How many days do you need in Belfast?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.

What are the top things to do in Belfast?

Highlights: Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall, SS Nomadic, Belfast Castle and Botanic Gardens. The map has 15 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Belfast city centre?

Belfast International (BFS): Airport Express 300 bus ≈ 30-40 min · George Best Belfast City (BHD): Airport Express 600 bus ≈ 15-20 min

Do you tip in Belfast?

Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service. No tip is expected at a pub bar.

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Belfast Things to do and walking itinerary

United Kingdom

Belfast travel guide

15 things to do in Belfast, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

All Belfast guide sections (9)

Top things to do in Belfast

Titanic Belfast: Opened in 2012 at the head of the Harland & Wolff slipways where the Titanic was built, its nine galleries run from the ship's construction to its sinking. (visit ≈ 150 min)
Belfast City Hall: Finished in 1906 in Portland stone, the city hall runs free guided tours inside. (visit ≈ 45 min)
SS Nomadic: The tender that ferried passengers out to the Titanic at Cherbourg in 1912, and the last White Star Line ship still afloat. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Belfast Castle: A mansion finished in 1870 on the slopes of Cave Hill, looking over the city and Belfast Lough. (visit ≈ 75 min)
Botanic Gardens: Gardens beside Queen's University, known for the 19th-century Palm House. (visit ≈ 45 min)
St Anne's Cathedral: The Anglican cathedral in the Cathedral Quarter, topped by a steel needle called the Spire of Hope. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Crumlin Road Gaol: A Victorian prison in use from 1845 until 1996, now visited on guided tours. (visit ≈ 75 min)
St Peter's Cathedral: A twin-spired Catholic cathedral in the Falls area, opened in 1866. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Ulster Museum: In the Botanic Gardens, with the Egyptian mummy Takabuti and finds from wrecked Spanish Armada ships. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Albert Memorial Clock: A clock tower completed in 1869 that leans visibly because of the soft ground. (visit ≈ 40 min)
Grand Opera House: A theatre from 1895 by Frank Matcham, with an auditorium in an oriental style. (visit ≈ 20 min)
Titanic Memorial: In the City Hall grounds, a memorial to those who died on the Titanic in 1912, unveiled in 1920. (visit ≈ 15 min)
Linen Hall Library: Founded in 1788, the city's oldest library, on Donegall Square. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Donegall Square: The square that surrounds City Hall on four sides, where most buses pass. (visit ≈ 15 min)
Ormeau Park: The city's first public park, opened in 1871 near the River Lagan. (visit ≈ 45 min)

2-day Belfast walking itinerary

Starting point: Cathedral Quarter. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 9.0 km · 12,140 steps · 1 h 58 min on the way): St Anne's Cathedral → Belfast City Hall → Botanic Gardens → Ulster Museum → St Peter's Cathedral → Crumlin Road Gaol
Day 2 (≈ 3.5 km · 4,760 steps · 47 min on the way): Titanic Belfast → SS Nomadic

Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Belfast

Giant's Causeway: A shore of tens of thousands of basalt columns running into the sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reached on Antrim coast tours. (visit ≈ 180 min)
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: A rope bridge strung from the cliffs near Ballintoy to a small island, crossed with a ticket. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Dark Hedges: Old beech trees that arch over Bregagh Road like a tunnel, made famous by Game of Thrones. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Carrickfergus Castle: A Norman castle built in the late 12th century on Belfast Lough, a short train ride from Belfast. (visit ≈ 90 min)

Where to stay in Belfast

Cathedral Quarter: Pubs and restaurants on cobbled streets.
Around City Hall: Central shopping streets, a short walk from Grand Central station.
Queen's Quarter: Close to the university, the Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum.
Titanic Quarter: New hotels on the old shipyard where the Titanic was built, minutes from the museum.

Getting from the airport to Belfast

Belfast International (BFS): Airport Express 300 bus ≈ 30-40 min
George Best Belfast City (BHD): Airport Express 600 bus ≈ 15-20 min

Getting around

Black taxi tours take you to the murals and peace walls along the Falls and Shankill roads. St George's Market opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Northern Ireland uses sterling, and the euro takes over once you cross into the Republic. You can also arrive by ferry from Scotland: Stena Line sails from Cairnryan to Belfast in about 2 h 15 min, and P&O crosses from Cairnryan to Larne in about 2 hours.

Classic places to eat

OX: Michelin-starred, on the bank of the Lagan.
The Muddlers Club: Michelin-starred, down an alley in the Cathedral Quarter.
EDO: Small plates for sharing, holder of a Bib Gourmand.

Good to know before visiting Belfast

Fine: Carrying pepper spray or certain knives (locking or over 3 inches) is illegal.
Fine: Smoking is banned in pubs, restaurants and enclosed workplaces.
Warning: Traffic drives on the left. Look right first when crossing.
Warning: Any drone of 100 g or more needs a CAA Flyer ID. If that drone has a camera or weighs 250 g or more, you also need an Operator ID. Flying is restricted around airports.
Stand on the right on escalators. People walk on the left.
The drinking age is 18. You'll be asked for ID if you look young.

Emergency: 999
Plugs: G, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service. No tip is expected at a pub bar.

Sources: GOV.UK: Visit the UK, City of Edinburgh Council: Visitor levy, Wikivoyage: United Kingdom, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Belfast travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Belfast?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.
What are the top things to do in Belfast?: Highlights: Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall, SS Nomadic, Belfast Castle and Botanic Gardens. The map has 15 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Belfast?: Cathedral Quarter: Pubs and restaurants on cobbled streets. Other options: Around City Hall, Queen's Quarter and Titanic Quarter.
How do you get from the airport to Belfast city centre?: Belfast International (BFS): Airport Express 300 bus ≈ 30-40 min · George Best Belfast City (BHD): Airport Express 600 bus ≈ 15-20 min
How do you get around Belfast?: Black taxi tours take you to the murals and peace walls along the Falls and Shankill roads. St George's Market opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Northern Ireland uses sterling, and the euro takes over once you cross into the Republic. You can also arrive by ferry from Scotland: Stena Line sails from Cairnryan to Belfast in about 2 h 15 min, and P&O crosses from Cairnryan to Larne in about 2 hours.
What is the emergency number in Belfast?: Emergency: 999.
Do you tip in Belfast?: Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service. No tip is expected at a pub bar.

Nearby cities

Dublin · Glasgow · Edinburgh · Liverpool · Galway · Manchester · Cork · Cardiff

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