Belfast is Ireland’s second largest city and the capital of the north of the country. It is best known for being the site of the building of the Titanic, and for being a battleground during the Unionist-Republican struggle in the 20th century. Today, however, the city has been transformed and attracts hundreds of tourists every year. There’s plenty to see in Belfast so we’ve put together a list to make sure you don’t miss out.
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What are the best places to see in Belfast?
Belfast is one of Ireland’s most historic cities, a history that has been exploited and showcased in a way that appeals to the tourists who come here. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, be sure to include in your itinerary this city that will not leave you indifferent. Here are some of the must-see places to visit in Belfast.
1. Belfast Botanic Gardens
The Belfast Botanic Garden is the largest park in the city, and a wonderful place to get lost in. It’s next to the university and can be reached from the city centre by taking a stroll along Botanic Avenue. Inside the garden is a greenhouse of palms and plants from all over the world, a rose garden, ponds, and lots of squirrels scurrying about.
The garden is open from 10am to 7pm Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free. Within the garden, and also free to enter, is the Ulster Museum, which houses history and science collections. Here you can see everything from a dinosaur skeleton to treasures from the Spanish Armada.
2. Queen’s University, a must-see in Belfast
In the south of the city, in the university quarter, we find Queen’s University, founded in 1845 and one of the most prestigious universities in Ireland. The central building, called the Lanyon Building and designed in the Victorian style, is well worth a visit. It is also very pleasant to stroll through the perfectly manicured gardens. If you get the chance, peek into the cloisters and libraries.
A curiosity is that some presidents of Ireland and other prestigious people have studied at this university. Access is free, but if you want to know more, the Belfast sightseeing bus passes by the university and tells its history. This bus costs €18.
3. Route of the murals in Belfast
More than 2,000 murals painted on the streets of Belfast tell the story of the conflict between Unionists and Republicans. The areas with the highest concentration of murals are the Shankill Road and Falls Road, where this route begins. Some of the most famous paintings are those of the International Wall and Bobby Sands.
As tourists we can see the murals freely, with the help of a map to show us the route. Local taxi drivers also act as tour guides and can take you to see the paintings. However, it is best to book a guided tour so that you don’t miss out on anything to see in Belfast Ireland. Tours last 2.5 hours and cost €18 for adults and €7.5 for children under 15. The tour is also available in English.
4. Titanic Museum and Harland and Wolff Shipyards
The famous Titanic was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard. A few years ago, Belfast City Council decided to redevelop and redevelop the shipyard as a tourist attraction, so there are several attractions in the neighbourhood that make reference to the Titanic’s history.
The most popular attraction is the Titanic Museum, which tells the whole story in nine rooms. In summer the museum is open from 9am to 7pm every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In low season the opening hours are more restricted. The entrance fee is 15€ and can be purchased in advance online.
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5. Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall is a building not to be missed on your visit. In the heart of Donegal Square, in the city centre, stands this Edwardian-style palace with green domes that contrast with the white walls.
The Guildhall is open from 8.30am-5pm on weekdays, and guided tours of the interior are available. Another option is to book a free tour in Spanish (you pay whatever you like). These tours also tell the history of the town hall.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Belfast
The city of Belfast is very close to the coast, so there are plenty of excursions you can do without having to drive more than an hour. One of the most famous hikes is the Giant’s Causeway. In the surrounding area there are also many charming villages to visit. Here’s a list of some places to visit if you run out of things to see in Belfast.
1. Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is a spectacle of nature not to be missed. It is a natural formation of basalt columns that were generated 60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption.
The Giant’s Causeway is on the north coast of Ireland and is a perfect day trip from Belfast. By road it takes 1.5 hours. By public transport it’s difficult to get there, but some companies offer tours that include travel and guide for €34.
2. Game of Thrones route
The famous HBO series was filmed on location in Ireland. Most of the scenes are set in the countryside, but there are also several villages. The route can be done on your own by car, or you can hire a guided tour for €112, which is the option we recommend to make sure you don’t miss a single detail. The route passes through a number of towns and cities such as Belfast, Glenarm, Glenariff, Cushendun, Ballintoy and many other locations.
