Last Updated on August 21, 2026

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!

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.

🎟️ Tours / Belfast rewards a bit of context, especially for the political history and the Titanic story. The best ones to book in advance:
The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit
Political Taxi Tour
Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off Belfast Open Top Bus Tour

🏨 Stay / Skip the endless scrolling, these are the ones I’d point a friend toward (full picks in Where to Stay below):
Budget: Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre
Mid-range: Bullitt Hotel
Splurge: The Merchant Hotel

🧳 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.

Take a Free Tour of Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall is the grand 1906 building right in the middle of the city, and it’s worth stepping inside rather than just admiring it from Donegall Square. Free guided tours run regularly and take you through the ornate interior, including the stained glass windows and the Titanic Memorial Garden in the grounds outside, a quiet, moving tribute to those who died aboard the ship, built in Belfast just down the road.

Practical info: Free entry and tours. Located at Donegall Square, right in the city centre.

Drink in The Crown Bar

The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of the most beautiful Victorian pubs in the world. Built in 1885, it’s owned by the National Trust and has ornate tilework, carved woodwork, and private snugs that feel like stepping into another century. Go for lunch or an early evening drink, it gets busy later in the evening.

Take a Political Taxi Tour

This is one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in any city. A local taxi driver takes you through the murals and Peace Wall, explaining the history of the Troubles from a personal perspective. It’s fascinating, sobering, and utterly unmissable.

Book a Belfast Political Taxi Tour, or you can also do the Political Conflict 3-Hour Walking Tour if you’d prefer to explore on foot.

Explore the Street Murals & Peace Wall

Even outside of a guided tour, it’s worth walking the Falls Road and Shankill Road to see the murals yourself. The Peace Wall, the series of barriers separating Nationalist and Unionist communities, is covered in messages from visitors around the world. Bring a pen and add yours.

Follow the Game of Thrones Glass Trail

Belfast and Northern Ireland were the main filming locations for Game of Thrones, and the city celebrates this with a stunning stained glass trail. Twelve individual windows depicting scenes from the show are displayed across Belfast, it’s free to follow and makes for a brilliant few hours of exploration. There’s also a Game of Thrones filming locations tour from Belfast that visits the actual sites across Northern Ireland.

Hop On the Sightseeing Bus

If it’s your first time in Belfast, the hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get your bearings and tick off the main landmarks efficiently. Book the Belfast City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.

Visit Belfast Castle

Built in 1870 in Scottish Baronial style, Belfast Castle sits on the slopes of Cave Hill overlooking the city. The views are spectacular, the grounds are lovely for a walk, and entry to the castle itself is free. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the city centre.

Browse St George’s Market

One of Belfast’s oldest attractions, St George’s Market is a Victorian covered market open Friday through Sunday. Friday is the Variety Market, Saturday is the City Food and Garden Market, and Sunday is the City Market, all worth a wander. Great for local food, crafts, and people-watching.

Tour the Grand Opera House

The Grand Opera House (1895) is one of Belfast’s most beautiful buildings, a Victorian fantasy of ornate detail. Free guided tours run regularly and give you behind-the-scenes access to the auditorium and history of the building.

Go Underground at Crumlin Road Gaol

Opened in 1843, Crumlin Road Gaol is Belfast’s most notorious prison, and one of its most fascinating attractions. The self-guided tours take you through the history of the jail and its prisoners. It’s atmospheric, well-presented, and a genuine window into Belfast’s past.

Wander Botanic Gardens & the Ulster Museum

The Botanic Gardens in Queen’s Quarter are free and beautiful, particularly in summer, and the Palm House inside is a stunning Victorian glasshouse well worth a wander on its own. Right next door, the Ulster Museum is one of the best free museums in Northern Ireland, art, history, natural sciences, and a fascinating Egyptian mummy collection. Allow two hours minimum.

Explore Queen’s University Belfast

While you’re in Queen’s Quarter for the Botanic Gardens, it’s worth a short detour to see Queen’s University itself, a genuinely handsome redbrick campus dating back to 1849, with a cluster of cosy cafés and independent shops lining the surrounding streets. It has a completely different, more studenty energy to the city centre, a nice change of pace.

