belfast tourist office contact

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visitor information

Great things to know if you’re visiting.

If you are a visitor to Belfast, your first stop should be  Visit Belfast   – the official visitor information centre and website for Belfast with lots of ideas for accommodation, restaurants, events, places to visit and things to do, including attending our wonderful events!

Visit Belfast Welcome Centre

The  Visit Belfast Welcome Centre is located opposite Belfast City Hall in Belfast City Centre.

Address:  9 Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GB.  View map . Telephone:   +44 (0) 28 9024 6609 Email:   in**@vi**********.com Opening Hours:  Monday to Saturday:  9.00am – 5.30pm (October to May) and 9.00am – 7.00pm (June to September).  Sunday:  11.00am – 4.00pm (year round)

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getting here

Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport is 19 miles and George Best Belfast City Airport is three miles from the city centre.

Stena Line sails between Belfast and Cairnryan, and between Belfast and Liverpool. P&O sails from Cairnryan to Larne, and from Troon to Larne from the end of March to end of September.

getting around

You can rent through the Belfast Bike Scheme with 45 docking stations located across the city centre, providing a low cost, convenient way to travel about.

Translink Metro buses are very regular throughout the day but less frequent in the evening, with no night services. Smartlink day tickets are the best value if you plan to take multiple journeys. Consider buying the Belfast Visitor Pass for unlimited bus and rail travel for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days within Belfast.

A limited train service runs between Belfast and Dublin, Derry, Larne and stations in between. Lanyon Station is only a 10 minute walk from the city centre. This station links to all local stations as well as the cross-border Enterprise service to and from Dublin.

Contact Translink on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630 or visit translink.co.uk for up-to-date timetable information for bus and train services.

places to stay include

Europa Hotel   ★★★★  Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AP  MAP Clayton Hotel Belfast   ★★★★  22 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast BT2 8HS  MAP Ten Square   ★★★★  10 Donegall Square South, Belfast BT1 5JD  MAP Bullitt Hotel   ★★★★  40a Church Lane, Belfast BT1 4QN   MAP Malmaison Hotel   ★★★★  34-38 Victoria St, Belfast BT1 3GH   MAP Ramada Encore Belfast   ★★★  20 Talbot Street, Belfast BT1 2LD   MAP Premier Inn Belfast City Cathedral Quarter   ★★★  2-6 Waring Street, Belfast BT1 2DX  MAP Merchant Hotel   ★★★★★  16 Skipper Street, Belfast BT1 2DZ  MAP Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast   ★★★★  The Gasworks, 3 Cromac Place, Belfast BT7 2JB  MAP

Guesthouses

Ravenhill Guesthouse   ★★★★  690 Ravenhill Road, Belfast BT6 0BZ  MAP Maryville House   ★★★★★  2 Maryville Park, Belfast BT9 6LN   MAP Old Rectory   ★★★★  148 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5LH  MAP

Belfast International Youth Hostel  22-32 Donegall Road, Belfast BT12 5JN  MAP Global Village  87 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HP  MAP Botanical Backpackers   63 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AX MAP

places to eat include

Mumbai 27   27 Talbot Street, Belfast BT1 2LD  MAP   CALL Coppi   Saint Anne’s Square, Belfast BT1 2LR  MAP   CALL House of Zen   Saint Anne’s Square, Belfast, BT1 2LR  MAP   CALL Buba   10 Edward Street, Belfast BT1 2LR   MAP   CALL Molly’s Yard   1 College Green Mews, Belfast, BT7 1LW  MAP   CALL HOME   22 Wellington Place, Belfast BT1 6GE  MAP   CALL Town Square   45 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1HZ  MAP   CALL Yügo   3 Wellington Street, Belfast BT1 6HT  MAP   CALL Bar + Block 2-6 Waring Street, Belfast BT1 2DX MAP   CALL

places to drink include

Green Room at the Black Box   Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LA  MAP Pug Ugly’s   Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EJ  MAP The Crown   Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BA  MAP Kelly’s Cellars   Bank Street, Belfast BT1 1HL  MAP Duke of York   Commercial Court, Belfast, BT1 2NB  MAP Harp Bar  Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LB  MAP Maddens  Berry Street, Belfast BT1 1FJ  MAP Sunflower Public House   Union Street, Belfast, BT1 2JG  MAP Morning Star   Pottinger’s Entry, Belfast BT1 4DT  MAP White’s Tavern   Winecellar Entry, Belfast BT1 1QN  MAP The Woodworkers  Bradbury Place, Belfast BT7 1RS  MAP Laverys  Bradbury Place, Belfast BT7 1RS  MAP Muriel’s Café Bar   Church Lane, Belfast BT1 4QN  MAP The Dirty Onion  Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LA  MAP

thanks! We’ll be in touch.

