The city is packed with things to do, but its compact size means you can cover it all in just a few days. Follow our insider’s guide to spending 48 hours in the city and discover the top things to do, see, eat and drink.


Step back in time at Victorian-era tourist attractions, learn about Belfast’s past on a walking tour and dive in to our maritime history in the Titanic Quarter. Or, take a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway and get a taste of the local food and drink scene in award-winning independent restaurants and pubs.

You can get to Belfast from around 20 different airports in Great Britain, with most flights taking just over an hour. If you’re coming from Dublin, Belfast is just two hours away by train, bus or car. And the city is full of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Browse our recommended places to stay then kick the weekend off using our 48-hour itinerary.

Day One

Grand Central Grand Cafef Breakfast3

Breakfast or Brunch

Time to get fuelled up for a busy couple of days! Start your trip with a big breakfast or brunch in the city centre. Go to the Great Room restaurant for a traditional Ulster fry in exquisite surroundings or if you are looking for something more laid-back, the National bar serves a contemporary brunch menu, with mouthwatering pancake stacks and eggs dishes.

Queens University Students9 Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall

Begin your Belfast adventure at the iconic city hall, which dates back to 1906. You can take a free tour inside, with tours running up to four times per day on a first come first served basis. Or simply stroll in the manicured grounds, see the Titanic Memorial Garden and take in the building’s exquisite architecture, which is often illuminated in different colours after dark.

Sightseeing Tours

Sightseeing tours are one of the best ways to see the city, and with loads of walking, taxi or bus tours on offer you’re spoilt for choice. Grab a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that will take you to all the major attractions; or learn about Belfast’s history on a guided walking tour. Pop into the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, opposite Belfast City Hall, to pick up a map for self-guided walking tours of the murals and peace walls, or take a black taxi tour. Want to explore the Causeway Coast? Book a coach tour to see the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Game of Throne locations with McComb’s Coach Tours These are usually full day tours, so will  take up most of your first day in Belfast.

shopping in victoria square

Shopping

Back in the city centre, there’s time to hit the shops before lunch. With two major shopping centres and plenty of small independent retailers, Belfast is a shopping haven. Find high street brands in CastleCourt, designer labels in Victoria Square and go to Born & Bred for local, handmade gifts and souvenirs.

Christmas Shoot 2020 Mother Family Fish City

Lunch

For lunch, go to the award-winning Fish City restaurant or Margot bar. Both are located in the city centre and serve creative, budget-friendly dishes.

Linen Quarter6

Explore the Linen Quarter

With beautiful, red-brick warehouses and a rich history worth stepping back into, Belfast’s Linen Quarter is a vibrant section of the city to explore as you walk off your lunch. Once the headquarters of Ireland’s global linen industry, the area now houses a wealth of international businesses and award-winning restaurants in its striking architecture. Spend the afternoon walking the Golden Mile from City Hall Gardens to Botanic Park, or give yourself a guided walking tour around the central attractions of this historic quarter.

big fish

Big Fish

Head to the Cathedral Quarter for dinner and evening drinks. But first, stop for selfie with the Big Fish. This giant sculpture celebrates the regeneration of the River Lagan and it’s covered in beautiful blue scales made up of ceramic tiles depicting scenes from the city’s history. Walk through Custom House Square, passing the leaning Albert Clock to Cathedral Quarter, the bustling hub of the city’s nightlife.

Belfast Traditional Music Trail

Dinner and Trad Sessions

For dinner, go to Muddlers Club for fine dining or Whites Tavern for Irish pub food. Mourne Seafood Bar specialises in fresh local seafood and Buba offers a colourful selection of eastern Mediterranean tapas. Then delve into Belfast’s pub culture and experience some traditional Irish music. The John Hewitt, Kelly’s Cellar, and Granny Annies all have regular trad sessions, which are perfectly paired with a pint of Guinness or local craft beer.

Day 2

St George's Market

St George’s Market

Start the day at St George’s Market (open on weekends), where you can choose breakfast from an array of local and international food vendors. Sink your teeth into a Belfast Bap, an Ulster Fry inside a soft white bap, whilst browsing antique, collectibles and crafts stalls.

Titanic Quarter

Spend most of the day in the city’s Titanic Quarter, where RMS Titanic was built and embarked on her ill-fated journey in 1912. Belfast has an interesting maritime heritage and you can discover it all in these docklands. Go to Titanic Belfast for a self-guided tour of the award-winning exhibition, stand in the footsteps of where the famous ship sat on Titanic Slipways and board Titanic’s tender ship SS Nomadic.

Lunch

For lunch, why not dine like you’re in first class at the multi-michelin-starred Novelli at City Quays, located in the AC Marriott Hotel, with beautiful views over the water. Or rest in Hickson’s Point at Titanic Belfast, where they serve locally produced food.

Spring 2021 Botanic Gardens Family

Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum

Spend the afternoon in Queen’s Quarter, the leafy surroundings of Queen’s University where you’ll find a host of restaurants, cafés and pubs. Stroll through the beautiful Botanic Gardens and visit the Victorian Palm House that dates back to 1828 and the contemporary Tropical Ravine. Next to the gardens is the Ulster Museum, Northern Ireland’s treasure trove of past and present where you can see everything from dinosaurs to a real Egyptian mummy! Refuel with a decadent meal in Deanes at Queen’s, hearty Italian in Villa Italia or Irish cuisine at Holohan’s Pantry.

Pint at Hilden Brewery

Hilden Brewery

Head to Hilden Brewery, Ireland’s Oldest Independent Brewery. Take their tour and taste  a great variety of beers they brew themselves. Perfect when partnered with food in their restaurant. If you are looking for heritage and charm alongside a fabulous experience then look no further.

Top Tips

Translink Metro Bus

Belfast Visitor Pass

Buy a Translink Visitor Pass from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre and get unlimited travel on local bus and rail services, plus special discounts on tourist attractions including Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol and hop-on hop-off tours.

belfast cathedral quarter commercial court

Neighbourhoods

Get your bearings with our quick guide to Belfast’s main districts, including the city centre, Cathedral Quarter, Titanic Quarter and Queen’s Quarter.

Read more

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