As someone who lives in sunny Belfast (okay, sunny is usually a stretch!), I do get asked whether it’s worth heading North for a visit and what to go see, especially when visitors are trying to pack a lot into their itinerary. The good news is that Belfast is quite compact and walkable and you’ll find it a city of contrasts: there’s the industrial Titanic heritage and leafy Botanic Gardens, political murals and a lively coffee scene, some excellent restaurants alongside traditional pubs.
This is my whistlestop guide on what I’d recommend you do in Belfast in 2025, plus ideas if you’ve got one or two days in the city, food to try and some ideas on where to stay.
Top Things to Do in Belfast
Titanic Belfast
Built on the slipways where the Titanic was constructed, this museum is by far the city’s number one attraction. Its galleries take you through Belfast’s shipbuilding boom, the tragic voyage of the Titanic, and the ship’s place in popular memory. The exhibitions were recently refreshed, so 2025 is a great time to visit.
Tip: book tickets ahead to skip the queue at busy times. Book Titanic Belfast tickets
Black Cab Tour
A black cab tour is one of the most memorable ways to understand Belfast’s recent history. Local drivers share their own perspectives as they guide you through murals, peace walls, and the neighbourhoods most affected by the Troubles. It’s a sobering but human introduction to the city.
Tip: pre-book online to secure your slot. Check black cab tour options
St George’s Market
This Victorian market is a Belfast institution, open Friday to Sunday. It’s the best place to browse local crafts, grab a coffee, or sit down with a big Ulster Fry (or healthy street food, if you must) while listening to live music. Go hungry and plan to linger. Opening hours are on the official Market website here.
Cathedral Quarter
For most visitors, I’d recommend staying in or near the Cathedral Quarter, simply because it’s grown into Belfast’s kind of home for nice pubs, street art, and decent restaurants (try the Muddler’s if you’re a foodie). During the day, it’s busy and by night there’s a nice, buzzy vibe. Don’t miss Commercial Court, with its colourful umbrellas, or The Duke of York pub.
Ulster Museum & Botanic Gardens
Head for south Belfast (sometimes called the Queens Quarter, named after the big university), and you’ll find the Ulster Museum, a mix of Irish history, art, and and natural history. Next door is one of my favourite places for a dander (a walk) in the Botanic Gardens. If you like plants, the Palm House glasshouse is a highlight.
**Tip: **The Ulster Museum is free to enter and I quite like the cafe for a scone and a cup of tea!
Cave Hill
For the best view over Belfast, climb Cave Hill Country Park. The walk takes 1–2 hours round trip and passes Napoleon’s Nose, a cliff said to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. On a clear day you can see across Belfast Lough and out towards Scotland.
Crumlin Road Gaol
A 19th-century prison turned visitor attraction, the Gaol tells stories from Victorian incarceration through to political prisoners and its eventual closure. I have not done the guided tour, but my niece recommended it and said it was full of atmosphere! Book Crumlin Road Gaol tickets on the official website.
Stormont Estate
Exterior of the Stormont Buildings near Belfast
Maybe this is a bit niche for most visitors, but the parliament building of Northern Ireland is at the end of a long, photogenic driveway. On the plus side, the estate is open to the general public for walks and there are tours of the interior, from Wednesday-Friday at 12 noon and 2pm (free - information here).
Food & Drink
Belfast has one of the most exciting food scenes on the island. This is not a statement I thought I’d make when I was growing up in the North in the 1980s! But it gives me great pleasure to recommend the Muddler’s Club, Michelin-starred OX, cool cafés like Established Coffee and Neighbourhood.
If you want to explore the food scene in depth, consider one of the curated local food tours. Explore Belfast food tours
A Coastal Day Trip
If you have time, particularly if you’re driving, leave the city for the Causeway Coastal Route, often named one of the most beautiful drives in the world. If you’re doing without a car, the train to Derry is a spectacular two-hour ride along cliffs and the Northern coastline.
Suggested Itineraries
1 Day in Belfast
- Morning: Titanic Belfast
- Afternoon: Black Cab Tour and St George’s Market
- Evening: Cathedral Quarter for pubs and dinner
2 Days in Belfast
- As Day 1
- Day 2: Ulster Museum, wander back through Botanic Gardens, light lunch on Botanic Avenue (French Village Bakery is great).
- Cave Hill and Crumlin Road Gaol
Longer Stays
- Add Stormont Estate and a coastal day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, or Derry.
- If you have a car, you could include a stop in Hillsborough. The Plough is my favourite place for lunch.
Where to Stay in Belfast
Entrance to the Titanic Hotel in Belfast
Belfast is compact, so most hotels are close to the action. The Cathedral Quarter is great for nightlife and pubs, while the Linen Quarter is central for shops, restaurants, and transport.
My Top Three Places to Stay
- Grand Central - yes, it’s modern, but the rooms are so comfy and the Observatory Rooftop Bar is cool.
- Bullitt Hotel - a real urban feel, but super relaxed. In a great part of the Cathedral Quarter.
- Titanic Hotel – a bit out of the city (good for some), with industrial themed rooms and a nice bar.
See my full guide to Where to Stay in Belfast
Insider Tips for Belfast
The city is walkable, but black cabs and Metro buses cover longer trips.
Festivals are a big part of Belfast life: check what’s on before you arrive.
May to September brings the best weather and outdoor events; December is popular for the Christmas market at City Hall.
Belfast has two airports (International and City) and strong train/bus links to Dublin from Grand Central Station.
Final Thoughts
Belfast is a city with many sides. Its history is written on its walls and stories are shared over a pint. Some history is still being lived through today.
You’ll enjoy the Titanic and the murals, but leave time to pause for a moment and engage in the conversations and surprises that make Belfast unforgettable.