©Francesco Ricciardi Exp/Shutterstock

A former industrial powerhouse with a troubled past, Belfast has pulled off a remarkable transformation into a hip party town.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Belfast. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Titanic Belfast

The stunning, star-shaped Titanic Belfast is the city's number-one tourist draw. Standing majestically at the head of the slipway where the Titanic was…

Belfast's classical Renaissance-style City Hall was built in fine, white Portland stone in 1906. Highlights of the free, 45-minute guided tour include the…

Ulster Museum

You could spend hours browsing this state-of-the-art museum, but if you're pressed for time don't miss the Armada Room, with artefacts retrieved from the…

Crown Liquor Saloon

There are not many historical monuments that you can enjoy while savouring a pint of Guinness, but the National Trust's Crown Liquor Saloon is one of them…

Cave Hill Country Park

The view from the summit of Cave Hill (368m) takes in the whole sprawl of the city, the docks, Belfast Lough and the Mourne Mountains – on a clear day you…

Botanic Gardens

The showpiece of Belfast's green oasis is Charles Lanyon's beautiful Palm House, built in 1839 and completed in 1852, with its birdcage dome, a…

Crumlin Road Gaol

Guided tours of Belfast's notorious Crumlin Road Gaol take you from the tunnel beneath Crumlin Rd, built in 1850 to convey prisoners from the courthouse…

St George's Market

Ireland's oldest continually operating market was built in 1896. This Victorian beauty hosts a Friday variety market (flowers, produce, meat, fish,…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 best things to do in belfast: everything you need to try in northern ireland’s capital.

The MAC is a beautifully designed venue overlooking the neoclassical St Anne's Sq development, with its two theatres hosting regular performances of drama…

Within the Odyssey Complex, this is the venue for big entertainment events such as rock and pop concerts and stage shows. It's also the home stadium of…

Waterfront Hall

The impressive 2200-seat Waterfront is Belfast's flagship concert venue, hosting local, national and international performers from pop stars to symphony…

Windsor Park

Northern Ireland plays its home games at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, 2km south of Belfast city centre; see the Irish FA website for…

Maggie May's

This is a classic little cafe with cosy wooden booths, murals of old Belfast and a host of hungover students wolfing down huge Ulster fry-ups. The all-day…

Muriel's Cafe-Bar

Hats meet harlotry (ask who Muriel was) in this delightfully snug and welcoming bar with retro-chic decor, old sofas and armchairs, heavy fabrics in…

Muddlers Club

Industrial-style decor, friendly service and rustic dishes that allow fresh local ingredients to shine are a winning combination at one of Belfast's best…

Lyric Theatre

This stunning modern space overlooking the River Lagan is Northern Ireland's only full-time producing theatre (it produces its own plays rather than…

A high-ceilinged space with cream-painted brick and warm golden wood creates a theatre-like ambience for the open, Michelin-starred kitchen at the back,…

Black Box is an innovative arts venue, hosting a dynamic program of music, theatre, magic nights, spoken word events, comedy, film and more on Hill St in…

Ulster Folk Museum

Farmhouses, forges, churches, mills and a complete village have been reconstructed at this excellent museum, with human and animal extras combining to…

HMS Caroline

The UK's last surviving WWI Royal Navy cruiser has been converted into a floating museum, docked in Titanic Quarter. Audio tours take in the captain's…

The finest, seasonal local ingredients are given a creative twist at the flagship restaurant in Michael Deane's portfolio, the Michelin-starred Eipic…

Official Black Taxi Tours

Customised tours of Belfast's political murals lasting 1½ hours.

