Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below are London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
🫖 Afternoon Tea /Wizard Afternoon Tea, spellbindingly delicious, with a smoky cauldron on the side.
🛏️ Overnight /Key of Dreams, a luxury 24 hour immersive theatre and fine dining experience you can stay in overnight.
This Month’s Highlight
Peaky Blinders: Underworld
The one everyone’s talking about right now. Set in the historic railway arches by London Bridge, Peaky Blinders: Underworld drops you straight into Thomas Shelby’s world, starting in a full recreation of the Garrison Tavern, where you can grab a drink before finding the hidden door down into the underworld beneath. From there you’re free to explore Garrison Lane, The Bookies, Chinatown, and the Small Heath Fairground, bumping into actors, solving puzzles, and stumbling into surprises along the way. Around an hour, fully immersive, and exactly the kind of world-building the show’s fans have been waiting for. Running 13 August 2026 – 3 January 2027, from around £25.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
Monteverde was my second stop in Costa Rica. I chose to visit it as Monteverde has a Cloud Forest, which is the only one in Costa Rica but also one of the few Cloud Forests in the world, as they only represent 1% of the global woodland. A cloud forest is a forest which is constantly covered in clouds at the canopy level and is very, very moist. When I began doing research about Monteverde I found that it is very small, but also that there are a lot of things to do!
A Bit of History
Monteverde’s story starts with a community of American Quakers who settled here and founded the Monteverde cheese factory in 1953, partly to escape the Korean War draft. It became one of the biggest employers in the area outside tourism, and the dairy brand is still on supermarket shelves in town today, even though the factory was sold to an international company in 2014 and the tours stopped. Those same Quakers later worked with scientists to protect the surrounding forest, and in 1972 the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was created, starting at just 810 acres and now covering around 35,800. It helped shape Costa Rica’s reputation for conservation and eco-tourism, which is a big part of why this small mountain town is on almost every first-timer’s itinerary.
MONTEVERDE ESSENTIALS
🚗 Getting There & Around / The easiest and fastest way to get to Monteverde is by car, but the roads getting there are not paved and are in a pretty rough state, so you’ll need a 4×4. Compare rental cars on DiscoverCars, I found them to have the cheapest rates with full insurance included. If you’d rather not drive, this site covers buses and private transfers.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, which gives you unlimited data, plus 1GB of free global backup data with its Always On feature, handy if your plans change. Get yours with my link and use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Tooting was named one of the 10 best neighbourhoods to visit in the world by Lonely Planet, and once you’ve spent an afternoon getting gently lost in its two indoor markets, you’ll understand why. As it happens, Tooting is actually my neighbourhood, I’ve lived here for over 12 years now, and it’s genuinely home. I chose to stay because I love how multicultural it is, and if I’m honest, mostly because of its super fun markets. Wedged between Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway tube stations, both on the Northern line, is a proper “curry corridor”, decades of South Indian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani food culture sitting shoulder to shoulder with newer wine bars, bao shops and more. It’s the kind of place that rewards wandering without a plan. Here’s my up-to-date guide to what to eat, do, drink and see.
TOOTING ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There from the Airport / From Heathrow, the quickest route is the Elizabeth Line into Tottenham Court Road, changing onto the Northern line, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on which Tooting station you’re headed to (Tooting Bec or Tooting Broadway). From Gatwick, the fastest option is the direct Southern/Thameslink train to Clapham Junction (around 30 to 45 minutes), then a short onward hop into Tooting via bus or bus + train. If you’d rather not deal with luggage on public transport after a flight, book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups.
🚇 Getting There from Central London / The Northern line runs straight down to both Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway, about 25 to 30 minutes from central London depending on where you’re starting. There’s also a separate Tooting mainline rail station on the Southern/Thameslink network if you’re coming from Clapham Junction, Victoria, or south of the river.
🚶 Getting Around / Tooting itself is small and entirely walkable, everything in this guide is within about 15 minutes on foot of Tooting Broadway station, so there’s no need to think about local transport once you’re here.
What to Eat in Tooting
International food is what Tooting does best, below are my top picks.
Eating in Tooting: If You Only Have One Meal
Daddy Bao (113 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) does fluffy, flavourful bao buns and delicious cocktails. It’s a sister spot to Peckham’s Mr Bao, and it’s always busy, so book ahead if you actually want a table rather than a wait outside.
Barra10 (16 Broadway Market, Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RL) is an Argentinian steakhouse tucked inside Broadway Market, run by an Argentinian chef and his Mexican wife, the kind of place where the smell of the grill hits you before you’ve even sat down. It’s been recommended by TopJaw, and as an Argentinian myself, I can vouch for it too, I visit very frequently. Go hungry, and whatever else you order, do not miss the ox cheek nuggets.
Lahore Karahi (1 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) has been here since 1995 and turns up on nearly every “best curries in London” list going. It’s spicy, and it’s good. It’s also hectic, and the service can be a bit rude, but honestly that’s just part of the charm, you’re not here for hand-holding, you’re here for the tarka dhal and the sizzling lamb chops. Open till late most nights if the craving hits at 11pm.
Juliets (110 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) works great for brunch. A very hipster brunch spot in London, relaxed staff, indy music, all exposed brick and inventive plates like smoked caviar and pumpkin omelette. Everything on the menu is delicious, it genuinely feels like it’s been put together by Michelin-star chefs, not a neighbourhood brunch spot. It’s first-come, first-served, no bookings, so turn up early on weekends or be prepared to hover.
Naked Loaf (70 Moyser Road, Tooting, London SW16 6SQ) does sourdough pizza that’s genuinely one of the best I’ve had in London, full stop.
Eating in Tooting: Brunch
Flora inside Tooting Market does Latin American fusion brunch that’s louder and more colourful than most, now with a bottomless option and DJs at the weekend turning the whole thing into more of an event than a meal.
MUD (141 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) is the classic, meat-focused brunch menu, big plates of eggs and bacon done properly, as well some caribbean fusion dishes. They do big portions so come hungry.
Branché (14 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) does French street food and an entirely halal, all-day brunch menu, the signature French tacos are worth the trip alone.
Eating in Tooting: South Indian
Radha Krishna Bhavan (86 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN) is the one to try if you want your South Indian food a bit gentler on the palate, all soft idlis and coconut-heavy sauces rather than anything that’ll have you reaching for water.
Dosa n Chutney (68 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN) does exactly what its name promises and does it well, proper crispy dosas with a spread of chutneys to go with them.
Jaffna House (90 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN), London’s oldest Sri Lankan restaurant, does great curry at a genuinely negligible price.
Eating in Tooting: International Food
Little Taperia (143 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) does proper Spanish tapas, the kind of small plates and sherry list that makes an evening stretch out without you noticing.
Meza (34 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) is the Tooting Bec branch of the Lebanese restaurant, moujadara, creamy houmous, and plenty of grilled meat off the char.
Eating in Tooting: Coffee
Juliets (110 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) doubles as one of the best specialty coffee spots in the area on top of its brunch reputation, think salted espresso butter and a proper chai, not just an afterthought bolted onto the food menu.
