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Language I CurrencyExplore Belfast’s historic landmarks, museums, vibrant culture, Victorian architecture, Titanic heritage, scenic landscapes, markets, and memorable experiences with our comprehensive sightseeing guide
By Admin
Belfast is a beautiful city in Northern Ireland, with nature, culture, history, and landmarks created in remembrance. A cornerstone of multiple historical accounts, such as the Titanic, and the much-earned peace after great conflicts and sacrifices.
When one thinks about it, there is quite a lot to enjoy and visit in Belfast, so we have created this Belfast sightseeing guide to help you learn about the Victorian-style architecture, captivating locations, and awe-inspiring landscape views from the hills, with an old castle.
To truly explore a place, you must first stroll through the heart of the city, so start your day at St. George’s Market, have breakfast at the wonderful food stands, and visit Belfast City Hall and the Albert Memorial Clock to take in the culture and local life, as well as the historic sites of protests.
You can also marvel at beautiful murals on the Peace Wall, breathe in nature while trekking through Cave Hills, and wonder at the unusual rock formation of Napoleon's Nose; take a 1-hour drive for the amazing sights as you cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge suspended 100ft above the Atlantic Ocean.
Don’t be shy! Join a tour to visit Game of Thrones filming locations, be amazed by the Harland & Wolff shipyard that built the Titanic, and explore history museums, or enjoy creativity in its true form of theatre as you savor street food.
We’ll go over all these locations as you decide the date to visit Belfast!
Explore the stories of Belfast landmarks formed after years of conflict and even worse treatment as you appreciate the artistry along the walls and pay respects to the souls lost to terrorism and bombings at Shankill Memorial Gardens.
With so many places to visit, choosing the best locations becomes harder. So, let us introduce you to Belfast's top attractions and landmarks.
Echoing the shape of a ship’s prow, the Titanic Museum holds the maritime history and the craftsmanship and innovation of the past as it stands on the site of the Harland & Wolff shipyard where once upon a time RMS Titanic itself was built with the labour and creativity of thousands of shipwrights and crafters, respectively. Even today, the last White Star Line vessel, SS Nomadic, anchors at the nearby harbor, Hamilton Dock.
At Belfast's heart rests a grand Baroque Revival-style building, Belfast City Hall, constructed in Portland stone, and comprised of two lawns, the Cenotaph and the Garden of Remembrance, and the Titanic Memorial Garden, where memorials of the historically and politically significant individuals of Belfast’s history rest. Open and free of charge to the public from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM, to visit and explore Belfast’s history.
Resting at the foot of Cave Hill, at 400 feet above sea level, lies the most iconic location to enjoy the sunrise and sunset in Belfast and the view of Belfast Lough. Walk along the paths, explore the surrounding woodland, or buy something savoury and enjoy the ambience. Belfast Castle allows for various events hosted there, so maybe plan your own at the old historical castle with a golden sky in the dawn hours.
A place of faith, with Romanesque architecture, five pillars, Rosamund Praeger’s carvings and stained glass mosaics, that divides its pathways into three: the Cathedral Gardens, St. Anne’s Cathedral and Ulster University, each holding their own speciality. Today, the Cathedral Gardens are known for holding large gatherings, family picnics, or as children's playing grounds, with its reputation as a world-class safe space spreading farther and farther.
The HM Prison, also known as Crumlin Road Gaol, closed in 1996, with bloody and dark secrets hidden in its prison cells and underground tunnels. A thought-provoking and memorable building holding a complex part of Belfast’s history in its grasp, for students and tourists to uncover and understand. A haunted museum that hosts ghost tours, art exhibitions, and live concerts in its halls.
These beautifully mural-drawn walls carry a considerable portion of Belfast's history, as the riots and fights grew out of hand and a 34 km-long temporary wall was created to cease the needless violence. A temporary solution that does not seem temporary anymore after 50 years. Each of these images hold their own origin story of resistance, leadership, truth, and justice.
Catch a glimpse of the past with Belfast’s oldest library, or take part in its musical culture or step aboard to learn about shipbuilding, and much more. If you are interested in the history of Belfast, explore around these locations and admire the innovative local and international intellects.