St Anne's Cathedral

Built in imposing Hiberno-Romanesque style, St Anne's Cathedral was started in 1899 but did not reach its final form until 1981. As you enter you'll see…

John Hewitt

Named for the Belfast poet and socialist, the John Hewitt is one of those treasured bars that has no TV or gaming machines, just the murmur of…

Grand Opera House

One of Belfast's great Victorian landmarks is the Grand Opera House. Opened in 1895 and completely refurbished in the 1970s, it sustained severe IRA-bomb…

The most visible sign of the divisions that have scarred the area for so long are the so-called 'peace walls' that controversially divide Belfast's…

Duke of York

In a cobbled alleyway off buzzing Hill St, the snug, traditional Duke feels like a living museum. There's regular live music; local band Snow Patrol…

Harlem Cafe

With eclectic art covering the walls, the Harlem is a great place for lounging over coffee, or enjoying a glass of wine after hitting the shops. A full…

Berts Jazz Bar

This intimate venue has live jazz nightly from 9pm to midnight. Tables next to the stage are reserved for diners (mains £15 to £20, plus £10 per person…

CS Lewis Square

Dedicated to one of Belfast's most famous authors, East Belfast's CS Lewis Square has some impressive public art. Irish artist Maurice Harron has created…

Kingspan Stadium

This 18,000-capacity stadium is the home of Ulster Rugby.

John Long's

A wonderfully down-to-earth Belfast institution, this 1914-opened chippie is hidden in an inconspicuous red-brick building adjoining a car park, and is…

Merchant Hotel

Belfast's most flamboyant hotel occupies the palatial former Ulster Bank head office. Rooms are individually decorated with a fabulous fusion of…

Belfast Castle

Built in 1870 for the third Marquess of Donegall, in the Scottish Baronial style made fashionable by Queen Victoria's Balmoral, multiturreted Belfast…

Stormont's dazzling white neoclassical facade is one of Belfast's most iconic, occupying a dramatic position at the end of a gently rising 1.5km avenue…

Top free things to do in Belfast from fictional worlds to historic murals

Lagan Meadows

This tree-fringed loop in the river to the right of the Lagan towpath (heading south towards Lisburn) is a good place for a picnic on a summer's day.

Europa Hotel

Next door to the Grand Opera House and opposite the Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast's most famous hotel – and at one time Europe's most bombed – has seen…

Solidarity Wall

The Solidarity Wall is a collection of murals expressing Republican sympathies with, among others, the Palestinians, the Kurds and the Basques.

Albert Memorial Clock Tower

At the east end of High St is Belfast's very own leaning tower. Erected in 1865 in honour of Queen Victoria's dear departed husband, it is not as…

Queen's University

Northern Ireland's most prestigious university was founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. In 1908 the Queen's College became the Queen's University of Belfast…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Tips and tricks to keep in mind when traveling to Belfast.

Best Neighborhoods

From cozy pubs to local grub, check out our list of the 5 best neighborhoods to visit in Belfast.

Ireland is a land of storytellers, talented musicians and impassioned songwriters. Discover what inspired them on these top day trips from Belfast.

Money and Costs

Budget-conscious visitors to Belfast will love these money-saving tips.

Transportation

Belfast is a compact city that's easy to walk, but if you want to get around by Metro, Glider, bike or train, we've got all the info you need.

Free Things to Do

Save your pennies when visiting Belfast with these 10 free activities.

Plan with a local

Experience the real Ireland

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Belfast

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Cutting-edge food, traditional pubs and incredible Titanic history take Belfast to the next level – welcome to one of Ireland's most exciting cities.

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Belfast: Home of the Titanic

It's got natural beauty. It's got tons of history. And it's got super-friendly locals who know how to have a good time. No wonder Belfast is one of the hottest destinations in Europe to visit. Quick to charm and packed with brilliant attractions, including the world-class Titanic Belfast, this is a city that's bursting with creativity. You'll see it in the boundary-pushing art galleries of the Cathedral Quarter, in the super-cool pop-up restaurants that spring up around the city, and in the bustle of St George's Market, where artisan food producers rub shoulders with craftspeople (Fri-Sun). Dig a little deeper, and you'll uncover the layers of history that make Belfast such a compelling place, from its Bronze Age origins to its prosperous shipbuilding past.

Belfast City Hall

Adventures await

Set on the shores of Belfast Lough and framed by towering Cave Hill, Belfast is the gateway to the exceptional Causeway Coastal Route. But you don't have to go very far from the city centre to enjoy a bit of outdoor adventure. Head to Belfast Castle for a heart-pumping hike up Cave Hill and a stunning bird's-eye view of the city. See the sights from Belfast Lough in a 12-seater rib with Belfast Sea Safari. Or check out the real-life locations from HBO's Game of Thrones® on a day-tour from Belfast. More than just a city, Belfast is the experience of a lifetime.