Practical info: Free to wander. Right next to the Botanic Gardens.

Say Hello to Aslan at C.S. Lewis Square

Belfast is the birthplace of C.S. Lewis, and East Belfast celebrates it properly at 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. If you want to take it further, the CS Lewis Reading Room at the nearby McClay Library has a hand-carved replica of the wardrobe door from the books, a lovely, easy-to-miss detail for anyone who grew up on Narnia.

Practical info: Free. Find C.S. Lewis Square on Google Maps.

Photograph Commercial Court

This tiny alleyway in the Cathedral Quarter is one of Belfast’s most Instagrammable spots, draped in flowers, fairy lights, and colourful bunting year-round. Easy to find, free to visit, and great for photos. It’s also home to two proper Belfast institutions, The Duke of York, a lively, no-frills pub for a few pints, and The Dark Horse, which has its own Game of Thrones door among the carved panels lining the Cathedral Quarter.

Attend a Candlelight Concert

Candlelight concerts, live classical performances by candlelight in unique Belfast venues, are a magical evening out, and they sell out fast. Check current Candlelight Concert listings and book tickets.

Visit Victoria Square

Victoria Square is Belfast’s main shopping centre, but it’s worth a visit beyond the shops for the rooftop dome with 360-degree views over the city. Free to access during opening hours.

See The Big Fish

The Salmon of Knowledge, known locally as The Big Fish, is a distinctive ceramic mosaic sculpture on the waterfront near the Lagan. Each tile tells part of Belfast’s history, it’s a quirky and underrated stop.

Explore St Anne’s Cathedral

Also called Belfast Cathedral, St Anne’s is a striking Hiberno-Romanesque cathedral in the Cathedral Quarter. The interior is beautiful, and entry is free.

Try a Traditional Ulster Fry

A Belfast trip is not complete without an Ulster Fry, the Northern Irish take on a cooked breakfast and significantly better than a standard English fry-up. Head to Bright’s Restaurant for a classic version.

Experience the Beer Gardens

Belfast has one of the best outdoor bar scenes I’ve come across in the UK (impressive for a rainy city). Top spots: The Dirty Onion, The Bone Yard, CARGO, Babel Rooftop Bar, Cutters Wharf, The Perch, Kelly’s Cellars, and Granny Annie’s.

Take in the View from Observatory

For a proper skyline moment, head up to Observatory, the rooftop bar on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel. It’s the highest bar in Ireland, and the views over the city and out towards the hills are genuinely spectacular, well worth booking a table for sunset.

Practical info: Booking recommended, especially for a window table. Located at the Grand Central Hotel, Bedford Street.

Take a Belfast by the Glass Food and Drink Tour

If you want a proper introduction to Belfast’s food and bar scene without doing the legwork yourself, a guided tasting tour through a handful of the city’s best bars is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening, a mix of drinks, local stories, and a few genuine hidden gems you’d struggle to find alone. Browse Belfast food and drink tours.

Play the Zombie Escape Game

For something a bit different, the Zombie Escape Game is a puzzle-focused escape room experience in Belfast, great fun for groups or couples looking for something interactive.

Belfast Day Trips

Belfast makes a brilliant base for exploring beyond the city too, these are the three I’d actually make time for.

Giant’s Causeway: A non-negotiable if you’re visiting Belfast. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, is about 1.5 hours from Belfast and utterly surreal in person. Book a Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour from Belfast, this is the easiest and most efficient way to visit.

Hillsborough Castle: The official Northern Ireland residence of the Royal Family and the Secretary of State. The 18th-century Georgian house and its beautiful gardens are open to visitors and make for a relaxed half-day trip about 30 minutes south of Belfast.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour: For the mega-fans, the actual studios where the show was filmed at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge are open to visitors, real sets, costumes, and props from all eight seasons, about 30 to 40 minutes from Belfast. Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour with coach transfer from Belfast.

