Planning A Weekend In Belfast, Northern Ireland

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Maybe one of the UK’s least talked about city breaks is Belfast. London, Edinburgh, Manchester, sure. But Belfast? Just because Northern Ireland isn’t part of mainland Britain doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. So what do you need to know about planning a weekend in Belfast?

I love visiting Belfast. It’s such a great city. History, culture, green spaces. And all just a short flight away from most mainland UK airports.

Plus, it’s much cheaper when you compare it to the UK’s other capital cities. But what actually sets Belfast apart, and what can you do while you’re here?

Where is Belfast?

Belfast is the capital, and largest, city in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a small part of the island of Ireland – say that ten times fast! Located in the north east, the Irish Sea is all that separates it from Scotland.

Belfast is a port city built up around the coast. It’s famous for its shipbuilding – a little ship you may have heard of called Titanic is probably its most well known. From Belfast you can be in Dublin in only a couple of hours, and the same or less to Scotland or England. Which makes it very easy to plan a weekend in Belfast.

How to get to Belfast

If you’re visiting from Dublin, then the easiest (and quickest) way to travel to Belfast is by train. The train takes only 2 hours from Dublin, and has minimal stops. The train station in both cities is central enough that you can walk or take a short taxi ride to/from the central part of both cities. I took the train to Dublin after my weekend in Belfast.

Heading over from Britain? Regular flights go from many of the UK’s airports, large and small. I was able to get a flight from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north for less than £75. It took 55-minutes. From Edinburgh or Glasgow it’s around the same time and cost. From London, pricing is similar but it takes maybe an extra 20-minutes of flying time.

There’s also a ferry to Belfast from Stranraer in Scotland. I’ve taken this before and although it’s a little slower, at just over 2-hours, it is often cheaper as a walk on passenger (around £25pp). To take a car, pricing starts around £130.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Belfast has two airports: Belfast International and Belfast City (aka George Best airport). The latter is much closer, only a few minutes drive into the city, so if you have the option between the two I’d recommend that one.

Do you need more than a weekend in Belfast?

Absolutely. A weekend is the bare minimum, and even then you might feel rushed to see everything. The first time I visited Belfast was a day trip from Stranraer. That was a mistake, as it only gave me a small glimpse into a city I would later come to love.

A long weekend is ideal, four or five days is better. The city isn’t really expensive, not like Dublin. So you can afford to spend longer here as long as you’re not short on time.

Make the most of your stay, explore a lot, take some day trips, but slow down and enjoy the city at a slower pace too.

Top tips for a weekend in Belfast

I always like to know a bit about where I’m going before I get there, so here’s a few tips I’ll share about my experience in Belfast that might help you.

• Currency – Northern Ireland uses the GBP, same as the rest of the UK. Their notes may look different but they accept Bank of England and Scotland notes as well. Just not Euros – that’s in the Republic of Ireland (Dublin).
• Accent – The Northern Ireland accent is different to the Irish accent you may be used to. I really love the accent, but it may be a little difficult to understand at first depending on how strong a person’s accent is.
• Transportation – The city of Belfast is very walkable, at least to most of the places you’ll want to see. But for the further away places, if you’re not up for the trek, take a city bus. They’re easy to use, and for less than £5 for a day pass it’s quite cheap. Alternatively, you can book a Hop On-Hop Off bus tour.
• Politics and religion – If you were around in the 90s you might remember The Troubles from the news. There are citizens who still fall on either side of the protestant/catholic and Britain/Ireland views of Northern Ireland, so be respectful. There are political tours of the city, which you might find a little tough to swallow as a Brit but they are interesting if you keep an open mind.

Where to stay in Belfast

Belfast city center is not huge, and there are a number of hotels you can choose from. Being right in the middle of the city, near bars and pubs, means it can be noisy in the evenings. Especially on weekends. Therefore read the reviews before you book somewhere.

I stayed at the Ibis Belfast City Centre hotel, and as basic as it was, I had a great stay. Very comfortable, and relatively inexpensive. I didn’t hear a lot of noise in the evening.

Interested in a little more of a historic accommodation? How about staying at the Titanic Hotel Belfast? It is converted from the former offices of the shipbuilding company Harland & Wolff, who built the Titanic, and is around the corner from the Titanic museum.

What to do with your weekend in Belfast?

You’ll likely want more than just a weekend in Belfast, especially if you want to travel further afield than the city. But it’s a good start. Make it a long weekend if you can, and plan for at least two full days.

DAY 1

Spend the day taking in the city sights. This will be a day of walking, and you likely won’t need to travel too far or take any buses. Get to know Belfast with a crash course in the history of the city.

MORNING

Start your day with a good old fashioned Irish breakfast. Like a full English breakfast, but better – and cheaper. Why better? Well, because I just love Irish potato bread, and their soda bread isn’t too bad either. You typically don’t get either of these on a full English. Munch was a great breakfast spot, and not too pricy.

Get to Belfast City Hall for opening time (9:30am weekdays, 10am weekends) to really learn about Belfast from the beginning. Take a free self-guided tour for a deep dive into all things Belfast. Learn about the city’s inception, industry, political changes and famous faces.

Admire the building’s architecture from outside, and enjoy the peaceful gardens and benches. There’s also the Titanic Memorial Garden around the side of City Hall, which is worth a look.

A short walk away is Belfast’s historic St. George’s Market. Only open Friday to Saturday, morning to early afternoon, don’t miss a visit to one of the UK’s best indoor markets. Find local crafts, antiques and fresh produce or hot foods for a cheap lunch.

AFTERNOON

Only a 5-minute walk from the market is Victoria Square Shopping Mall. While you might not be interested in shopping at the usual high street brands, there’s something else you might want to see. Head up in the elevator to the top floor. Here you’ll find a glass dome with 360-degree views of the city and surrounding hills. It’s especially nice on a sunny day.

