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Destination guide for Belfast

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)

Exterior view of the local parliament during the daytime

Last updated: 30 May, 2023

Expert travel writer: Nicola Brady

Belfast has shaken off the shadows of its history and emerged as a vibrant, arty and colourful city, with street art around every corner and a healthy smattering of Michelin stars.

And while there’s so much more to the city than drinking, the city’s historic pubs are as charming as they are convivial, with cosy, fireside nooks that are perfect for sheltering from an afternoon rain shower.

This is a place where you can potter around an art gallery, stroll around the botanical gardens and get chatting to the supernaturally friendly locals who cross your path – just be prepared to keep nattering for an hour or more.

Tours, tickets & transfers

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Belfast

Discover Belfast, with a 1 or 2 day unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass. This enjoyable sightseeing tour will take you to all of the key landmarks, including Titanic Belfast, Stormont, St George's Market, Queen's University, the Botanic Gardens, Albert Memorial Clock, the Big Fish sculpture and much more! Explore all of Belfast's fabulous culture at your own pace, hopping on and off the double-decker bus as much as you want in the chosen time period. Learn all about the character of Northern Ireland's capital city from the on-board audio tour commentary, which is provided in several languages. And experience 360 degree views from the open-top deck, before hopping off for a closer look!

Price: £20

Min age: 0

Rating 4.29 / 5 [1427 ratings]

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A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

Belfast

Over 2 hours and 30 minutes, our local expert guides will take you on a journey back in time through the city centre of Belfast. You will discover how 'the Troubles' started, visit the locations where some of the most important events occurred, and learn about the path to reconciliation and eventually peace (and the challenges the future may hold). You will discover the realities of growing up and living your life during the conflict, and how it touched everyone. The tour is factual and historically accurate to ensure it is unbiased, the guides are conflict historians, who also weave their own stories into their tours to bring history to life, transporting you back to the Belfast of the 1970s and giving you a unique understanding of the recent past. The tour starts each day at 10.30am.

Price: £20

Min age: 12

Rating 4.96 / 5 [1821 ratings]

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Best of Belfast Walking Tour

Belfast

Starting at our iconic City Hall, our Best of Belfast walking tour is your essential introduction to Belfast and its past; an amazing way to discover fantastic street art, beautiful architecture, curious history and the unique stories of Belfast’s citizens throughout the centuries. Our award-winning guides are local experts, born and bred in Belfast who love to introduce guests to our city and its secrets. You will hear about the Troubles and the Titanic, but there is so much more to our city. Not only will you learn the story of Belfast but with the help of your guide you'll discover bars, restaurants and whole districts you may not otherwise have found, gain the confidence to explore further and really make the most of your visit. Starting and finishing your tour at City Hall, the entire walk is less than 2 miles and with 14 stops on the tour we promise an experience which truly connects you with the heart of Belfast!

Price: £20

Min age: 12

Rating 4.97 / 5 [199 ratings]

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Belfast Political Tour-Conflicting Stories Walking Tour

Belfast

The opportunity to experience a tour of a lifetime. Understanding Belfast's troubled history with a honestly presented political tour by Republican and Loyalist ex-political prisoners. Discover a side of Belfast you won't find in the Tourist books, We invite you to walk the streets of the city on both sides of the Peace Wall with the men and women who have served time in prisons of Northern Ireland for standing up for their beliefs. Republican and Loyalist ex-prisoners will share their own personal stories and the effects on their communities and explain the murals that tell the local history and culture of each area. The only tour to give you two truly opposing views of 'The Troubles' through the streets of West Belfast. A portion of the tours proceeds goes to working with local children in cross community projects.

