Belfast

Day 1: Historic heart and Cathedral Quarter culture

Ease into Belfast’s compact centre, where grand Edwardian showpieces rub shoulders with cobbled lanes and modern street art. Today mixes big‑hit architecture, living history, and an evening of music and proper craic.

• Morning: Start at Belfast City Hall for the free public tour (book ahead at busy times). Stroll the surrounding civic core, then thread through the Entries (Joy’s Entry, Winecellar Entry) to High Street and the Albert Memorial Clock; look up for ornate façades and architectural sculpture.
• Midday: If it’s Fri–Sun, graze your way around St George’s Market (local makers, live music, great coffee). Otherwise, swing by Ulster Hall and the Grand Opera House (recently restored), then take a breather in the Crown Liquor Saloon’s Victorian snugs; mind the pub rounds etiquette.
• Afternoon: Explore the Cathedral Quarter: pop into the MAC for contemporary art, Belfast Exposed for photography, and wander Hill Street/Commercial Court for murals. Drop into the Oh Yeah Music Centre’s NI Music Exhibition (and Starr Records inside) to ground yourself in the city’s music story.
• Evening: For trad, try Kelly’s Cellars or The Dirty Onion (arrive early, listen during songs). For the alternative scene, check listings at Black Box or Ulster Sports Club; ask bar staff “what’s the craic?” for local gig tips.

Day 2: Shipyards, Troubles context, and the Queen’s Quarter

Today pivots from Belfast’s shipbuilding might to nuanced storytelling of The Troubles, before a gentler afternoon among galleries and gardens. It’s a day of contrasts—pack layers and comfortable shoes.

• Morning: Head to the Titanic Quarter (Glider G2 or 25–30 mins on foot). Tour Titanic Belfast (timed tickets recommended), walk the slipways and see Samson & Goliath, then board SS Nomadic; coffee at the Titanic Hotel (the old Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices) is a bonus.

By Air

• George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD): ~5 km east of the centre. Taxi 10–15 minutes. Airport Express 600 bus to Belfast Grand Central Station/city centre in about 10–15 minutes, running frequently throughout the day.
• Belfast International Airport (BFS): ~30 km northwest. Airport Express 300 bus to Belfast Grand Central Station/Lanyon Place in about 35–45 minutes; taxi/car 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Dublin Airport (DUB) (alternative): Direct coaches to Belfast run day and night (e.g., X1/X2, 705X). Typical journey time 1 hr 50 mins–2 hrs 15 mins.

By Train

• Main stations: Belfast Grand Central Station (primary hub for most NI Railways services) and Belfast Lanyon Place (east of the centre).
• Cross-border: Enterprise service to Dublin Connolly around every 2 hours; journey time roughly 2 hrs 10–20 mins.
• Key NI routes: Frequent services to Bangor, Larne Harbour, Portadown/Newry, and Derry~Londonderry (allow about 2 hrs to Derry~Londonderry).

By Bus/Coach

• Belfast Grand Central Station is the city’s integrated bus/rail hub.
• To/from Dublin: X1/X2 (Translink/Bus Éireann) and Aircoach 705X link Belfast with Dublin Airport and Dublin city; frequent, with 24-hour options to the airport.
• Key domestic links: Goldline coaches connect major NI towns and cities, including Derry~Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen, and Ballymena.

Belfast delivers world-class culture and proper craic in a compact, crowd-light city.

• Creative pulse: UNESCO City of Music energy with an alternative edge—think punk roots, witty street art and intimate gigs at the Black Box, Ulster Sports Club and the Oh Yeah Centre—less choreographed than bigger-name scenes but every bit as exciting.
• Neighbourhoods & icons: Wander Cathedral Quarter’s cobbles and murals, the red-brick Linen Quarter and leafy Queen’s/Botanic, then pivot to Titanic Quarter for Titanic Belfast and the Samson & Goliath cranes—space to linger without the selfie scrums.
• Value & ease: Free-entry heavy hitters (Ulster Museum, The MAC), affordable pints and gig tickets, and a walkable centre with handy Translink buses—more time for conversation than queues.
• Food, pubs & traditions: Graze St George’s Market, then nestle into the Crown Liquor Saloon, Duke of York or the Sunflower for rounds, trad sessions and the craic; catch Late Night Art (first Thursdays) for a genuine, less-staged slice of local culture.

Compact, creative and characterful, Belfast suits travellers who want big-city culture with small-city ease. It’s ideal for music lovers, history fans, art seekers and foodies who value authenticity over gloss. Budget‑savvy city‑breakers will appreciate prices that are often cheaper than Dublin or London and a centre that’s easy to walk.

