Being the biggest metropolis in Northern Eire, Belfast has lots going for it! With Michelin Star eating places, cool museums and a great deal of the perfect issues to do in Belfast, it’s the form of metropolis which is nice for a protracted weekend break.
Belief me once I say, Belfast is a type of locations that’s nice to go to.
Sure, it would generally get neglected in lieu of cities like Dublin or London nevertheless it has a appeal and ambiance that you simply actually ought to expertise while you discover Northern Eire.
So, to make your journey all that bit simpler, I wished to share a number of the greatest issues to do in Belfast if you go to. All tried and examined, we scoured town (tasting each tipple and gobbling each scallop) within the title of analysis! 😉
Now, I’ve popped in a good few of the spots we actually charge – however don’t really feel obliged to do all of it. Metropolis breaks are greatest explored at your individual tempo and with no stress.
So, to make issues simpler, select a handful of issues to do and let the remainder fall into place.
Have a look, beneath, at the perfect issues to do in Belfast. Have the perfect time!
1.) Head to the pub!
Okay, this isn’t a cop-out or me getting lazy right here; going to pubs in Belfast is a should – particularly the extra conventional venues.
We completely beloved strolling down Hill Avenue and Business Courtroom searching for the perfect watering holes. Which, in hindsight was in all probability the reason for our sore heads the subsequent morning!
Anyway, for a extremely native and funky pub to go to, head to the Duke of York.
Crammed to the brim with memorabilia and a stunning ambiance, it’s the form of place the place you’ll be able to hunker down for a number of hours and take heed to dwell music while having fun with a tipple.
Alternatively, if you happen to’re fancying attempting a ‘newer-style’ pub, head to the close by Dirty Onion and Yardbird that has dwell music and meals the place you’ll be able to spend a night filling your tummy.
Throughout Hill Avenue, you’ll discover a vary of bars, just like the Thirsty Goat and the Muddler’s Club that’ll all be vying to your consideration.
If it’s a drink with a view that you simply’re after, head to The Observatory Bar that overlooks the entire metropolis.
From right here, you’ll be able to seize a cocktail (or two) and take within the views throughout Metropolis Corridor that’s properly well worth the premium value of the tipples.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Northern Eire
2.) Tour Belfast Metropolis Corridor
In all probability one in every of Belfast’s most iconic buildings, Metropolis Corridor opened its doorways again in 1906.
Right this moment, you’ll be able to discover the very good artwork assortment and its interiors are constructed with stunning stained glass home windows while studying extra about its use and the constructing itself.
Excursions occur most days (and it’s first-come, first enter). Double-check on their website for up to date tour occasions and pop in earlier than to safe your house on the tour.
It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast – and completely free!
3.) Stroll across the Botanic Gardens
In all probability probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast, for nature lovers not less than, the Botanic Gardens are an incredible place that’s inside straightforward attain of downtown Belfast.
Established again in1828m, the Botanic Gardens is nestled proper subsequent to Queen’s College and inside straightforward attain of the Ulster Museum, too.
House to an enormous choice of crops and timber; together with hornbeam-oak, it’s the form of place the place you’ll be able to stroll for hours. Simply make sure you take a gander within the Palm Home and the Tropical Ravine.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to pop into Maggie Mays for a hearty brunch or the Barking Dog for an early dinner. We beloved it right here and made positive to have the complete three-course.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Northern Eire
4.) Go to Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Belfast is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Belfast that’s really fairly new!
With 9 galleries unfold throughout six flooring, Titanic Belfast has a heap of exhibitions that tells the story of building, demise, and aftermath of the Titanic that sank again within the early twentieth Century.
Right here, you’ll discover an underwater cinema and gantry rides which is able to take you to discover and expertise the tales of the Titanic.
Not solely that, however in addition they host musical afternoon teas proper inside the Titanic Belfast itself! It’s really fairly enjoyable.
Lastly, while on this space of Belfast, jump over to see SS Nomadic. Initially constructed to whisk high-class passengers to Titanic, it’s now a museum the place you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the White Star Line and see the final of their ships in existence.
5.) Discover the Ulster Museum
Proper subsequent to the Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum hosts a wide range of totally different exhibitions that change seasonally and embody the whole lot from; dinosaurs, historic Egyptian artefacts, and fashionable masterpieces from world wide.
It’s a spot steeped in historical past and has a various assortment of artwork, historical past, and pure science reveals that depicts Eire’s evolution and worldwide and native historical past.
An important few hours might be spent inside and it’s an ideal respite if you happen to’re hiding from that notorious Belfast rain!
