Belfast is probably one of the most underrated tourist destinations that I have come across in the United Kingdom. When people think of visiting, London is inevitably top of the list followed by picturesque Edinburgh and Belfast generally doesn’t get a mention. In fact, if you’re heading over that way, a lot of people will bypass the north and head to the Republic taking in Dublin and then travel the Wild Atlantic Way.
In the past, the North has gotten a bad rap and not that long ago was definitely not a tourist destination. In recent times that’s all changed, and Belfast is now recognised for the vibrant, eclectic city it is with so much to offer visitors.
It’s a great city to walk around as it’s small enough that everything you need is a short distance away.
Hop On Hop Off Tour
No matter where I am in the world, when I take in a new city I love a good Hop On Hop Off Tour, and Belfast is no exception. The trip takes approximately 90 minutes and has over 30 stops. I generally will do the whole loop first, making note of where I might want to get off or places to come back to on another day. The first stop is at Donegall Square, on the right side of Belfast City Hall. It will then take you through the Titanic Quarter, St Georges Market, Queen’s University, the Peace Wall Belfast, Shankill Road and past Crumlin Road Jail.
Belfast City Hall
In the centre of Donegall Square, is the magnificent Belfast City Hall building. The building which was competed in 1906, is a keystone landmark of Belfast and a great place to get your bearings as you travel around the city. There are free official guided tours offered a few times a day, with additional tours added during the Summer months and these can be booked through Belfast City Council. However, if you’re looking for tours which look at different aspects of Belfast including the Troubles or Walking Tours, there are plenty of others on offer for a reasonable ticket price. The City Hall grounds are also a lovely place to meander around, taking in various memorials, or stopping by the coffee shop for a quick snack.
The Titanic Quarter
Across the bridge from Belfast city centre, you will find The Titanic Quarter. It’s approximately a 25 minute walk away. There’s a dedicated rail station, Titanic Quarter Station if coming by train as well as plenty of metro buses that service the Titanic Quarter from Wellington Place. It’s also one of the major stops on the Hop On Hop Off bus.
The Titanic Quarter is of course home to the award winning, three storey museum which takes you on a journey from Belfast during its glorious shipping era, through to the maiden voyage of the unsinkable ship and finishing with Hollywood’s take on the disaster and myths that still surround the great ship.
There’s more than just the museum at the Titanic Quarter, you can take a walk around the Maritime Mile, visit We Are Vertigo – the indoor Sky Diving and Ninja Warrior centre and its also home to The SSE Arena, home to international touring concerts and Northern Ireland’s only professional ice hockey club, the Stena Line Belfast Giants.
For more information about The Titanic Quarter, read my article here.
St George’s Market
No visit to Belfast is complete without spending some time at St George’s Market, which has been home to a market since 1604. Open Friday-Sunday, each day features different markets. Friday is the Variety Market and features everything from bric a brac to fresh food, and the seafood section alone has over 20 stalls and is known as the leading retail fish market in Ireland. Saturday is the day for Food and Craft with local producers bring in speciality foods. I love being there at lunch time which is particularly busy, but you can still manage to find a spot to perch on a chair or stand at a bar table to sample the produce while listening to live music. The Sunday Market is your traditional mix of food, craft and antiques.
Queen’s University
Another landmark building in Belfast well worth taking a look at is the Queen’s University. Over 160 years old, its main building the Lanyon Building is an iconic fixture on the Belfast cityscape and hosts exhibitions and serves as an information point for visitors. If you’re interested in a tour, there are guided campus tours available year round on request. For more information about a tour, visit their website, Queen’s University.
Botanic Gardens
Close to Queen’s University, is Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and Palm House. The Palm House also designed by Charles Lanyon (he of Queen’s University Lanyon Building fame) is a stunning cast iron and glass building with a birdcage dome. The gardens, first established in 1828, are open daily and free to wander through. In the midst of Belfast city, it’s a green oasis where you can forget about city life for awhile. There are seven gates spread out around the city and a circular walk approximately a kilometre long taking in the various main landmarks of the gardens.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast Murals, Shankill Road and the International Peace Wall
One of Belfast’s leading tourist sites is the Crumlin Road Gaol. Dating back to 1846, it was a fully operational prison for 150 years. To visit the gaol, you can either take a self guided tour or join one of the gaol experience tours which covers all aspects of the Gaol from its start as a Victorian Era prison through to its key role during the Troubles, which not only gives visitors a insight into the gaol itself but also more of a perspective of the Northern Irish conflict.
A great way to visit the gaol is to take a Black Taxi Tour and Crumlin Road combined tour. The famous black taxi tour takes in the famous Belfast wall murals, the infamous Shankill Road and visits the International Peace Wall where you can leave your own mark. If the Black Taxi Tour isn’t your thing, the Hop On Hop Off visitor buses also visit all these stops.
The Crumlin Road Gaol isn’t just open through the day as a tourist attraction, be sure to check out their live music events and dinner venue, Cuffs Bar and Grill.
Cathedral Quarter
To really enjoy what Belfast has to offer in terms of great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, get lost in the cobblestoned laneways in the Cathedral Quarter. Known as the cultural hub of Belfast, it’s now home to many art galleries in the city and also the home of my favourite place to stay, The Merchant Hotel. Make sure you check out their fine dining restaurant, The Great Room and their jazz bar, Bert’s opened 7 nights a week playing live music and serving amazing cocktails.
The Cathedral Corner is a great way to spend a day in Belfast, meander around checking out the street art, afterwards grab a pint at the Duke of York, probably the most popular pub in the area and then head to one of the variety of restaurants in the area. No matter what your taste or price range, there will be a pub and an eatery to suit. It’s popular with both tourists and locals alike, not to be missed when visiting Belfast.
There’s so much to do in Belfast, and it’s definitely not a city you will be bored with whether you stay in town or head out on a day trip. 90 minutes away takes you to the Causeway Coast and the Giant’s Causeway. There are tours which run from Belfast daily, or if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, combine with the Causeway tour for a full day adventure from Belfast which will take in the Dark Hedges as well as Ballintoy Harbour.
To read more about Belfast, check out our other articles