Uncover the wonder of humanity and its evolution throughout the ages at the Ulster Museum. Learn about Northern Ireland’s complex and violent period of conflict, see the genuine collection of dinosaur fossils, and experience the country’s history with creativity through interactive exhibits and displays.
You can explore the exhibits at your pace in a self-guided tour or join the immersive workshops offered.
Opened in 2017, explore on a self-guided journey from past to present, through six themed zones of Belfast’s diversity and magical augmented reality (AR), together with a seahorse that guides you inside a virtual library with flying books that tell stories.
You can also join a guided tour offered daily, where you are given a glimpse into areas not easily accessible to the public.
There are many other cultural attractions you can join in to enjoy. Such as the jewel in the crown, the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre), Belfast’s most progressive arts and theatre complex, which has hosted various performances and exhibitions since it opened in April 2012, in the Cathedral Quarter. The MAC International award is counted among the largest prizes for arts in the UK.
Then, some are perfect for those history lovers who must know the how and why, engrossing themselves in the traditions and stories of old.
Titanic Museum: Learn the story of the Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch.
The Linen Hall: An archive of history, holding the oldest political collections of Ireland, as well as a unique CS Lewis collection.
Belfast Music Walking Tour: Join in the musical heritage of Belfast, visiting iconic sites with musical stories and live performances.
There is one other walking tour you can take, Seedhead Arts: Street Art Walking Tour, to engage with the insights behind the iconic graphics and uncover the tales of Belfast history hidden in the urban street art, as you glide on the two-hour tour.
You know the places to visit now, but how will you travel to them? Rented vehicles and public transport are the go-to answers, but one charges by the hour and the other requires you to research. The third option is a hop-on hop-off bus, which will, with one ticket, drop you at your chosen stops with no restrictions.
Your options when travelling are:
Metro: You need route maps as well as station names before travelling.
Taxi: Too expensive for one-time travel, specifically when touring all over.
Bus: As with the metro, you will need to research bus stops and plan out a route.
Walking: While a great option for nearby attractions, it will waste time and is impossible with far-away attractions.
Rented Vehicle: Charged by the hour as you try to rush along your tour.
Hop-on hop-off Bus: One-time ticket, tailored to your needs, major attraction stops, live and audio-guided tour in multiple languages.
Experience the best of Belfast with 360-degree panoramic views, multilingual audio guides, great discounts and deals on various locations, such as museums and restaurants. Travel from edge to edge of the city, with live guides to explain the significance of the iconic locations and immerse yourself in the local culture, at a cost of £19.00 to £50.00.
Belfast hop-on hop-off bus tours offer multiple combos that follow the route designed by operators, creating 19 bus stops at prime locations for you to get off to explore at your leisure. With the flexibility to come and go as you please with no extra or hidden cost, you can explore Belfast to your heart’s content.
Wear a waterproof outer layer, as Belfast temperature shifts between frequent, rapid shifts between sunshine and showers.
Keep a small water bottle and a few protein bars in your bag to snack on
Avoid crowds by starting your day early and catching the earliest bus at around 09:00 AM or 09:30 AM.
Prioritize the exploration of two to three major attractions rather than rushing; spend a single trip travelling around Belfast, so you don't have any regrets before deciding on your exploration targets.
Combine bus travel with walking to take full advantage of the nearby attractions and landmarks.
Always check the schedule before departing, as it can change due to bad weather or heavy traffic.
Plan your trip via convenience of travel, and don’t be hesitant to discard it if needed.
Book tickets online in advance to avoid queues and last-minute headaches, especially during peak season.
Titanic Museum and City Hall are must-visit attractions in Belfast. If you are a fan of trekking, then the view from Cave Hills is well worth the climb as well.
At most, you need 2-3 days for Belfast sightseeing, but hop-on hop-off tours do help you explore all the major attractions and historical spots in one-day tours with live commentary.
While it is easy to explore the nearby attractions by walking, Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland; you will need transport to truly tour and make use of most of your time there.
Hop-on hop-off buses are the best way to see Belfast’s attractions. They give you flexibility and discounts to spend your time wisely.
Yes, you can explore Belfast by Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. It offers 19 bus stops at optimal locations to explore Belfast’s major attractions.