• Neighbourhood

Established Belfast

“Belfast has earned a reputation for its amazing coffee, with fantastic little independent coffee shops around every corner.” – Outsider.ie

Cathedral Quarter

The Cathedral Quarter is a rejuvenated trade and warehousing district that today claims the best bars, restaurants and galleries in the city.” – National Geographic Traveller

The White Room

“It’s a small city and the people who throw the parties and play the music and own the labels are more like an extended friendship group than a ‘scene’.” – Mixmag

“A sculpted ridge of basalt silhouetted against the sky, its resemblance to the face of a sleeping giant supposedly gave Jonathan Swift the idea for his Gulliver.” – The Guardian

The Muddler's Club

“Take a wander around Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city, and you’ll find yourself in a hub of first-class food.” – Time Out

Titanic Boat Tour

“The famous Titanic Boat Tour is the fastest way to see the docks and surrounding area, in a two-hour sail around the maritime harbour.” – The Culture Trip

Discover Belfast with the locals

Belfast man Brian Heuston explains what makes this UNESCO City of Music such a vibrant hub.

“Belfast has a core, it has a heart to it, so I think it’s one of the most inspiring cities in the world” Brian Heuston

Uncover the best of Belfast

Hear the tunes

Discover Titanic Belfast

A perfect Belfast day

Top 10 things

Explore more in and around belfast.

Top tunes, Titanic tales and the best of Belfast food

Belfast: top 9 attractions

Belfast in 72 hours

5 reasons Belfast tastes amazing

Music in Belfast

Titanic Belfast

Game of Thrones® experiences

10 top Northern Ireland experiences

Northern Ireland

Charming towns of the Causeway Coastal Route

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

5 Titanic tales

Causeway Coastal Route

C'mere till i tell you....

• #FillYourHeartWithIreland

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Belfast highlights

Great things to see and do in the city

Stormont Estate

Ulster Museum

Giant's Causeway

Accommodation

The Grand Central Hotel

Titanic Hotel Belfast

Crumlin Road Gaol

C.S. Lewis Trail

Crown Liquor Saloon

54.5944986069849 -5.93632302573077

Sawers Limited

Touring Around Belfast

Stormont Estate is a Green Flag Award winning public park with walking and fitness trails.

Ulster Museum is home to treasures past and present. There’s something for art lovers, history buffs, inquisitive kids and the culturally curious! Come face to face with dinosaurs and for a fun family day out dive into the Discovery Zones of art, history and science where you can try on costumes from the past, explore the tree of life and create your own art to take home.

World Heritage Site and geological wonder steeped in legend

The Grand Central is more than a hotel. It’s an ode to a city. Standing tall in Bedford Street, this impressive jewel combines glamour and grandeur with a uniquely Belfast spirit. Head to the 23rd floor to discover The Observatory Bar, an awe-inspiring cocktail lounge with spectacular views of Belfast and beyond.

The world's most authentic Titanic hotel is now open. The transformation of the legendary Harland & Wolff headquarters and spectacular Drawing Offices is now complete. Belfast's deluxe-hotel offers an unforgettable experience.

Built in 1911, Nomadic provides the story of Titanic's little sister, the only tangible surviving link with the world's most famous ship and the last White Star Line vessel in the world.

On the 31st March 1996 Crumlin Road Gaol slammed shut its doors for what many thought would be the final time, but, on the 19th November 2012 the chains fell off and HMP Belfast was reborn as one of Belfast's most popular visitor attractions.

This trail will take you to the places that inspired the young C.S. Lewis, one of our most famous literary sons, best known for his magical world of Narnia.

The MAC is one of Europe’s leading art centres, situated in the heart of Belfast. Recently nominated a finalist for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015, the award-winning venue has welcomed some 800,000 visitors since it opened.

The Crown is both ageless and priceless, a gem of Victoriana.

Welcome to Titanic Belfast, an award-winning visitor experience offering the opportunity to learn about Titanic’s history, just a few minutes from where the ship herself was famously designed, built and launched in 1911. This self-guided tour tells the Titanic’s story from conception through to its first and final journey across the Atlantic, as well as the historical and cultural impact on Belfast and beyond.