• History lovers: Dive into living history from Titanic Belfast and City Hall to black‑cab mural tours and Crumlin Road Gaol, with locals who bring The Troubles era to life sensitively.
• Music fans: As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast delivers nightly gigs from trad sessions to indie and electronic at Ulster Hall, Limelight and the AVA Festival.
• Art & architecture buffs: Explore The MAC, Ulster Museum and world‑class street art in the Cathedral Quarter, set against Lanyon’s Victorian showpieces and bold modern icons.
• Alternative night owls: Experience the city’s punk‑forged, DIY spirit in intimate venues like the Black Box, Ulster Sports Club and the Sunflower’s cage‑fronted pub.
• Foodies & drinkers: Graze St George’s Market, sip co‑op brews at Boundary and find inventive dining and cocktail bars—excellent value vs bigger UK/Ireland cities.
• City‑breakers: Fly in close, walk everywhere, and add easy nature hits—Cave Hill views, Lagan towpath, Comber Greenway—without losing precious weekend time.

These are the unmissable highlights of Belfast. They capture the city’s history, creativity and spirit in just a few essential stops.

• Walk the cobbled lanes of the Cathedral Quarter for street art, live music and characterful pubs like the Duke of York and the Sunflower.
• Explore the Titanic Quarter, from the striking Titanic Belfast to the slipways, Samson & Goliath cranes and SS Nomadic.
• Visit the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens for world-class art, the Troubles and Beyond gallery and the Victorian Palm House.
• Take a Black Taxi tour to understand the city’s murals, Peace Walls and lived history with expert local guides.
• Hike Cave Hill from Belfast Castle to “Napoleon’s Nose” for panoramic views over the city and Belfast Lough.

These are the unmissable highlights of Belfast. They capture the city’s history, creativity and spirit in just a few essential stops.

• Walk the cobbled lanes of the Cathedral Quarter for street art, live music and characterful pubs like the Duke of York and the Sunflower.
• Explore the Titanic Quarter, from the striking Titanic Belfast to the slipways, Samson & Goliath cranes and SS Nomadic.
• Visit the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens for world-class art, the Troubles and Beyond gallery and the Victorian Palm House.
• Take a Black Taxi tour to understand the city’s murals, Peace Walls and lived history with expert local guides.
• Hike Cave Hill from Belfast Castle to “Napoleon’s Nose” for panoramic views over the city and Belfast Lough.

Belfast’s food culture blends hearty Ulster comfort with a new wave of indie cafés, markets and modern pubs. Expect griddle breads, local seafood and proper traybakes alongside craft beer and whiskey. For atmosphere, graze St George’s Market by day, then settle into a cosy pub or lively taproom by night.

• Ulster Fry – The classic breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, black pudding, tomato, soda farls and potato bread; best enjoyed in bustling cafés and no‑frills diners.
• Belfast Bap – A soft, flour‑dusted roll piled with bacon and egg or slow‑cooked meats; grab one fresh from bakeries or at St George’s Market.
• Seafood Chowder – Creamy, hearty chowder loaded with local fish and Portavogie prawns, served with wheaten bread; find it in gastropubs and traditional bars.
• Irish Whiskey & Local Craft Beer – Sip Bushmills or a Belfast stout like Belfast Black, and sample Boundary or Whitewater brews; try guided tastings in cosy pubs and lively taprooms.

Belfast’s food culture blends hearty Ulster comfort with a new wave of indie cafés, markets and modern pubs. Expect griddle breads, local seafood and proper traybakes alongside craft beer and whiskey. For atmosphere, graze St George’s Market by day, then settle into a cosy pub or lively taproom by night.

• Ulster Fry – The classic breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, black pudding, tomato, soda farls and potato bread; best enjoyed in bustling cafés and no‑frills diners.
• Belfast Bap – A soft, flour‑dusted roll piled with bacon and egg or slow‑cooked meats; grab one fresh from bakeries or at St George’s Market.
• Seafood Chowder – Creamy, hearty chowder loaded with local fish and Portavogie prawns, served with wheaten bread; find it in gastropubs and traditional bars.
• Irish Whiskey & Local Craft Beer – Sip Bushmills or a Belfast stout like Belfast Black, and sample Boundary or Whitewater brews; try guided tastings in cosy pubs and lively taprooms.

