When considering of Belfast in Northern Ireland, folks usually envision The Troubles of the twentieth century the place religions fuelled violence and divided the town (fairly actually). The lengthy partitions separating the areas of Shankhill Road and Falls Road are nonetheless standing at present. However, Belfast is a lot greater than a metropolis battling non secular variations. There are many issues to do in Belfast that set it other than its troubling previous and make for a tremendous metropolis to go to.
During our first go to to Belfast, we had been responsible of focusing solely on the troubles and doing day journeys to the Causeway Coast, however when visiting once more, we spent extra time downtown to actually uncover the hidden gems and points of interest that aren’t to be missed. It seems, there’s a lot to do! So, fill up in your British kilos and find out how to convert from kilometers to miles, we’re taking you on a journey of all the perfect locations to go to in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Top Things to do in Belfast
Located simply two hours north of Dublin, Belfast is only a hop skip and a leap from Ireland’s extra well-known metropolis but it surely feels worlds away. Belfast is the capital metropolis of Northern Ireland which is a part of the United Kingdom (not the Republic of Ireland). While Dublin seems like a metropolis made for vacationers, Belfast has a extra genuine vibe the place folks hustle to work downtown and pubs are full of locals as a substitute of day excursions coming in on a bus. Read extra: 16 Fun Facts About Ireland To Prepare on your journey
If you might be in search of the quintessential Irish expertise, be certain that to go to Belfast and put aside no less than two days to actually discover it. If you might be questioning why? We’re going to share among the greatest issues to do in Belfast to peak your curiosity and lure you to the north of the Emerald Isle.
1. Titanic Belfast
Without a doubt, one of the crucial in style issues to do in Belfast is to go to Titanic Belfast. This unbelievable interactive museum is devoted to the ill-fated Titanic voyage. The ill-fated RMS Titanic was constructed proper right here in the shipyards of Belfast. This large museum takes you thru the journey of constructing the Titanic to the rescue of survivors off the coast of Canada. Read extra about one other Titanic Museum in Canada: The Best Things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Titanic Belfast homes multimedia shows that share first-hand account tales enjoying over loudspeakers as you stroll by its galleries showcasing replicas of rooms on the Titanic and relics salvaged from the positioning.
There’s a Disney-like trip in the center of the self-guided tour the place you hop on a trip as your journey to the underside of the ship gliding by the bowels of the mighty ship. We have visited Titanic Belfast thrice and we all the time discover one thing new.
Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pmWebsite: Titanic Belfast Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP, UK
2. SS Nomadic
Once you end off in Titanic Belfast, your ticket features a self-guided tour of the SS Nomadic, the final remaining White Star Line ship in the world. It’s an fascinating cease to see firsthand what it was like to step aboard the Titanic. The SS Nomadic was used to ferry passengers to the Titanic and was constructed with the identical finishes because the Titanic herself.
It was usually referred to because the mini Titanic because it was constructed alongside the ship and is precisely one-third its measurement. Its most well-known voyage was taking first and second-class passengers from Cherbourg, France to the deeper waters to board the Titanic. It didn’t observe the Titanic’s destiny nonetheless and served for one more 50 years seeing many well-known passengers stroll its halls together with Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.
Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pmWebsite: Explore SS NomadicAddress: Hamilton Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK
3. Titanic’s Dock and Pumphouse
When visiting Belfast, you’ll in all probability spend a great chunk of your time in the Titanic Quarter. The Titanic Quarter facilities across the former Harland & Wolff shipyard and it’s price spending a couple of hours in this space taking in its wealthy historical past. You don’t essentially want to go inside Titanic Belfast for the Titanic Experience.
See the place the huge ship sat in dry dock earlier than launching. This is the place the Titanic was constructed and you may stroll its total footprint. Visitors can descend 44 toes (13 meters). Located proper subsequent door is the pumphouse that was used to drain water from the dock that was then often called the Thompson Dry Dock at present there are reveals and equipment used when constructing the Titanic on show.