Blueprint now has two spots to choose from, 162A Mitcham Road near Tooting Broadway, and a newer branch at 60 Franciscan Road closer to Tooting Bec common, both doing the same reliably good “coffee by design” approach. This is my go-to coffee shop, which I visit daily.
arêvery (116 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RR) is your daytime coffee spot that quietly turns into a lovely little wine bar come evening, small producers, intentional sourcing, and 30p from every coffee going to the local food bank.
Forty (165 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) is a proper community-run coffee spot, the kind of place that feels like it knows half its customers by their usual order.
Milk Run (16-18 Ritherdon Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 8QD) is Milk’s (mega popular brunch spot in Balham) sibling, all croissants, pain au chocolat and proper sourdough loaves alongside the coffee, worth the short detour off the main strip.
Eating in Tooting: Fancy Meals
Rosmarino (23 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) is a small, family-run, proper grown-up Italian, contemporary plates built on seasonal ingredients flown in from Italy, run by a husband and wife who genuinely seem to know every regular by name. Booking ahead is worth it, it’s a small room.
Smoke & Salt (115 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) is tasting-menu only, a rotating six-dish “Culture” menu built around the best produce of the season, with wine pairings if you want to make a proper night of it. Thursday to Saturday only, and it’s small, so book ahead.
Things to Do in Tooting
Tooting has two indoor markets, and honestly, wandering both of them properly is a thing to do in itself.
Wander and Eat at Tooting & Broadway Markets
Tooting Market (21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) is the older of the two markets, a warren of small units where you’ll stumble on something new every visit.
KOI Ramen Bar does a rich, properly bone-deep tonkotsu broth that’s worth queuing for, plus gyoza that disappear off the table faster than you can order more.
Get Juiced does fresh juices and smoothies, and banging açai bowls, good for a quick, cold reset between market stops. Do not leave without trying the all-vegan snickers bar, it’s genuinely one of the best things in the market.
Vermicelli (Unit 11, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) does consistently excellent handmade pasta, rolled out in full view of the market. The owners, Ahmos and Aleksandra, opened it after getting properly obsessed with vermicelli’s history, tracing the pasta back to 14th-century Italy and Maestro Martino da Como, sometimes called the first celebrity chef, and built the whole menu around telling that story properly.
Graveney Gin is a genuinely woman-run gin distillery with its own cocktail bar and bottle shop, the actual stills sitting right there behind the counter, so you can watch what you’re about to drink get made.
Love Art Tooting is a gallery and gift shop stocked with prints and cards from local artists, alongside ceramics, jewellery, books and stationery, genuinely nice gift territory rather than tourist tat.
Slime Bar does exactly what it sounds like, kids make their own slime in a one-hour workshop (or grab a 30-minute session with pre-made slime if patience is short), and it’s been a genuinely popular after-school and birthday party spot here since 2019.
Broadway Market (29 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RJ), the smaller and newer of the two, is where you’ll find Barra10 (see above).
The Brasa Club (Unit 25, Floor G, Broadway Market Tooting, SW17 0RJ) is genuinely one of the best-reviewed restaurants in the whole neighbourhood, 5 stars from well over a hundred reviews, small plates, ox cheek doughnuts, and everything made from scratch.
Pan Asian Street Food (Unit 24, 29 Broadway Market, London SW17 0RJ) does bao buns, tonkotsu ramen and a proper pork ramen, hundreds of genuinely glowing reviews.
On weekend nights the whole place fills with live music and an energy that’s a world away from a normal shopping trip.
Check Out a Legit Indian Market
Patel Brothers (187 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7TG) has been the go-to Indian grocery store here since 1973, shelves stacked floor to ceiling with spices, lentils and snacks imported directly from India, it genuinely feels like you’ve been transported there for the ten minutes you spend browsing.
Buy Fresh Naan
Daily Naan (176 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7ER) does naan so fresh it’s still warm when you’re handed it, and I find it an experience in itself just buying the bread!
Play Bingo in an Art Deco Cinema
Buzz Bingo (50 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NA) is housed inside the old Granada cinema, a genuinely stunning art deco building from 1931 that got converted into a bingo hall in the 70s but kept its original interior. Worth popping your head in just to see the building, even if bingo isn’t usually your thing.
Wander Around Tooting Common
Tooting Common is the proper green space to walk it all off, and next to Tooting Bec tube it connects through to Balham and Streatham if you fancy extending the walk. Head to the pond for the ducks, it’s a genuinely lovely spot to just sit for ten minutes, and there’s a weekly park run if you’re that way inclined. Fun fact: I got engaged by the lake here, so this particular patch of grass is a pretty special one for me.
Cool Off at the UK’s Largest Freshwater Lido
Tooting Bec Lido (Tooting Bec Road, London SW16 1RU) is the largest freshwater swimming pool in the UK, a proper South London institution with those distinctive coloured changing huts you might recognise from Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Fun fact: it was built in just four months and opened in July 1906 as “Tooting Bathing Lake”, a communal bath for locals who mostly didn’t have their own bathroom at home, which makes 2026 its 120th birthday. It’s open from 1 May to 30 September, and on bank holidays you’ll want to get there early or fight for the last spot in the sun.
Discover a Hidden Sewing Machine Museum
The London Sewing Machine Museum (308 Balham High Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7AA) is only open 2pm to 5pm on the first Saturday of each month, but the collection is genuinely something: over 600 sewing machines, one of them gifted to Queen Victoria’s daughter as a wedding present. There’s a haberdashery on site too if you leave inspired to sew something yourself.
Bake Your Own Cake in a Competitive Bake-Off
If you fancy something a bit more competitive than a pint, The Big London Bake runs baking sessions in a twelve-station tent set up in The Castle’s garden, walked through by real patisserie chefs in about 90 minutes. Best done in pairs or a group, and it’s non-alcoholic in the tent itself, though The Castle is right there for a pre or post-bake drink.
Where to Drink in Tooting
Pubs
The Castle (38 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RG) is a Young’s pub that’s been here since 1832, likely one of the biggest pubs in Tooting by sheer square footage, and its garden, complete with rentable garden huts, is the real draw for a summer get-together.
The Antelope (76 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) is a historic Victorian pub that reopened in April 2026 after a £1 million refurbishment, and thankfully it still feels like the same community pub underneath the polish. Beer garden intact, and a proper Sunday roast now on the menu too.
The Selkirk (60 Selkirk Road, London SW17 0ES) is a gorgeous Victorian two-bar pub tucked just off the main high street on a residential corner, with a surprisingly large walled garden that still feels like something of a locals’ secret. It’s especially good for a Sunday roast, and there’s a room upstairs for hire with a regular run of comedy and trivia nights, worth checking what’s on before you head down since it doesn’t run every single week.
The King’s Head (84 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7PB) is a proper piece of Victorian pub architecture, built in 1896 and recognised by CAMRA as a historic interior of national importance, so much so that the actual Euro 2020 trophy did a promotional visit here for a day. Sitting at an awkward midpoint between the two tube stations means it’s rarely as packed as it deserves to be, and with pool tables out back and sport on the screens, it’s a solid pick if you want space to actually sit down.
