belfast's troubled past. Many are splashed across gable walls in politically divided neighborhoods, so it’s recommended you visit with a licensed tour guide. Not only will this add historical texture to the experience, but it will also help you avoid stumbling into areas deemed less safe for tourists. The Belfast Black Taxi Tour is the best option.

Belfast doesn’t have the most efficient transport network

Belfast hasn’t seen a tram since the 1950s, but in a recent attempt to streamline its public transport service, it introduced the Glider bus service – multiple journey tickets and travel cards are available . The Gliders currently run from East to West and from the Titanic Quarter to the city center. A north-to-south route is expected to be introduced, but not until 2027. There is a train system, but it's primarily used for transport between Belfast and surrounding towns and cities. Late-night services are currently non-existent. 

It’s fair to say this isn’t the most efficient transport system in the UK – evidenced by the fleets of cars chugging along Belfast’s streets – though taxi services are relatively affordable. Belfast is also quite compact, so walking around the city center should pose no issue for most travelers. Alternatively, you can use the Just Eat Belfast Bikes Scheme , which has 46 docking stations dotted throughout the city.

Private taxi firms still reign supreme over Uber

Belfast is Uber-friendly, but most locals still use the traditional taxi firms, of which Value Cabs and fonaCab are the most popular (you can book these over the phone). In the post-pandemic era, however, many locals and politicians have lamented the lack of taxi drivers doing late-night shifts, so it's best to pre-book evening cabs home where possible.

Tensions can rise on July 12th 

July 12th is a public holiday and a significant day in Northern Irish history. Often shortened to “The Twelfth”, it’s an Ulster Protestant celebration dating back to the 1700s, commemorating the victory of Protestant King “Billy” William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Protestant areas of the city erect Union flags, paint their street curbs red, white and blue, and look under siege as huge bonfires are burnt on the 11th night, signaling the forthcoming celebrations. Orange-sashed parades are then held on July 12th, when the city streets chorus with politically divisive marching tunes.

Many Catholics, and those who identify as Irish, take this opportunity to vacate the city for a few days. And unfortunately, it's not uncommon for tensions to escalate. In the past, this has led to rioting in segments of the city, particularly where traditionally Protestant and Catholic communities collide. Though one can easily avoid the most contentious areas, it’s probably not the best weekend to book a sojourn to Belfast . 

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Belfast Guide: Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Belfast International Airport Guide
• Public Transportation
• Safety in Northern Ireland
• 48-Hour Itinerary
• One Week in Northern Ireland
• Things to Do in Belfast
• Best Museums
• Coolest Murals to See
• Food to Try
• Top Restaurants

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a busy modern city with a trendy dining scene, a growing arts and cultural center, and a vibrant nightlife that includes everything from cool cocktail bars to traditional Irish pubs. With lovely gardens and great new museums, the city’s popularity with tourists has grown in recent years as it leaves its history of “troubles” behind it.

Find out how to plan the best trip to Belfast with tips of what to see, where to stay, and a look at the culture of the dynamic city.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit :  The best time to visit Belfast is in the late spring to early autumn, from April to September. June, July and August are the busiest times to travel to Belfast but also offer the warmest weather. May and September are ideal because they tend to be less crowded but still warm enough to enjoy the outdoor attractions of the city.

Language:  The official language spoken in Belfast is English. As part of the Good Friday Agreement, Irish and Ulster Scots are also recognized as languages   that form an essential part of Northern Irish culture, but it is rare to hear them spoken.

Currency: Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, and the money used in Belfast is the pound sterling (£)  .

Getting Around :  Belfast is a compact capital city, and the quickest way to get around the center is usually on foot. The city also has a bike-sharing system as well as public buses. Taxis are available but can be hard to flag down, so it is best to call and reserve one directly.

Travel Tip:  If this is your first time to Belfast, look for a hotel in the Cathedral quarter to ensure that most of the main attractions, plus great bars and restaurants, are all within easy walking distance.

Things to Do

Belfast is located on the River Lagan and has outdoor walks and areas like the Cave District and Botanic Gardens to enjoy when the rain is held at bay. In the historic central district, you will find fantastic architecture and history at City Hall, the Grand Opera House, and St. Anne’s Cathedral. In terms of museums, the Ulster Museum and the fantastic Titanic Belfast both show a different side to the history of the city.

• Get Outside of the City Center: It is easy to find lots to do in downtown Belfast, but many of the best city attractions are just outside the center. Head up to Belfast Castle or spend the afternoon walking through the gorgeous Botanic Gardens. For the best hiking, try tackling the rocky outcropping known as Napoleon’s Nose in Cave Hill Country Park.
• Take a Black Cab Tour: While the city has moved forward, the period known as the Troubles left a significant impact on Belfast. The culturally tense time was marked by sectarian violence, and a series of murals and former high-security checkpoints still exist in the city. A Black Cab Tour offers visitors the chance to visit Catholic and Protestant strongholds of the city, see the peace lines, and learn about the history with a local driver who is well versed in how to approach the residential areas respectfully.
• Listen to live music: Belfast has a great bar scene, and some of the most beloved pubs, including Sunflower Pub and the Dirty Onion , are famous for their live music. If you want a more formal setting, the Grand Opera House has regular concert and dance performances, and it's hard to imagine a more spectacular venue.

Explore more attractions with our full-length article on the  best things to do in Belfast .