Address: NI Science Park, Queens Rd, Queen’s Island, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK
4. Titanic Hotel
Even if you’re not staying in the Titanic Hotel, it’s price going inside for a drink or to seize some lunch. Half lodge, half museum, this historic lodge is positioned instantly throughout the road from Titanic Belfast. Located in the previous headquarters of Harland & Wolff, the builders of the Titanic there are historic images, classic posters, and memorabilia from the heydays of the White Star Lines.
The Drawing Offices and half a dozen key heritage rooms inside the lodge are open to public excursions (topic to availability) offering a chance to view the artifacts, restoration works, and inside ornament of this vital maritime heritage constructing. Tours will be booked to see the artwork deco themed rooms, and former places of work together with Lord Pirries Office and the Corridor of Power.
5. Titanic Studios
One of Europe’s largest movie studios is positioned in the Titanic Quarter. Game of Thrones was filmed proper inside these partitions. While it’s nonetheless a working studio and there aren’t any excursions however you may go to one other studio tour simply half-hour outdoors the town. But in the event you take a stroll by, you simply might catch a glimpse of your favorite Hollywood or UK film star.
6. Linen Mill Studio Tours
Linen Mill Studios is an unbelievable interactive museum devoted to Game of Thrones. During its filming, many integral scenes had been filmed proper in these studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. This is likely one of the greatest museums we’ve ever visited and Game of Thrones followers will need to spend no less than a couple of hours collaborating in the reveals.
Walk by genuine units and stand facet by facet with John Snow and Arya Stark as you admire recreations of iconic units such because the Night’s Watch and Kings Landing. You can sit on the Iron Throne, create your personal sigil and check out your hand at seize movement. It’s actually a film buff’s dream. Read extra: A Game of Thrones Tour of Northern Ireland
Opening Hours: August 9:30am- 7:30pm / Nov – Dec 10:00 am to 5:30 pm / All different months 10:00am to 6:30 pmWebsite: Game of Thrones Studio TourAddress: 245 Castlewellan Rd, Banbridge BT32 3SG, UK
7. HMS Caroline
The HMS Caroline is a restored warship from World War I. It is a floating museum you can do self-guided excursions on to study its historical past and what life was like on board the final remaining British WW1 gentle cruiser nonetheless afloat. It can also be the only real survivor of the Battle of Jutland. It has been closed since 2020 however is scheduled to reopen later this summer season.
Opening Hours: ClosedAddress: Alexandra Dock, Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT, UK
8. Samson & Goliath Cranes
You can’t assist however discover the 2 large yellow cranes towering above the Titanic Quarter. The cranes have change into an emblem of Belfast hailing to a time when it was dwelling to the most important shipbuilders in the world.
They usually are not in operation anymore, however they’re protected and can stay part of Belfast’s heritage for years to come. When in operation, they might elevate 840 tonnes. Goliath stands at 96 meters excessive whereas Samson is 106 metres tall.
9. Glass of Thrones
Taking a stroll alongside the waterfront from the Titanic Quarter to downtown isn’t your typical waterfront stroll. There are loads fo stops and points of interest alongside the best way, most notably the Glass of Thrones. Paying tribute to Game of Thrones, there are six stained glass reveals housing scenes from the favored HBO Series. Check out: Game of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life
Each stained glass shows a distinct home or key second in the Game of Thrones representing the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, Targaryens, White Walkers, and the Iron Throne. Keep a watch out for them as you stroll the Maritime Mile from HMS Caroline to previous Titanic Studios to the AC Hotel throughout the river.
Address for show close to HMS Caroline 11 Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9AD, UK
All Glass of Thrones Locations
The six stained glass reveals line the waterfront trails. Many folks stroll in the other way beginning at AC Belfast and ending at HMS Caroline. Here is a listing of all of the home windows.
Glass 1: Stark at AC Belfast Glass 2: Baretheon at Lagan Weir Glass 3: Targaryeon at Odyssey Glass 4: White Walkers at SS Nomadic Glass 5: The Iron Throne at Titanic Slipway Glass 6: Lannister at HMS Caroline
10. Titanic Walkway
Located inside the Maritime Mile is the Titanic Walkway that spans from Victoria Wharf which connects the Titanic Slipways and Alexandra Dock. The Mew Lighthouse is featured on the finish of the wharf with a contemporary set up housing the 130-year-old lighthouse that in its time was one of many largest optics ever made.