The Rose and Crown (140 Tooting Bec Road, London SW17 8BH), opposite Tooting Bec Common, is a proper local’s local with fresh pizzas, live sport, and a Sunday night pub quiz that’s worth building your evening around.
Craft Beer
Craft Tooting (143 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) is my favourite London beer shop, full stop. It moved here from Broadway Market in late 2024 and now has six draft taps and a bottle selection that’ll have you standing at the fridge for a good ten minutes deciding.
Br3wery (97 Moyser Road, Furzedown, London SW16) is a bit further out but worth the walk, a proper craft beer taproom with sourdough pizza and natural wine, families and dogs both welcome.
Wine Bars
arêvery (116 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RR) is your daytime coffee spot that quietly turns into a lovely little wine bar come evening, small producers, intentional sourcing, and 30p from every coffee going to the local food bank.
Indie Wine Club (Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) is a proper by-the-glass wine bar right inside the market, a list that changes with the seasons and a genuinely dog-friendly, unpretentious vibe. Closed weekends for private events, so a weekday visit is your best bet.
Cocktail Bars
Goldfinch (145 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) does one of the best negronis in the city, and its fairy-light-covered heated garden, tucked behind an unassuming side entrance, feels like stepping into somewhere entirely different once you’re through it.
Where to Go Out in Tooting
The old Tooting Tram and Social, the converted tram shed everyone used to head to for a late one, closed and reopened in April 2026 as House of Ora, a genuinely different kind of night out for the neighbourhood, live music, DJs, and rotating art installations all in the same building that used to just be somewhere to dance till 2am.
The Candlelight Club (48A Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NA) is a proper 1920s speakeasy behind a secret door, candlelight, live jazz from Red Hot Rhythm Revival, and burlesque from Jolie Papillon. Dress the part, book a Champagne table or the three-course dinner option if you want to make a proper night of it.
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Victoria Falls is one of those places you see in photos and think, “yes, but it’s probably not actually like that.” It is. It’s exactly like that, and then some. The Zambezi River drops over a cliff edge that’s nearly 2km wide, and the roar, the spray, the rainbows, it genuinely makes you feel small in the best possible way. Trust me, you don’t want to die without experiencing this. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Victoria Falls.
Visiting Victoria Falls: Everything You Need to Know
Victoria Falls was ‘discovered’ by the outside world in 1855, when British explorer and missionary David Livingstone became the first European to see it, writing in his diary that the sight “must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” He renamed it after Queen Victoria, though the name that mattered long before he ever arrived was already in use: the local Tonga people call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”, a name that makes complete sense the moment you’re standing in the spray.
The Tonga also believe the Zambezi is home to Nyami-nyami, a river spirit, part serpent, part fish, said to control the river’s floods and the fortunes of the people who live along it. When the Kariba Dam was built downstream in the 1950s, locals blamed a string of construction disasters and floods on his fury at being separated from his wife on the other side of the dam wall. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you once you’ve heard it, standing on that bridge over the gorge.
For the record: Victoria Falls isn’t the tallest or the widest waterfall in the world, but it holds the record for the largest single sheet of falling water on the planet, roughly double the height of Niagara Falls.
VICTORIA FALLS ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe has its own airport (VFA), as does Livingstone in Zambia (LVI). Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups, it’s only a few kilometres to the falls from either town, but a fixed-price meet-and-greet beats negotiating with airport touts when you’ve just landed. Search for international flights on Skyscanner.
📱 Connect / Worth knowing before you land: Zimbabwe isn’t covered by any regional African eSIM plan, so if you’re staying in Victoria Falls town, pick up a local Econet SIM instead, they’re cheap and widely available at the airport or in town. If you’re crossing over to the Zambia side too, I use Holafly there, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off, it works well on that side of the border, just not the Zimbabwean one.
🛡️ Get Insured / With activities like bungee jumping, white water rafting, and helicopter flights on offer, travel insurance is non-negotiable here. World Nomads covers adventure activities and is what I use every trip.
Zimbabwe vs Zambia: Which Side Should You Visit?
You can visit from both countries, and I’d recommend doing and staying in both if you have the time.
Zimbabwe side is generally considered to give better overall views of the falls, more of the main curtain is visible from the pathway, and the walk through Mosi-oa-Tunya park on the Zimbabwe side is excellent. The town of Victoria Falls is more tourist-friendly, with more accommodation options, restaurants, and activity operators. This is where I stayed and I’d recommend it as your base.
Zambia side is where you access Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool (dry season only), this alone makes it worth crossing for a day. The Zambia side is also better for views of the Eastern Cataract. The town of Livingstone is slightly less polished than Victoria Falls town but has a good backpacker scene.
Practical info for crossing: The two sides are connected by the Victoria Falls Bridge, which includes an immigration post. You’ll need to pay entry fees on each side (around US$20–30 per person per park) and most nationalities will need a visa for both Zimbabwe and Zambia, a KAZA UNIVISA covers both countries and is the easiest option (around US$50). You can get it on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport or the border, or apply online in advance at evisa.gov.zw to skip the queue. Always check current visa requirements for your nationality before you travel.
Allow about 30 minutes for the crossing, including immigration.
Things to Do at Victoria Falls
1. Visit the Falls Themselves: Zimbabwe Side
The Zimbabwe side of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park gives you the best overall perspective on the falls. A pathway runs along the top of the gorge with a series of viewing points, some closer, some more panoramic, each one revealing a different angle on the spectacle. Bring a waterproof jacket and a dry bag for your phone: you will get soaked, even on a dry day. In wet season, expect to be completely drenched within minutes. I was completely soaked from head to toe, the equivalent of being under water.
The rainbows here are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, arc after arc forming in the permanent mist above the gorge. On full moon nights, a lunar rainbow appears. Book a Victoria Falls Zimbabwe National Park guided tour for the full historical and ecological context.
2. Swim in the Devil’s Pool (Zambia, Dry Season Only)
The Devil’s Pool is a natural rock pool right at the edge of the falls, and when water levels are low enough (roughly August to January), you can swim in it. You’re lying in this pool with the full width of Victoria Falls dropping away just centimetres beyond the lip of rock. It’s genuinely terrifying and genuinely extraordinary.
Access is via Livingstone Island on the Zambia side. You must go with an authorised operator, this is not something to attempt independently. Tours run several times a day with a breakfast, lunch, or high-tea package included, prices vary by option but expect somewhere in the region of $110-$200pp. If you can, book the breakfast slot, the sun is high enough by mid-morning to give you the best chance of a rainbow while you’re actually in the pool. Book Devil’s Pool in advance as spaces are extremely limited and it sells out weeks ahead. If Devil’s Pool is full or the water’s too high, ask about Angel’s Armchair, a similar edge-of-the-falls pool nearby that opens when Devil’s Pool doesn’t, a good backup rather than a lesser experience.
3. Bungee Jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge
The Victoria Falls Bridge spans the gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, 111 metres above the Zambezi River, and you can jump off it. The bungee jump here is one of the most iconic in the world, and it’s been on many a bucket list for good reason. You leap from the middle of the bridge with both countries in view and the gorge and river below. Absolutely wild.
