Ireland has a special place in my heart and I have visited this beautiful island 4 times already. Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way and a road trip in the South West made me fall in love with the cities, landscapes and the people. Belfast has a violent history that ended not that long ago: in 1998 to be exact. The years before 1998 are called “the Troubles.” During this civil war, unionists and nationalists fought a bitter battle over whether Ireland should become an independent nation or remain part of the United Kingdom. But oh my, a lot has changed since then. This Belfast City Guide covers everything you need to know: the best things to do in Belfast, the best boutique hotels, restaurants, pubs and day trips!

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View from Grand Central Hotel | Belfast City Guide

Nowadays Belfast is a bustling city with warm pubs, cosy hotels and beautiful street art. The people here are some of the friendliest I have met anywhere in the world. The weather during my visit was surprisingly great: we did not use our umbrella once and I think I even got a bit of a tan. In Belfast of all places!

Belfast City Guide: what to expect

Belfast is an important port city and famous for shipbuilding: this is where they built the Titanic! The city is also known for great restaurants, cosy pubs, tasty specialty beers and Guinness of course. Below you’ll find all my tips for this Belfast City Guide, from the best boutique hotels to the most memorable things to do in Belfast.

Street art by Australian artist Smug One | Belfast City Guide

Best boutique hotels in Belfast

Belfast has some seriously good places to stay, from design hotels to characterful boutique options. Here are my favorites.

– Click on the names for rooms and rates –

The Bullitt Hotel is where we stayed and it was a great choice. The rooms are comfortable and spacious, and the rooftop bar Babel serves killer cocktails with live performances every now and then. Very central, very fun. For something a little more design-forward, The Flint Hotel is one of the most talked-about new openings in the city, with a sharp interior and a great location. Also worth considering is Moxy Belfast City, a playful and affordable option if you want style without the splurge.

ROOMS & RATES THE FLINT HOTEL

My personal favorite for solo travelers and design lovers is Room2 Belfast Hometel. It sits somewhere between a hotel and a serviced apartment: beautifully designed, sustainable, with a great bar and kitchen. Perfect if you want to feel at home while traveling.

ROOMS & RATES ROOM2 BELFAST HOMETEL

Black Cab Tour & The Peace Wall | Belfast City Guide

Best things to do in Belfast

Belfast Political Taxi Tour

The single best thing to do in Belfast, and the one I recommend booking first. A local driver takes you through the city, past the murals and the Peace Wall, and tells you personal stories about the Troubles from someone who actually lived through them. Our driver was the brilliant Mr. Billy Scott. The Irish are great storytellers, and this experience will stay with you long after you leave. Book your Belfast Political Taxi Tour here.

BOOK THE BELFAST POLITICAL TAXI TOUR

Visit The Peace Wall

This huge wall, full of writing and street art, separates the Protestant neighbourhood from the Catholic neighbourhood. This is where most people were killed during the war. Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama wrote loving words on the wall, and so did we: “We are one.” Your Political Taxi Tour driver will take you here as part of the experience, which makes it even more powerful.

Visit the Titanic Museum

This impressive 32-meter-high museum is just as high as the Titanic itself and one of the biggest highlights of any Belfast City Guide. Inside you learn all about the history of Belfast and hear stories about the ship. It is an amazing experience with lots of interactive galleries and a 3D area that made me feel like I was actually on board. Book the Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit to make the most of your time there.

Belfast Walking Tour with a Local

If you prefer to explore on foot, a Belfast walking tour with a local guide is the perfect introduction to the city. You’ll hear the history, the craic and the stories that no guidebook covers. A great option for your first morning in Belfast.

Belfast City Highlights Bike Tour

Want to cover more ground? The City Highlights Bike Tour takes you past all the key sights at a relaxed pace, with a guide who knows exactly where to stop for the best views and stories. A fun and surprisingly easy way to see the city.

MY WILD ATLANTIC WAY ROAD TRIP

Titanic Distillers Connoisseur Tour

Housed in the original Titanic pump house, the Titanic Distillers tour and tasting is a brilliant combination of history and whiskey. Even if you are not a big whiskey drinker, the location alone makes it worth it. Pair it with a visit to The Friend at Hand shop for the best whiskey selection in the city.

Pub Crawl and Bar Walking Tour

Belfast takes its pub culture seriously, and the Pub Crawl and Bar Walking Tour includes two drinks and a local guide who knows all the best spots. A great way to spend an evening and meet other travelers. More on the best pubs below!