Price: £23

Min age: 15

Rating 4.63 / 5 [184 ratings]

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Original 15-person Party Bike Tour

Belfast

Pedal! Pedal! Pedal! See the city from a different perspective on our fun and original group cycle tour of Belfast. Grab some friends and join us to pedal around the sights of the city. Share a toast and make some unique memories while soaking up some history and the unparalleled Belfast atmosphere. Your Wee Toast Tour will be an outdoor city experience not to be missed. Our bikes run purely on pedal power so get your legs ready! Each bike carries up to 15 people, although we need at least 8 of you to traverse the streets of the city. There are five non-pedal seats as well. You can book one or just a few seats and we’ll match you up with some other lovely travellers. A bigger group of 8+ and you’re all set to power the bike. Any more than 15 and you will book two or more bikes that will cycle in tandem. We have 6 bikes with a capacity of 90 - per hour.

Price: £28

Min age: 5

Rating 4.64 / 5 [127 ratings]

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Belfast Bike Tours

Belfast

Get outside and join a guide on a bike ride around Belfast. Bike rental is included, so you don't have to worry about bringing one with you, and a guide takes care of the navigating so you don't get lost. Highlights include Belfast's famous murals, one of Ireland's oldest pubs, Belfast City Hall, St. George's Market, and the Titanic Quarter. So you don't miss anything important—there are plenty of stops and the guide provides commentary along the way.

Price: £30

Min age: 1

Rating 4.99 / 5 [201 ratings]

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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Belfast Airport

Belfast

For a hassle-free airport departure transfer, book this private one-way transportation service from your Belfast city hotel to Belfast International Airport or Belfast City Airport. This easy and efficient transfer picks you up curbside at your hotel and takes you directly to the airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours, seven days a week.

Price: £35

Min age: 2

Rating 4.87 / 5 [8 ratings]

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Private Belfast City Sightseeing and Mural Tour | 4 Hours

Belfast

Explore Northern Ireland’s fascinating capital city with this Private Belfast City Sightseeing Tour with one of our local experienced guides. Appreciating the historical context of Belfast’s conflict-related attractions can be tricky on a self-led tour. Belfast now becoming famous as an open-air gallery, with hundreds of murals painted on streets and walls throughout the city. Let us take you through these once war-torn streets, where now the murals tell the history. Benefit from the undivided attention of your guide on a private Belfast City Sightseeing tour and famous Belfast Murals. Belfast City tours stop at major Belfast attractions like Belfast Peace Wall, Falls Road Murals, Titanic Belfast, Stormont Parliament Buildings, St George’s Market, Belfast City Hall, Crumlin Road Jail, and much more. On this Belfast City tour, you will visit the Peace wall that still divides the working-class communities of the catholic Falls and Protestant Shankill.

Price: £600

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [19 ratings]

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Travel advice

When to go

Summer is always a busy time in the city, and weekends in peak season can book up far in advance – this means tickets for tourist attractions as well as hotels. The city is at its most beautiful in late spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October), when the weather tends to be at its best.

But remember – this is Ireland, and the weather can change by the minute. So dress accordingly!

Getting there and away

There are two airports in Belfast. George Best Belfast City Airport is the more central (right by the Titanic Quarter), around 10 minutes from the city centre by taxi, or 15 minutes via the Airport Express bus. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet use Belfast International Airport, which is around a 30 minute drive from the city centre. The bus takes 45 minutes.

Getting around

The city is so compact that walking is your best mode of transport. For sights that are a little further out of the city (like the Titanic Quarter and Peace Mural) you’re better off getting a taxi than faffing around with public transport – if you’re on a budget, the city’s buses can be slow, but do pass most of the main sights.

To see anything well outside of the city, such as the Giant’s Causeway, your best bet is to rent a car – public transport outside of Belfast is pretty sparse.

Where to stay

If you want to be in the heart of the action, with a wealth of restaurants and bars at your fingertips, the historic Cathedral Quarter is your best bet. While there are a few exceptions (the Titanic Hotel being one), it’s best to keep as close to the Cathedral Quarter as possible, to avoid lengthy taxi rides home.

If you’d prefer to avoid street noise (Belfast likes to party) then opt for one of the taller hotels near City Hall.