Choosing where to stay in Belfast is about matching the neighbourhood to your plans—each area has its own pace, nightlife and sights. Pick your base for the experiences you want, whether that’s gallery-hopping, green spaces or waterfront icons, rather than chasing a specific hotel.

• Cathedral Quarter — cobbled lanes, live-music pubs and street art; late-night buzz; best for first‑timers, foodies and gig‑goers (can be noisy).
• Queen’s/ Botanic (Queen’s Quarter) — leafy, studenty streets by Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum; indie cafés and QFT cinema; great for culture lovers, families and quieter nights.
• Titanic Quarter — modern waterfront with Titanic Belfast, SSE Arena and historic slipways; spacious and calmer after dark; ideal for families, architecture and maritime buffs.
• City Centre/ Linen Quarter — steps from City Hall, shops and transport; red‑brick warehouses turned eateries; handy for short stays and business, lively at weekends.

Choosing where to stay in Belfast is about matching the neighbourhood to your plans—each area has its own pace, nightlife and sights. Pick your base for the experiences you want, whether that’s gallery-hopping, green spaces or waterfront icons, rather than chasing a specific hotel.

• Cathedral Quarter — cobbled lanes, live-music pubs and street art; late-night buzz; best for first‑timers, foodies and gig‑goers (can be noisy).
• Queen’s/ Botanic (Queen’s Quarter) — leafy, studenty streets by Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum; indie cafés and QFT cinema; great for culture lovers, families and quieter nights.
• Titanic Quarter — modern waterfront with Titanic Belfast, SSE Arena and historic slipways; spacious and calmer after dark; ideal for families, architecture and maritime buffs.
• City Centre/ Linen Quarter — steps from City Hall, shops and transport; red‑brick warehouses turned eateries; handy for short stays and business, lively at weekends.

Belfast is straightforward to visit and get around, with two airports, a compact centre and clear transport links. A few local tips on costs, transport and timing will help you plan smoothly.

• Affordability: Cheaper than Dublin or London; expect pints £5–6.50, speciality coffee ~£3, street food £7–10, a mid‑range dinner £15–25, and mid‑range rooms £100–150 (hostels from ~£25 dorm).
• Transport: The centre is very walkable; Translink’s Metro/Glider buses cover the city, trains reach Derry~Londonderry and Bangor, day trips are easy by car or tour (Causeway Coast, Mournes), and ferries (Stena) link to Scotland.
• Language: English is universal; you may see Irish and Ulster‑Scots on some signage, but everyone in tourism speaks English.
• Safety & comfort: Generally safe and welcoming for families and solo travellers; use standard city sense at night, be respectful around political murals, and plan late‑night transport as buses thin after about 23:00.
• Crowds: Busiest May–September and on festival weekends (Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belsonic, AVA) and cruise days near the Titanic Quarter; quieter and better value from October to March.

Belfast is straightforward to visit and get around, with two airports, a compact centre and clear transport links. A few local tips on costs, transport and timing will help you plan smoothly.

• Affordability: Cheaper than Dublin or London; expect pints £5–6.50, speciality coffee ~£3, street food £7–10, a mid‑range dinner £15–25, and mid‑range rooms £100–150 (hostels from ~£25 dorm).
• Transport: The centre is very walkable; Translink’s Metro/Glider buses cover the city, trains reach Derry~Londonderry and Bangor, day trips are easy by car or tour (Causeway Coast, Mournes), and ferries (Stena) link to Scotland.
• Language: English is universal; you may see Irish and Ulster‑Scots on some signage, but everyone in tourism speaks English.
• Safety & comfort: Generally safe and welcoming for families and solo travellers; use standard city sense at night, be respectful around political murals, and plan late‑night transport as buses thin after about 23:00.
• Crowds: Busiest May–September and on festival weekends (Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belsonic, AVA) and cruise days near the Titanic Quarter; quieter and better value from October to March.

Seasonality in Belfast is mild but changeable year-round; rain is common, yet the cultural calendar keeps the city lively in every month. Peak crowds come in summer festival weeks, while spring and winter offer better value and a more local feel.

• Spring (Mar–May): Fresh and changeable; lighter crowds, good value, blossom in Botanic and campus buzz, with major arts (e.g., Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in early May).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Mild to warm (around 15–22°C) and long evenings; busiest for tourists and festivals (AVA, Belsonic), lively outdoor terraces, higher prices.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Cool, damp, short days; fewest visitors and best rates, cosy pub/ trad-session vibe and Christmas markets, though some attractions run reduced hours.