Where to Stay in Belfast

Belfast is compact enough that you can stay almost anywhere in the city centre and walk to the main sights. The Cathedral Quarter is the best base for first-timers, buzzing nightlife, great restaurants, and close to the main attractions.

Luxury (£££)

• The Fitzwilliam Hotel: Sleek, contemporary luxury in the heart of the city centre. Excellent service and a superb restaurant. Check availability
• The Merchant Hotel: Belfast’s grandest hotel, set in a stunning Victorian building in the Cathedral Quarter. The cocktail bar is world-class. Check availability

Mid-Range (££)

• AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast: Stylish, modern, and very well-located. Great value for a design-led stay. Check availability
• Bullitt Hotel: Funky boutique hotel in the city centre, great atmosphere and a rooftop bar. Check availability
• Malone Lodge Hotel: More residential, leafy area south of the centre, good if you want something quieter. Check availability

Budget (£)

• Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre: Reliable, well-located, and good value. Check availability
• The Harrison Chambers of Distinction: A bohemian boutique hotel hosting guests since 1879, with individually styled rooms, a terrace, and its own bar. Full of character. Check availability

I also have my own properties through StayByNumbers, which are best suited for families and bigger groups. Check if any are available for your dates for a home-from-home option. If none of these float your boat, you can search all Belfast hotels here, prices are competitive compared to other UK cities.

Where to Eat in Belfast

The Belfast food scene has something for everyone, from cozy brunch cafés to fine-dining spots, modern veggie menus, and classic pubs. Below are my top picks for each meal, but if you’re looking for more options, I’ve curated Google Maps lists you can open on the go, perfect for finding great places nearby when hunger strikes.

Breakfast & Brunch

• Neighbourhood: Brunch done brilliantly. Expect queues on weekends but worth it.
• Bright’s Restaurant: The place for a proper Ulster Fry. No-frills, old-school, perfect.
• Established Coffee: Best coffee in the city, great pastries, lovely atmosphere.
• Root & Branch: A more relaxed coffee spot with excellent food.
• Harlem Cafe: A Belfast breakfast favourite worth seeking out.
• The Pocket: A cosy little café tucked just behind Bittles Bar, good for a quieter start to the day.

Dinner

• OX Belfast: Michelin-starred, seasonal, ingredient-led cooking. Book well in advance.
• Jumon: Asian vegetarian/vegan restaurant that completely converts meat-eaters. Genuinely brilliant.
• Cutters Wharf: On the River Lagan, great for a long lunch or early dinner with a view.
• Bert’s Jazz Bar: At the Merchant Hotel, proper live jazz alongside dinner, a genuinely lovely evening out.
• A Peculiar Tea: Inside McConnell’s Distillery, with a rotating themed menu that changes regularly, worth checking what’s currently on before you go.

On the links below I have more recommendations on the best places to eat:

• 👉 Click here for the best LUNCH spots
• 👉 Click here for the best DINNER spots
• 👉 Click here for the best BARS
• 👉 Click here for the best COFFEE spots
  
  
• BOTANIC GARDENS

How Long to Spend in Belfast

3–4 days is the sweet spot, enough for the city itself plus a full day out to the coast, without feeling rushed. You could do Belfast in a weekend (2 nights), but you’d need to be selective, prioritise the Titanic, a political tour, and at least one evening in the Cathedral Quarter.

Here’s how I’d structure three days:

Day 1: City Centre History & Culture
Start at City Hall, then walk to The Crown Bar for lunch. Spend the afternoon at the Titanic Belfast Experience (book in advance). End the evening in the Cathedral Quarter, dinner at OX Belfast if you want Michelin-starred, or the Cathedral Quarter pubs for a more relaxed night.

Day 2: Political History & Street Art
Morning: take a Political Taxi Tour (book) to understand the murals and Peace Wall with local context. Afternoon: the Game of Thrones Glass Trail, Commercial Court, and St George’s Market if it’s a weekend. Evening: rooftop drinks at Babel or a candlelight concert.