What to Eat and Drink

Food in Belfast tends to be hearty fare that offers a bit of warmth in the cool, wet climate. You will find stews and roasts on most traditional menus. In recent years, seafood has grown in popularity, and local catches (as well as local oysters) are popping up on menus around the city. For a local specialty, try a Belfast pastie, a kind of fried sausage patty that is popular at fish and chip shops. There are three Michelin-starred restaurants in the city  , but it is much more common to eat in classic pubs or casual restaurants with contemporary menus.

Going out to the pub for a few drinks is common, and Guinness is incredibly popular, though you will find lots of Harp and other lagers as well. Craft beer is growing in popularity, and many bars sell local brews. The most famous whiskey is Bushmills, which has its distillery in Country Antrim. However, mixology has caught on in recent years, and many chic cocktail bars are also to be found in the city center.

Find out more by reading our guides to Belfast's best restaurants , top foods to try in Belfast, and Belfast's nightlife scene .

Where to Stay

Staying in the Cathedral Quarter is an excellent idea for those who want to have more time to explore the heart of Belfast without needing to figure out bus schedules or pay for too many taxi trips. The vibrant neighborhood is full of bars and restaurants and makes exploring much more manageable. To save some cash, nearby Queen's quarter is more residential, and more Airbnb rentals are popping onto the market. The Titanic Quarter is right on the waterfront, and while it is a little bit outside the rest of the center, it can be a great way to stay in Belfast’s newest hotels and experience a historic area of the city.

Getting There

Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD). Belfast International is located about a 30-minute drive from the city center, while City Airport is only a few minutes away. However, BHD only serves flights from within the UK.

While it is possible to fly directly to Belfast, many people choose to fly into the larger Dublin Airport, which is located in the Republic of Ireland. Private coach buses leave Dublin Airport (and Dublin City Center) regularly with direct service to the Belfast City Center. The drive takes about two hours.

If you are traveling by train, bus, or car from the Republic of Ireland, you will not need to show your passport. The seamless border will hardly be noticeable.

For even more information on flight options, read our full-length guide to the airports in Ireland .

Culture and Customs 

Belfast is a part of the UK, and much of the culture will be familiar if you have traveled to other parts of the United Kingdom. Family life is central here, and you will notice that community pride is very high. Church attendance is also fairly common, but religion is a conversation topic that is best avoided except among close friends. In terms of what to know as a visitor, if you are dining for the night, plan to tip waiters 10 percent (unless the bill includes a service charge). There is no real need to leave gratuity if you are ordering drinks at the bar.

Finally, Belfast is a safe city, but there is always a small chance of new republican or loyalist demonstrations. Sudden gatherings of large, protesting groups are rare but should be avoided if they do occur.

Money-Saving Tips

Belfast can be a very affordable city to visit, but here are some tips on how to save as much as possible:

• Go to the free attractions : Some of Belfast’s most famous things to do are completely free, so make sure certain places, like the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, are at the top of your list of things to see.
• See street art : Belfast is famous for its political murals, but a new wave of street art has hit the central downtown area. Spend an afternoon walking through the city to find the coolest modern murals and to see a more contemporary side of the city.
• Spend a morning at St. George’s Market : Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are market day in Belfast, and St. George’s is the place to be. The indoor market fills with food stalls where you can pick up farm-fresh ingredients or indulge in some affordable street food. Vintage vendors also appear, and you can score great deals on some eclectic or handmade items. Entry to the market is free.

Northern Ireland Office . "The Belfast Agreement." April 10, 1998.

Visit Belfast . "Essential Information."

MICHELIN Guide . "Belfast Restaurants."

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14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Belfast

Written by Andrew Birbeck and Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 22, 2023

Once a powerful ship-building center, bustling Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the birthplace of the infamous doomed ocean liner, RMS Titanic . Mention Belfast, and, to a certain generation, images of conflict may spring to mind. It would be wrong, however, to jump to such conclusions these days.

Visit Belfast and evidence of this dramatic rebirth and remarkable transformation is everywhere evident, and visitor numbers continue to increase year-on-year, with good reason. You can expect a warm welcome, a wicked sense of humor, and an enthralling history.

Highlights of a visit include the impressive must-see Titanic Quarter , along with a variety of other points of interest associated with the ill-fated vessel. Excellent shopping experiences can be enjoyed at Victoria and Donegal Squares , along with a variety of restaurants and dining opportunities.

Other fun things to see include discovering the city's superb Victorian architecture and visiting its many noteworthy museums. Be sure to also check out the famous Albert Memorial Clock in Queen's Square.

Whether you're to explore the city or to use it as a base for some fun day trips , be sure to consult our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Belfast to help you make the most of your time.

Immerse Yourself in Maritime History at Titanic Belfast

Take in a concert at waterfront hall, explore northern ireland's history at the ulster museum, take a free tour of belfast city hall, explore the botanic gardens, climb aboard hms caroline, pay a visit to belfast cathedral: st. anne's, spend a night at the grand opera house, take a tour of crumlin road gaol, pop into belfast castle, see the animals at belfast zoo, visit stormont, the parliament buildings, shop at st. george's market, take the family to the w5 interactive discovery centre.

