Let’s start with the new topic “ Things To Do In Belfast “Of course, take everything you read about the best things to do in Belfast with a pinch of salt (including this one).
There are so many things to do in Belfast that it is impossible and unfair to single out one of the countless attractions as being ‘the best’.
The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast — a place where the likes of Cave Hill make it hiking heaven; as well as Crumlin Road tours and an amazing food/pub scene.
Here in this guide, you’ll find what we consider to be the best things to do on your visit ahead (we have visited Belfast more than 10 times that is why we chose visiting rather than staying).
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The Best Things To Do In Belfast
To some, he sees Belfast as little more than a drinking city — but that could not be further from the truth.
Places like Black Cab Tours, Titanic, Divis Mountain and others simply display the many things you can visit when travelling to Belfast.
1. Black Cab Tour
A Black Cab Tour is simply one of the top things to do in Belfast City. One unique way to experience your trip through Belfast is with a Black Cab tour that navigates around the city, delivers you fat knowledge bombs about its past from an incredibly experienced guide.
You can see, on a Black Cab tour as you are ferried around Belfast City, some of the best-known politically-themed murals in Europe, detailing everything from history to culture and they provide an insight into what will soon be centuries-old problems.
You will also be shown the Belfast Peace Walls and driven up the now notorious Shankill Road as well as being introduced to Falls road.
So this is a great tour if you are looking for things to do in Belfast when it rains, as the whole thing can all be done at your leisure from inside of the car.
2. Cave Hill Country Park
How to climb Cave Hill Country Park: One of the many spectacular views across Belfast when reaching the summit at various points along the walk.
The Cave Hill now walk is between 2.4m/1.3km and 4,5m/7.2 km long distances (and concentrated or maybe you are down ‘to’ the main dolomite only way)
The most famous part of Cave Hill is said to be Napoleon’s Nose, where it is claimed Swift got the idea for Gulliver’s Travels.
A favourite for the big US travel guides when writing about romantic things to do in Belfast for couples, visiting here at sunrise.
3. The Crumlin Road Gaol
THE CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL The Crum – as it is known locally, has been closed for business a while now (not including tours) having officially ceased operation in 1996. Ranked #2 of fun things to do on TripAdvisor just behind Lush new Belfast City store writing tags on sponges and selling more soap than nature may very well have intended (unverified).
The story here starts when women & children were confined in its walls all the way through to republican and loyalist political segregation of prisoners until it closed.
It also leaves you shivering while walking through the building in some stages. It is maybe best felt standing at the mouth of that tunnel which once linked Gaol and Crumlin Road Courthouse.
For something a little bit different to do in Belfast, definitely check out the gaol (and especially so on rainy days!
4. Titanic Belfast
Titanic In My Opinion is one of the best places to visit in Belfast City Centre. While in Titanic Belfast hall of fame which is the only building museum representing maritime heritage from West Europe.
Opened in 2012, the attraction sits exactly where Belfast’s former Harland & Wolff shipyard–where you’ll find those familiar Harland & Wolff cranes nearby to remind you of that fact—they were based as part of the city’s Titanic Quarter.
It is just beautiful by architectural standards and offers so many lovely photo angle spots.
The Titanic Experience is based around nine very impressive galleries which combine the great depth and accuracy of knowledge about every aspect that tell a story about the history of ruin decks recreated held up by special effects, dark rides pulled along with full-scale reconstructions coupled with interactive features.
5. Divis and Black Mountain
Divis Mountain affords a stunning view over Belfast — and indeed every Ulster county, if you’re minded to escape the city for a spell.
One final way to lord the views is to take a 3-mile/4.8km loop walk over Divis Mountain, specifically designed as an access track on which not much could possibly grow while keeping larger areas of pristine mountain slope in check.
It is moderate in difficulty but if you are looking for some hiking in Belfast that will reward you with some scenic views without too much travel, this one’s it!
6. Belfast Castle
Next of our ports of call is one of Northern Ireland’s grandest castles – the whimsical-looking Belfast Castle on Cave Hill country park.Established up in hills above north part company’s advised, it preludes outstanding views across Lough Neagh alongside…
The castle and its grounds are also home to a rather diverse wildlife, from long-eared owls, sparrowhawks to even Belfast’s rarest plant which is the town hall clock.
The original Belfast Castle, on the city centre hill of Carrickfergus was built by John de Courcy after 1180.
In 1611, Con O’Neill’s son-in-law Sir Arthur Chichester built a second stone-and-timber castle at the same site. Here’s a guide to visiting.
7. The Botanic Gardens
Even though the Botanic Gardens are in the actual city, I bet it will feel like a million miles away from anywhere when you get there.
The Botanic Gardens were opened to the public daily, when they were originally established as a private park in 1828.
This botanical garden’s crowning glory is the Palm House. 1880sThis is one of the first curvilinear glasshouses in the world. Swing by this place for a walk and chilllll out getItemCount ().
FURTHER READING: Read our round-up of the great hotels in Belfast or even stay at one of these cool Airbnb properties in Belfast (or, if you are looking for something more luxurious, here are some 5 star hotels to stay at).
8. The Belfast bus tour
If you want to see all the key sites in Belfast without having to walk between them, it might be worth wondering actually what is there TO DO IN BELFAST?
That is why tours such as this one (4.5/5 with over 700 reviews) are great! This is a 1 or 2 day hop-on/off tour, including all of the must-visit Belfast attractions.
Throughout the tour you will pass by Titanic Belfast, Albert Memorial Clock and Cathedral Quarter – already some of the great things to do in Belfast at night are shaping up! -Northern Ireland War Memorial, Stormont or the political murals.
9. Traditional pubs
Once you know where to go, Belfast also has some amazing nightlife. Over in our best pubs in Belfast guide, you will uncover tons of old-school ta-rooms to pop into.
Others, such as Bittles Bar (a fantastic building in its own right), are attractions unto themselves.
Meanwhile, anything from a nightclub to a cocktail bar is on offer if you are a bit change about. There are some guides to jump into:
10. Belfast’s history walking tour
Not many have broken 1,000 for almost a perfect score on all tours combined, but this one sits right about that and costs only $30 USD with a just over three-hour duration.
This time I chose a city tour that is able to sum up the city’s big history and also walks around both sides of The Peace Line near Falls Road and Shankill Rd.
You will visit the murals that commemorate various Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries, hear stories from both communities about how The Troubles affected their lives.
Wanna learn more about the city of Belfast and how it was back-in-the-day.. walking tour is a great option!
What to do in Belfast: Where have we missed?
There is still more to do in the Belfast City Centre I am sure that we have missed with our guide above.
Have any ideas of stuff to do in Belfast City, let me know below and I will look into it.