Day 3: Giant’s Causeway Day Trip
A full day out of the city, book a Giant’s Causeway day tour and combine it with Game of Thrones filming locations. Alternatively, hire a car from DiscoverCars and drive the Causeway Coastal Route at your own pace.

If you can stretch to a fourth day, I’d use it for Hillsborough Castle, Belfast Castle, Crumlin Road Gaol, or a slower wander through Queen’s Quarter, the Botanic Gardens, Palm House, and Ulster Museum all sit together, no need to rush a city this good.

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, and search for flights on Skyscanner. If you’re travelling from Scotland or the Republic of Ireland, Stena Line and P&O run regular ferry services into Belfast, and there are also direct rail connections from Dublin on the Enterprise service (around 2 hours).

Once you’re there, Belfast is genuinely very walkable, most of the main attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other, and the Glider bus service connects East and West Belfast efficiently. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, renting a car is by far the best option, compare Belfast car hire prices with DiscoverCars, it’s the most flexible and often the cheapest way to explore Northern Ireland at your own pace.

Best Time to Visit Belfast

May to September is the best time to visit Belfast. The weather is at its most reliable (though pack a waterproof, this is Northern Ireland), the days are long, and the city is fully in swing. The Giant’s Causeway is at its most dramatic in summer light.

December is also worth considering if you love Christmas markets, Belfast’s city centre transforms beautifully in winter.

Avoid major football match days if you’re not into large crowds, and check local events before booking as the city can fill up fast during festivals.

Belfast FAQ

Is Belfast worth visiting?
Absolutely, Belfast is one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. The combination of world-class history (Titanic, Game of Thrones, the Troubles), an excellent food and bar scene, and genuine warmth from locals makes it a destination that consistently over-delivers. Most visitors leave wishing they’d stayed longer.

How many days do you need in Belfast?
Three to four days is ideal. Spend two days exploring the city, the Titanic quarter, political history, Cathedral Quarter nightlife, then dedicate a full day to a Giant’s Causeway day trip. A fourth day is great for Hillsborough Castle or a slower exploration of the Botanic Gardens and Queen’s Quarter.

What is the best time to visit Belfast?
May through September offers the best weather and longest days, making it ideal for Giant’s Causeway visits and outdoor sightseeing. December is also brilliant for Christmas markets and festive atmosphere. Belfast is a year-round destination, even in winter the indoor attractions, pubs, and restaurants more than make up for the cold.

Is Belfast safe for tourists?
Yes, Belfast is safe for tourists. Like any city, stay aware of your surroundings at night and stick to well-lit areas, but the city centre and tourist areas are welcoming and well-policed. The murals and Peace Wall are safe to visit during daylight hours, a guided taxi tour is the most comfortable way to explore these areas with full context.

What currency does Belfast use?
Belfast uses British Pound Sterling (£), not the Euro. This catches some visitors off guard, especially those travelling from the Republic of Ireland. ATMs are widely available throughout the city centre.

How do I get from the airport to Belfast city centre?
From Belfast City Airport, a taxi takes about 10 minutes. From Belfast International Airport, it’s around 30–40 minutes by taxi or the Airport Express bus service. For a hassle-free, fixed-price transfer, book a private transfer with WelcomePickups.

Do I need a car in Belfast?
Not for the city itself, Belfast is very walkable. But if you want to visit Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle independently, a rental car gives you far more flexibility. Compare Belfast car rental prices on DiscoverCars.

Is Giant’s Causeway worth a day trip from Belfast?
Without question. Giant’s Causeway is approximately 1.5 hours from Belfast and is one of the most jaw-dropping natural sights in Europe. Book a guided day tour for the easiest experience, or drive yourself and combine it with the Causeway Coastal Route for a full day out.

What is the weather like in Belfast?
Belfast has a mild but unpredictable climate, rain is common year-round. Always pack a waterproof jacket and layers. The upside is that mild temperatures mean even winter visits are manageable, and a sudden sunny afternoon in Belfast is genuinely magical.

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