Address: Titanic Quarter, The Maritime Mile, Belfast BT3 9FH, UK
11. Belfast City Hall
It’s price taking a stroll round Belfast City Hall to see its pretty structure and grounds of the civic buildings of Belfast City Council. There are loads of shows and memorials round City Hall together with the Titanic Memorial Gardens. Make positive to go to it at nightfall to see it lit up with vibrant lighting.
You can even guide excursions of Belfast City Hall, they occur day by day and are free. The skilled information will take you on an hour-long tour by the constructing. No reservations are wanted, excursions can be found on a primary come first served foundation.
12. Victoria Square Shopping Center
We stumbled upon this Belfast attraction accidentally. Wanting to take a shortcut again to our lodge, we observed Victoria Square among the many strolling streets of downtown Belfast. Located in the center of Belfast City Centre, Victoria Square was a stunning buying centre with name-brand shops in a coated gallery.
When we entered the trendy buying middle we observed a high-tech dome in its middle. We’d already been strolling lots that day and had been completely happy to see an elevator to the highest. We got here out to a panoramic view of the town of Belfast.
13. Victoria Square lookout
There are in-house tour guides to supply steerage on the sights, however fortunately for us, there was an area man along with his daughter up there with us who identified Belfast points of interest comparable to Belfast City Hall, and The Titanic Quarter, and Cave Hill. It’s free to enter and one of many issues to do in Belfast that we extremely advocate.
From the Victoria Square lookout, we had a panoramic view of Belfast metropolis and the encompassing space. You can stroll up or take the elevator to the highest of the lookout.
14. Black Taxi Tour
During our first journey to Belfast, we took a Black Taxi political tour by Shankhill Roads and Falls Road. This was a captivating tour by the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods of Belfast that’s nonetheless divided at present. The 25-foot-high partitions divide the areas the place robust strains are drawn between Loyalists and nationalists.
The gates are nonetheless locked at present and because the 1998 Good Friday Agreement settlement, there have been extra partitions constructed to divide territories. The partitions are referred to as Peace Walls that are designed to maintain the peace in the neighborhoods. There is a tenuous peace between the 2 communities in Northern Ireland, they usually nonetheless really feel the division however these partitions maintain that feeling of security. Book your tour at TouringBelfast.com
15. Taxi Tour Today
We took one other tour this summer season and observed a distinction from our Black Taxi Tour a couple of years in the past. Today, our drive didn’t focus as a lot on the political tour as he did on speaking about constructive messages. While the murals are nonetheless standing, there appeared to be fewer than we bear in mind.
Our driver mentioned that they’re making an attempt to create new position fashions and construct the neighborhood. It was good to take two totally different excursions, because the Black Taxi excursions don’t solely deal with politics. We went by all of the quarters of Belfast getting an outline of the town which helped us get our bearings and navigate the place to go subsequent on our personal.
16. Crumlin Road Gaol (Jail)
One of the locations you’ll drive by throughout your taxi excursions is the Crumlin Road Gaol, however be certain that to return and go to it correctly. Gaol is the phrase for jail in Gaelic. This was a working jail up till 1996 and each republican and loyalist prisoners had been held right here together with ladies and youngsters.
Here, we discovered the place the phrase, “take him down originated” The Crumlin Road Gaol is positioned instantly throughout from the Crumlin Road Courthouse. When an individual was condemned, they had been taken down to an underground tunnel linked instantly to the jail. Your go to features a stroll to this tunnel. You’ll additionally see the jail cells and execution cells the place the vast majority of the 17 males had been executed.
17. Street Murals and Political Murals
One of the perfect methods to see the political murals is to take a black taxi political tour, however we have now additionally explored them on our personal. During our first go to to Belfast greater than a decade in the past, the Shankhill and Falls Roads murals had been all political murals, however they’re now interspersed with avenue artwork and constructive messages of wanting ahead whereas nonetheless paying tribute to the previous and people who gave their lives for his or her trigger.
