Bucket list trip:
Where to go and what to see in Belfast to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicola Brady.
Editor note – Nicola has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Belfast destination guide.
Get a handle on the city’s history with a Black Cab Tour, led by a local who’ll take you to the Peace Wall Murals. Afterwards, visit the Crumlin Road Goal.
Grab lunch in St George’s Market, as you wander around the food stalls. Afterwards, explore more of the Cathedral Quarter, popping into the Duke of York for a pint.
Afterwards, head to the Muddler’s Club for dinner, just a minute around the corner (booking required).
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
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A fascinating and insightful political tour of the city, led by people who lived through The Troubles – and driving black cabs.
Adult price: £65
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2 hours
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
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Belfast’s imposing former prison offers a haunting peek into the city’s tumultuous history, from famous inmates to infamous riots.
Adult price: £12
Best for ages 13+
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
This historic Victorian market is filled with local crafts, the best Belfast produce and a jostling gaggle of local food-lovers.
Best for ages 18+
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
One of the oldest pubs in Belfast, the Duke of York is a traditional boozer found down a cobbled alleyway, with well-worn seats, antique memorabilia and an old printing press in the corner. On sunny days, people take their drinks out to the flower-lined courtyard.
Best for ages 18+
Head for brunch in Established Coffee, before discovering some of Belfast’s best street art with a walking tour led by Seedhead Arts.
Take a walk over the river to the Titanic Quarter – it’s less than 25 minutes, though there’s also a bus service. Head into Titanic Belfast, and over to the SS Nomadic if you have time afterwards.
Make your way back over to the city for dinner in the Dirty Onion, eating in the courtyard if the weather permits.
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
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Discover Belfast’s vibrant and fascinating street art, and the stories behind them, on tours led by local artists.
Adult price: £15
Best for ages 8+
Duration: 1 hour
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
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Standing where the Titanic was built, this moving, interactive exhibition tells the story of the giant cruiser’s construction and sinking.
Adult price: £20
Best for ages 8+
Take a full day to visit the Giant’s Causeway, either by booking an organised tour or renting a car. Get there early if you can, to avoid the crowds – the drive takes around 90 minutes.
Afterwards, have lunch at Maegden, an epic cheese toastie café in nearby Bushmills. If you have the time, head into the Bushmills Distillery for a tour and whiskey tasting – it’s the world’s oldest licensed distillery.
Bushmills, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK)
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Northern Ireland’s most famous natural landscape, this UNESCO World Heritage site is shrouded in legend and folklore.
Best for ages 6+
