10 Best Things to Do in Belfast

Titanic Belfast is a fascinating museum dedicated to the ill-fated vessel which was the largest ocean liner of its time. She was built in Belfast in the early-20th century and captivated people across the world, both for her size and her promise of luxury. She sunk on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, and over 1,500 people perished in the icy waters.

This self-guided museum tells the stories of those on board in dramatic detail at this museum in the docklands of Belfast, close to where the ship was originally built. This fascinating museum offers 9 interactive galleries to re-tell the iconic story. It’s one of the best things to do in Belfast and highly recommended.

Belfast’s City Hall is the city’s most impressive landmark, and it’s a great place for you to start your day. In the warmer months, you can find cafés and restaurants in Donegall Square in front of the civic building. During the festive season, the whole area is transformed into a winter wonderland, with a Christmas market and decorations.

As well as enjoying the grand building’s exterior, you can visit the museum inside City Hall and there are regular tours of the hallowed halls, all for free. The tour lasts 1 hour and you can just turn up and register at reception.

Walking the streets is a great way to soak up the real spirit of a city, and in Belfast, that means heading for the Cathedral Quarter. This upbeat neighbourhood is a cultural and nightlife zone around Saint Anne’s Cathedral, a Romanesque church known for its needlelike steel spire.

Other landmarks in the area include the Albert Memorial Clock, the Grand Opera House and several museums, including the powerful Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum. If you get thirsty after all that walking, you should seek out The Duke of York pub on the narrow, cobblestoned Commercial Court.

The Victorian market of St George’s Market is a cherished relic of times gone by. On Fridays, you can explore 200 market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, antiques, books, clothes, hot food, cakes, buns and crafts. The fresh fish section is especially praised, so why not try some Irish oysters?

The Saturday market offers local, continental and specialty foods and handmade crafts, flowers, plants, local photography, pottery, glass and metal work. The Sunday market is a mix of the Friday and Saturday markets with emphasis on local arts and crafts. It’s most fun on Saturdays and Sundays thanks to live musicians and a festive vibe.

Belfast Castle is one of the most important Northern Ireland landmarks. Sitting 400 ft above sea level on the slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, this Victorian structure offers unobstructed views of the city and Belfast Lough.

It dates back between 1867 and 1870, atop a fortress that once stood in the same spot in the 12th century. The grounds surrounding Belfast Castle are home to different species of wildlife, including long-eared owls and sparrowhawks. You can find an Adventure Playground, archeological sites, and ample walking trails. Feeling hungry? Castle Tavern serves a range of pub food and Irish ales.

The CS Lewis Square in east Belfast allows you to marvel at and get photos with many of the characters from Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. The series of fantasy novels written by the Belfast-native CS Lewis in the 1950s are cherished and firm family favorites.

Featuring seven bronze sculptures from the novel 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', including Aslan, The White Witch, Mr Tumnus, the square is a stunning display of public art. The CS Lewis Square is located next to the EastSide Visitor Center, where you can find some interesting tourist information and displays. It only takes about 20 minutes by public transport to reach the square from the city centre.

Belfast Botanic Gardens are a fantastic spot for a sunny day in the city. Located next to Queen’s University, you’ll see many students relaxing on the grass and enjoying the wide range of plants and flowers. Botanic Gardens boasts tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, an alpine garden, mature trees, flower beds and sculptures.

Check out the Palm House with its exotic species or book a tour of the exciting Tropical Ravine to see rare and beautiful plants from across the world. You can find the Ulster Museum in the north of the garden.

Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison, housed many of the main protagonists from the infamous Northern Ireland conflict, known locally as The Troubles. The Victorian-era building closed as a jail in 1996 and has been repurposed into a museum documenting the plight of the men who were sent here.

The guides are terrific and present facts clearly and without bias. You can also visit the section of the prison where prisoners were once hanged, so it’s not recommended for young kids.

The best place to see important artistic expressions of Belfast’s troubled past is along the Falls Road, a short drive west of the city center. During the political troubles of the 1970s, Belfast was a different place to the thriving multicultural city we see today. These urban art pieces are pivotal remnants from Belfast’s past, when the 2 halves of the city (unionist and nationalists) were directly opposed about the sovereignty of Northern Ireland.

You can reach Falls Road from the city center by car or by bike in 10 minutes, or in 35 minutes on foot. There are also guided tours with an experienced guide to give context to the art you see.

Belfast pubs are a cultural experience not to be missed. Many of the city's best local pubs have live music, great food, and a range of Irish beers and whiskeys. Many Belfast pubs are centuries old, with rich histories and even architectural features to match. Soak up the atmosphere in one of these old establishments and you’ll feel like stepping back in time.

Belfast offers a pub for every taste, from traditional Victorian pubs with snugs and open fires to modern gastropubs serving delicious food. Head to the Cathedral Quarter for a nice selection of bars and pubs to choose from, many of which have been serving ‘a drop o’ the black stuff’ for centuries.