Billed as "the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction," the distinctive-looking Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 and is a landmark building that pays tribute to the story of the city's rich maritime history. Fresh from a major refurbishment, this distinctive building houses nine interactive exhibitions that show how Belfast has developed from a city that once boasted the most powerful shipbuilding industry in the world into a reborn visitor destination.

More than a century ago, the infamous and ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic , was built at this precise spot. There are guided tours around the slipway and gigantic dry-dock, once the heart of the Harland & Wolff shipyards. The building, which is star-shaped to represent the logo of the White Star Line, houses a number of fascinating artifacts related to the ship, including letters, brochures, and menus.

A particular treat is visiting the fully restored tender to the Titanic , the SS Nomadic , which visitors can board and explore for an additional charge. In fact, a great way to learn more about both vessels is by purchasing a Titanic Belfast admission package that includes the SS Nomadic . In addition to having access to the Titanic exhibition, you'll get complimentary access to the Ocean Exploration Center and the SS Nomadic .

For a special treat, why not consider a stay at the Titanic Hotel Belfast ? Set in a former shipyard building right next to the main attraction, your accommodations feature period-style furnishings and decor and offer a taste of the opulence those traveling aboard the Titanic would have experienced.

Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Just over a mile from the Titanic Quarter and overlooking the River Lagan in central Belfast, the Waterfront Hall is a world-class entertainment and conference venue that, in no uncertain terms, reflects the regeneration of the city. Since opening in 1997, the center attracts close to 400,000 concertgoers each year and attracts top musicians and performers from around the world.

When lit up at night, the building is particularly impressive. In fact, many will visit not only for the world-class concerts held here, ranging in style from pop to symphony and opera, but also to dine at the attraction's on-site restaurant, The Arc Brasserie . Somehow, a meal here is all the more magical for the superb panoramic views over the river and beyond.

This world-class venue also hosts an eclectic range of temporary visiting exhibitions, too.

Address: 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland

A five-minute drive from the Waterfront Hall will bring you to The Ulster Museum . Having undergone a major refurbishment in recent years, it's now one of Belfast's must-see attractions. This impressive national museum should be high on the list for any visitor for a number of reasons, not least of all that it doesn't shy away from the city's recent troubled past.

Exhibits include a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy, Princess Takabuti, who was unwrapped in Belfast in 1835; the Armada Room; and an impressive gallery of modern art masterpieces. Other highlights include collections of ancient relics, a richly diverse collection of art, history, and natural science exhibits spread over several floors.

Two other excellent attractions fall under the Ulster Museum umbrella and are well worth a visit. The Ulster Folk Museum features fascinating displays and interactive exhibits related to regional traditions and culture, including craft demonstrations. The Ulster Transport Museum features vehicles and other machines with a connection to Northern Ireland and is suitable for all ages.

Address: Botanic Court, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast City Hall is another important government building that should be included on your Northern Ireland travel itinerary. Located in the city center, this handsome structure was built in 1906 and remains one of the most distinctive landmarks in Belfast's downtown core.

Tourists are welcome to explore the building as part of a guided tour, so popular that they've become one of the top free things to do in Belfast. Please note, though, that tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so allow plenty of time in your schedule.

Highlights of these one-hour experiences include seeing a good-sized art display and historic stained-glass windows and an exhibit outlining the city's history. Afterward, you can browse the gift shop or visit the café.

Be sure to also visit the grounds of the City Hall, with its Titanic Memorial Gardens and vast lawns. And pack a picnic or grab a takeout from a nearby eatery as there's plenty of room to spread out for an impromptu lunch. A fun free thing to do at night in Belfast is to walk the grounds, as the building is colorfully illuminated.

Address: Donegall Square N, Belfast, Northern Ireland

A pleasant way to relax for a few hours, the Botanic Gardens was established in 1828 and has been owned by Belfast City Council since 1895 when it became a public park set on 28 acres.

One of the star attractions here is the elegant Palm House . Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and containing a diversity of tropical plants, it also includes birds of paradise and lush hanging baskets. Comprised of curved iron and glass, the structure is one of the earliest examples of a glasshouse made in this way and demonstrates how advances in technology at the time allowed horticulturists to grow exotic plants.

The Tropical Ravine was built in 1889 and houses exotic delights such as bromeliad, banana, orchids, and cinnamon, and protects some of the world's oldest seed plants. The gardens are also a popular venue for concerts and festivals, and once hosted a concert by the famed Irish band, U2.

Just north of the gardens is Queen's University with its fine Tudor-style buildings.

Address: College Park, Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland

A newer addition to the already excellent collection of attractions in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, HMS Caroline is one of the last surviving vessels to have seen service in both world wars. Recently refurbished, the ship was commissioned in 1914 and patrolled the North Sea, as well as participating in the pivotal Battle of Jutland.

Opened in her present location to the public in 2016, a tour of this floating museum and its visitor center provides a great deal of fascinating information about WW1 and the ship's history.

Highlights include audio-visual displays, tours of the fully-restored sections of the ship, plus educational opportunities that give kids the chance to have some hands-on fun. In addition to a café and gift shop, there's a playground and picnic area on-shore.

Address: Alexandra Dock, Queens Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Designed by architect Sir Thomas Drew and begun in 1898, St. Anne's Cathedral is the main church of the Anglican Church of Ireland. Also often referred to as "Belfast Cathedral," it was built in the neo-Romanesque style of the basilican type and has three west doorways adorned with sculpture.