The murals play an vital half in Belfast tradition depicting historic occasions from Shankhill highway to Clonard Martyrs Memorial Gardens and the partitions alongside Falls Road. We obtained in our rental automobile and drove across the neighborhoods in search of murals and memorials. One of the simplest methods to discover murals we didn’t know of was to search for the black taxis. They had been fairly straightforward to discover.
If you don’t have a rental automobile, this tour is a good choice when visiting Belfast to study the story of “The Troubles” and occasions in Northern Ireland’s tumultuous historical past. You’ll uncover the Belfast murals and undergo the previous battle areas of The Falls and Shankill Road.
18. Belfast Castle
It took us three visits to Belfast earlier than we lastly stopped at Belfast Castle. Located in Cavehill Country Park, Belfast citadel stands excessive above Belfast on a hill inside the grounds of Cave Hill Country Park. It is free to enter and inside you may tour its rooms and seize a chunk to eat on the cafe.
We felt like we had the rooms to ourselves as we walked by the flooring. It didn’t take lengthy, but it surely’s all the time cool to go inside. We additionally explored a little bit of the mountaineering trails and if you’re into that kind of factor, the Belfast Zoo is positioned close by.
19. Cave Hill Country Park
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to actually discover Cave Hill Country Park, however for outside lovers, this is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Belfast. It can simply be mixed with a tour of Belfast Castle. discover the caves however you may discover the historical past and caves alongside this historic 7.2 km path (4.5 miles) in round 3 hours.
There are loads of issues to maintain you occupied for a day at Cave Hill Country Park together with mountaineering trails to archaeological websites, and gardens main to Belfast Castle. Whether you might be in the temper for a critical hike or an informal stroll, there’s one thing for everybody.
A enjoyable truth is that the hill that Cave Hil Country Park is located on is believed to have been the inspiration for Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels.
20. Belfast’s Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are positioned in the college district and a go to right here will be mixed with a visit to the Ulster Museum. This space is nearly 1 mile from the Belfast metropolis middle and is inside strolling distance from City Hall.
Established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, the Belfast’s Botanic Gardens are a quiet retreat inside the busy college space of bustling Belfast. Don’t miss stopping by its greenhouse to see an early instance of this iron glasshouse. The shows are notably lovely.
21. Ulster Museum
Located inside the Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum is the most important museum in Northern Ireland. When visiting Ulster Museum, you’ll take a stroll by historical past relationship again to the dinosaurs by to the historical past of Northern Ireland to at present.
Ulster Museum is a part of the nationwide museums and galleries of Northern Ireland mixed with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Art Museum which is price stopping to see simply outdoors of Belfast.
22. Queen’s University
After visiting the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum, take a stroll over to one other well-known Belfast Landmark at Queen’s University. This space is a good place to hang around and the buildings of Queen’s University supply among the biggest architectural designs in the nation. In truth, the Lanyon Building is usually seen in promoting for Northern Ireland Tourism.
As with the case of visiting so many cities, we love strolling college grounds. They are the heartbeat of the town with beautiful structure and Queen’s University in Belfast, reminded us a little bit of Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario.
23. St. Anne’s Cathedral
No go to to any European metropolis could be full with out visiting its cathedral, and Belfast is not any exception. St. Anne’s Cathedral (Also often called the Belfast Cathedral) is aptly positioned in the Cathedral Quarter. The cathedral started development on the sight of St. Anne’s parish Church in 1895 after deciding {that a} cathedral was wanted in the town.
Fun truth, St. Anne’s Parish church was used till 1903 because the constructing was constructed up round it. It took one other 80 years to full. Between the World Wars, The Troubles, and inflation there have been a number of delays in finishing St. Anne
St. Anne’s cathedral is lower than a kilometer from the Belfast City Centre.
24. Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC)
Located instantly behind St. Anne’s Cathedra, The Metropolitan Arts Centre is a spot for music, artwork exhibitions, and reside theatre. If you might be in search of issues to do in Belfast at evening, try one of many performances right here.
