Getting to Belfast
Two airports serve the city: Belfast International (about 30 minutes out) and George Best Belfast City (closer still). Fast ferries link Belfast to Scotland and Liverpool, and trains connect to Dublin in around two hours.
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Plan your visit to Belfast
Everything you need to turn this guide into a trip — transport, timing, neighbourhoods and how to spend two or three days well.
2
Airports into the city
2–3
Days to see it well
18
Places in this guide
Free
Many of the best sights
The essentials
Six things to sort before you go
Getting around the city
The centre is genuinely walkable. The Glider bus runs east–west across the city, black-cab tours cover west Belfast, and taxis are plentiful. You rarely need a car unless you're heading to the coast.
When to visit
May to September is warmest and liveliest, with festivals and long evenings. Spring and early autumn are quieter at the landmarks. Winter is cosy — pubs, markets and museums come into their own, and the City Hall lights up for Christmas.
Where to stay
The Cathedral Quarter and city centre keep you within walking distance of most sights and nightlife. The Titanic Quarter suits a modern, waterfront base, while the Botanic area is calmer and close to the university and museum.
How long to stay
Two days for the essentials, three to breathe. With a third day you can add Cave Hill, Stormont, a west-Belfast tour or a day trip to the Giant's Causeway along the Antrim coast.
Budgeting your trip
Many of the best things are free — the City Hall, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens and the waterfront. Budget for Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol and a black-cab tour, which are the paid highlights most worth it.
Itineraries
How to spend your days
A route that strings the landmarks together without doubling back. Switch between a tight two days and a fuller three.
Day 1
Titanic Quarter & the waterfront
Morning
Titanic Belfast from opening, then step aboard SS Nomadic, the ship's last surviving tender, next door.
Afternoon
Walk the Thompson Dock where the liners were fitted out, and tour HMS Caroline, the last survivor of Jutland.
Evening
Cross to the Cathedral Quarter for dinner, cobbled lanes and live traditional music.
Day 2
City centre & the story
Morning
Belfast City Hall and the leaning Albert Memorial Clock — and, at a weekend, breakfast at St George's Market.
Afternoon
A black-cab tour of the peace walls and murals, then the sobering Crumlin Road Gaol.
Evening
A pint in the gas-lit snugs of the Crown Liquor Saloon, opposite the Grand Opera House.
Day 1
Titanic Quarter & the waterfront
Morning
Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic — take your time; this is the heart of the city's story.
Afternoon
The Thompson Dock and HMS Caroline, then the riverside walk back past The Big Fish.
Evening
Dinner and music in the Cathedral Quarter.
Day 2
City centre & the Troubles
Morning
City Hall, the Albert Clock and St George's Market.
Afternoon
Black-cab tour of the peace walls and murals, then Crumlin Road Gaol.
Evening
The Crown Liquor Saloon and, if there's a show, the Grand Opera House.
Day 3
Hills, museum & grand buildings
Morning
The Botanic Gardens & Palm House, the Ulster Museum and the red-brick Queen's University.
Afternoon
Climb Cave Hill for the view that shaped Gulliver's Travels, or visit Stormont and its parkland.
Evening
A relaxed last night around the Botanic and university quarter.
Ready to build your route?
Browse every place in the guide, or ask us anything about timing and getting around.