The baptismal chapel features an exquisite mosaic ceiling. Further points of interest are the carved stonework, many fine stained-glass windows, marble tiles on the floor and walls, and delicate woodwork. In the chapel, you'll find the tomb of Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Ulster Unionists, who died in 1935.

Those interested in the Titanic's history will be interested to see the cathedral's own commemoration of the lives lost when the ship sank. Known as the "Titanic Pall," this large indigo-colored tapestry hangs on the cathedral's interior walls. Audio tours are available with admission, and an on-site gift shop sells interesting books related to the cathedral's history.

Address: Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland

West of the City Hall on Great Victoria Street, the highly ornate Grand Opera House is well worth visiting to take in a show or concert. Dating from 1895, it has seen its share of troubles over the years. In 1972, at the height of the conflict in Northern Ireland, the building was sold to property developers and nearly demolished. Thankfully, due to a campaign, this didn't happen.

Between 1976 and 1980, the structure was extensively restored, including the restoration of the ceiling panels in the main auditorium. A large extension was added in 2006, and these days it hosts musicals, operas, and live performances and is one of the city's true landmarks. Guided tours are available.

Address: 2-4 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland

When it closed in 1996, many believed the infamous Crumlin Road prison would never reopen. How wrong they were.

The once notorious jail has quickly become one of Belfast's premier visitor attractions since reopening in 2012. It's now one of the best places to visit to learn about Northern Ireland's history. Fascinating guided tours tell of the women and children who were incarcerated here, as well as the segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners.

You can wander through the underground tunnel that used to connect the jail to the courthouse, sit in the Governor's chair and, rather gruesomely, pay a visit to the condemned men's cell. Guided tours are available, including special themed affairs that even include a show and dinner (Jailhouse Rock, anyone?).

Address: 53-55 Crumlin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Around six kilometers from the city center along the A2/A6-Antrim Road stands Belfast Castle . There are plenty of events here year-round, and it's a popular wedding venue due to its picturesque location and beautiful historic building.

A castle has existed on this site since the 12th century in many different incarnations. The current structure dates from 1870, although additions and embellishments have taken place since then.

There's a restaurant on-site, along with Cave Hill Visitor Centre. Cave Hill Country Park and the Adventure Playground are well worth exploring, and the grounds are particularly popular for picnics during summer months.

Address: Antrim Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Around three minutes' drive from Belfast Castle, Belfast Zoo is set on 55 acres with views over Belfast Lough. Home to more than 140 species of animals, this fun family destination was opened in 1934 and is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. It was extensively upgraded in recent years, and nowadays in excess of 300,000 people visit the zoo annually.

Highlights of a visit include seeing a wide array of animals including ring-tailed lemurs, Asian elephants, monkeys, Malayan sun bears, Sumatran tigers, and Barbary lions. A must-see here is the rainforest exhibit, which brings together tropical plants with fascinating animals such as sloths and fruit bats.

Check the zoo's website for details of its daily animal talks and feeding schedule.

No visit to Belfast, or indeed Northern Ireland, would be complete without at least seeing this grandiose and often controversial building. Known as Stormont, this is the home of the "Power Sharing Executive," or Northern Ireland Assembly . It's also the place where former foes sit down together and carry out the day-to-day business and politics of running the state.

Dating from 1921, it was built to house the then-newly formed government of the Province. It's impossible to miss the statue of Unionist Sir Edward Carson on the front lawn. Despite its controversial legacy, the scenic grounds are popular with day-trippers, joggers, and those simply wishing to escape the city for a while.

The building is open on weekdays for interesting tours of its interior.

Address: 587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

No Belfast itinerary is complete without allocating time to do a little shopping, especially if it includes St. George's Market . The oldest covered market in the city, St. George's Market was completed in 1896 and now provides a place to do business for some 300 vendors selling everything from food to art and crafts.

It has also become an important venue for activities other than shopping, including food festivals, art shows, dance events, and even pop and rock concerts. In addition to its regular market hours, there are a number of special events such as the frequent "Twilight Market," popular for its extended evening hours and entertainment.

Address: 12-20 East Bridge Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland

One of the top things to do in Belfast for families is to spend time exploring the W5 Interactive Discovery Centre ; it's also another great excuse to visit the Titanic Quarter.

This state-of-the-art science center consists of over 250 hands-on exhibits, encouraging kids to explore a variety of areas of learning spread across four large areas, including displays related to technology and biology, as well as educational programs, events, and workshops.

Star attractions here are "Climbit," a massive multi-story 3D climbing structure; "RoboThespian," a large robotic character that can be controlled by visitors; and "MED-Lab", a fascinating look inside the human body. A café and gift shop are located on-site.

Address: 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, Northern Ireland

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Day Trips from Belfast : Belfast makes for a great jumping-off point for those wanting to explore some of the top attractions in Northern Ireland , as well as Ireland itself. In addition to the spectacular Giants Causeway, great day trip destinations from Belfast also include Carrick-A-Rede Bridge and Dunluce Castle.

Ireland Vacation Ideas : Given its location at the top end of the island, Belfast makes a great location from which to explore the top attractions in Ireland , most of which are within easy reach. Must-sees within an easy drive include the Irish capital of Dublin with its many museums and parks. The much smaller community of Sligo is also a great drive, and boasts stunning coastal scenery. Also worth a visit, historic Galway is popular for its large public squares and medieval architecture.

