48 Hours in Belfast

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.