Or you may go inside throughout your cease on the Belfast Cathedral to peruse its galleries. Exhibitions are free and you may attempt your hand at creating a few of your personal artwork at its interactive creativeness stations. (Donations welcome)
25. The Salmon of Knowledge (The Big Fish)
One of our favorite issues to do in Belfast is to stroll alongside the waterfront taking in the sights from Titanic Belfast to the Belfast City Centre. From Glass of Thrones shows to the opposite murals together with the Big Fish at Lagan Lookout.
This is a good place to cross the Lagan River to start your stroll in the direction of Belfast City Centre as from the fish, there are many points of interest. Take in the views of the river, earlier than heading up Queen’s Square to see the Albert Memorial Clock.
26. Albert Memorial Clock
Pisa could be the most well-known leaning tower in the world, however Belfast has its personal leaning tower with the Albert Memorial Clock. The tower was constructed on reclaimed land and weighs a whopping 1,000 tonnes which brought on it to sing into the bottom. Whether you might be strolling or taking a tour, it’s straightforward to see the lean of the tower
27. Go, Pub Hopping
No journey to Belfast, (or Ireland for that matter) could be full with out visiting its pubs. If you might be in search of issues to do in Belfast at evening, head out to the bars round Belfast metropolis centre and go pub hopping. Make positive to begin at McHughs Bar positioned only a hop skip and a leap from Albert Memorial Clock. It dates again to 1711 making it the oldest surviving pub in Belfast.
28. Crown Liquor Saloon
One of Northern Ireland’s greatest identified pubs is the Crown and Liquor Saloon. It dates again to 1826 and was as soon as the mightiest of Victorian gin palaces. It’s ornate exterior attracts clients from all over the world and inside, it has been meticulously restored by the nationwide belief. It might be one of the crucial lovely pubs you’ll ever go to.
29. St. George’s Market
Who doesn’t love a market and St. George’s Market is one in every of Belfast’s oldest points of interest. If you occur to be in Belfast on a Friday, try this market that has been working on this precise web site since 1604. It can also be open on Saturdays and Sundays with rotating craft, meals, vintage and backyard markets.
30. Parliament Buildings (Stormont)
The Parliament Buildings of Northern Ireland are positioned on the Stormont Estate and are sometimes referred to merely as Stormont. The parliament buildings are open to the general public totally free guided excursions 9:00AM to 4:00PM every day. (closed on public and financial institution holidays). It is an fascinating factor to tour parliament buildings, we have now carried out so a few instances in our nation’s capital of Ottawa Canada.
The Parliament Buildings are positioned in Stormont Park the place you may get pleasure from an escape from the hustle and bustle of Belfast. There is a 4km lengthy woodland stroll and even a 1.6km health path with outside fitness center tools.
31. Grand Opera House Belfast
If you need to catch a reside efficiency in Belfast, think about reserving tickets to a present on the Grand Opera House Belfast. From the ballet to opera to musical theatre, it has all of it.
If you don’t catch a present, think about taking a tour of the Grand Opera House Heritage Exhibition to discover this venue that has been a big a part of the town’s historical past. The Grand Opera House has a 125 12 months historical past the place the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Luciano Pavarotti have walked its halls.
32. Belfast Barge Museum
An ideal complement to your Titanic Belfast tour is to go to the Belfast Barge Museum. This everlasting exhibit showcases what is named “The Greatest Story Never Told” Learn of the individuals who labored on the River Lagan most noteabely Harland & Wolfe, (the corporate that constructed The Titanic.
The Museum is free to enter and is price giving a donation to see its artifacts and visible shows from this bygone period.
33. Where to Eat in Belfast
Dining in Northern Ireland has come a good distance child and we completely loved our eating experiences in Belfast. These venues had been fashionable with sophistaced meals and wine pairings.
Deane’s Meat Locker – Meat lovers will get pleasure from this restaurant however there are vegetarian decisions as effectively. James Street & Co – improbable cocktails, effective wine and grilled dishes with a contemporary really feelDrawing Office – Located in the Titanic Belfast Hotel it is a nice cease for lunch or a chic dinner.