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Winter in Belfast

6 reasons to visit the city this festive season.

Christmas markets, epic walks, Game of Thrones® and more – 6 reasons to visit the city this festive season

• #CityBreaks

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Oscar Wilde once said: “Wisdom comes with winters.” Well, with Belfast boasting yuletide festivities, stunning wintry landscapes, warming dishes, fireside sing-songs and much more this season, we’d say a winter city break to Belfast is a very wise move indeed. This is the town that built the Titanic, so locals know a thing or two about showcasing BIG attractions. From the hip Cathedral Quarter and bustling St George’s Market to the historic Maritime Mile, this compact and walkable city wears its winter colours well as bright and cool days give way to cosy nights full of lively pubs and twinkling Christmas lights. Thinking of a visit? Here are six top things to see and do around town at this most wonderful time of year...

Belfast Christmas Market, City Hall, Belfast

1. Christmas markets

Belfast Christmas Market is one of the most beautifully situated Christmas markets in Ireland. Located in the City Hall Gardens against a backdrop of the striking City Hall (dazzling with Christmas decorations), the market features over 100 local and international traders. With seasonal food and drink, artisan crafts and even a Santa’s Grotto, there’s something for everyone in this wee festive village. So, grab a drink from the Beer Tent, ride the Helter Skelter slide, pick up a Christmas gift or two, and of course, meet Santa!

Christmas shopping is a must on any winter city break. Who knows what local designer brands, one-off boutiques and seasonal sale items you’ll find? This Belfast Christmas Shopping Guide covers all of the retail streets and shopping centres you need to hit. A bucket list essential is the Victorian-era St George’s Market . While the current building dates from the late 1800s, markets have been held here since 1604! Pop along and feel like a Belfast native as you mingle, barter and marvel at the delightful assortment of food and bric-a-brac on display.

The Muddlers Club, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast

2. Winter warmers

Winter and Belfast’s foodie scene are a perfect match. From a big Ulster fry at breakfast to a beef stew for dinner, warm and hearty dishes will fuel your adventures at show-stopping attractions such as Titanic Belfast  and the Botanic Gardens . This festive dining in Belfast guide will see you tucking into Michelin-star dishes, a festive afternoon tea and even a full-on Christmas Day dinner of turkey and ham with ALL of the trimmings.

You’ll need to wash down all that delicious grub with a drink or two, and once again, Belfast excels. Irish coffee, hot whiskey, spiced apple cider – Belfast’s brilliant bars  have a wide array of tipples on offer to heat you up on a chilly winter’s eve. If a whiskey tour and tasting sounds more your style, check out McConnell’s Distillery , which is uniquely located in the east wing of the historic Crumlin Road Gaol. Titanic Distillers is another cool option, situated in the very shipyard where the “Ship of Dreams” was constructed.

Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast

3. Winter walks

Winter’s are generally mild in Belfast, with the average daily temperature coming in at 6° Celsius – cool but not crazy cold. In other words, ideal walking and hiking weather! For panoramic views over Belfast city, hit up Cave Hill Country Park , which rises some 370 metres above the city. Plus, it’s home to Belfast Castle , a Scottish baronial-style beauty that has been at the centre of the park since 1870.

Prefer an enchanting woodland stroll? Head to Stormont Estate in east Belfast. Six walking trails ranging in duration from 20 minutes to one hour weave their way through lush foliage and pristine parkland. Visit as autumn gives way to winter to see a kaleidoscope of colourful leaves on display. There are plenty more walks around Belfast and remember, should it snow during your visit, the city’s surroundings will be transformed into a winter dreamscape. Then you’ll see how Belfast native CS Lewis  took such inspiration from his surroundings when creating his magical world of Narnia.

Glass of Thrones, Titanic Slipways, Belfast

4. Game of Thrones®

We couldn’t mention winter in Belfast without a nod to Game of Thrones®. The very first episode “Winter is Coming” heralded the arrival of a blockbuster TV series like no other, much of which was filmed in Northern Ireland . If ever there was a time to visit filming locations for the fantasy epic, it’s this frosty time of year. In Belfast, embark on the Glass of Thrones  trail to uncover six magnificent stained-glass windows around the city, each depicting iconic scenes from the show. The route ends at the very place where much of the programme was filmed, Titanic Studios. For Throneys, these striking windows which were created by some of Northern Ireland’s top artists and craftspeople are unmissable.

Outside Belfast, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour  is another essential for fans of all things Westeros. Here you can get up close and personal with weapons, props and costumes used during production. Journey from Castle Black and King’s Landing to Dragonstone and even Beyond the Wall, where towering giants and the Night King await.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, there are over 25 Game of Thrones® filming locations , such as Ballintoy Harbour and the Dark Hedges. Not to mention a range of fun experiences and activities  related to the show. Axe throwing at Winterfell Castle, anyone? Winter is coming... bring it on!

Sunflower Public House, Belfast

5. Live music

Belfast holds the prestigious status of UNESCO City of Music , thanks to its rich musical heritage, plethora of great venues and list of homegrown stars, including Van Morrison, Snow Patrol and Kneecap. Whatever kind of music you’re into, Belfast is the place to enjoy it. What better way to warm up on a chilly winter’s day than to pop into a lively pub for a traditional music session? You’ll be toe-tapping and hand-clapping along faster than you can take your scarf and gloves off! For a tour of the city’s trad music credentials, book the Belfast Traditional Music Trail .