If bungee jumping sounds a step too far, the zip line and gorge swing offer a slightly less terrifying way to experience the drama of the gorge. The zip line runs across the gorge; the swing sends you pendulum-style into it. Both are operated from the Zambia side near the bridge. Excellent fun and the views are spectacular.
Below the falls, the Zambezi churns through a dramatic gorge and produces some of the best white water rafting in the world, consistently rated among the top five rafting destinations on the planet. The rapids (particularly on the Zimbabwe side) are Grade 4 and 5, proper, terrifying, brilliant. Half-day and full-day trips are available from both sides.
This one’s seasonal too: rafting on certain sections is not possible in peak wet season when water levels are too high. Book Zambezi white water rafting here.
6. Take a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi
For something more relaxed, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi is one of the loveliest ways to spend an evening here. You drift upstream from Victoria Falls town on a flat-bottomed boat with drinks in hand, watching hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and various birds on the banks as the sun goes down over the river. The light at sunset is extraordinary.
Seeing Victoria Falls from a helicopter is genuinely one of the most spectacular things you can do in Africa. The “Flight of Angels” gives you a bird’s-eye view of the full width of the falls, the gorge, and the Zambezi winding away in both directions, scale and perspective that you simply cannot get from the ground. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it.
If the helicopter feels a bit too enclosed, a microlight flight is the more exposed, more thrilling alternative, open-air, strapped in behind the pilot, nothing between you and the view. Flights depart from the Zambian side and run 15 or 30 minutes, circling the falls and the Zambezi, with a good chance of spotting wildlife in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park below. Prices start from around $190 for the shorter flight. Book a scenic microlight flight over Victoria Falls.
9. Game Drive in Zambezi National Park
Immediately upstream of the falls on the Zimbabwe side, Zambezi National Park is a proper game reserve with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope, and lion, all within a few kilometres of town. A morning or afternoon game drive here is extremely easy to organise (most hotels can book one for you) and can be combined with a visit to the falls on the same day.
For a more ambitious wildlife experience, Chobe National Park in Botswana is just over an hour away and is one of the best game-viewing destinations in Africa, particularly famous for its extraordinary elephant population. Day trips and overnight safaris to Chobe from Victoria Falls are easy to arrange, book a full-day Chobe safari with lunch and a river cruise if you want it sorted for you.
Right at the edge of the falls
10. Visit the Local Markets
Victoria Falls town has several craft markets worth exploring, Elephant’s Walk is particularly charming, with local artisans selling wood carvings, stone sculptures, woven baskets, and colourful fabrics. You’ll find far more interesting things here than in airport souvenir shops, and the prices are negotiable. Allow a couple of hours and don’t be in a rush.
11. Sunrise Walk to the Falls
Get up early, genuinely early, and walk to the falls as the sun is coming up. The light is extraordinary, the spray catches the early morning colour, and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. On my walk one morning, I rounded a corner two blocks from town and found a herd of elephants feeding on the vegetation along the road. The locals seemed pretty impressed too, apparently this doesn’t happen every day. But it speaks to how close the wildlife is to the town here.
12. The Boma Dinner and Drum Show
For a proper cultural evening, The Boma on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate is a four-course feast (a shared platter, campfire soup, a barbecue buffet with game meats, and dessert) alongside traditional dancing, storytelling, face painting and interactive drumming, you’ll be dressed in a chitenge on arrival and drawn into the show rather than just watching it. It’s touristy, deliberately so, and genuinely good fun for it. Prices run from around $45 to $60 per person, drinks not included. Book The Boma Dinner and Drum Show.
13. Dinner on the Royal Livingstone Express
For something completely different, board the Royal Livingstone Express, a beautifully restored 1920s steam train that departs from Livingstone in the late afternoon for a 5-course dinner as you rattle through the bush in elegant, linen-and-crystal dining cars. The train stops in the middle of the Victoria Falls Bridge as the sun goes down, a genuinely unforgettable photo opportunity, before you continue on to a guided tour of the bridge itself. It’s not cheap (around $399 per person), but it’s exactly the kind of splurge experience worth having once.
Honestly, just go to The Three Monkeys every night, it’s that good. I was vegan at the time and they did me a great vegan pizza; if you’re not, there’s plenty else on offer, including a trio of wildebeest, zebra and beef that my friend is still talking about. Take a photo with the “I ❤ Vic Falls” sign while you’re there, everyone does.
For something with a view, Lookout Café perches high above Batoka Gorge, one of the best spots in town for a sundowner or a meal while you watch bungee jumpers and zip-liners across the gorge, and the menu leans into local specialities like crocodile kebabs and a Baobab cocktail. Baines Restaurant is another gorge-view option worth knowing about, more of a sit-down meal over the Zambezi if Lookout Café is booked out.
Where to Stay in Victoria Falls
I stayed on the Zimbabwe side in Victoria Falls town and would do so again without hesitation, it’s quiet, charming (in a low-key, slightly faded way), and walkable to the falls and restaurants.
Budget Accommodation
Joyful Vista Guest Lodge: A recently renovated guesthouse with a private garden and free parking, consistently rated Superb (9.0) on Booking.com, well-located and very good value. If you’re watching the pennies but don’t want to compromise on comfort, stay here. Best for: budget travellers who don’t want to compromise on comfort.
Mid-range
Ilala Lodge: A lovely mid-range option with a pool and a great location. Relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff, and close enough to hear the falls on a quiet night. Best for: couples and first-timers.
Splurge
The Victoria Falls Hotel: This is the grande dame of Victoria Falls accommodation, an Edwardian colonial hotel dating from 1904, with a stunning terrace that looks straight towards the spray rising above the falls. It’s genuinely beautiful. If you’re not staying there, at the very minimum stop in for a Mojito on the terrace at sunset. Iconic. Best for: a special occasion, honeymoon, or classic Africa experience.
Basing yourself on the Zambia side instead? Livingstone has its own excellent options. For something special, Avani Victoria Falls Resort sits right at the entrance to the Zambian side of the falls, with zebras and giraffes roaming freely across the grounds (rated 8.1 on Booking.com). For something more relaxed and affordable, Maramba River Lodge is a lovely riverside spot with a pool and garden, and a proper taste of nature (you may well hear elephants at night) without the splurge price tag (rated 8.0).
Victoria Falls Bridge plus Rainbow
Getting To & Around Victoria Falls
By Air: Victoria Falls has its own international airport (VFA) with direct or one-stop connections from most major hubs. Airlink, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Fastjet, and Safair all serve it, with regional connections from Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa. From the UK, expect one stop. Search for flights on Skyscanner.
From Zambia, fly into Livingstone Airport (LVI), served by Airlink from Johannesburg and Cape Town, plus Proflight Zambia connecting internally from Lusaka. Proflight and Ethiopian Airlines both also fly the short hop directly between Livingstone and Victoria Falls, useful if you’re planning to see both sides but base yourself on one.
By Road from Botswana: Victoria Falls is extremely close to Kasane in Botswana, a transfer between the two takes just over an hour and costs around US$35 per person. If you’re combining a safari in Chobe with the falls (which I’d highly recommend), this is an easy route to plan around.
