Belfast travel guide

Memory of Belfast

“The murals, partition remains and stories of the Troubles moved me to tears, while the people, the humour and the city's vibrancy had me smiling from ear to ear. It's this only city that's made me laugh, cry and sing all in the same breath.” 

Pleasance, London

The gateway to Northern Ireland

Belfast offers the buzz and vibrancy of a British capital city whilst being a gateway to the rural retreat of Northern Ireland. At the head of Belfast Lough, the city is compact and easy to travel get around, whether by car or on foot. And within a couple of hours of Belfast, you can marvel at tourist attractions like the Giant's Causeway  , walk the Mountains of Mourne or fish in Fermanagh – Belfast is the perfect location to discover what the rest of Northern Ireland has to offer!

Culture and heritage

The birthplace of the Titanic, Belfast’s industrial heritage has shaped a city steeped in culture. The great exhibitions at the Ulster Museum reveal the bigger picture of the city’s heritage and at Culturlann you’ll even get the people's stories. While you are in the area, take a tour of those world-famous political murals.

Attractions

Belfast is packed full of attractions to suit all ages and interests. Sitting on the slopes of Cave Hill, 400ft above sea level, Belfast Castle is a must-see. If you’re visiting the city with children, don’t miss  W5 , a great interactive museum with fascinating exhibitions. And in the summer, there’s no better place to relax than the Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park or Cave Hill Country Park.

Food and drink

Since local celebrity chef Paul Rankin first put Belfast on the culinary map, the culinary scene in Belfast has flourished. From Michelin Star excellence, upmarket city centre fusion restaurants, cosy neighbourhood brasseries, authentic Asian cuisine to traditional Irish pub grub – you’ll find something to suit all tastes and budgets in Belfast.  

Shopping

Belfast offers a wonderful array of shops. A must for all shoppers is the central shopping area, which runs from Donegall Place to Royal Avenue, and Lisburn Road in the south of the city boasts a trail of chic designer boutiques. But don’t limit yourself to the city centre – there are many fine shopping centres throughout the city and its suburbs.

Buy before you fly

There’s a lot to see and do in Belfast. So don’t waste time standing in queues, buy your travel passes and attraction tickets online! With the BritRail Pass + Ireland, you can hop on a train wherever and whenever you want and see the country at your own pace. For more great Belfast offers, go to VisitBritain Shop .