Where to Stay in Belfast
Ten Square Hotel Belfast – We stayed on the Ten Square Hotel and may extremely advocate it. Located instantly throughout from Belfast City Hall, we beloved this lodge. We had been inside strolling distance of many points of interest and the rooms had been fashionable and stylish.
Titanic Hotel Belfast – We didn’t keep right here, however we did tour it and in order for you to discover extra of Titanic Belfast, this is a wonderful location. It’s not positioned in the town centre, so that you’ll actually solely be close to Titanic Quarter points of interest, however this historic lodge will take you again in time with restored artwork deco themed rooms and the grand class from the period of the Titanic
How to Get to Belfast
We drove to Belfast from Dublin as it’s only a two hour drive between the cities. There are even day excursions that can take you from Dublin do you have to solely have a brief period of time.
You can even get to Belfast by bus and practice. There is a direct practice that connects Dublin from Dublin Connolly and arrives at Belfast Central.
International vacationers will fly into Belfast International Airport.
If you might be flying from Europe or anyplace inside the United Kingdom, you’ll land at George Best Belfast City Airport which is positioned simply 5 minutes from Belfast City Centre.
Getting Around Belfast
Belfast is small, or as our taxi driver appreciated to say, it’s cozy. Belfast is straightforward to get round by strolling, driving or taxi, and you may see quite a lot of the town in a brief period of time. We’ve visited Belfast on three separate events and located renting a automobile to be one of the best ways to get round, however Black Taxi Tours and the Hop on Hop Off busses are additionally a improbable manner to see the highest vacationer points of interest.
Belfast is a small metropolis that’s straightforward to get round. We discovered that most of the prime Belfast points of interest had been inside strolling distance of the Belfast metropolis centre. Belfast is split into 4 quarters that every one meet at Belfast City Centre. North Belfast, East Belfast, South Belfast, and West Belfast.
An ideal place to begin your journey to Belfast is to cease on the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre the place you will get in depth info on excursions and you may choose up bus and rail tickets.
Belfast Districts
Belfast is then divided into 7 districts, The well-known Titanic Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, Queen’s Quarter, Linen Quarter, Market Quarter, Gaeltacht Quarter, and Smithfield and Union Quarter
Best Day Trips from Belfast
Belfast is a good place to make a base in Northern Ireland and since most of the prime Belfast points of interest are only a brief drive away, you may see quite a lot of the nation in a short while.
Giant’s Causeway
Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s most well-known attraction and it’s only a 90 minute drive from Belfast City Hall. This extraordinary pure phenomenon was shaped by a volcanic eruption 60 million years in the past. The UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases greater than 40 thousand basalt pillars which are stacked completely main out to the ocean.
It appears to be like as if every pillar has been laid there by some kind of large entity. In truth, there’s a legend in regards to the Giant’s Causeway and the way it was constructed by the large Fionn McCool.
Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges aren’t as lush and engaging as they as soon as had been after pruning in current years however they’re nonetheless one in every of Northern Ireland’s most photographed points of interest. This lovely row of beech bushes strains an previous nation lane. It has gained in reputation thanks to Game of Thrones which featured it in season one as Arya Stark rode away from King’s Landing alongside the King’s Road.
Derry
Derry ended up being one in every of our favourite locations to go to in Northern Ireland and it may be carried out on a day journey from Belfast. Officially often called Londonderry by the British Government, Derry is a small metropolis that may be explored in a day or two. Derry was floor zero for the troubles and when strolling by the Bogside space of Derry, you’ll nonetheless see murals and monuments to victims of Bloody Sunday and the battle.
The partitions of Derry are our favorite Londonderry attraction. It surrounded the town centre and is taken into account top-of-the-line preserved walled metropolis in Europe. A go to to Derry is a captivating manner to study Northern Ireland’s historical past.
Ulster museum picture is courtesy of 27 Best Things to Do in Northern IrelandA Game of Thrones Tour of Northern IrelandThe Dark Hedges of Northern Ireland – Tips to Visit and What you Need to Know34 of the Best Things to do in Dublin, IrelandWhere to Stay in Dublin, Ireland: Best Areas and Hotels for Every Budget23 of The Very Best Things to do in Ireland