Being the biggest metropolis in Northern Ireland, Belfast has rather a lot going for it! With Michelin Star eating places, cool museums and a great deal of the perfect issues to do in Belfast, it’s the type of metropolis which is nice for a protracted weekend break.
Belief me once I say, Belfast is a type of locations that’s acquired rather a lot going for it.
Sure, it’d typically get missed in lieu of cities like Dublin or London but it surely has a attraction and environment that you just actually ought to expertise while you discover Northern Ireland.
So, to make your journey all that bit simpler, I needed to share among the finest issues to do in Belfast whenever you go to. All tried and examined, we scoured 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 price – however don’t really feel obliged to do all of it. Metropolis breaks are finest explored at your individual tempo and with no stress.
So, to make issues simpler, select a handful of issues to do and let the remaining fall into place.
Have a look, beneath, at the perfect issues to do in Belfast. Have the perfect 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 beloved strolling down Hill Road and Industrial Courtroom on the lookout for the perfect watering holes. Which, in hindsight was in all probability the reason for our sore heads the subsequent morning!
Anyway, for a extremely native and funky pub to go to, head to the Duke of York.
Crammed to the brim with memorabilia and a stunning environment, it’s the type of place the place you possibly can hunker down for a couple of hours and take heed to dwell music while having fun with a tipple.
Alternatively, for those who’re fancying making an attempt a ‘newer-fashion’ pub, head to the close by Soiled Onion and Yardbird that has dwell music and meals the place you possibly can spend a night filling your tummy.
Throughout Hill Road, you’ll discover a vary of bars, just like the Thirst Goat and the Muddler’s Membership that’ll all be vying on 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 possibly can seize a cocktail (or two) and take within the views throughout Metropolis Corridor that’s properly definitely worth the premium worth of the tipples.
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Northern Ireland
2.) Tour Belfast Metropolis Corridor
In all probability one in all Belfast’s most iconic buildings, Metropolis Corridor opened its doorways again in 1906.
In the present day, you possibly can 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-examine on their web site for up to date tour occasions and pop in earlier than to safe your house on the tour.
It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast – and completely free!
3.) Stroll across the Botanic Gardens
In all probability probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast, for nature lovers at the least, the Botanic Gardens are an important place that’s inside straightforward attain of downtown Belfast.
Established again in1828m, the Botanic Gardens is nestled proper subsequent to Queen’s College and inside straightforward attain of the Ulster Museum, too.
Residence to an enormous collection of crops and timber; together with hornbeam-oak, it’s the type of place the place you possibly can stroll for hours. Simply be sure you take a gander within the Palm Home and the Tropical Ravine.
Afterwards, you possibly can pop into Maggie Mays for a hearty brunch or the Barking Canine for an early dinner. We beloved it right here and made certain to have the complete three-course.
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Northern Ireland
4.) Go to Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Belfast is likely one of the finest 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 building, demise, and aftermath of the Titanic that sank again within the early 20th 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 excessive-class passengers to Titanic, it’s now a museum the place you possibly can be taught extra concerning 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 a wide range 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 Ireland’s evolution and worldwide and native historical past.
An amazing few hours may be spent inside and it’s an ideal respite for those who’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, be sure you pop over to the Queen’s College subsequent door.
The buildings are iconic and it’s properly price taking a wander across the grounds and popping within the customer 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 perfect environment for an early night chill.
With a studenty-vibe and lovely conventional decor, it’s an important place for a pint and a extremely good pizza that’s moderately priced.
7.) Go to the Crumlin Street Gaol
Now, it’s not typically 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 one in all Belfast’s most well-known spots to see and fairly attention-grabbing besides.
Housed in a 19th century Grade A listed constructing, the Crumlin Street Gaol is now open to for these with no prosecution hanging over their head. Take a tour inside and be taught extra concerning the web site, its inmates and what life was like inside.
Afterwards, ebook a desk on the Cuffs Bar & Grill which serves up some tasty native dishes which might be too good to overlook.
8.) Discover Belfast Fortress
Simply outdoors town centre, seeing Belfast Fortress is likely one of the finest issues to do in Belfast when departing town and heading additional up the shoreline.
With beautiful gardens and a completely stunning constructing to see, it’s the type of place to pop in for a wee little bit of time to discover the attractive grounds.
Simply bear in mind, the true magic is just from the surface in Belfast Fortress. As soon as inside, it’s been redeveloped as a venue so most of that citadel magic has been misplaced.
An amazing, transient, cease to go to when leaving Belfast.
9.) Stroll round St. George’s Market
St George’s Market is one in all 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 type of place that’s completely wonderful to go to.
We spent little bit of time wandering the stalls and even grabbed a couple of contemporary oysters from the shucker available in the market itself.
Should you love markets, you’ll simply discover this probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast and depart with a great deal of treats.
Additionally, for those who’re fancying a deal with, ebook a desk at Ox Belfast and take a look at their seasonal menu.
We completely beloved the dishes that’s such a fusion. We had grouse with figs and earl gray and it was scrumptious!
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Northern Ireland
10.) Discover St. Anne’s Cathedral
St. Anne’s Cathedral is the principle church of the Anglican Church of Ireland and probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast for those who love attractive structure.
Constructed again in 1899, it has probably the most attractive nave and baptistry ceiling that you must see, at the least for a little bit look. Plus, it’s very easy to go to for those who’re already heading to the MAC or Hill Road for all of the dwell music.
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 area that’s fairly distinctive. In a way, the exhibitions remind me of people who you’d count on within the Tate Fashionable in London. For sure, we beloved it!
As soon as inside, take a flick through the assorted exhibition rooms and discover among the finest up to date artwork in Northern Ireland. It’s a completely cool area and properly price a gander.
12.) Cave Hill Nation Park
Cave Hill Nation Park is well probably the greatest issues to do in Belfast for those who fancy a little bit trek into the wild. If that’s not you, steer properly 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 spot for strolling and a advisable place for hikers to discover.
Plus, you possibly can simply companion this up with a visit to Belfast Fortress on the similar time!
13.) Stormont
Your journey can be incomplete with out seeing Stormont.
The buildings as soon as served because the official residence of the prime minister of Northern Ireland and constructed within the Greek classical fashion that’s completely attractive. Sometimes open between 9 am-Four pm (weekdays), you possibly can tour the buildings (see official listings right 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.
Learn extra: Best issues to do in Northern Ireland
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