TOP Things to See & Do in Belfast

Are you looking for an interesting city in Europe to visit for the weekend? Full of history, street art, good drinks and at the same time, not too crowded? A good idea would be Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. The city is not as big as Prague or London, although it is the largest city in the country. Belfast has a population of more than 340,000 people.

Belfast is a city with many attractions and places to visit. There is a lot of historical sites to visit, and you will see colorful murals at every corner. In addition, there are several amazing museums there, including Titanic Belfast. Yes, this is where the spectacular ship was built! Also, while you’re in Belfast, you should check out the local festivals. During the time we were exploring Northern Ireland, several interesting events took place (I’ll tell you more about that later). I would like to say that Belfast has an extremely rich history, so in my opinion it is worth walking around the city with a guide.

If you want to know what to see in Belfast and how to organize a trip with interesting spots in the city, take a look at this post.

Belfast – City Tour

We will start our walk around Belfast from the historic part of the city. Belfast is a small city, so it is easy to explore the center on foot, discovering narrow streets, murals and pubs. What is interesting to see in the city?

The oldest part of the city is Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. This is where Belfast Cathedral, known as St. Anne’s Cathedral, as well as many of the city’s most beautiful streets and buildings are located. While you’re exploring, be sure to pop into any of the typical pubs and order something local to drink or eat.

Of the city’s more recognizable features, the Great Fish, also known as the Salmon of Knowledge, stands out. The Harland and Wolff (H&W) crane emerges near the harbor.

Albert Memorial Clock Tower

There are several places in Belfast that are unquestionably associated with the city. Another is the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, a historic clock, a memorial to the late Queen Victoria’s Prince Albert. The clock vaguely resembles Big Ben, and some say it’s a combination of the clock tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Why? Because the structure is tilted on all sides. The foundations were made of wood, or more precisely: they used wooden piles on swampy soil and we have this effect.

Belfast City Hall

Another of the city’ landmarks is Belfast City Hall. Located in Donegall Square, the building was designed in the Baroque Revival style. It can also be toured inside; unfortunately, on the date I was there, this was not possible. However, if you are going to Belfast,  be sure not to miss this attraction – google the photos of the interior, they are simply amazing! Interestingly, in summer you can see locals and tourists lounging on the lawn in front of the building. The place is good for a coffee and a rest while sightseeing.

St. George Market

St. George’s Market was built between 1890 and 1896 and is still popular today. When you visit the market, you will see different stalls. For example, on Fridays at the market you can buy mostly fruits, vegetables and fresh fish – food that we can prepared at home. On Saturdays there are many more stands with prepared food, local dishes or products from around the world. That’s why it’s worth going there for breakfast or lunch on Saturday. The Sunday market in Belfast is all about local arts and crafts. In my opinion, St. George’s Market is one of Belfast’s attractions that is most definitely worth to go.

Titanic Belfast – Titanic Museum in Belfast

What is Belfast famous for? Of course, for the Titanic. No wonder, after all, the history of the famous ship began there, as the Titanic was built in Belfast. That’s why the Titanic Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Belfast.

Opened in 2012, the museum is housed in a building shaped like the prows of a ship. Inside you will see 9 galleries on 4 floors. It’s a huge museum and you’ll see more than just movies or old photographs. Titanic Belfast is also a history of the shipyard and the people who worked there. You learn about how life was in Belfast, what the professions were at the time, the public mood.

Belfast got rich by building ships of higher standards. More than eight million Europeans immigrated to North America in the first decade of the 20th century. New York was the main gateway to a new life. Most of the emigrants searched for a better quality of life. Poverty, lack of land, as well as new opportunities were reasons behind decision to leave. Letters to relatives painted a bright future. North America welcomed immigrants as skilled workers or farmers, depending on the destination. People were free to practice their religious and political beliefs, which was not so easy in Europe those times.

Visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast is an amazing experience. There you can see how the ship was built, who sailed it, how the cabins looked like. You learn the stories of the travelers.

This is when the great emigrations began: you can see from where (and to where) the ships left, what it was like at the time. At the end of the tour you can discover how many people survived (their names, or see what nationality they were). Be sure to see the live broadcast from the place where the wreck rests on the ocean floor.

The Titanic Museum is definitely an attraction that one must check out!

Pricing

Standard admission to Titanic Belfast includes entrance to the SS Nomadic.

Adult £21.50

Child (5-15) £10.00

Child (up to 5 years old) Free

Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £53.00

SS Nomadic

After visiting the Titanic, it’s worth going to the SS Nomadic ship. The SS Nomadic was built by Harland & Wolff in 1911 (it is the oldest ship they built that has survived). This small ship carried passengers from the port of Cherbourg to the Titanic ship. Titanic, due to its size, had to be moored far from shore. SS Nomadic served first and second class passengers. The ship’s old equipment is on display, the exhibition is an interesting addition to a visit to the Titanic Museum. Inside, you can see some of the stories of those who sailed on the Titanic (both those who survived and those who were swallowed up by the depths of the ocean). The exhibition, compared to the Titanic Museum, is admittedly small, but in my opinion it’s a pity to let it go while you’re there. The ticket for this ship is included in the price of the museum tour, and the SS Nomadic is located maybe 100 meters away.

