Belfast is a traditional Irish city of political, cultural and historical significance and is surrounded by miles of natural beauty. There are less and less reminders of the tumultuous national conflicts that dominated the 1960s and ’70s and Belfast is now a safe, and popular, tourist destination.
With less than 300,000 residents, Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland, but it’s not very urbanized. Walk the cobbled streets of the old center and visit castles and jails to travel back in time. The still quite traditional city has charm, but also has ultra-modern facilities, such as the Belfast Waterfront Hall, an entertainment and conference center along the River Lagan.
Find maps and information at the Belfast Welcome Centre at Donegall Square, the central hub for shopping, entertainment and public transportation.
Visit the nearby Crumlin Road Gaol or explore the historic Titanic Quarter to re-live the story from the ship’s fateful voyage that started in Belfast’s docks. Browse the iconic St. George’s Market or try a hearty potato dish in a typical Irish pub.
Wander through the Belfast Castle, and hike Cave Hill while you are there, or enjoy the public park surrounding the Stormont Parliament Buildings.
Explore the wider County Antrim area around Lough Neagh for an even more scenic nature experience. Drive north to the dramatic Atlantic coast to discover other popular attractions. Climb through the ruins of Dunluce Castle, visit the natural phenomena known as the Giant’s Causeway and tour the oldest licensed whiskey producer in the world: Old Bushmills Distillery.
The downtown area of Belfast is compact and easily explored on foot. Travel outside the city using Belfast’s affordable public buses, or book a tour to see the coast. If you’d rather travel independently, car rental is readily available downtown and at Belfast’s two airports.
Belfast has cool to warm weather in summer and rain year-round. Its winters are known to be windy, with sometimes heavy snowfall.
Belfast
Belfast Travel Guide Video
Where to stay in Belfast
Belfast City Centre
The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Belfast City Centre. Make a stop by Crown Liquor Saloon or Ulster Hall while you're exploring the area.
Belfast Central District
The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Belfast Central District. Make a stop by Ulster Hall or Belfast Christmas Market while you're exploring the area.
Cathedral Quarter
Cathedral Quarter is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by MAC Theatre and Belfast Customs House while in the area.
Titanic Quarter
Titanic Quarter is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic.
Queens Quarter
Queens Quarter is a destination visitors seek out for is ample dining options, fascinating museums, and picturesque gardens. You might also want to check out attractions like Belfast Botanic Gardens or Ulster Museum while you're exploring the neighborhood.
Ormeau
While visiting Ormeau, you might make a stop by sights like Belfast Botanic Gardens and Ormeau Park.
Reviewed on Apr 5, 2024
Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024
Reviewed on Nov 27, 2023
Reviewed on Nov 2, 2023
Popular places to visit
Titanic Belfast
Arrive at the historic birthplace of the British passenger ship that sank in 1912 and learn about its tragic voyage.
SSE Arena
Catch an event at SSE Arena during your trip to Belfast. Discover the fascinating museums in this walkable area, or seek out the local tours.
Queen's University of Belfast
Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Queen's University of Belfast, during your trip to Belfast. Discover the acclaimed theater scene in this walkable area, or seek out the local tours.
Grand Opera House
Attend a mesmerizing spectacle in Belfast’s creative hub, which has been at the forefront of performing arts for over a century.
Belfast Castle
With views across the city and centuries of history, this classical sandstone building is one of the most popular free attractions in Belfast.
Waterfront Hall
Sitting on the banks of the Lagan River in Belfast, the Waterfront Hall is a landmark of the city and ranks as one of the world’s leading conference venues, hosting a huge array of events from concerts and shows to exhibitions and competitions.
Things to do
From Belfast: Giant's Causeway Fully Guided Day Trip
Belfast: Political Taxi Tour
From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour
Belfast: 1 or 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Game of Thrones and Giant's Causeway Day Tour from Belfast
Belfast: Crumlin Road Gaol Experience
Reviews of Belfast
5/5 - Excellent
Belfast is a beautiful city excellent dining
5/5 - Excellent
In the four times I’ve been, I haven’t seen everything on my list. The city is a treasure chest of delights.
5/5 - Excellent
Loved Belfast, great sights, pubs, and museums!
4/5 - Good
A black taxi cab tour is strongly advised for your stay in Belfast. It was phenomenal.
5/5 - Excellent
We were only there for one full day, mostly spent shopping. We are returning for three more days on this trip before we leave Ireland.
5/5 - Excellent
It was a fantastic trip