Flight time
1h 15m
Best season
May–September
Budget
Budget to mid-range
Best for
Titanic, murals, food, craic, Giant's Causeway
Overview
Why Belfast for a city break?
Belfast is one of the great city break transformations of the past three decades — a city that was synonymous with conflict for 30 years is now one of the most welcoming, creatively energetic and genuinely exciting short break destinations in the British Isles. The Titanic Belfast museum is world class. The Cathedral Quarter has one of the UK's finest concentrations of independent food and drink. The political murals of the Falls and Shankill Roads are among the most powerful public art anywhere in Europe. And the Giant's Causeway, one of the world's great natural wonders, is 90 minutes away.
From London it's just over an hour; from Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and most regional airports it's similarly accessible — and no passport is required. Belfast is significantly cheaper than Dublin (30 minutes south by bus) and the food and drink scene, anchored by the St George's Market and the Cathedral Quarter, has improved dramatically. Go in May to September for the best weather; the Giant's Causeway and the Causeway Coast are at their finest in summer, and the city's outdoor food and drink culture is excellent in good weather.
Where to stay & explore
Belfast's best neighbourhoods
Cathedral Quarter
The most creative and vibrant neighbourhood in Belfast — the Oh Yeah Music Centre, the Duke of York pub, the Dirty Onion, the best independent restaurants and the most concentrated bar scene outside the city centre.
Titanic Quarter
The regenerated Victorian shipyard where the Titanic was built — the museum, the SS Nomadic, the Thompson Dry Dock and a waterfront of extraordinary industrial heritage.
South Belfast (Stranmillis & Botanic)
The university neighbourhood — the Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum (free, excellent), the best café culture in the city, and a young, local energy.
Things to do
What to see in Belfast
1
Titanic Belfast
One of the finest purpose-built museums in the world — nine galleries telling the story of the Titanic's conception, construction and loss, on the exact site where she was built. The shipyard ride through a recreation of the RMS Titanic's construction is extraordinary; the recovered artefacts and the oral testimonies are deeply moving. The building itself — its four prows referencing the ship's bow — is remarkable. Book online; it sells out in peak season.
2
Black Cab Political Tour
The most informative and affecting thing you can do in Belfast — a black taxi tour of the Falls Road (Republican/Nationalist) and Shankill Road (Loyalist/Unionist) murals, with a driver who grew up in the Troubles and can explain what the murals mean from both sides. The Peace Wall between the communities (the gates still close at night) is part of the tour. All operators are licensed; book directly with any of the reputable companies online. Two hours; genuinely life-changing.
3
Giant's Causeway & Causeway Coast
The most extraordinary natural landscape in the British Isles — 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed 60 million years ago, UNESCO World Heritage Site, 90 minutes from Belfast by Translink Ulsterbus (the Causeway Rambler from Bushmills). The Causeway Coast road between Ballycastle and Portrush passes Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and the Old Bushmills Distillery. A full day; leave Belfast by 9am.
4
St George's Market
One of the finest covered markets in the UK — the Victorian iron-and-glass market building hosts the Friday Variety Market (antiques and crafts), the Saturday City Food and Garden Market (the best food producers from across Northern Ireland) and the Sunday Food, Craft and Antique Market. The Saturday market in particular — Irish soda bread, Strangford Lough oysters, Belfast baps, Armagh cider — is the finest introduction to Northern Irish food culture available.
Food & drink
Where to eat in Belfast
OX
One Michelin star / modern Irish
The finest restaurant in Belfast — Stephen Toman's cooking uses the extraordinary produce of Northern Ireland (Lough Erne lamb, Strangford Lough oysters, Fermanagh black bacon) with a lightness and precision that has earned a Michelin star. On the Oxford Street canal side. Book weeks ahead.
St George's Market Saturday
Food market / Saturday only
The finest Saturday morning in Belfast — Strangford Lough oysters from the Creighton stall (shucked fresh, £1.50 each), Belfast bap with sausage and soda bread, apple juice from Armagh, sourdough from the artisan bakers. The entire market for under £20, eaten standing up among 10,000 locals. The correct Belfast breakfast.
The Muddlers Club
Modern Belfast / Cathedral Quarter
The most exciting restaurant in the Cathedral Quarter — a basement restaurant serving modern Irish food that honours local producers without being pious about it. The beef and the shellfish dishes are both consistently excellent. Good natural wine list. Book ahead.
Itinerary
3 days in Belfast — a suggested itinerary
Day 1
Titanic, Cathedral Quarter, the Duke of York
Belfast City Airport is 5km from the centre (taxi, ~£10); Belfast International is 30km (bus £8, 30 minutes). Walk to the Titanic Quarter: the Titanic Belfast museum (booked online) deserves three hours. The SS Nomadic (the only surviving White Star Line vessel, moored outside) is worth 30 minutes. Walk back along the waterfront to the Cathedral Quarter for the afternoon: the Commercial Court and the Duke of York (the finest pub interior in Belfast, snugs unchanged since 1890), the Dirty Onion outdoor bar if the weather is good. Dinner at The Muddlers Club.
Day 2
Black cab tour, St George's Market, OX for dinner
Black cab political tour booked for 10am — the Falls and Shankill murals, the Peace Wall, the explanation from both sides. Two hours that will reshape your understanding of Belfast and the Troubles. If it's Saturday: St George's Market for late morning — oysters, soda bread, the full Saturday food market experience. The Ulster Museum (free) in the Botanic Gardens for the afternoon — the Early Christian art, the Troubles exhibition, the natural history collection. Botanic Gardens for a walk. OX for dinner (booked weeks ahead): the tasting menu with the Northern Irish wine pairing.
Day 3
Giant's Causeway full day
Translink Causeway Rambler bus from Europa Buscentre at 9.30am (book online, ~£8 return). Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (book separately, limited daily slots — do this first) over the sea stack. Ballintoy Harbour for a coffee. Dunluce Castle (the most romantically ruined castle in Ireland, on a cliff above the North Atlantic). Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour and a dram of the world's oldest licensed whiskey. The Giant's Causeway: arrive by 2pm, walk the coastal path for the full perspective on the basalt columns. Return bus to Belfast; final evening in the Cathedral Quarter for drinks at the John Hewitt (the finest traditional pub in the Cathedral Quarter, cooperatively owned, no music machines) and dinner at one of the neighbourhood restaurants.
Ready to book Belfast?
Search flights, hotels and things to do — all affiliate links below support this site.
Not sure Belfast is right for you?
Take our 60-second quiz — we'll match you to your perfect European city break based on your budget, vibe and departure airport.
Also worth considering
Cities similar to Belfast
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep CityBreak.in free to use.
City break inspiration
Get weekend deals in your inbox
Flash sales, hidden gems and new city guides — sent occasionally, never spammy.
Unsubscribe any time. No spam. Privacy policy.