Location: Belfast
Top Things to do in Belfast
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The 10 Best Things to do in Belfast, Northern Ireland
With a population of almost 300,000 in the city proper, Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan destination and become a popular weekend break spot. With feelings of optimism and life pulsing through the city, Belfast makes for an energizing getaway. It's never been easier to tour the city, thanks to a number of intriguing bus, taxi, boat and pedestrian options. Don't miss the Ulster Folk Museum or the Belfast Cathedral, and make sure to experience some of the award-winning restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and theaters.
Restaurants in Belfast
1. HMS Caroline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 742 reviews
Much of HMS Caroline has undergone extensive restoration to her 1916 appearance from the Battle of Jutland. Visitors can discover a wide range of historic spaces, including the Captain's Cabin, Royal Marines Mess, and Seamen's Wash as well as the very important engine room, sick-bay and galley kitchen. During their visit, visitors will discover the importance of the Battle of Jutland, learning what life at sea was like the over three hundred crew who served on board HMS Caroline during 1916. Visit the Torpedo School and explore the role of naval weaponry; peruse the Virtual Access Suite a contemporary, comfortable space where all visitors can explore the ship; Grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink in the Mess Deck Cafe, and finally visit the Gift Shop, to bring home a reminder of your visit to HMS Caroline.
Reviewed By N5679CAcraigh - Glenrothes, United Kingdom
Fantastic tour self guided and a map provided would also highly recommend the audio guide which you get free as it gives a better insight into the ship and its everyday life. It was a good way 2 spend a couple of hours at a very reasonable price. If you love your history or just curious it's a very interesting tour.
2. Falls Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Reviewed By ILOVEDOOLIN - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Hop on hop off tour bus around Belfast took us into the falls road estate and other areas of significance which I found very moving. We all know of the troubles that Belfast has had but it was somewhere that you felt slightly uncomfortable to be, and prying into people’s lives just didn’t seem right but at the end of the day it gave me a greater understanding. I think Belfast as a whole is very underestimated as it is a very vibrant and friendly city.
3. City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,682 reviews
At the centre of Donegall Square proudly stands City Hall; the civic headquarters of Belfast City Council. City Hall is open to the public 7 days a week. It is a multi-purpose venue hosting a large number of events in its large functions rooms or outdoors on the beautiful lawns. Daily tours of the building allow visitors to admire the superb art collection, formal rooms such as the Council Chamber and Great Hall while its opulent interiors are lit by a stunning collection of stained glass windows. Guests can relax and refresh in the Bobbin Coffee Shop or pick up souvenirs in the Gift Shop. A 16 room visitor exhibition explores the history of the city through themed and interactive displays. City Hall grounds are the primary green space in Belfast City Centre and host continental markets and open air concerts. The grounds feature a number of statues and memorials relating to Belfast’s leading figures and historic past, including the Titanic Memorial Garden.
Reviewed By Wurzel67 - Wells, United Kingdom
if you like your architecture, and history, then definitely visit the City Hall building, some gorgeous exhibits on show, the amazing stained glass windows to the right of the main hall is a must see, and some brilliant information within some of the rooms, a great venue to tour around, and the memorial to the titantic victims hits home how many were lost on that fateful night back in 1912.
4. Ulster Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,600 reviews
Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an ancient Egyptian mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum. As Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and present, the museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences with impressive galleries and interactive discovery zones. From Ireland to the South Pacific, ancient relics to modern masterpieces, the Ulster Museum offers something for everyone from the simply curious to the enthusiast.
Reviewed By jacquieknox2017 - Ramelton, Ireland
This spacious, airy building hosts a wide variety of interesting artefacts and exhibitions. There's art collections, Flemish masters, dinosaurs, natural history, Irish history, Egyptian mummies, Spanish Armada relics and gold bullion, science, interactive displays - you could lose yourself in there all day. It really is worth a visit.
5. Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,894 reviews
Reviewed By stephaniemY1160IO
I visited three times during my stay in Belfast each visit brought something new to see, great place to chill in the warm weather the palm house and tropical ravine house were full of interesting flowers and plants if a little humid
6. St. George's Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,625 reviews
Reviewed By I4548VVsusanb - Dingwall, United Kingdom
Amazing place brilliant breakfast then a wonder round the stalls, everything from fresh seafood to arts and crafts
7. Crumlin Road Gaol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,859 reviews
The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from when women and children were held within it's walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.During the tour of the gaol you will be taken by your tour guide to visit the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, you will get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair, view all the wings from the circle and of course pay a visit to the condemned mans cell before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged.
Reviewed By rubyluby1 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Visited the Crumlin road Gaol Saturday 9th June was a fantastic experience well worth the visit Joseph our tour guide was brilliant very knowledgable and witty Learnt a lot about the people incarcerated there, bit gruesome at times but still very interesting Still can’t believe people want to get married there tho!!! So if you’re ever in Belfast make sure you give Crumlin Road gaol a visit you won’t be disappointed Big thumbs up to Joseph ????????????
8. Peace Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,173 reviews
Reviewed By Thefah
If you do the black cab tour you will be told of the history of the peace wall our driver Isaac explained in detail how it started and it was very informative highly recommended.
9. Titanic Belfast
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,554 reviews
The Titanic Belfast visitor attraction extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition. Drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features you will explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day in the Ocean Exploration Centre.
Reviewed By Seehanes
We were expecting this attraction to be good, and it surpassed our expectations. Firstly, it is easy to find and there is plenty of underground parking on-site. We booked in advance for a timed entry slot, which aids crowd control, and once inside you can proceed at your own pace and stay as long as you please. You are made to feel thoroughly informed, but not overloaded with information. There is a simple one way flow through the museum so that nothing is missed, which follows a logical pathway through Belfast's maritime and social history through to the history of the shipbuilding companies, then on to the building of the Titanic followed by its launch, fit-out, and ill-fated maiden voyage. Thereafter you see the aftermath including detailed footage of the wreck dive. Interactive aspects include a high tech aerial ride through the shipyard. There are excellent reconstructions of cabins for first, second, and third class passengers. A very clever surround-screen system brings you through the ship in a thoroughly convincing format that makes you truly believe you are in it. Once you have seen the Titanic display you get to visit the Nomadic - the tender ship that carried segregated first and second class passengers to the Titanic since Cherbourg harbour was too shallow to allow the Titanic to dock. All of this is presented on the precise locations of their original constructions. There is a trail for children, who are then awarded with a personalised certificate. Somewhat annoyingly, although the museum closed at 7pm on the day of our visit the restaurant closed at 5pm - quite non-sensical in my opinion. However, this worked to our advantage as instead we had dinner at the nearby Titanic Hotel which is housed in the Harland and Wolff headquarters - itself a museum of sorts.
10. SS Nomadic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,263 reviews
The SS Nomadic is known as Titanic's little sister. Built at the same time, by the same people, in the same Harland and Wolff shipyard as Titanic, Nomadic brought those boarding the great liner at Cherbourg to the ship. That was the start of an adventurous life, as she played a part in WW One and Two, carried many famous people to the great trans-Atlantic liners, became a floating restaurant in Paris and was saved from being scrapped by the people of Belfast.Now completely refurbished as a visitor attraction, you can walk in the footsteps of history, learn her story, and become part of the new chapter of her dramatic existence.
Reviewed By Raffles_12 - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
Staff were accommodating informative and friendly, really enjoyed spending time on the ship, with lots of original features and lovingly restored
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