By Bus or Train: If you’re already travelling overland in the region, Intercape Pathfinder runs buses from Harare to Victoria Falls (around 12 hours) and from Windhoek in Namibia to Livingstone, while Mazhandu connects Lusaka to Livingstone in around 5-6 hours. For something slower and considerably more scenic, Rovos Rail runs a multi-day luxury train from Pretoria in South Africa to Victoria Falls, a proper old-world adventure if you have the time and budget for it.
Getting Around: Victoria Falls town is tiny and almost everything is walkable, the falls, markets, restaurants, and activity operators are all within a few minutes on foot. For Zambezi National Park, the Zambia side, or further afield, use a local taxi or arrange transport through your hotel.
How Long to Spend at Victoria Falls
1–2 days is enough if your only goal is visiting the falls, you can comfortably see both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides in a day and have time for a sunset cruise in the evening.
3–4 days gives you time to add activities (rafting, bungee, game drive) and explore more leisurely. This is the sweet spot for most visitors.
5–7 days makes sense if you’re combining Victoria Falls with a Chobe/Botswana safari, one of the great southern Africa combinations and very logistically straightforward. I’ve been to Chobe myself, and my honest advice is to give it more than a rushed single day if you can, it’s genuinely one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa and deserves the time. It’s also very remote out there, so I wouldn’t cheap out on where you stay or who you go with, comfort and a solid operator matter more than they would somewhere more accessible.
For the multi-day version, book the 5-Day Triple Country Safari: Zimbabwe, Zambia & Botswana, it covers all three countries with proper lodge accommodation, a sunset cruise, a guided Falls tour, a full day in Chobe, and a helicopter flight and night game drive thrown in, exactly the kind of comfort I’d point you towards for somewhere this remote. If you’d rather rough it, the 3-Day Chobe Camping Safari is a proper bush-camping alternative, basic toilets and showers, but reviewers rave about the game viewing.
Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls
This is the most important decision you’ll make for this trip, and there’s a genuine trade-off.
Wet Season (November–June), for the full force of the falls
The Zambezi River is at its highest between February and April, and the falls are at their most spectacular, the sheer volume of water is staggering. At peak wet season, so much spray is generated that you can barely see the falls themselves; you’re just standing in what feels like the heaviest rain of your life, grinning. This is when the Zimbabwe side is the better viewpoint, as the mist makes the Zambia side harder to see from. The downside: the Devil’s Pool is closed (too dangerous), and your camera and phone will struggle.
I visited in the wet season and while my GoPro was mostly useless, the experience of standing on that bridge with water running past my feet and the full force of the falls just metres away was something I’ll never forget.
Dry Season (August–January), for activities and the Devil’s Pool
Water levels drop, the falls are less overwhelming but far more photogenic, you can actually see them clearly. The Devil’s Pool on Livingstone Island is open (roughly August to January), which is one of the most extraordinary experiences on the planet. Wildlife viewing in nearby national parks is also at its best. If you want to swim at the edge of the falls, come in the dry season.
Best Compromise: May–June or September–October
May–June catches the tail end of the wet season, still impressive water levels, the mist is starting to clear, and some dry-season activities are becoming available. September–October is post-dry season: water levels rising again, good wildlife, and excellent weather.
Practical Info: Safety, Money & Health
Safety: Victoria Falls town and Livingstone are both very safe for tourists, crime against visitors is low and both places are geared towards tourism. You’ll get the usual attention from craft-market touts and curio sellers, especially around the bridge, a firm “no thank you” works fine. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the roads too, elephants and baboons wander freely around town, and baboons in particular can be cheeky around food, don’t leave anything out or in an open bag.
Money: The US dollar is the practical currency here on both sides of the border. Zimbabwe’s local currency (the ZiG) exists, but hotels, restaurants, and tour operators overwhelmingly quote and accept USD, so bring clean, small-denomination notes as change can be hard to come by. Don’t rely on ATMs for USD cash, bring what you need with you. Card payments are widely accepted at hotels and larger operators, but cash is still king for tips, markets, and smaller vendors.
Health: Victoria Falls is a malaria zone, so speak to your GP about anti-malarials before you travel (I use Malarone). Cover up in the evenings and pack a strong DEET repellent. You may also encounter tsetse flies, especially in the bush and during the rainy season, they’re drawn to dark colours like navy and black, so stick to lighter clothing where you can. Stick to bottled water throughout your trip.
Victoria Falls FAQ
Which side of Victoria Falls is better, Zimbabwe or Zambia?
For the overall falls experience, the Zimbabwe side is generally considered better, you get a broader, more comprehensive view of the falls from the walkway. But the Zambia side has Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool (dry season), which is extraordinary. Visit both if you can, the crossing takes about 30 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
It depends what you want. For the full volume and force of the falls, visit February to April (wet season). For the Devil’s Pool, activities, and better visibility, visit August to January (dry season). May–June and September–October are popular compromise months.
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia?
Most nationalities need visas for both countries. The KAZA UNIVISA (around US$50) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the most convenient option. It’s available on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport and at the border, or you can apply online in advance at evisa.gov.zw. Always check current requirements for your specific passport before travel.
Is Victoria Falls worth visiting in the wet season?
Absolutely, in fact, the wet season (February–May) shows the falls at their most powerful and awe-inspiring. Yes, you’ll get soaked. Yes, your photos might not turn out. But the experience of standing in that spray with the full force of the Zambezi pouring over the edge is something I can’t recommend highly enough. Just pack waterproof gear and a dry bag.
What else is near Victoria Falls?
Chobe National Park in Botswana is just over an hour away and is one of the greatest wildlife destinations in Africa, particularly famous for having the largest elephant population on the continent. Day trips and multi-day safaris to Chobe can be arranged easily from Victoria Falls. It’s the perfect add-on if you have a few extra days.
Travel insurance is non-negotiable here, with bungee jumps, rafting, and safaris on the itinerary, you want proper cover. World Nomads covers adventure activities and has excellent medical evacuation coverage, which matters in southern Africa.
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Belfast punches well above its weight as a family city break. It’s compact enough to actually manage with kids in tow, it’s got a genuinely brilliant mix of hands-on museums, animals, forest zip lines and free things to wander into, and you’re never more than an hour from a rope bridge, a rock formation or a beach. This is the family-specific version of my full Belfast guide, everything here is either aimed at kids directly or works genuinely well with them along. Everything on this list is somewhere I’ve either visited with my son already or have planned to take him myself, nothing here is guesswork.
BELFAST WITH KIDS ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups so you’re not wrangling kids and luggage on public transport after a flight. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, most attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other, which is genuinely manageable with a buggy. For day trips out to the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🏨 Stay / Family rooms and a pool make the biggest difference here, see the full picks in Where to Stay below.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or killing time before a flight home with tired kids, there are luggage storage points all over the city. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover, especially with zip lines and farm visits on the itinerary. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Titanic Belfast is the big one, and it genuinely earns the hype: built on the exact slipway where the ship was constructed, the museum walks you through Belfast’s shipbuilding story, the launch, the sinking, and the aftermath, with enough interactive exhibits (including a small ride through a recreated shipyard) to hold younger attention spans too. Combine your ticket with a visit to the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship, moored just outside. Standard tickets are £24.95 for adults, £11 for children aged 5 to 15, under 5s free, or £62 for a family pass. Book in advance, this sells out on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic tickets here.