Round a 10-minute stroll away, Darcy’s is a superb place to go for dinner that’s each cosy and scrumptious.
I believe we spent all night devouring their menu right here; their lamb shank (and fishcakes starters) is the whole lot.
6.) Queens College
While exploring the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens, make sure you pop over to the Queen’s College subsequent door.
The buildings are iconic and it’s properly value taking a wander across the grounds and popping within the visitor centre to get a really feel of this particular place.
After your little stroll, head straight over to The Parlour for a tipple, or two! This place is a complete throwback and has the perfect ambiance for an early night chill.
With a studenty-vibe and beautiful conventional decor, it’s an incredible place for a pint and a extremely good pizza that’s fairly priced.
7.) Go to the Crumlin Highway Gaol
Now, it’s not typically I’d say to pack your self off to jail, however in Belfast, it’s one heck of a factor to do! You see, the Crumlin Highway Gaol is one in every of Belfast’s most well-known spots to see and fairly attention-grabbing in addition.
Housed in a nineteenth century Grade A listed constructing, the Crumlin Road Gaol is now open to for these and not using a prosecution hanging over their head. Take a tour inside and be taught extra concerning the web site, its inmates and what life was like inside.
Afterwards, e book a desk on the Cuffs Bar & Grill which serves up some tasty native dishes which can be too good to overlook.
8.) Discover Belfast Citadel
Simply outdoors town centre, seeing Belfast Citadel is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Belfast when departing town and heading additional up the shoreline.
With beautiful gardens and a very stunning constructing to see, it’s the form of place to pop in for a wee little bit of time to discover the attractive grounds.
Simply remember, the actual magic is barely from the surface in Belfast Citadel. As soon as inside, it’s been redeveloped as a venue so most of that citadel magic has been misplaced.
An important, temporary, cease to go to when leaving Belfast.
9.) Stroll round St. George’s Market
St George’s Market is one in every of Belfast’s oldest markets and sometimes a hive of exercise.
As soon as inside, you’ll get to discover all of the stalls and see the distributors which have the whole lot from oysters to artwork on their stalls. Accomplished in 1896 the place about 300 distributors had arrange stalls from meals to artwork and crafts, it’s the form of place that’s completely superb to go to.
We spent a superb little bit of time wandering the stalls and even grabbed a number of recent oysters from the shucker available in the market itself.
If you happen to love markets, you’ll simply discover this probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast and depart with a great deal of treats.
Additionally, if you happen to’re fancying a deal with, e book a desk at Ox Belfast and check out their seasonal menu.
We completely beloved the dishes that’s such a fusion. We had grouse with figs and earl gray and it was scrumptious!
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Northern Eire
10.) Discover St. Anne’s Cathedral
St. Anne’s Cathedral is the principle church of the Anglican Church of Eire and probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast if you happen to love attractive structure.
Constructed again in 1899, it has essentially the most attractive nave and baptistry ceiling that it’s important to see, not less than for somewhat look. Plus, it’s very easy to go to if you happen to’re already heading to the MAC or Hill Avenue for all of the dwell music.
Afterwards, head to Mourne Seafood Bar that serves up a number of the tastiest (you guessed it) seafood in all of Belfast.
Simply be sure to order a desk on a weekend, it was actually busy once we went.
11.) Head inside MAC
Proper within the Cathedral Quarter space, MAC is Belfast’s artwork and efficiency house that’s fairly distinctive. Ultimately, the exhibitions remind me of those who you’d anticipate within the Tate Fashionable in London. For sure, we beloved it!
As soon as inside, take a flick thru the varied exhibition rooms and discover a number of the greatest modern artwork in Northern Eire. It’s a very cool house and properly value a gander.
12.) Cave Hill Nation Park
Cave Hill Nation Park is definitely probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast if you happen to fancy somewhat trek into the wild. If that’s not you, steer properly clear!
As soon as right here, you’ll discover McArt’s Fort, the White Stone and, in fact, the views from the highest itself! These are spectacular and provides an entire panoramic view of Belfast Metropolis. It’s a good spot for strolling and a advisable place for hikers to discover.
Plus, you’ll be able to simply companion this up with a visit to Belfast Citadel on the identical time!
13.) Stormont
Your journey could be incomplete with out seeing Stormont.
The buildings as soon as served because the official residence of the prime minister of Northern Eire and constructed within the Greek classical fashion that’s completely attractive. Usually open between 9 am-4 pm (weekdays), you’ll be able to tour the buildings (see official listings here) and expertise this spot for your self.
From artworks, exhibitions to parks and playground you’ll discover many issues to take pleasure in and have a good time visiting this place.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Northern Eire
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