Belfast, Antrim – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and the second largest on the island of Ireland. Situated on the east coast in County Antrim, the city became a focal point during the period known as the Troubles. Many tourists once avoided Belfast due to safety concerns but in recent years its popularity has risen again. Social media now paints it as a cultural hub with great pubs and excellent shopping but is there more to this city than boozers and shops?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: Belfast is well-connected by bus and train to several locations.

The best method of getting here from Dublin is via the Aircoach bus which also stops at Dublin Airport and costs around €26 return. Translink offer brilliant bus connections within Northern Ireland with the 212 route linking the city to Derry in just 2 hours, for €25 return.

The Enterprise Dublin to Belfast train connects the cities in 2 hours for just €14 for a single ticket. If travelling from Derry the Belfast to Derry Railway Line connects the two cities in 2 hours for around €17 each way.

Aircoach Dublin to Belfast Bus Tickets

Accommodation options are endless here. B&Bs and hostels like the Vagabonds Hostel offer cheap city-centre options for the more budget-conscious.

For a luxurious glamping experience check out the Belfast Lodges where you will have your very own private hot tub! Although located just 15 minutes by car from the city centre, the lodges are secluded and surrounded by green countryside. It’s the perfect getaway for couples to chill and enjoy a takeaway while watching Netflix on your very own projector screen!

Check out Vagabonds Hostel

Book the Belfast Lodges

There are lots of excellent hotels to be found. Many are located in close proximity to each other to the southwest of City Hall. To combine grandeur and history book the 4-star Europa Hotel, where you will be treated like a VIP. This extraordinary building has the accolade of being the most bombed hotel in the world! It was hit an astonishing 36 times during the Troubles but those days have thankfully passed!

Europa Hotel Deals

This is an incredible city for foodies. Nu Delhi is a high end Indian restaurant situated near the Europa Hotel. Prices are high but you are definitely getting the best of the best here combined with a superb setting. The highlight for us is the succulent Punjabi Butter Chicken. They also offer an extensive takeaway menu which is a little cheaper.

For traditional Irish food look no further than The Hercules Bar on Castle Street. This atmospheric haunt serves wholesome Irish food at very good prices with the trademark Hercules Burger our favourite.

The Common Market offers something drastically different. This groovy street food market hosts food trucks offering global cuisines like Mexican, Filipino, Greek or even Canadian poutine. Bars here sell pints and cocktails which means it can get very lively, but you can take your food outside if you just want to chill. We found it a little odd that there is a £2 entrance fee here but it’s still worth it.

Hot Beverages: Belfast is filled with vibrant places to enjoy a coffee and a chat! The flat iron building in the city centre is home to The Pocket, a lively café serving great food and tasty brews. The attractive setting and friendly staff are complimented by sensational grub. Established Coffee is another great café that serves simple food and marvelous coffee in a great setting.

Alcohol: The thriving nightlife scene here boasts some of the best bars in the country. Head to the Cathedral Quarter after dark to see the best the city has to offer.

The Duke of York is an gorgeous setting for a creamy Guinness or a whiskey from their vast collection. The memorabilia lining the walls makes this place a sight to behold while you enjoy the live music. It’s located on the scenic Umbrella Street which is a fabulous place to enjoy a pint on a sunny day. Dirty Onion is a great option for large groups looking for food and drinks thanks to their massive beer garden.

Tetto at the Bullitt Hotel is a beautiful (but expensive) cocktail bar offering brilliant views out over the city. Prices are sleep but the cocktails are tasty and the vibes are tremendous.

Visit from June to August to get averages of around 18 degrees. September through March sees high levels of rainfall although even the summer weather is very unpredictable!

Travel on Foot: Although the second largest city on the island, Belfast is compact and definitely best explored by foot. Roads and footpaths are well laid out and artists and musicians take to the many pedestrianized streets which adds to the walking experience. Many of the inexpensive hotels are near the city centre which furthers the argument for walking.

Public Transport: Although connected to various parts of the island by train, once you get to the city itself you will be relying on your feet, taxis and buses. Belfast is awash with black cabs, similar to those famously seen in London. These can be booked handily via apps like FonaCab. Translink operate an efficient Metro bus service throughout the city which accept contactless payments on board.

Vehicle Hire: Don’t hire a car unless you plan on driving the Causeway Coast route or visiting other activities away from the city centre. There are lots of car hire providers available although many of the main streets are pedestrianized. Sign up for a Belfast Bikes 3-day membership instead for just £6. You can drop the bikes off at any of the 50 docking stations throughout the city and they offer a superb method of seeing the sites.

The Cathedral Quarter is the main nightlife area in the centre of the city. The North’s answer to Temple Bar is much more authentic as well as being much less pricey! By day the cobbled streets are filled with history and street art. However at night the area bursts into life with the rumbles of laughter and fun from its restaurants and pubs spilling out onto the streets. If it’s sunny grab a pint at the Duke of York and drink it on the pretty Umbrella Street.