2. W5 Discovery Centre
Right next door to Titanic Belfast in the same Titanic Quarter, W5 is a hands-on science centre with over 250 interactive exhibits across themed zones, kids can climb a multi-storey structure, explore space-age dinosaurs in The Lost Planet, or get properly stuck into MED-Lab. It’s best suited to roughly ages 3 to 10, with a dedicated Discovery Zone for under-8s specifically, and pairing it with Titanic Belfast makes for an easy, walkable double-header without moving the car. Tickets are from around £12 for adults and £10.50 for children, with family bundles available, and your ticket is valid all day so you can leave for lunch and come back. Check current W5 ticket prices and book here.
3. Colin Glen Forest Park
Just 5 minutes from the city centre, Colin Glen is a 200-acre forest park built for exactly this kind of day out: the longest zip line on the island of Ireland (700m over the Colin River, up to 50mph if your kids are brave enough), the island’s only official Gruffalo Trail, SKYTrek high ropes, and the island’s first Alpine Coaster. There’s enough here to fill a whole morning or afternoon, and plenty of gentler walking trails through the glen itself if you’ve got mixed ages in the group. Check activities and book online. Pricing is per activity or bundled into multi-activity passes rather than one flat entry fee, so it’s worth checking current rates on the site before you go.
4. Belfast Zoo
Set across 55 acres on the slopes of Cave Hill with genuinely lovely views back over the city, Belfast Zoo is home to over 120 species. It’s a proper half-day out rather than a quick stop, budget 3 to 4 hours if you want to see everything without rushing. Online tickets are £15 for adults, £7.50 for children aged 4 to 16, under 4s free, or £44.50 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children, cheaper than paying at the gate. Book Belfast Zoo tickets online.
Streamvale FarmStreamvale Farm
5. Streamvale Open Farm
A short drive from the city, Streamvale Open Farm is the pick for younger children specifically: cows, sheep, ponies and a proper cuddle-time session where kids get to pet rabbits, chicks and sometimes puppies. There is lots to do in the farm, from a tractor driven ride to a barrel one, feeding, soft play, bouncy castles and a lot, lot more. My son loved our day there so much he skipped his nap! Admission is around £10 for adults and £9 for children, with toddlers under 3 often free or reduced. Book Streamvale Open Farm tickets here.
6. Botanic Gardens, the Palm House & Ulster Museum
The Botanic Gardens in Queen’s Quarter are free and beautiful, and the Palm House inside is a stunning Victorian glasshouse well worth a wander on its own, kids tend to love the humid, jungle-like warmth of it. Right next door, the Ulster Museum has a proper Egyptian mummy collection alongside dinosaur skeletons and natural science exhibits, more than enough to hold attention for a couple of hours. Both free.
7. Say Hello to Aslan at C.S. Lewis Square
Belfast is the birthplace of C.S. Lewis, and East Belfast celebrates it with C.S. Lewis Square, a small public square dotted with bronze statues of characters from the Chronicles of Narnia, including Aslan and the White Witch. It’s free, it’s outdoors, and it’s an easy 20 to 30 minute stop that Narnia-loving kids genuinely light up over.
8. Follow the Game of Thrones Glass Trail
Belfast and Northern Ireland were the main filming locations for Game of Thrones, and the city marks it with twelve individual stained glass windows depicting scenes from the show, displayed across the city. It’s free to follow, self-paced, and works well as a scavenger hunt if you frame it that way for older kids, hand them the map and let them find each one.
9. Browse St George’s Market
St George’s Market, a Victorian covered market open Friday through Sunday, is easy and low-pressure with kids: food stalls, crafts, live music, and enough going on to just wander for half an hour without a fixed plan. Friday is the Variety Market, Saturday is the City Food and Garden Market, and Sunday is the City Market. Good for grabbing lunch between bigger activities. Free to browse.
10. Belfast Castle & Cave Hill Country Park
Belfast Castle, built in 1870 in Scottish Baronial style, sits on the slopes of Cave Hill with spectacular views over the city. The surrounding Cave Hill Country Park has walking trails for every fitness level and a proper adventurous play park for younger kids to burn off energy after the walk up. About a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Free.
11. Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park
For a rainy-day backup (this is Northern Ireland, keep one in your pocket), Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park in West Belfast is the largest indoor water park in Northern Ireland, three high-speed water slides including a drop slide and a master blaster, plus a dedicated area for younger kids. A reliable option when the weather turns. From £6.35 for the small slides, £12.60 for full access (adult), £9.50 child 5+, under 5s free.
The Big Fish
12. See the Big Fish
The Big Fish, officially the Salmon of Knowledge, is a ceramic mosaic sculpture on the waterfront near the Lagan, each tile tells part of Belfast’s history. It’s a two-minute stop, but kids like spotting the details, and it’s an easy add-on to a walk along the river or a Titanic Quarter visit. Free.
13. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
A good one for your first day, the hop-on hop-off bus gives you your bearings before deciding what’s worth going back to properly. The full loop takes about 1 hour 10 minutes across 19 stops, taking in the Peace Wall and Falls Road murals, Queen’s University, St George’s Market and the Titanic Quarter. Book the Belfast City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. £24 for a 48-hour ticket.
14. The Lost City Adventure Golf
Another solid rainy-day option, The Lost City Adventure Golf has two indoor 18-hole jungle-themed courses with special effects and interactive obstacles built in. A family pass covering 4 players is £30 for one course or £45 for both. Open 10am to 10pm daily.
15. We Are Vertigo
In the Titanic Quarter, We Are Vertigo is home to Northern Ireland’s only indoor skydiving tunnel, suitable from age 4, plus a Ninja Master Course (age 6+) with ziplines, jungle bars and rolling logs. Skydiving is £45 for a 2-minute session, the Ninja Course is £15. It’s not cheap for what you get, but it’s a genuinely memorable, one-off experience if you want to splash out on a single big activity.
16. Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory
More than just a sweet shop, Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory lets kids watch traditional sweets, handmade chocolates and honeycomb being made, with candy shows most weekends at midday. Entry is around £5 to £8. A nice, low-key one to pair with a wander around East Belfast.
17. Prison Island Belfast
Prison Island is 25 different prison-themed challenge cells where teams use physical and tactical skill to score points over a 2-hour session, not an escape room, you can leave any cell at any time. Best suited to ages 9 and up, though 6 to 9-year-olds can play alongside an adult. A child ticket for a standard session is £18.
18. Black Cab Political History Tour (Older Kids & Teens)
For older kids and teens who can handle the subject matter, a Black Cab tour through the Peace Wall and the Falls Road and Shankill Road murals is one of the most genuinely valuable things you can do in Belfast, a local driver walks you through the history of the Troubles with real personal context that no textbook replicates. It’s not aimed at younger children, but for the right age it’s an experience worth building a day around. Book a Belfast Political Taxi Tour. From £32.50 per person.