The Troubles – Part of the History of Belfast

The Troubles. It is impossible to tell the story of Belfast without telling the story of the Troubles. The Troubles is a very innocent name for what happened in Belfast (and Northern Ireland) for 30 years. Some call it a conflict between the Irish and the British. Others, the religious war between Protestants and Catholics. More than 3,500 people were killed over the years, many civilians (nearly 2,000 people).

Irish republicans were for the unification of Northern Ireland with Ireland, while Ulster loyalists were for Northern Ireland to be part of the United Kingdom. Trouble continued in the 1960s until 1998. That’s when the Good Friday Agreement was signed in Belfast.

Peace Wall – The Wall Between Neighborhoods

What historical sites are worth seeing when following the history of the Troubles? First of all, the walls called “Walls of Peace”. Walls were separating one community from another. Covered with murals, paintings that tell a difficult story. For example, on Falls and Shankill Road. I know it can be hard to distinguish one community from another at first glance, but it is worth noting the inscriptions and flags that are on the streets. Can you see the flag of the United Kingdom or Ireland? Or are there placards in an unfamiliar language (Irish)? On the Irish side, it is also common to see flags of Palestine.

It is definitely worth taking a guided tour, which will tell the history of the country and the city. This is something I didn’t manage to do in Belfast, but I did in Derry/Londonderry. A thing I highly recommend. In fact, the locals will tell you the most about the history of the city and Northern Ireland. You’ll learn firsthand about the political and religious divisions that led to the conflict, and what people who were wronged by the Troubles are saying and feeling today. Black Taxis are the most popular (cost from £40), but there are other (cheaper) ways to explore the city.

What other places are associated with the history of the Troubles? For example, the Europa Hotel. This four-star hotel is known as “the most bombed hotel in the world”. It went through 36 bomb attacks just during the Troubles.

Murals in Belfast

If you come to Belfast, you will immediately notice that its walls are covered with works of art! Belfast is definitely a city of murals. As I mentioned, they tell the story of this city and country, but this is not their only function. The murals in Belfast simply decorate this city. It’s no wonder that this is where Ireland’s largest street art festival has been held for the past 10 years. I managed to see one of the murals being created and I sincerely recommend it! This year more than 50 artists from around the world created new murals on Kent Street and Union Street, among others.

Events in Belfast

There are many of fests or events in Belfast. In May it was Festival of Fools and CAQF’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Concerts, circus events and many other attractions, most of which were available free of charge. In addition, as I wrote, there was a street art festival, so before you arrive, check out what events will take place during your stay in Belfast.

You can also visit (free entrance):

• The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre)
• The Black Box & Green Room
• Oh Yeah Music Centre

Where to Eat in Belfast?

There are many places to eat in Belfast. The previously mentioned St. George Market – I had a delicious sandwich there with good coffee from a local coffee roaster. Other than that, I have some recommendations for you:

• Coppi – for an evening dinner in a pleasant atmosphere.
• Manny’s Fish and Chips – traditional fish and French fries at a good price.

How to Find the Flavors of the City?

During our stay in Belfast, we took part in a food trail tour. It was a really cool experience! The tour lasted 4 hours and we managed to taste a lot of tasty things: sandwiches, cakes, drinks (including alcoholic ones?). You can find more about it  here: https://tasteandtour.co.uk/

In addition to lunches and beverages, we tried local cheeses and a farmer’s food.

Pubs in Belfast

There are really a lot of typical pubs in Belfast. I’ve been in three, and in most you can also eat small snack (such as Meat Muffins).

• The Garrick – here I tried a good Irish cider.
• Deer’s head – they have their own beer production, I recommend it!
• At The National Grande Cafe for an Irish gin.

There are many more, quite a few places with live music, such as Bert’s Jazz Bar, Dark Horse, The Dirty Onion and The Thirsty Goat Belfast.

Accommodation in Belfast – Where to Sleep?

Places to stay in Belfast are quite plentiful – from hostels to apartments to hotels. We stayed at the Malmaison Hotel on Victoria Street. This place is practically in the heart of Belfast, and the interior of the hotel was inspired by Belfast’s most famous ship, the Titanic. It’s beautiful inside, and the beds are incredibly comfortable! Breakfasts are really tasty, there is also a vegetarian version of Irish fry!

You can check out hotels in Belfast, including Malmaison here (link).

Belfast Attractions: What’s More?

These are not the only attractions of Belfast. There are a few places I didn’t manage to visit, but on my next visit I’d love to do this, such as:

• Belfast Botanical Garden,
• the building that used to be the old Crumlin Prison (Crumlin Road Gaol),
• Belfast Castle,
• Ulster Museum.

If you have already been to Belfast, I’m curious what places did you visit? I look forward to your comments!

You can find more places in Northern Ireland here:

15 Best Places in Northern Ireland to Visit

Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Northern Ireland

Things to Do in Derry- Londonderry