Seasonality in Belfast is mild but changeable year-round; rain is common, yet the cultural calendar keeps the city lively in every month. Peak crowds come in summer festival weeks, while spring and winter offer better value and a more local feel.

• Spring (Mar–May): Fresh and changeable; lighter crowds, good value, blossom in Botanic and campus buzz, with major arts (e.g., Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in early May).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Mild to warm (around 15–22°C) and long evenings; busiest for tourists and festivals (AVA, Belsonic), lively outdoor terraces, higher prices.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Cool, damp, short days; fewest visitors and best rates, cosy pub/ trad-session vibe and Christmas markets, though some attractions run reduced hours.

Day 3: Alternative Belfast deep‑dive and street art

Lean into the city’s DIY spirit: records, street art, co‑op breweries and off‑centre venues. If you’re here in festival season (early May for Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival; late May/early June for AVA; a Friday in September for Culture Night), weave that into your plans.

• Morning: Record crawl: Strange Victory (Berry Street), Dragon Records (Wellington Place), Voodoo Soup (Winetavern Street), and Starr Records inside the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Coffee hop via independent cafés; chat staff about local bands—instant conversation starter.
• Midday: If it’s Sunday, join Seedhead Arts’ Street Art Walking Tour at noon; otherwise, self‑guide around Union/Kent Street (Hit the North walls), North Street, and the Linen Quarter to see Aches’ vast “Connected” mural. Fancy a detour? Train 10 mins to Cultra for the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (allow 2–3 hours).
• Afternoon: Venture to East Belfast: Portview Trade Centre’s creative hub and Boundary Brewing’s taproom (usually open Fri/Sat—check times) make a relaxed local hangout; add C.S. Lewis Square if you’ve time. Or stay central and catch Golden Thread Gallery on Queen Street for contemporary shows.
• Evening: Close out with the alt‑nightlife staples: Oh Yeah Music Centre showcases, DJ sets at Ulster Sports Club, or a no‑frills night at The American Bar in Sailortown. Taxis are plentiful after 11 pm; buy some merch or vinyl to support the scene before you go.

Notes and seasonal tips:

• City centre is walkable; Glider G1 links Falls/East Belfast, G2 serves the Titanic Quarter.
• St George’s Market runs Fri–Sun; Boundary’s taproom is typically Fri/Sat; Seedhead street art tours run Sundays.
• Festival months get busy—book key tickets (Titanic Belfast, major gigs) and accommodation early.

By Ferry

• Belfast Harbour: Stena Line to Cairnryan (Scotland), crossing about 2 hrs 15 mins, with onward road/rail to Glasgow/Edinburgh; and to Liverpool (Birkenhead), about 8 hrs (day and overnight sailings).
• Larne Harbour (approx. 30–40 mins by road from Belfast): P&O Ferries to Cairnryan, about 2 hrs.

By Car

• From Dublin: M1/A1 dual carriageway all the way; typical drive 1 hr 45 mins–2 hrs.
• From Derry~Londonderry: A6 dual carriageway; about 1 hr 30 mins–1 hr 45 mins.
• From Scottish ports: Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne by ferry, then direct access to the M2/M1 network into the city.

Who should go to Belfast?

Compact, creative and characterful, Belfast suits travellers who want big-city culture with small-city ease. It’s ideal for music lovers, history fans, art seekers and foodies who value authenticity over gloss. Budget‑savvy city‑breakers will appreciate prices that are often cheaper than Dublin or London and a centre that’s easy to walk.

• History lovers: Dive into living history from Titanic Belfast and City Hall to black‑cab mural tours and Crumlin Road Gaol, with locals who bring The Troubles era to life sensitively.
• Music fans: As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast delivers nightly gigs from trad sessions to indie and electronic at Ulster Hall, Limelight and the AVA Festival.
• Art & architecture buffs: Explore The MAC, Ulster Museum and world‑class street art in the Cathedral Quarter, set against Lanyon’s Victorian showpieces and bold modern icons.
• Alternative night owls: Experience the city’s punk‑forged, DIY spirit in intimate venues like the Black Box, Ulster Sports Club and the Sunflower’s cage‑fronted pub.
• Foodies & drinkers: Graze St George’s Market, sip co‑op brews at Boundary and find inventive dining and cocktail bars—excellent value vs bigger UK/Ireland cities.
• City‑breakers: Fly in close, walk everywhere, and add easy nature hits—Cave Hill views, Lagan towpath, Comber Greenway—without losing precious weekend time.