19. Crumlin Road Gaol (Older Kids & Teens)
A genuinely fascinating self-guided tour through Belfast’s Victorian-era prison, Crumlin Road Gaol lets you into some of the actual cells and the underground tunnel prisoners were once brought through from the courthouse. It’s atmospheric rather than gory, but the hanging cell at the end is a bit much for younger children, this one’s better suited to older kids and teens than the rest of this list. Book Crumlin Road Gaol tickets here. £18.50 adults, £12 children, £17 concessions, £55 family of 4.
20. The Gobbins Cliff Path Walk
A dramatic, guided-only cliff walk carved into the rock along the Causeway Coast, about 3.2km and roughly two hours including bridges, steps and a small tunnel. It’s more manageable than it sounds, walking is single-file so the pace is naturally slow, and a buggy is provided for the steep hill back up if you need it. Children must be over 4ft tall, no upper age limit. Plan your visit and book here. £20 adults, £14.50 children/students/seniors, £42 family ticket, guided tours only.
21. Let’s Go Hydro
Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor aqua park, Let’s Go Hydro is about 15 minutes from the city centre and packs in inflatable slides, climbing walls, wakeboarding and pier jumps across 55 acres, genuinely fun for a mix of ages. It also does accommodation, tents, glamping pods, Viking huts and even houseboats, if you fancy basing yourselves there for a night rather than just a day visit. Check current prices and book here.
22. The Odyssey Complex: Cinema, Bowling & Crazy Golf
Right below W5 in the Titanic Quarter, the Odyssey is a whole complex worth knowing about for a wet-weather afternoon: a 13-screen Cineworld, a 20-lane bowling alley, a 36-hole crazy golf course and an arcade, all under one roof, with restaurants and shops if you need a break between activities. Easy to combine with a W5 or Titanic Belfast morning. Individual prices per activity, check the site for current rates.
23. Browse Belfast Central Library
On Royal Avenue, Belfast Central Library is a genuinely beautiful piece of public architecture as much as a working library, with a dedicated children’s area, free activities, and a calm, air-conditioned break from a busy day of sightseeing. An easy stop if you need somewhere quiet for half an hour. Free.
24. Black Axe Throwing (16+)
Strictly for the older end of “kids”, Black Axe Throwing doesn’t allow anyone under 16 to throw, and 16 and 17-year-olds need an adult to co-sign their waiver. Worth knowing about if you’re travelling with teens rather than young children, instructors run you through safety and technique before you start. £29 per person, per hour.
25. HMS Caroline
Moored right in the Titanic Quarter, a short walk from Titanic Belfast and W5, HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship from the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the First World War. It’s a self-guided tour with touchscreen displays and panoramic harbour views, genuinely well-suited to families, and an easy add-on to a Titanic Quarter day since you’re already right there. During NI school holidays it runs free-flow rather than a fixed 45-minute guided slot, easier with kids who want to move at their own pace. Book HMS Caroline tickets here. £12 adults, £7.50 students/seniors, £5 children, under 5s free, tickets valid for a year.
26. Laganvale Farm
Just outside the city between Belfast and Lisburn, in the Lagan Valley Regional Park, Laganvale Farm is a great alternative or add-on to Streamvale: a petting barn, animal paddocks, a big sandpit and activity tunnel outdoors, plus a genuinely good indoor soft play centre for a wet day, catering from babies up to 10-year-olds. There’s a tearoom on site too, and seasonal events like pumpkin picking and a maize maze. Prices vary depending on whether you add the soft play session, roughly £8 to £13 for adults and £33 to £40 for a family of 4, pre-booking required. Check current prices and book here.
Hillsborough Forest Park Playground
Belfast Day Trips to Take with Kids
Giant’s Causeway
A UNESCO World Heritage Site about 1.5 hours from Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway is 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, and it looks genuinely otherworldly in person, kids tend to find it fascinating rather than “just another rock formation.” If your kids are a bit older and steady on their feet, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge nearby is a proper adventure (check height and confidence levels first, it’s a real swaying rope bridge over open water), and the eerie tunnel of trees at Dark Hedges, another Game of Thrones filming spot, is free to see and an easy photo stop on the way. Book a Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour from Belfast, the easiest way to see it all without driving yourself.
North Down Coast: Cultra, Holywood & Bangor
All three of these sit on the same train line out of Belfast, handy if you’d rather not deal with parking and car seats for the day, though it’s just as easy to drive between them if you already have a car. First stop, Cultra, home to the Ulster Transport Museum, kids can climb aboard an original steam locomotive and see the actual DeLorean used in Back to the Future. Tickets are £12.50 for adults, £7.80 for children aged 5 to 17, under 5s free, family tickets from £26.70. Book Ulster Transport Museum tickets here. Right next door on the same site, the Ulster Folk Museum is worth the extra time if you’re already there: over 50 historic buildings dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone from across Ulster, with costumed interpreters demonstrating blacksmithing, weaving and traditional farming, a proper hands-on living history village for kids to explore. Book Ulster Folk Museum tickets here. A short hop on in Holywood, Crawfordsburn Country Park and Helen’s Bay beach are free to visit and perfect for a sandy afternoon if the weather holds. Push on a bit further to Bangor for Pickie Fun Park, the adventure playground and splash pad are free, with individual rides like the Pickie Puffer steam train, giant pedal swans and the 18-hole nautical mini golf course paid separately on-site, easily a highlight of the whole trip for younger kids. Book Pickie Fun Park wristbands here.
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
About 30 minutes south of Belfast, Hillsborough Castle is the official Northern Ireland residence of the Royal Family and the Secretary of State, an 18th-century Georgian house with genuinely beautiful gardens that are just as much the draw as the castle itself. I visit the gardens every year, and it’s beautiful every time, the grounds are massive, plenty of open lawn for kids to run around while the adults linger over the flower beds, and they’re pretty much guaranteed to tire the kids out. Castle and Gardens tickets are £23.70 for adults, £12.10 for children and young people (16-17), under 5s free, with reduced child pricing and free garden entry for kids running over the summer months, check the current offer before you go. A relaxed, easy half-day out, although note that the Castle itself needs a timed entry and can only be visited via a tour (since it’s a working Royal Castle), so to be honest I skip it most visits and just visit the gardens. Nearby Hillsborough Forest Park has its own playground too, one that genuinely looks like it’s stepped straight out of Harry Potter (not officially themed, it just has that look), well worth the extra 10 minutes if the kids still have energy left. Book Hillsborough Castle Garden Only tickets here.