Day trip: Giant’s Causeway

No Belfast City Guide would be complete without mentioning the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage site is about 90 minutes from the city and absolutely worth a full day. The easiest way to go is on a Giant’s Causeway guided day trip from Belfast. Your guide handles everything and you’ll stop at some spectacular viewpoints along the way. Follow me on Instagram to see what this coastline actually looks like!

St. George’s Market

At this award-winning market you will find delicious food, beauty products, clothing and antiques. Go on a Friday or Saturday morning for the best atmosphere and the widest range of stalls.

St. George’s Market | Things to do in Belfast

High Tea at The Merchant Hotel

Like you would expect at a 5-star hotel, you get the royal treatment here. In this huge Art Deco space you feel like you’re going back in time. The cakes are almost too beautiful to eat. Fun fact: one of my favorite Netflix series, The Fall, was filmed here. Unfortunately I couldn’t find Jamie Dornan anywhere.

High Tea at The Merchant Hotel | Belfast City Guide

Explore Cathedral Quarter and check out the beautiful street art. Do not miss Hill Street! This is one of the best areas in the city, with lots of unique shops and pubs. Also worth a visit is University Quarter: the Ulster Museum, the Botanical Gardens and the beautiful Queen’s University campus, which looks suspiciously like a Harry Potter film set.

Special shops in Belfast

The Friend at Hand for the best whiskey selection in the world. No Alibis Bookstore for a great read. Co Couture for award-winning chocolate, the best in the city. Sawers for the oldest deli in Ireland, with a lot of delicacies. Enter at your own risk.

Coffee and restaurants in Belfast

Established Coffee is a great spot for a delicious flat white and a good work session. You can also grab your coffee to go if you’re on the move.

Best restaurants in Belfast

OX is a Michelin-starred restaurant by the water. We had an incredible 8-course tasting dinner here with a beautiful wine pairing and a meet-and-greet with the chef. The atmosphere is relaxed and the dishes are made with seasonal products from local suppliers. The fresh truffle, the Dory with Vanilla and the goat cheese dessert were all memorable in their own way.

Dishes at Restaurant OX | Belfast City Guide

Taylor & Clay at the Bullitt Hotel specialises in meat, with an Asador Grill and incredibly tender Wagyu Beef. Try the Espresso Martini too while you’re at it. Other great restaurant tips from our Political Taxi Tour driver Billy: Deanes, Holahan’s at the Barge, Harry’s Shack, Brunel’s, Mourne Seafood Bar, Coppi Restaurant and Ginger Bistro.

Best bars and pubs in Belfast

Best cocktail bars in Belfast

Babel at the Bullitt Hotel is a beautiful rooftop bar with a garden feel and very good drinks. Love & Death Bar is the number one cocktail spot in the city. The Tipsy Bird has a stunning interior. Grand Central Hotel Belfast has the highest cocktail bar in Ireland with an amazing view over the city; that is where I took the first photo of this Belfast City Guide.

Best pubs in Belfast

The Filthy Quarter is a spacious pub with live music and a laid-back vibe. The Dirty Onion is located in the oldest building in Belfast (1780) with a modern twist and a rotisserie upstairs. The Duke of York is the most famous pub in the city, right in the heart of Cathedral Quarter. Muriel’s Cafe Bar specialises in gin, while The Spaniard is all about rum. Other great options: The Perch, Fibber Magees, Bittles Bar, Sunflower, Kelly’s Cellar and The Crown Liquor Saloon.

Also travelling to other parts of Ireland? Read all about my Wild Atlantic Way road trip, my South West Ireland road trip and my Dublin city guide for more inspiration!

City Hall | Belfast City Guide

Belfast City Guide: Frequently asked questions

What is the best thing to do in Belfast?

The Belfast Political Taxi Tour is the single best experience in the city. A local driver takes you through the murals, the Peace Wall and the neighborhoods affected by the Troubles. It is personal, emotional and unlike anything else you can book in Ireland.

How many days do you need for Belfast?

Two full days is the minimum to see the main highlights. Add a third day if you want to do the Giant’s Causeway day trip, which is absolutely worth it.

What are the best boutique hotels in Belfast?

For design and atmosphere, The Flint Hotel is one of the best new options in the city. Room2 Belfast Hometel is perfect for solo travelers who want a more homey feel. The Bullitt Hotel remains a firm favorite for its rooftop bar and central location.

Is Belfast safe to visit?

Yes, Belfast is very safe for tourists. The Troubles ended in 1998 and the city has transformed enormously since then. The murals and the Peace Wall are now tourist attractions rather than symbols of active conflict.

What is the best day trip from Belfast?

The Giant’s Causeway guided trip is the most popular and for good reason. The UNESCO World Heritage coastline is spectacular and the drive there passes some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland.

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