Where to base yourself
- City centre: around City Hall and Great Victoria Street, close to Grand Central station and everything else.
- Cathedral Quarter: the liveliest area for pubs, music and restaurants.
- Titanic Quarter: modern and quiet, beside the museum and the SSE Arena.
- Queen’s Quarter: guesthouses and smaller hotels in a leafy university district, 20 minutes’ walk south.
Food and drink
Belfast’s restaurants have won a national reputation over the past two decades, built on local beef, shellfish from Strangford Lough and soda and potato breads. Start a day with an Ulster fry, graze at St George’s Market, and book ahead for the better-known kitchens. For pubs: the Crown Liquor Saloon for the tiles and snugs, Kelly’s Cellars and Madden’s for traditional music, the Duke of York and the John Hewitt in the Cathedral Quarter. Bushmills is the local whiskey.
History with care
Around 3,500 people were killed in the Troubles and almost everyone over a certain age was touched by them. Belfast people are generally glad to talk, often with dark humour, but let them lead. Some practical points:
- Language carries meaning. You will hear both “Northern Ireland” and “the North”, “Derry” and “Londonderry”. As a visitor you will be forgiven either; simply follow your host.
- Flags and painted kerbstones mark the allegiance of some neighbourhoods. There is no danger in passing through, but avoid wearing football or GAA shirts there.
- Around 12 July, Orange Order parades and bonfires on the night of the 11th take place; many shops and restaurants close on the 12th and 13th, and some visitors prefer to avoid those days.
Saving money
- Free: City Hall exhibition and tours, the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, the MAC, St George’s Market, walking the Titanic slipways and the Maritime Mile.
- A Translink day ticket covers Metro and Glider travel.
- Coaches between Dublin and Belfast are usually cheaper than the train.
- The Belfast Visitor Pass combines transport with discounts — check whether it suits your plans.
Sample plans
One day
Titanic Belfast in the morning; walk back along the Maritime Mile; City Hall and lunch at St George’s Market (Friday to Sunday) or in the centre; afternoon black-cab tour of the murals; evening in the Cathedral Quarter.
Two days
Add Crumlin Road Gaol, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, and a pint in the Crown.
Three days
A full-day trip to the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim coast.