Kinedale Donkeys
Also in County Down and easy to pair with Hillsborough Castle for a fuller day out, Kinedale Donkeys is a small family farm in Ballynahinch with over 25 therapy-trained donkeys. I took my son Robin, and he absolutely loved it, brushing and grooming the donkeys was his highlight of the whole trip. There are a few different experiences depending on age and how much time you want to spend: the Cuddle Session (brushing, grooming and petting, £10 per person aged 5+, £5 for toddlers) is genuinely amazing, you get to spend proper time up close with them and the donkeys themselves are so sweet, it’s the simplest and most toddler-friendly option too. The Donkey Trek (£29) is great fun, but worth knowing the donkeys are surprisingly strong, even my niece, who was 11 at the time, struggled to control hers, and it wasn’t even a big one. The Donkey Trail Through Time (£45 adult, £19 child) is the other option, better suited to slightly older kids. Book in advance. Book Kinedale Donkeys here.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour
For the mega-fans, about 40 minutes south of Belfast at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour takes you through the real sets, costumes and props from all eight seasons, the Great Hall of Winterfell included. It’s genuinely family-friendly and there’s no minimum age, though it suits older kids and teens who’ve actually watched the show best, younger children who don’t know the story will mostly see rooms of costumes and swords, and a few of the darker sets and weapons can be a lot for little ones. Adult tickets are around £39.50, children around £29.50, with a cheaper per-head family option. Book a timed slot in advance, weekends and school holidays sell out. Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour with coach transfer from Belfast.
Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
About an hour from Belfast on the shores of Strangford Lough in Portaferry, Exploris is Northern Ireland’s only public aquarium, a genuinely good pick if your kids are into sea life: an Open Sea tank, a Tropical Ocean zone with over 100 coral reef species, Asian short-clawed otters, and a working seal sanctuary where rescued seals are rehabilitated before release. Individual tickets run from around £12.50 for a child at the gate (cheaper booked online), with a family ticket at £42 (down from the £54 RRP), and under 3s go free. Open daily 10am to 5pm, last admission 3:45pm. Book Exploris Aquarium tickets here.
Family rooms and a pool make the single biggest difference to a Belfast trip with kids, here are the best-suited options:
Self-Catering, Best for Bigger Families
If you’re travelling as a bigger family group or want more space and a proper kitchen, I also have my own self-catering properties across Belfast, a few genuinely work well for families specifically:
Walk to City Centre Townhouse, Garden and Parking: Particularly well set up for families with young children, it comes with 2 cots and 2 high chairs already there, so you’re not travelling with half a nursery in the boot.
Spacious Victorian Flat Near Queens, Walk to City: One of a few self-contained flats in the same building, handy if you’re travelling as an extended family or two households together and want your own space but to still be close by.
We’ve got a lot more than just these three, including some genuinely big houses that work well for large or multi-generational families, I’ve put together a full round-up of the best options for bigger groups here: Where to Stay in Belfast for Big Groups. Filter to Belfast on the booking site itself to see everything available for your dates.
If you’d still prefer a hotel, then I recommend these:
Budget Accommodation
Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre: Reliable, well-located, and good value, with family rooms available and an easy walk to the Titanic Quarter. Best for: families who want a no-fuss, central base without paying for extras they won’t use.
Mid-range
Clayton Hotel Belfast City: Has a pool, which is genuinely worth the upgrade with kids, plus family rooms and a central location close to the main attractions. Best for: families who want a proper pool evening without leaving the city centre.
Splurge
Crowne Plaza Belfast: A 20-metre indoor pool, sauna, a dedicated children’s playroom with toys and games for kids up to 8, and free kids’ bikes to borrow. It’s about 15 minutes outside the city centre near Lagan Valley Regional Park, so you’ll want a car, but it’s worth it if the hotel itself is meant to be part of the holiday. Best for: families prioritising hotel amenities and a proper splash-about over a central location.
Neighbourhood: Brunch done brilliantly, and relaxed enough to bring kids without feeling out of place. Expect a queue on weekends.
The Teal Monkey: A genuinely lovely, quirky spot on Dublin Road, and one we’ve actually eaten at ourselves. Kids eat free (under 2, I believe, worth double-checking on the day), and when we visited over Christmas they made my son a delicious meal to order.
Established Coffee: The best coffee in the city for the grown-ups, with a relaxed atmosphere that works fine with kids in tow. There’s a huge communal table to sit in.
Villa Italia: A family-run pizzeria near Queen’s University, established in 1988 and housed in a Georgian listed building, genuinely one of Belfast’s best family restaurants and an easy win with fussy pizza-loving kids.
For something more casual, St George’s Market (Friday to Sunday) has food stalls covering pretty much everything, good for letting everyone pick their own lunch rather than agreeing on one restaurant.
How Long to Spend in Belfast with Kids
A long weekend (2 to 3 days) covers the city centre essentials, Titanic Belfast and W5, plus one more activity like Colin Glen or the zoo, without feeling rushed.
4 to 5 days gives you room to add a full day trip, either the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast combo, without cramming everything else into fewer days.
A week or more lets you do both day trips comfortably and mix in some down time, useful if you’ve got a range of ages or energy levels in the group.
Best Time to Visit Belfast
May to September is the most reliable window weather-wise (still pack a waterproof, this is Northern Ireland), with long daylight hours that make the outdoor stuff, Colin Glen, Cave Hill, the beaches, much easier to plan around. School holiday weeks get busier at the big-ticket attractions like Titanic Belfast and W5, so book ahead if you’re travelling then. If you’re flexible, term-time weekdays are noticeably quieter.
Getting To & Around Belfast
Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival with kids and luggage, and search flights on Skyscanner. If you’re coming from Scotland or the Republic of Ireland, Stena Line and P&O run regular ferry services, and there’s a direct rail connection from Dublin on the Enterprise service, around 2 hours.
Once you’re there, Belfast is genuinely very walkable, most attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other, and the Glider bus service connects East and West Belfast efficiently. For the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast day trips, a rental car gives you the most flexibility, though the North Down coast (Cultra, Holywood, Bangor) is also easily doable by train alone. Compare Belfast car hire prices with DiscoverCars.
Belfast with Kids FAQ
Is Belfast a good city break for families?
Yes, it’s compact and walkable enough to manage with kids, and has a genuinely strong mix of hands-on museums (Titanic Belfast, W5), animals (Belfast Zoo, Streamvale Open Farm), and outdoor activity (Colin Glen’s zip line and high ropes) within easy reach of the centre.
What is the best free thing to do in Belfast with kids?
The Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum together, both free, easily fill a couple of hours, and C.S. Lewis Square and the Game of Thrones Glass Trail are also free and easy with kids.
Do I need to book Titanic Belfast and W5 in advance?
It’s worth it, especially on weekends and school holidays, both attractions can sell out their time slots. Booking online is also usually cheaper than paying at the door.
Is the Giant’s Causeway worth it with young kids?
Yes, most kids find the basalt columns genuinely fascinating rather than “just rocks,” and the site itself is flat and manageable for buggies near the visitor centre, though the coastal paths further out do involve some walking.
Is Belfast Zoo or Streamvale Open Farm better for younger kids?
Streamvale Open Farm is better suited to under-8s specifically, it’s smaller and built around hands-on animal contact. Belfast Zoo works well across a wider age range and is more of a proper half-day out.
How many days do you need in Belfast with kids?
A long weekend of 2 to 3 days covers the city centre essentials comfortably, but 4 to 5 days lets you add a full day trip to the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast without rushing.
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