Family business established in 1897, which stocks an extensive range of quality foods.

Try this for an interesting tour of Belfast city, which takes place in a black cab, and it's your driver who brings the story of the city to life, combining the history and character of the place with the personal experience of people who have lived there all their lives.

Got a question for our Community experts?

Getting to Belfast

Fly to either of Belfast's two airports and you're there. Or go to Dublin and head north on a scenic road trip. Coming by ferry? Belfast is your closest port. But Larne and Dublin are a pretty easy distance too.

Tourism Northern Ireland

Contact details for Tourism Northern Ireland, which is responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination

Floors 10-12, Linum Chambers, Bedford Square Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7ES United Kingdom

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What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to [email protected] 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 Email  [email protected]

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750  Email  [email protected]

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912  Email [email protected]

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to [email protected] or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service .

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service .

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit .

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• Restrictions or regulations —  contact the Department of Health
• Travel advice (including self-isolation) —  contact the Department of Health
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the  Department of Health  or  Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email  [email protected]

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email  [email protected] .

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• Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

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Belfast information

It wasn't so long ago that Belfast was classed as one of the four 'Bs' alongside Bosnia, Baghdad and Beirut as one of the must-avoid destinations. It has all changed now however with Belfast in all repects becoming almost a brand-new city. Belfast is one of the most visited cities in the UK, and the second most visited on the island of Ireland.

Belfast is a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education, business, and law and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the conflict called "the Troubles", but latterly has undergone a sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. Additionally, Belfast city centre has undergone considerable expansion and regeneration in recent years, notably around Victoria Square. This remarkable transformation includes the luxury apartments of the Titanic Quarter where the old shipyards on the Lagan used to exist.

Image: City Hall, Belfast

A visit to Belfast will be rewarded by a glimpse of a unique city that has finally begun to celebrate, rather than fight over, its place as a cultural meeting-point of Britain and Ireland. Belfast is certainly exhibiting an air of determined optimism, with new hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and shops opening at an incredible rate. It is a city that is proud of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage and efforts to restore historic buildings are proving successful. Tourism is on the increase in Northern Ireland, especially among those seeking a weekend away or short break in Ireland as Belfast can offer a significantly cheaper and more rewarding alternative to the bigger, busier, more expensive and more tourist-driven Dublin.

Airports & Ports

Belfast is served by two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport in the city, and Belfast International Airport 15 miles (24 km) west of the city. Belfast is a major port, with commercial and industrial docks dominating the Belfast Lough shoreline, including the Harland and Wolff shipyard.

Tourist Attractions

The city's number one tourist draw is the Titanic quarter whose centrepiece is a stunning, star-shaped edifice housing the Titanic Belfast centre, covering the ill-fated liner's construction in Belfast. In recent years, new venues such as the historic Crumlin Road Gaol and SS Nomadic have opened to the public. Add to that beautifully restored Victorian architecture, a glittering waterfront lined with modern art, a fantastic foodie scene and music-filled pubs and you have all the ingredients for an enjoyable and interesting trip to the city. To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located Belfast Welcome Centre (Tourist Office) at Donegall Square North, just opposite City Hall. The staff can provide maps, book accommodation and tours, recommend itineraries and places of interest and sell you overpriced and tacky souvenirs. There is also a useful left luggage facility.

Belfast remains a great place to explore, as it is still relatively undiscovered compared with its neighbour in Dublin and is ideal for the tourist who enjoys a city with character, yet still has a raw, unspoilt energy. A visit to the capital of Northern Ireland will provide a more stimulating trip as, once you scratch the surface, it is easy to see beyond the ethno-political conflict of past years. It is a city which has changed dramatically in a decade due to this peace and prosperity and you will be greeted with warmth from locals who feel a new-found sense of pride in their city. Indeed, the old cliche that you will be welcomed like an old friend by the patrons of Belfast's many pubs and bars is actually true, as the locals love to find out what draws you to their little part of the world and, of course, they like the chance to share a little bit of their history with you! Ask any local and they will tell you that a trip to Belfast will mean that you learn far more about the Irish and British psyche than a trip to a cheesy Irish pub in Dublin or on a tourist-orientated tour in London.