When the sun goes down, music venues big and small come alive with local bands and top international talent out to impress knowledgeable and fun-loving crowds. From the iconic Ulster Hall to the trendy Oh Yeah Music Centre , there’s a great locale belting out your kind of tune. For something a bit different, check out Candlelight Concerts in Belfast , which even has a Christmas special featuring music from classic festive films. Now that’s an event to turn even the Grinch himself jolly!

Not satisfied with music alone and want to devour as much Belfast culture as possible? Then the Belfast International Arts Festival  is for you. Running from mid-October to late-November each year, it features local and international artists from dance, theatre and film putting on performances to remember in more than 30 venues citywide.

Ice hockey © Shutterstock

6. Ice hockey

Sports fans, you read that right, Belfast has an ice hockey team. In fact, the Belfast Giants are one of the top teams in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League, having won the title on numerous occasions! The season runs from August-April each year with lots of home games throughout the winter months against the likes of the Sheffield Steelers and the Glasgow Clan. Matches take place in the atmospheric SSE Arena Belfast , a 10,000-seater indoor stadium that plays host to numerous musicals, concerts and more throughout the year. But for the season that’s in it, we think an all-action ice hockey match fits the bill perfectly, don’t you?

The Giants’ heritage runs deep in these parts. The name is a nod to the legendary giants of Irish folklore, some of which are even believed to have forged the nearby Giant’s Causeway  many moons ago. The team logo depicts the fearsome head of Finn McCool, one of the greatest warriors from Irish mythology. And the team colours are inspired by the rugged landscapes of Northern Ireland. The Belfast Giants and the city they come from have much in common. They’re steeped in history and lore but also exciting and modern at the same time. It’s this irresistible mix that makes a city break to Belfast so appealing.

Winter in Belfast, it’s a wise move...

Where do you want to go?

Do you feel like tasting wild Atlantic sea spray on your lips? Strolling through vibrant city streets? Exploring ancient ruins? Right this way…

Belfast's newest whiskey distillery has transformed a wing of Crumlin Road Goal

We visit McConnell’s Distillery & Visitor Experience - and what an experience it is!

• 15:37, 13 SEP 2024

Exciting things are happening on the Crumlin Road in North Belfast. Following a landmark transformation project costing £12million, McConnell’s Distillery has brought an exciting new wave of whiskey production to this part of the city.

McConnell’s Irish Whisky is leading the way with a fully operational distillery and visitor experience that are both housed in the A wing of the historic jail.

Once upon a time, Belfast was a whiskey hotbed - at the start of the 20th century, three-quarters of all the whiskey in Ireland was produced in the city, but less than 40 years later, the distilleries were all gone. Prohibition in the United States, a vital export market for Irish whiskey, was the final nail in the coffin.

Now, though, McConnell’s Irish Whisky has helped bring distilling back to Belfast and put the city back on the whiskey map. The brand actually dates from 1776, founded by Hugh McConnell, and it was revived just a couple of years ago. When the opportunity came up to set up a distillery and visitor experience in the historic jail, the (re)founders jumped at it.

By the way, McConnell’s use the ‘whisky’ spelling - rather than ‘whiskey’, like other Irish brands - because the brand dates back to a time before we started adding the ‘e’! You'll learn more about that on one of their tours.

There are constant reminders of the brand’s long history as soon as you walk into the McConnell’s Distillery & Visitor Experience at Crumlin Road Gaol.

As well as taking in the incredible transformation from prison wing to distillery and tourist attraction, and browsing the well-stocked gift shop, the walls are adorned with beautiful artwork from McConnell’s glory days.

McConnell’s Signature Tour

I met up with tour guide Sam and visitors from London and Los Angeles to take the Signature Tour (£25pp for adults) in order to find out more. This includes a McConnell’s Signature Serve to begin with, and a tasting session with both of McConnell’s award-winning whiskies and the new make spirit that has come straight off the stills at the end.

The team also offers the Connoisseur Tour for £49pp, where you get to meet the distilling team and enjoy two additional drams, including McConnell’s 20 Year Old Distillery Edition, which is exclusively available at the distillery.

From the start, we all receive a warm north Belfast welcome from Sam. Originally from Monkstown, she now lives locally on the Crumlin Road.

Her pride and excitement at being able to share her passion for whiskey with visitors from all over the world, just minutes from her front door, is a real feature of the tour. And with 30 years’ experience in the bar and restaurant trade, she definitely knows her stuff.

The beginning of the tour is set in the old McConnell’s boardroom, as we take a video trip through the history of the company, including the story of Hugh’s widow Eleanor McConnell - a personal heroine of our host Sam - who took on the family business after his death, and the colossal fires that brought the business to its knees in the 1900s.

We also learn about the revival of the brand and the huge amount of investment that has gone into the building. McConnell’s Distillery’s Anna Poland told me that it was really important that the team honoured both the original McConnell’s brand, and the turbulent history of the jail, which housed prisoners for 150 years until 1996.

“It's so important to us that we've turned this building with a dark history into something really positive and forward thinking,” she said.

That dark past is not brushed aside or forgotten - Sam points out the brick outline of the cells on the floor, and tells us about the stories she has heard first-hand from former inmates who have taken the tour, and the profound impact that has had on her.

