13 Best Things To Do In Belfast, Northern Ireland - Hand Luggage Only

Being the biggest metropolis in Northern Ireland, Belfast has quite a bit going for it! With Michelin Star eating places, cool museums and a great deal of the most effective 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 kind of locations that’s acquired quite a bit going for it.

Sure, it would generally get neglected in lieu of cities like Dublin or London but it surely has a attraction and ambiance that you just actually ought to expertise while you discover Northern Eire.

So, to make your journey all that bit simpler, I wished to share among the greatest issues to do in Belfast if you go to. All tried and examined, we scoured the town (tasting each tipple and gobbling each scallop) within the identify of analysis! 😉

Now, I’ve popped in a good few of the spots we actually fee – however don’t really feel obliged to do all of it. Metropolis breaks are greatest explored at your personal tempo and with no strain.

So, to make issues simpler, select a handful of issues to do and let the remainder fall into place.

Have a look, under, at the most effective issues to do in Belfast. Have the most effective 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 cherished strolling down Hill Avenue and Industrial Courtroom searching for the most effective watering holes. Which, in hindsight was in all probability the reason for our sore heads the subsequent morning!

Anyway, for a very 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 may hunker down for a couple of hours and take heed to dwell music while having fun with a tipple.

Alternatively, when you’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 may spend a night filling your tummy.

Throughout Hill Avenue, you’ll discover a vary of bars, just like the Thirst Goat and the Muddler’s Club that’ll all be vying to your consideration.

If it’s a drink with a view that you just’re after, head to The Observatory Bar that overlooks the entire metropolis.

From right here, you may seize a cocktail (or two) and take within the views throughout Metropolis Corridor that’s nicely well worth the premium value of the tipples.

2.) Tour Belfast Metropolis Corridor

Most likely considered one of Belfast’s most iconic buildings, Metropolis Corridor opened its doorways again in 1906.

At present, you may 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 instances and pop in earlier than to safe your house on the tour.

It’s the most effective issues to do in Belfast – and completely free!

3.) Stroll across the Botanic Gardens

Most likely the most effective issues to do in Belfast, for nature lovers at the least, the Botanic Gardens are an important place that’s inside simple attain of downtown Belfast.

Established again in1828m, the Botanic Gardens is nestled proper subsequent to Queen’s College and inside simple attain of the Ulster Museum, too.

Residence to an enormous collection of crops and timber; together with hornbeam-oak, it’s the form of place the place you may stroll for hours. Simply remember to take a gander within the Palm Home and the Tropical Ravine.

Afterwards, you may pop into Maggie Mays for a hearty brunch or the Barking Dog for an early dinner. We cherished it right here and made positive to have the total three-course.

4.) Go to Titanic Belfast

The Titanic Belfast is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Belfast that’s truly fairly new!

With 9 galleries unfold throughout six flooring, Titanic Belfast has a heap of exhibitions that tells the story of development, 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 additionally they host musical afternoon teas proper inside the Titanic Belfast itself! It’s truly 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 may be taught extra in regards to 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 quite a lot of totally different exhibitions that change seasonally and embody the whole lot from; dinosaurs, historic Egyptian artefacts, and fashionable masterpieces from all over the world.

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 when you’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 feel 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, remember to pop over to the Queen’s College subsequent door.

The buildings are iconic and it’s nicely price 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 most effective ambiance for an early night chill.

With a studenty-vibe and lovely conventional decor, it’s an important place for a pint and a very good pizza that’s moderately priced.

7.) Go to the Crumlin Street Gaol

Now, it’s not usually 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 Street Gaol is considered one of Belfast’s most well-known spots to see and fairly fascinating as well.

Housed in a nineteenth century Grade A listed constructing, the Crumlin Road Gaol is now open to for these with no prosecution hanging over their head. Take a tour inside and be taught extra in regards to the website, 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 might be too good to overlook.

8.) Discover Belfast Citadel

Simply exterior the town centre, seeing Belfast Citadel is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Belfast when departing the 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 beautiful grounds.

Simply remember, the true magic is just from the skin in Belfast Citadel. As soon as inside, it’s been redeveloped as a venue so most of that fortress magic has been misplaced.

An important, transient, cease to go to when leaving Belfast.

9.) Stroll round St. George’s Market

St George’s Market is considered one of Belfast’s oldest markets and usually 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 very good little bit of time wandering the stalls and even grabbed a couple of contemporary oysters from the shucker out there itself.

For those who love markets, you’ll simply discover this the most effective issues to do in Belfast and depart with a great deal of treats.

Additionally, when you’re fancying a deal with, e book a desk at Ox Belfast and take a look at their seasonal menu.

We completely cherished the dishes that’s such a fusion. We had grouse with figs and earl gray and it was scrumptious!

10.) Discover St. Anne’s Cathedral

St. Anne’s Cathedral is the primary church of the Anglican Church of Eire and the most effective issues to do in Belfast when you love beautiful structure.

Constructed again in 1899, it has probably the most beautiful nave and baptistry ceiling that it’s a must to see, at the least for slightly look. Plus, it’s very easy to go to when you’re already heading to the MAC or Hill Avenue for all of the dwell music.

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Afterwards, head to Mourne Seafood Bar that serves up among the tastiest (you guessed it) seafood in all of Belfast.

Simply ensure to order a desk on a weekend, it was actually busy after we went.

11.) Head inside MAC

Proper within the Cathedral Quarter space, MAC is Belfast’s artwork and efficiency house that’s fairly distinctive. Indirectly, the exhibitions remind me of people who you’d anticipate within the Tate Trendy in London. For sure, we cherished it!

As soon as inside, take a flick thru the varied exhibition rooms and discover among the greatest up to date artwork in Northern Eire. It’s a very cool house and nicely price a gander.

12.) Cave Hill Nation Park

Cave Hill Nation Park is definitely the most effective issues to do in Belfast when you fancy slightly trek into the wild. If that’s not you, steer nicely 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 a whole panoramic view of Belfast Metropolis. It’s a excellent place for strolling and a really useful place for hikers to discover.

Plus, you may 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 model that’s completely beautiful. Usually open between 9 am-4 pm (weekdays), you may 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.