Small in stature, yet culturally influential beyond its borders, Belfast has grown out of The Troubles of 20th-century Europe to offer visitors captivating history, art, music and more.
Visit Belfastto experience the idiosyncratic nuances of this Northern Ireland capital. Home to C.S. Lewis, Van Morrison and the RMS Titanic, Belfast is a study in contrasts, a city where politically leaning street-art murals are juxtaposed by cosy pubs and Irish folk music.
Start the day with a traditional Ulster Fry, famous for its back bacon, black pudding and fried soda bread, before embarking on a whirlwind tour of haunting prisons, excellent museums, a storied shipyard and more.
Things to do in Belfast
Spend a few hours exploring Belfast history at the five-story Titanic Belfast Museum in the Titanic Quarter, where visitors hear the story of how today’s city grew from an 18th-century trading town on the River Lagan, when it was known as Beal Feirste. Learn about the linen, shipbuilding, rope-making and tobacco-manufacturing eras of the industrial city, then go deep into the ill-fated voyage of the RMS Titanic in 1912, which ultimately crippled the city’s strongest trade. You can’t miss the modernist museum, rising as it does beneath two iconic yellow cranes named Samson and Goliath.
In the heart of the city, visit the Belfast City Hall, an architectural masterpiece in Baroque Revival style completed in 1906. Standing as a symbol of civic pride, and surrounded by picturesque gardens, the gleaming white exterior and ornate detailing make it a must-see for historical architecture enthusiasts.
Shop at modern malls and traditional markets, including Victoria Square, with its striking glass dome and high-end stores, and the CastleCourt Shopping Centre. Boutique shops and charming cafes line Lisburn Road. At St. George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions, browse a diverse array of stalls selling everything from linen products to pottery.
Belfast’s history and culture
Experience the haunting side of Belfast history at the Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison built in the mid-19th century. Hear stories of the inmates who were imprisoned here and the city’s more sombre history.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Peace Walls give insight into the brighter future Belfast imagined after the Troubles divided Catholic and Protestant communities. From there, take a walk to Cave Hill, a basalt hill overlooking Belfast with beautiful trails and breathtaking views, a place to contemplate how the city rose resolutely out of historic turmoil.
Explore Belfast’s vibrant arts scene, starting at C.S. Lewis Square, where street art has rejuvenated the area over the last decade. Find several iconic statues from Lewis’s bestselling series, including Aslan, the White Witch, the Beavers and a replica of the Stone Table. The colourful Luminaries and Legends mural depicts C.S. Lewis, as well as other Belfast notables, including Van Morrison and others.
Dining and nightlife in Belfast
During your visit to Belfast choose from a range of dining options, from cosy pubs offering a pint of Guinness, Irish folk music and a convivial scene, to the haute cuisine restaurants that line Great Victoria Street and Lisburn Road. The City Centre, Cathedral Quarter and Titanic Quarter buzz with nightlife, numerous gastropubs and entertainment venues. Over the holidays, the Belfast Christmas Market is a foodie paradise.
For an evening of culture, attend a theatrical performance at the Lyric Theatre or Grand Opera House, the sight of large-scale productions, including West End and Broadway shows. Independent theatre takes the stage at the Modern Arts Centre and the Waterfront Hall.
Getting to and around Belfast
Fly into the Belfast City Airport or Belfast International Airport, or take the train to Belfast Central Railway Station or Belfast Great Victoria Street. Bus services come into the Belfast Stena Terminal and Belfast Albert Quay. The city is compact and walkable. Taxis and bike-sharing programmes are readily available.v