At one point, we pass through a faithfully grim reproduction of a prison cell, and there are lots of original features like an old fire hydrant, signs, ceiling cornices and fittings, to remind you of where you are.

Not that you always need much reminding - the place is jaw-dropping. “As soon as visitors step inside, the distillery speaks for itself,” said Anna. “It has the ‘wow’ factor the moment you come in the door.”

The tasting

Back to the whiskey, and Sam takes us through the distillation process in front of the beautiful copper stills, allowing us to peer inside to see each step as it happens. And then it’s time for the tasting.

As we sit down, there are three drams on the table in front of each of us - the original new make spirit (that’s poitín to you and me), McConnell’s Five Year Old, and McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish.

Sam explains to us the basics of whiskey maturation, and how different casks impart different flavours and characteristics. She then takes us through a first-class whiskey tasting experience which ignites the senses, before asking us to choose our personal favourite.

For me, the new make spirit is surprisingly accessible and delicate on the palette, while the Five Year Old is beautifully smooth, even taken neat, with a gentle warmth and toffee sweetness. My favourite, though, is the Sherry Cask Finish; it’s rich and fruity with vanilla flavours, and in the words of one of my fellow visitors, “it tastes like Christmas”.

And that’s the end of the tour - we finish at the bar for a chat over a whiskey cocktail (not included in the tour price). I opt for a McConnell’s Martini - an espresso martini that uses McConnell’s Five Year Old instead of gin and vermouth. It’s a revelation.

McConnell’s Irish Whisky is already a popular choice in pubs across Belfast, and it’s available for sale in Tesco and independent off-licences across Northern Ireland. Globally, McConnell’s is available in over 40 markets, from Europe to Asia, Australia, South Africa and Canada, as well as all 50 states in the USA.

The good news is that McConnell’s have been distilling and maturing their own liquid on-site, 24/7, since they opened their doors in March this year. Good whiskey takes time and with McConnell’s blend being a minimum of five years old, it will be 2029 before we get to sample the first bottles off the production line. It’s bound to be worth the wait.

Book now for parties, cocktails and much more

As well as the Signature and Connoisseur tours, McConnell’s runs cocktail masterclasses, private parties for birthdays, hen and stag groups, and Distillery Sessions - live music, cocktail specials and craic on the last Friday of every month.

They are also gearing up to launch a market with Little Fox Events in the foyer from October, with lots of local vendors selling food, drink and crafts, while in December they will be busy with Christmas parties. Book a three-course meal for friends or work colleagues, or how about a festive Whiskey Wonderland with a tasting session and food platters to share?

McConnell’s Distillery will attract international visitors in droves, but what’s really impressive is how committed they are to the local community. From the locally-sourced staff and the huge investment, to the regular programme of events they have planned, it’s a brilliant addition to North Belfast.

Find out more and book a tour or party at mcconnellsirishwhisky.com

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Essential Information

Below are some of our top travel tips for visitors to Belfast, including information on public holidays, where to leave your left luggage, shop opening hours and tipping in restaurants and bars.

What to See and Where to Stay

What’s On in Belfast

Get the latest scoop on concerts and gigs, festivals, family events and everything else that's happening in Belfast.

Top 10 Attractions in Belfast

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Places To Stay in Belfast

From hotels, hostels, serviced apartments and camping & caravanning, find accommodation in Belfast to suit your budget.

Each area of Belfast has its own character and charm, and its own unique variety of shops, restaurants,…

Communications

Internet and WiFi

Internet and WiFi access is widely available throughout the city, including in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

If you require PC and printing facilities, your hotel may provide this service for free or for a small charge. Belfast Central Library can also provide PC and printing facilities for a small charge.

Phone Calls

The international dialling code for Northern Ireland is 00 44 28. The local code for Belfast is 90.

Directory enquiries can be contacted on 118 500 or dial 0 from a public telephone for operator assistance.

Post Offices

Most post offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm and some are also open on Saturday mornings. The main post office is located on Bridge Street in Belfast City Centre and is open 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

In Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, the currency is pound sterling (£). One pound is equal to 100 pence. Notes are available as £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100. Coins are available as 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

Some shops and visitor attractions may also accept Euro – which is the official currency used in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in Europe – but this is not guaranteed.

Banks and Bureau de Change

Most banks are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and some are also open on Saturdays.

Credit Cards and Payment Options

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Northern Ireland; American Express is accepted in some places but not all. Alipay is accepted in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

Special Holidays

Northern Ireland’s 2024 public and bank holidays are below:

• Monday 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Monday 18 March (substitute day) – St Patrick’s Day
• Friday 29 March – Good Friday
• Monday 1 April – Easter Monday
• Tuesday 2 April – Easter Tuesday
• Monday 6 May – Early May Bank Holiday
• Monday 27 May – Spring Bank Holiday
• Friday 12 July – Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day
• Monday 26 August – Summer Bank Holiday
• Wednesday 25 December – Christmas Day
• Thursday 26 December – Boxing Day

Many shops in Belfast City Centre are open:

• Monday: 9am – 6pm
• Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
• Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
• Thursday: 9am – 9pm
• Friday: 9am – 6pm (Victoria Square shopping centre is open to 9pm)
• Saturday: 9am – 6pm
• Sunday: 1pm – 6pm

Opening hours for smaller shops may vary. Opening hours are subject to change on Bank Holidays. Shops usually extend their opening hours in the run-up to Christmas.