3. Carrickfergus
20km from Belfast is Carrickfergus, one of the oldest towns in the north of Ireland. Its main tourist attraction is a 12th-century fortress built by the sea, which for years was besieged by the French, English and Scots. Carrickfergus is also a lively town. North Street and West Street are lined with shops and places to eat. The seafront promenade is another pleasant place to stroll and watch the many fishing boats come and go.
What to see in Belfast in 1 day
It is generally recommended that you spend at least a couple of days in Belfast so that you don’t miss anything to see in Belfast. But if you don’t have that kind of time, we’ve put together this one-day route of must-see sights. Just wear comfortable shoes and get ready to walk.
Whether on your own or with a guide, it’s best to start the day by visiting the historic centre and all the important buildings in the district: the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, St Anne’s Cathedral, Big Fish and the Opera House. To end the morning you can stroll along the river and end up at the Titanic Museum.
After lunch you can take a leisurely stroll along the mural route or visit the botanical gardens and then head to the university in the evening. To end the day, there’s nothing better than relaxing in a pub with a good dinner and a pint.
How to get to Belfast
The most efficient way to get to Belfast Ireland is by plane to Belfast International Airport. From there you can get to the city centre on the 300 express bus, which takes about half an hour and costs €8. For €30 you can also get to the city by taxi.
If you’re flying into Dublin there are several options for getting to Belfast. The 705 bus leaves from the airport and will drop you off in Belfast in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can walk to the city centre and take the train, which runs fairly frequently and costs between €15 and €20.
However, the best way to get around Ireland, especially if you’re visiting several cities, is to hire a car, as there are some areas that are not easy to get to by public transport.
Where to stay in Belfast
The best areas to stay in Belfast are the city centre, the Cathedral Quarter and the Queens Quarter. Belfast is a big city with plenty of options to suit all budgets, and as a university city there is also plenty of accommodation for young people. Here are some of the best places to stay in the city.
- Fitzwilliam Hotel: this five-star hotel is the most luxurious in the city. It has a bar, gym and room service among other luxuries. It’s right in the centre of town and the cheapest room costs €130.
- EasyHotel Belfast: You can stay here for less than €50 a night.
- The 1852: is a very good value for money hotel in Queens. It costs around €55 a night and the best thing about the hotel is the courtyard for summer evenings.
- Lagan Backpackers: is a very well located hostel, ideal for backpackers. A bed costs €30 and breakfast is available.
Where to eat in Belfast
After an exhaustive day’s sightseeing, there’s nothing like a good meal and a pint. Some of the area’s most famous dishes include Irish Stew (lamb stew), Mussel soup (mussel soup) or Ulster Fry (egg, bacon, sausage and bread). Here are some of the restaurants where you can sample these delicacies.
- Fish City: Their speciality is fish and chips, a classic Anglo-Saxon dish. They also have other incredible fish dishes and delicious desserts. It’s a good meal for around €20.
- Maggie Mays: the best place to try Ulster Fry. It’s near the university and serves breakfast for about €6 all day.
- Dirty Onion: is one of the oldest and cheapest pubs to eat at. Their signature dish is chicken, but they also have vegetarian options.
- Bunsen: serves the best burgers in town at a very reasonable price.
Travel tips for Belfast
- The currency in Belfast Ireland is the Euro.
- Bring insurance for medical emergencies.
- The best time to visit the city is in summer, when the weather is at its most pleasant.
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Belfast is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to take care of your belongings.
- Wear rain gear and closed-toe shoes. Even though it’s summer, it rains.
- It can get cold in the evenings and mornings in summer, so bring something warm.
- Don’t miss anything to see in Belfast; try to buy tickets online to avoid queues.
Organise your trip to Belfast
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Belfast Ireland.
If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions before travelling to Belfast Ireland
In Ireland, as in England, you drive on the left. So you should be careful if you hire a car.
The best time is from May to September when the weather is warmer and more tourist attractions are open.
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