Belfast Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Belfast
Belfast
Belfast
Stormont Parliament Buildings featuring a statue or sculpture, an administrative building and a monument
Belfast

Belfast Travel Guide Video

Just an hour away from the pretty Atlantic coast is Belfast, the vibrant and welcoming capital of Northern Ireland.

Surrounded by miles of rolling countryside, Belfast is Northern Ireland’s cultural, political and artistic hub, and has a fascinating history. In recent years, the reminders of the city’s tumultuous past have been slowly receding, with the memories of the national conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s gradually fading. Belfast is fast emerging as a safe, popular and exciting tourist destination.

Although it’s the largest city in Northern Ireland, Belfast is home to under 300,000 residents and is remarkably easy to navigate. The city is a charming blend of the old and the new, with traditional cobbled streets, castles and architecture rubbing shoulders with modern-day facilities.

Head to the Belfast Welcome Centre at Donegall Square to pick up a map and information about the city. The centrally located Donegall Square is a bustling hub of shopping, restaurants and entertainment, and a busy transport interchange.

Visit the Titanic Quarter to learn all about the humble beginnings of the cruise ship and the fateful voyage that started in Belfast. Head to the Crumlin Road Gaol, have a meal in a typical Irish pub or explore the iconic St. George’s Market.

Go back in time at Belfast Castle and make a trip up nearby Cave Hill. Visit the Stormont Parliament Buildings and relax in the peaceful public park surrounding them.

Leave the city and explore the surrounding countryside of Lough Neagh to see the other side of County Antrim. Head north to the windswept Atlantic coast and the stunning natural formation the Giant’s Causeway. Explore the ruins of Dunluce Castle and take a tour around the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest whisky producer in the world.

Central Belfast is easily explored on foot, and the public transport network makes travelling further afield cheap and easy. You can book a tour to the coast, or rent a car from the one of the agencies in the city centre or at one of Belfast’s two airports.

Although it can rain throughout the year, Belfast has warmer weather in the summer. Winters can be windy and cold, and sometimes there is heavy snowfall.

Where to stay in Belfast

Belfast City Hall showing heritage elements, heritage architecture and a castle

Belfast City Centre

Cosy bars a university vibe and top sights from Crown Liquor Saloon to Ulster Hall – discover Belfast City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Belfast City Centre
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Belfast Central District

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Belfast Central District. Make a stop by Ulster Hall or Belfast Christmas Market while you're exploring the area.

Belfast Central District
Metropolitan Arts Centre showing modern architecture and a city

Cathedral Quarter

5/5(1 area review)

Cathedral Quarter is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to MAC Theatre and Belfast Customs House while you're in town.

Cathedral Quarter
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Queens Quarter

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Queens Quarter is a destination visitors seek out for its ample dining options, fascinating museums and picturesque gardens. You might also want to check out attractions like Belfast Botanic Gardens or Ulster Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Queens Quarter
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Titanic Quarter

4/5(6 area reviews)

Titanic Quarter is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Titanic Belfast and Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices.

Titanic Quarter
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Ballymacarret

While visiting Ballymacarret, you might make a stop by sights like CS Lewis Square and Belfast Oval.

Ballymacarret
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
5 out of 5
Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is AU$354 per night from 1 June to 2 June
AU$354
includes taxes & fees
1 June - 2 June
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
"Road works so you had to drive around the block 3 times in order to get to the car park. Couldnt park near the property"

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
room2 Belfast Hometel
room2 Belfast Hometel
4 out of 5
32-36 Queen Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is AU$241 per night from 8 June to 9 June
AU$241
includes taxes & fees
8 June - 9 June
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (694 reviews)
"Had an amazing three night stay! Location was excellent, next to the start of various pedestrian lanes (fountain and castle lanes), 2 minute walk to catch the G2 bus to the Titanic Experience (City Hall Stop) and we were dropped off after our day tour 3 blocks away. Breakfast was very well presented ..."

Reviewed on 24 May 2025

room2 Belfast Hometel
Holiday Inn Express Belfast City by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Belfast City by IHG
3 out of 5
106 University Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is AU$168 per night from 22 June to 23 June
AU$168
includes taxes & fees
22 June - 23 June
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Belfast Botanic ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely Hotel but the location was a bit rundown"

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Holiday Inn Express Belfast City by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cordia Serviced Apartments
Cordia Serviced Apartments
4 out of 5
Lisburn Road,355-367, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (168 reviews)
"Good, however could do with some more pillows and larger towels and maybe a hairdryer. Other than that good apartment would use again."

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2025

Cordia Serviced Apartments
Student Only Great Patrick Street
Student Only Great Patrick Street
2 out of 5
28-30 Great Patrick St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and MAC Theatre are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Clean and tidy. Staff are helpful"

Reviewed on 10 May 2025

Student Only Great Patrick Street
Student Only Nelson Place
Student Only Nelson Place
2 out of 5
8 Nelson St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and MAC Theatre are located ...
Student Only Nelson Place
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Belfast

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
34
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
35
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
11
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Beautiful city but cold and quite during March

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Go see the Titanic Belfast

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Parking is terrible but it’s walkable with lots to do.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly city with some beautiful old buildings

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I was just there for 1 night so cant comment. Apart from The Ulster Museum and Gallery is very good. And the Botanic Gardens are very nice.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city to visit.

Cities near Belfast