Belfast Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Belfast

Belfast’s main sights are close together, from the grand civic buildings of the centre to the regenerated docklands where the Titanic was built.

• Titanic Belfast — A striking museum on the site of the former shipyard, telling the story of the Titanic and the city’s shipbuilding past through immersive galleries.
• Belfast City Hall — A magnificent domed building at the heart of the city, surrounded by gardens and memorials, which hosts a popular Christmas market in winter.
• Cathedral Quarter — Cobbled streets around St Anne’s Cathedral, full of traditional pubs, live music, street art and restaurants.
• St George’s Market — A Victorian covered market that comes alive at weekends with local food, crafts and music.
• Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens — Art, history and natural sciences in a free museum set within leafy gardens next to Queen’s University.
• Political murals and peace walls — Guided walking or taxi tours explain the city’s recent history through the murals of west Belfast.
• Giant’s Causeway — A popular day trip to the north coast to see this UNESCO World Heritage site of tens of thousands of interlocking basalt columns.

Best time to visit Belfast

May to September is the most comfortable time to visit Belfast, with mild temperatures, long daylight hours and the best conditions for exploring the city on foot and taking day trips along the Causeway Coast. Summer is pleasant rather than hot, and June and July have the longest evenings.

Rain is possible in every season, so pack a waterproof jacket and layers. Spring and early autumn are often quieter, with comfortable weather and colourful parks. St Patrick’s Day in March brings parades and celebrations, and the city hosts a busy arts festival programme in the autumn.

Winters are cool, damp and dark, but rarely very cold. From late November, the Christmas market in the grounds of City Hall adds a festive atmosphere, and the city’s pubs, theatres and music venues stay lively all year. Hotels can fill up during major concerts and sporting events, so book ahead if your dates coincide.

Getting from the airport

Belfast International Airport lies around 21 kilometres north-west of the city centre, near the village of Aldergrove. There is no rail link, so most travellers use the express bus or a taxi.

• Airport express bus — A frequent express coach runs from outside the terminal to the city centre bus station, with stops in the centre, in around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Taxi — Taxis are available from the rank outside the terminal. The drive to the city centre usually takes around 30 minutes, longer at peak times, and is the most expensive option.
• Car hire — Several car hire desks operate at the airport, which can be convenient if you plan to explore the Causeway Coast and the countryside.

Belfast also has a second, smaller airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, located only a few kilometres east of the city centre. Check which airport your flight uses before you travel.

Where to stay

Belfast is small enough to explore largely on foot, and buses and taxis make it easy to reach areas further out.

• City centre — Ideal for first-time visitors, close to City Hall, the main shopping streets, restaurants and the bus and rail stations.
• Cathedral Quarter — The heart of Belfast’s nightlife, with traditional pubs, live music and restaurants, suited to those who want a lively base.
• Queen’s Quarter — A leafy university area around Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum, with cafés and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Titanic Quarter — The regenerated waterfront near Titanic Belfast, good for families and those interested in the city’s maritime history.
• South Belfast — A residential area of Victorian streets with independent shops and restaurants, suited to longer stays and quieter evenings.

Travel tips

• Getting around — The centre is walkable, and city buses, including a rapid transit line, connect most districts. Contactless card payment is widely accepted on public transport.
• Weather — Conditions can change quickly. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes, especially for coastal day trips.
• Payment — Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Northern Irish banks issue their own banknotes, which are pounds sterling like those from elsewhere in the UK.
• Tipping — In restaurants, leaving around 10 to 15 percent for good service is customary unless a service charge is already included. Tipping in pubs is not expected.
• Crossing the border — The Republic of Ireland uses the euro and has its own entry rules, so check requirements separately if you plan to travel south.
• Entry requirements — Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality. Check the latest requirements with official sources before you travel.