Keeping the river on your right, walk along Victoria Street to spot the historic Albert Memorial Clock. Named after Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, the clock dates back to the 1860s. Keep walking to take a look around Belfast Cathedral (also known as St. Anne’s).

End the day with a visit to some of Belfast’s popular street art locations. Just around the corner from the cathedral, off Donegal Street, is the Belfast Trade Union mural. And further along the street, in Commercial Court, the pub-lined alley is covered with multi-colored umbrellas creating a masterful public art display. Very Instagram-worthy. As are the murals along the walls, showing some of Belfast’s famous scenes and people – including the legendary football player George Best.

EVENING

Top off your day by popping into one of the lively pubs along Commercial Court for a pint and some live music. I recommend a stroll back through the city center to one of Belfast’s oldest pubs, the The Crown Liquor Saloon. They have a generic pub menu, but the décor is fabulous, including the stained glass windows and carved wooden enclosed booths.

ALTERNATIVE IDEA FOR DAY 1

Don’t just walk everywhere aimlessly, why not opt for a Black Cab tour for a politically inspired tour of the city. Or a political walking tour. Both take a couple of hours at least, but are a great way to get to know the city from a local perspective.

DAY 2

Now you know the city a little more, it’s time to go further afield. Get some fresh air, see some beautiful and historic sites and end the day with a meal you won’t forget.

MORNING

Homecooked-feel breakfast, traditional Irish food, best head to Maggie Mays Belfast for a meal to keep you full until lunch. Their soda bread sandwiches or fancy pancake stacks are both incredible.

Make the journey to the Titanic Belfast museum, out by the shipbuilding docks on the other side of the river. You can walk it, or take bus #600 at least part of the way there. The museum takes at least 2 hours, but likely closer to 3 or 4. On the way, you can see different stained glass Game of Thrones murals, including the Iron Throne right next to the Titanic dock slipways.

At the Titanic Belfast museum learn about the building of the world’s most famous ship – and its fate. You can also see some of the artifacts recovered from the ship. This really is one of the top attractions in Belfast you won’t want to miss.

There’s a pub and a couple other eateries nearby, that you might want to go to for lunch when you’re finished. Or pack some snacks from the likes of Jeffers Home Bakery or Old Oven Door Bakery. Both are close to Maggie Mays.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Make sure to book your Titanic Belfast ticket in advance. They do sell out, and it is timed entry to spread visitors out within the museum. I’d suggest booking as early as you think you can make it after breakfast.

AFTERNOON

Past the city centre in the opposite direction is the Belfast Botanic Gardens. If it’s a nice day, this will make a great afternoon activity. While it might take the best part of an hour to walk there, or take transit, it is less than a 10-minute drive so I’d recommend taking a taxi if you don’t have your own car.

While you can spend time walking around the park on a nice day and seeing some of the beautiful flowers, there are alternative options depending on the weather. The Botanic Gardens are made up of two large greenhouses with lots of tropical plants and trees to see.

If you have extra time, I’d also suggest a visit to the Ulster Museum located within the Botanic Gardens park. There’s lots of great art and history – both industrial and natural. The Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens are both free to visit.

ALTERNATIVE IDEA FOR DAY 2

Not a fan of the “could they fit on the door” Jack and Rose debate, or not super into gardens? Why not swap out one of those activities for a trip to Belfast Castle. That’s right, Belfast has a castle. Bus route #1 will get you there in under 40-mins, or it’s a 15-minute drive from the city. Explore the castle and gardens for free.

EVENING

One of my favorite places to eat in Belfast was the Michelin-star restaurant, The Muddlers Club. Hidden down a little alley in the city center you can enjoy a multi-course tasting menu for under £100. A one-of-a-kind dining experience.

The cocktails are fantastic, even the mocktails. And the food was delicious, and the staff gave a great explanation of everything they brought. They have a vegetarian version of the tasting menu too, which I loved since most Michelin-star restaurants don’t seem to bother with that.

Spending longer than a weekend in Belfast?

Don’t limit yourself to only two days, for there’s much more to see here if you can spend the time. Not only with the alternative activities I mentioned above, but by planning some fun day trips.

Take a day trip to the Giants Causeway on the northern coast. Here you’ll find incredible natural hexagonal basalt columns forming a pathway out into the sea. It’s a very surreal place to see up close.

Take a Game of Thrones tour around some of the filming sites in Northern Ireland. The show shot a lot of scenes around here, and I’m sure you’ll recognize a few places.

Big fan of Derry Girls? Plan a day trip to Londonderry. It’s only 2 hours by train. It’ll make a long day, but still very interesting to see the old fortified city walls and so much history from the time of The Troubles.

Plan a day trip into the Republic of Ireland. You can easily take a train to Dublin. And while it is a bit of trek for a day trip, you can drive to Galway or the Cliffs of Moher for a short overnight stay. Most other places in Ireland, however, are also a bit far away to enjoy as a day trip.

Why choose a weekend in Belfast?

Belfast is a lively city if not a little rough around the edges. But that’s kind of what I liked about it. There are lots of things to see and do, and I found some great food – more than I was actually expecting.

The people I met were very down to earth and friendly, from the cab driver from the airport who gave me a mini tour on the way, to the helpful locals who pointed me in the right direction during my walks.

Belfast is a cheap city break alternative. Dublin can be really expensive, but Belfast has some good free activities and much cheaper food and drink.

I can’t wait to visit Belfast again. I felt very at home quite quickly. The city was incredibly walkable and I was a big fan of all the history. If you’re looking for a great weekend getaway from the UK, whether you’re visiting or live there, Belfast is the place.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you spent a weekend in Belfast? What did you think of the city and things to do there?