The award-winning St George’s Market is open Friday (8am – 2pm), Saturday (9am – 3pm) and Sunday (10am – 3pm).

Carrier Bag Levy

Northern Ireland retailers must charge at least 25p for new carrier bags. The main aim is to protect the environment by greatly cutting the number of carrier bags used. Reusing carrier bags saves natural resources and reduces the need for landfill. Find out more about the Carrier Bag Levy.

Tax Free Shopping

All visitors from outside the European Union are able to avail of tax free shopping in the UK when they purchase eligible goods from participating retailers. The scheme is entirely voluntary so look out for the Tax Free Shopping logo before you purchase. Tax free shopping is available in the gift shop in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre .

Driving in Northern Ireland

Driving Laws and Road Safety

Driving in Northern Ireland is on the left-hand side of the road and all passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times. For those riding motorcycles, both motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. Northern Ireland’s laws on drink driving are strict. Those drivers found to be contravening the laws will be heavily penalised. Use of mobile/cell phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

Roads in Northern Ireland are prefixed with an M for motorway, and an A and a B for primary and non-primary roads.

Signposts and speeds are in miles and miles per hour, as in the rest of the UK.

For more information on driving laws, road safety, insurance and licences, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk.

Weather in Northern Ireland

The weather in Northern Ireland can be unpredictable, and we talk about it quite a lot! We don’t have the extreme temperatures of other countries, with relatively mild winters and cool summers.

Below are the average maximum temperatures during the seasons:

• February – April: 8 – 12°C
• May – July: 18 – 20°C
• August – November: 14 – 18°C
• December – January: 8°C

As our weather can be changeable, we suggest wearing layers of clothing that you can then put on or take off as the temperature changes. Pack a rain coat and umbrella for those rainy days, and don’t forget the sun cream during the warmer summer days.

And if it does rain, there are plenty of indoor attractions, cosy pubs and tasty restaurants to enjoy!

Helpful Tips

Belfast has been a smoke free city since 2006. It is against the law to smoke in bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels, offices, factories and other places of work.

The majority of hotels in Belfast no longer offer smoking rooms – please check this when booking your accommodation.

Many bars and restaurants have installed outdoor smoking areas for those who choose to smoke.

Most restaurants add a discretionary service charge to the bill for groups of six people or more.

If this charge is added to your bill, tipping is not necessary.

If a service charge is not included, a discretionary tip of 10-15% is customary.

Belfast is one of the safest cities in Europe, and Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe.

However, it is always wise to be sensible and follow good advice when exploring a new destination. As with all travel, follow general safety tips such as leave money and valuables in a safe place and lock valuables out of sight.

Emergencies

The number for emergency services is 999.

This will connect you to the fire brigade, police, ambulance, lifeboat and mountain rescue services.

For non-urgent crimes, contact the police by calling 101.

The UK’s visa requirements vary depending on your citizenship. Check whether you need a visa to visit Northern Ireland

Citizens of the EEA member states (the 27 countries of the European Union EU, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas to gain entry to Northern Ireland.

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Off The Ball

13:00-19:00

UK inquiry to examine murder of Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane

15.08 11 Sep 2024

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The British government has announced a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane, who was shot dead by loyalist terrorists in 1989.

His killing became one of the most notorious of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, raising the issue of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and British state forces.

Mr Finucane (39) was shot 14 times in front of his wife and three children as they sat eating a meal in their Belfast home.

He had come to prominence as an effective defence solicitor, representing IRA members and loyalists accused of terrorist offences at the height of the conflict.

Taoiseach Simon Harris today welcomed the decision as "a vindication of Geraldine Finucane and her family".

“This is the beginning of a process and it will be important that, as details are confirmed, there is confidence that it can meet the standards and independence thresholds essential to an inquiry of this nature," he said.

Mr Harris said he discussed the Pat Finucane case with British Prime Minister Kier Starmer "as recently as last Saturday when we met in Dublin".

“I know that the Prime Minister is committed to finding a new approach to legacy issues in Northern Ireland, and today’s decision by the British government is in keeping with the spirit of that commitment.

“I have indicated to the Prime Minister that we stand ready to work with him and his Government on legacy issues.”

During an inquest into Mr Finucane’s death, police refuted his killers' claims that he had been a member of the IRA but their investigation went nowhere.

Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens, who was appointed to investigate claims of collusion between the killers and the British State, found that two agents had been involved in Mr Finucane's murder.

In 2001, the British government appointed a Canadian judge to examine the case and vowed to hold a public inquiry if he found evidence of collusion.

That judge found "strong evidence" of collusion, including that MI5 had been aware of the threat in advance; however, the British government reneged on its commitment.

In 2011, with the British government still under pressure to hold a public inquiry, former UN war crimes prosecutor Desmond de Silva was asked to review the case again.

When his report was published, the then British Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the Finucane family for "frankly shocking levels of collusion".

Pat Finucane's widow Geraldine has led a tireless legal campaign. The UK Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that there had been never an adequate investigation.

A Court of Appeal ruling had given the UK government until September 27th 2024 to announce whether or not a public inquiry would be held.

Reporting by: IRN

Main image: Pat Finucane

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