Discover Belfast

Shopping in Belfast

Belfast has high street stores, family owned businesses, designer boutiques, markets and shopping centres - all within minutes of each other - Read more

Getting around Belfast

The centre of Belfast is small enough to be explored by foot. Translink operate Belfast's urban bus network, called Metro (previously Citybus) - Read more

Belfast tourist attractions

To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located Belfast Welcome Centre (Tourist Office) at Donegall Square North - Read more

Eating and drinking in Belfast

Belfast has a vibrant and varied nightlife which is improving year on year. The most popular areas tend to be the Cathedral Quarter and around the Dublin Road area - Read more

Accommodation in Belfast

The birthplace of Titanic and gateway to Northern Ireland, Belfast is a popular destination and as you would expect, there are plenty of places to rest your weary head after a day of sightseeing - Read more

Stay safe in Belfast

There are areas in Belfast which have been scarred by trouble in the past. Though these areas are largely safe to visit, it is important to be aware of where you are - Read more

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We’re here to help you plan your perfect trip to Belfast. From information about getting to Belfast and travelling around the city to car parking , travel tips and guides to our neighbourhoods . Download Belfast visitor maps  and  brochures , and discover a host of visitor apps to help plan your trip.

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Visiting Belfast…A Great European City

Last Updated on April 4, 2024

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

By Jim Ferri

Driving about  the island of Ireland  for a few weeks, visiting both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, I decided to visit Belfast. My primary reason for visiting Northern Ireland’s capital was to see the much-heralded Titanic Belfast Museum. 

It was worth the drive since I discovered the  Titanic Belfast  was one of the most fascinating museums I’ve visited anywhere in the world. Yes, it’s just that good.

But there’s another side to this story, as well.

In addition to a great museum, I also discovered when visiting Belfast that it is a fascinating city overflowing with charm and beauty. It also possesses vitality and spirit and is infused with more than just a wee bit of Irish charm.

In fact, I discovered there are so many things to do in Belfast it’s almost overwhelming if you only have a few days in the city. But even if you have only one day to spend visiting Belfast, it’s well worth visiting. And  Belfast is a great and easy day trip from Dublin by train .

Looking for Things to Do While Visiting Belfast

I had been driving for over a week when I arrived in Belfast. So on Wednesday morning, the day after my arrival, I took a break with a short morning walk.

My research has shown there are many things to do when visiting Belfast. However, based on the recommendation of a friend, I especially wanted to see  St. George’s Market , the city’s historic food market. But after being disappointed to find it was open only on Fridays, I headed straight off to the Titanic Museum.

Along the way, I passed  Victoria Square , a shopping mall flush with American and European brand names. I couldn’t help but admire how well all its soaring glass and steel melded so wonderfully with the old neighborhood into which it had been slipped. I quickly peeked inside but kept moving, heading for the Titanic.

A Top Thing to Do While Visiting Belfast – See the Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum, the top sight to see when visiting Belfast, was all soaring steel and glass. But instead of melding with its surroundings, Titanic dominated it like a massive ship’s prow sailing through the neighborhood.

Everything about the building had a nautical theme, from the quartet of ship bows on the exterior to the anchor chains that line the entranceway and guide you inside. Even in its lobby, the rough-sawn pier planking made the ticket windows resemble large portholes.

The museum was mesmerizing, unlike any non-art museum I’ve ever visited. There’s an introductory section discussing Belfast at the time of the building of the ill-fated liner. It is an excellent historical and cultural overview of the city and its people.

You can read more about my experience in the museum at  The Titanic, Belfast’s World-Class Museum . It also includes a short video of the ship’s launch.

Another Thing to Do – Take a Black Taxi Tour

After leaving Titanic, I felt lost and overwhelmed by the city since I knew nothing of it. I had a contact at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and emailed her asking for suggestions.

Thankfully, she quickly arranged for me to meet with a local cab driver, Ken, who would give me a three-hour tour of the city. It was the best thing I could have done, and I should have thought of it myself. The city’s  Black Taxi tours  are a great way to get an insider’s look at the town when visiting Belfast.

Ken collected me at my hotel, the somewhat funky  Malmaison . Since I enjoy minutia, Ken quickly caught my attention when he told me the building was originally a  seed warehouse . It dated to 1867, he noted, and the five heads on the facade represented the world’s five continents.