A 30 minute walk south of the city you’ll find the Botanic Gardens, a free-to-use public park hosting festivals, concerts and incredible flora. Before visiting this 28 acre park have a look at the magnificent Queen’s University at its entrance, students of which contribute to the relaxing vibe around the gardens. Must-see sights in the gardens include the rare plants of the Palm House and the wheelchair accessible Tropical Ravine. There is also a fantastic rose garden here that shouldn’t be missed!

This is possibly the best city on the island in terms of atmosphere and things to do. There are so many great attractions and the inner city is teeming with street performers cheered on by adoring children. There is no better place in Ireland for a family day out; be it for shopping, food, or just some fun.

The pedestrianization of the central streets has led to wonderful areas developing that are perfect for exploring by foot. A jovial atmosphere mingles well with the historical feel of a city that doesn’t shy away from its past, as seen in its many murals. Dive into the historical activities on offer while showing respect for the religious divide that plagued the city in the past.

Although a great shopping town by day many stores shut their doors at 6pm sharp on a Saturday. A buzzy nightlife then takes centre stage led by an incredible pub scene in a city that provides something for everyone.

Follow our Food and Drink section to find some of the best points to visit on an unforgettable pub crawl.

If the pubs named above don’t suit your needs then check out The Spaniard or The Harp Bar for some more traditional fun. The Crown Liquor Saloon on Victoria Street offers something completely unique, sending you back to Victorian times with its wooden booths. Although there are upbeat pubs aplenty in this hen party capital of the north, there are also quality boozers for a quiet pint away from the ruckus.

A 20 minute walk from the city centre, Titanic Belfast has been one of the city’s most visited attractions since opening in 2012. Located at the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in which the Titanic was built, this immersive experience tells the stories of the Titanic and the people that perished on it. It features a cool ride aboard a mini-car, a chance to board SS Nomadic (the last remaining ship in the White Star Line) and many more brilliant attractions.

Tickets cost €29 for an adult for a self-guided and accessible experience that includes access to the SS Nomadic. The Titanic Experience opens everyday from 9am to 6pm.

Buy Tickets for the Titanic Belfast Experience

This covered market on May Street was completed in 1896 and is home to over 300 traders selling crafts and delicious bites to eat. Enjoy a coffee or a burger while listening to wonderful live music before browsing the unique crafts and antiques on offer. Soak in the bustling energy of the place as locals and tourists alike go about their business in one of the best markets on the island.

The Victorian era Crumlin Road Gaol is a former prison built in 1845 and shut in 1996. It is situated on Crumlin Road around a 20 minute walk from the city centre. The self-guided gaol experience costs €17 for an adult and includes videos with audio aids available throughout the site. You will get to explore the c-wing and enter the tunnel that connects the gaol to the courthouse, as well as seeing the condemned cell where 17 men were executed.

Although a great experience for those interested in prisons, it’s possibly a tad boring for children.

Purchase Crumlin Road Goal Self-Guided Tour Tickets

Many visitors are unaware of the extent of the Troubles that once plagued the city. Paddy Campbell’s Black Cab Tours are the ultimate way to fill in any knowledge gaps on those turbulent times in a fun and insightful way. Of their many offerings, it is the Political Murals Tour that has become the most famous.

For £50 for two people a classy black cab will pick you up at any destination in the city for free. Your charming driver will be brilliant fun but they won’t let you know which side of the community they hail from, making this an extraordinarily unbiased experience. Sit back and relax while you learn about the Troubles from the 1960s to the present day. You’ll see beautiful political murals, prominent sites like the Falls and Shankill Roads and even Belfast’s own version of the Berlin Wall. The trip takes 1 hour 30 mins but you will definitely wish it was longer.

Book Paddy Campbell’s Black Cab Tour Tickets

Drive for 15 minutes from the city centre to find Belfast Zoo, set across 55 acres and home to over 110 species. This excellent zoo opens until 6pm each day during the summer with last entry at 4:30pm. Adult tickets cost £13.50 if bought online which is very cheap and £1 cheaper than if bought at the gate.

You can witness various animals being fed throughout the day so keep an eye on the feeding-times schedule given to you on arrival. Facilities include cafés, playgrounds, toilets and a souvenir shop and those with accessibility issues can book a Zoomobile in advance, a buggy that carries one wheelchair user and four non-wheelchair users. You will be driven around by a nice member of staff but it is subject to availability so book it well in advance.

Stormont is the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly and its grounds are free to visit and stunning to explore on a pleasant day. Park at the gates of the estate and make your way up the stunning Prince of Wales Avenue towards the parliamentary building itself. Free tours of the government buildings are available on certain weekdays but it is the surrounding estate that makes this one of the best free things to do in Belfast.

There are idyllic trails, playgrounds, monuments and picnic areas to be explored here but our personal highlight is easily the dog park! Even if you don’t have a pet with you, wander into the dog park and enjoy playing with the many pooches that frequent it. Just be sure to lock the gate after you!

The grounds of Stormont are open until 9pm each night.