We set off up Victoria Street in his taxi, past the landmark  Albert Memorial Clock  (“built in 1869, Jim, in memory of Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, who died of typhoid fever”). Ken then told me it was slowly sinking into the ground. That seemed quite logical to me when he added it was constructed adjacent to an area built above the river.

We soon stopped at  Belfast Cathedral . It’s a beautiful church with a 130-foot stainless steel spire protruding through a glass platform above the altar. Incongruous as it may seem, it’s really a fantastic sight inside a beautiful church. Across the street, Ken then showed me Writer’s Square, where quotations from 27 deceased Northern Ireland authors were inscribed in stone at various points, a poignant and perfect way to pay tribute to Belfast’s literary past.

The Dark Horse…

After Ken found a place to park his taxi, we continued on foot back across Talbot Street. He had two unique places to show me. On the way, just a minute up the street, we passed the  Northern Ireland War Memorial , a little storefront museum dedicated to the home-front exhibition during World War II. A good part of it is dedicated to Americans serving in Belfast during the war, and although relatively basic, the little display is still interesting.

We continued and turned onto Hill Street, where Ken took me to the  Dark Horse . It’s a sandwich and coffee house that appears unassuming from the outside, but the inside is like no other. Just about everything in it was an antique – the tables, the decorations, the bar, even the loo (although the plumbing was modern)… almost like a living antique shop.

Once outside again, he brought me into the alleyway next door with murals on the walls about present-day life in the city. All over the city, one sees many such murals when visiting Belfast.

…and Duke of York Tavern

Ken also wanted to show me the Duke of York Tavern around the corner, the sister establishment of the Dark Horse.

It was destroyed in the early 1970s when the IRA planted a car bomb outside it. It was rebuilt (a marvelous job), and today it’s once again a popular pub filled with over 100 varieties of different whiskeys and plenty of wine and beer. It’s worth a visit just to see the inside.

He had taken me to the Duke of York since I had told him I was interested in seeing and learning more about the period of  “the troubles”  in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1994 when about 15,500 bombs were set off by the IRA. Ken told me that as the capital, Belfast got its fair share, and “it was the luck of the draw who lived and who died since the bombs were placed indiscriminately.”

When Visiting Belfast See the Catholic and Protestant Neighborhoods

We returned to his taxi and continued to the old  Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods  where political murals still covered many walls. We stopped along the wall built by British soldiers to separate the Irish and the British factions, with Union Jacks and Irish flags still flying at opposite ends of the street.

When visiting Belfast, you’ll see murals in different city areas. Several tour companies and just about any cab driver can give you a tour of them.

We then headed to the  Queen’s Quarter  of the city to see stately  Queen’s University , the  Botanical Gardens , and the  Ulster Museum , located right next to one another on University and Stranmills Roads. All along the way were plenty of little restaurants and coffeehouses. Amid it all was  Friars Bush Graveyard , a burial ground possibly dating back to pre-Christian times, a beautiful place to take a walk, although it’s only open by appointment and for scheduled tours.

Good Things to See in Belfast: the Crown Liquor Saloon and Merchant Hotel

Heading down to Great Victoria Street, at the corner of Amelia Street, I asked Ken to stop since I wanted to see the renowned  Crown Liquor Saloon . Inside I found one of the more ornate pubs in Belfast with a centuries-old interior and a good afternoon crowd. According to Ken, the owner’s wife chose the name, but her husband, not enthralled with British royalty, had the crown put in the tile at the doorway so people would scuff their feet on it when they entered.

When visiting Belfast, you’ll find the entire area around the Saloon quite alive and filled with both Belfastians and tourists. There are plenty of restaurants in the area and live Irish music at some pubs in the evenings.  Robinsons Bar , right next to the Crown Liquor Saloon and dating back to 1895, offers live music every night of the week.

Further along Victoria, we passed the  Europa Hotel , “the most bombed hotel in all of Europe, Jim,” said Ken. He said it was bombed 33 times during “the troubles,” with probably 1,000 other incidents and hoaxes, although both “Bill Clinton and George Mitchell stayed there on the various times they visited.”

About five minutes later, we stopped at the luxury  Merchant Hotel  since Ken wanted to show me the  Great Room Restaurant . The hotel was the former headquarters of Ulster Bank, and the restaurant was located in the central banking hall of the building. A blend of Victorian and Art Deco, the room is spectacular. And, likely, so is the food. A few years ago, Northern Ireland was named the “world’s  best food destination .”

Gulliver’s Travels

When we returned to the Malmaison, Ken had me look down Victoria Street towards the distant mountains. I didn’t see it right away, but when he mentioned Jonathan Swift’s  Gulliver’s Travels , I immediately saw the mountainous shape of the sleeping Gulliver lying down with his face looking up towards the sky.

Although a Dubliner, said Ken, “Swift was a Church of Ireland minister and his church was on the other side of that mountain.” According to local legend Swift had been visiting in Belfast when he looked up at the rock formation – locally called Napoleon’s nose since it looks like a silhouette of the French emperor – and got the inspiration for his novel.

When I returned home, I researched the legend and found the place in Belfast Swift is said to have been standing at the time of his inspiration.

Befittingly, it was Lilliput Street.

You may also enjoy: A Black Taxi Tour of Belfast / Driving Northern Ireland’s Coast Road and How to See Ireland’s West Coast by Car in 9 Days

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

59 North Street Belfast BT1 1NB Tel: +44 (0) 28 9023 1221 http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/

Malmaison Hotel

34-38 Victoria Street Belfast BT1 3GH Tel: +44 28 9022 0200

Hill Street Belfast BT1 2LB Tel: +44 28 9023 7807 https://dukeofyorkbelfast.com/venues/the-dark-horse/

Duke of York Tavern

7-11 Commercial Court Belfast, BT1 2NB Tel: +44 28 9024 1062 https://dukeofyorkbelfast.com/

Crown Liquor Saloon

46 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7BA Tel: +44 28 9024 3187 https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/scotlandandnorthernireland/thecrownliquorsaloonbelfast

April 15, 2013 at 4:59 pm

Loved your account of Belfast. That’s a new word you have for us now, Belfastians!

April 15, 2013 at 5:05 pm

I’m glad you enjoyed it Kieran!

August 13, 2013 at 3:08 pm

Hi Jim! Great website and love your photos of Northern Ireland. It’s my homeland and it’s great to see the Crown on there. Safe travels, Jonny Blair (fellow blogger and traveller)

August 13, 2013 at 3:13 pm

Hi Johnny! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

November 4, 2013 at 11:28 pm

I was born in 95 Lilliput Street in Belfast – my father’s surname was Hamilton and my mother’s Carroll. We then lived in Mountcollyer Avenue and my brother, sister and I went to Mountcollyer School. I married Edmund Curry from the Stranmillis Road and we went to live in England and Germany as he was in an Irish Regiment in the Army. My parents emigrated to New Zealand with my young brother and when my husband finished the Army – we also went there with our two sons David and Jonathan but now reside on Sydney Australia’s Central Coast. Have you produced any books on Belfast which I could order as I have so enjoyed this? Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Even though we are so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the world – Belfast will always have a special place in my heart and soul as it is Belfast that defined me Thank you once again. Maureen Curry

November 5, 2013 at 6:13 am

Hello Maureen, What a story about your family! Unfortunately, I don’t have any books on Belfast. But if you send me your email address ( [email protected] ) I’ll try to put you in touch with some people who may know of some. Jim

December 10, 2013 at 7:56 am

Thank you Jim – I sent an email before but I didn’t get a reply from you. See above.

August 6, 2014 at 8:44 pm

I most definitely would go back to Belfast, It’s a wonderful place to visit.

February 26, 2023 at 5:10 am

I’m visiting the Republic of Ireland next month, for 24 days. Will have 6 days unscheduled at the end of my trip, and had been tossing around the option of visiting Northern Ireland, but couldn’t decide if my obsession with the television show Derry Girls, was reason enough to take the train up from Dublin, but your article has convinced us to make the journey. The Titanic Museum, Belfast’s historical significance during “The Troubles “, and your experience with Ken the driver of the Black Taxi all sound too good to miss. Thanks for sharing. Paula from Phoenix Arizona

February 27, 2023 at 1:24 pm

Hi Paula, I’m glad I was able to prod you up into Northern Ireland. You’ll love it, especially the Titanic Museum. And make sure to take a Black Taxi tour. Get in touch with the Belfast Tourist Office before you leave home to get some good contacts for the tour. Have a great trip! Jim

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