Know Before You Go: Guidance for travel in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Belfast is a city located in Northern Ireland that has seen extraordinary historic events echoed across its characterful streets. Book a trip to Belfast, learn all about the history and be sure to make friends with the locals in one of the city’s lovely pubs.
Have a Titanic adventure
Belfast was once one of the world’s greatest shipbuilding centres. Among the many magnificent vessels built in its shipyards was RMS Titanic. Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic-themed visitor attraction. Take a journey through the story of the RMS Titanic, her passengers and crew.
Take a Black Taxi Tour of Belfast’s political murals
Across Belfast, no fewer than 2,000 murals – considered the most famous political murals in Europe – document Northern Ireland’s history over the years. You can take a 90-minute tour in special black cabs, led by locals, to see what the walls of Belfast have to say.
Take a free peek at treasures from across the globe
See dinosaurs, an Egyptian mummy and modern masterpieces at Ulster Museum Norther Ireland's treasure house of the past and present. This extensive collection of art, history and natural sciences is free to all visitors.
Showtime at the Lyric Theatre
The award-winning Lyric Theatre taps into the very best of Northern Ireland’s talent – premiering new works by acclaimed playwrights and featuring some of its finest actors. The theatre is located on the banks of the River Lagan in the south of the city and is a work of art in of itself. Designed by Irish architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the building was shortlisted for the prestigious 2012 Stirling Prize for excellence in architecture.
Sample the local seafood
One of Belfast’s favourite restaurants, Mourne Seafood Bar, specialises in fresh local seafood at an affordable price in rustic surroundings. This winning formula means it’s very popular, so reservations are essential for dinner. If you miss out on the dinner reservations, you can try lunch, which runs on a first come, first-served basis.
Sample Belfast’s lively pub scene
There are excellent pubs and bars throughout the city, and Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter has a particularly great pick of characterful choices. Look out for McHugh’s Bar and Restaurant, which dates back to 1711. The Old Bar is full of historical objects and memorabilia, while the Basement Bar plays host to live gigs, or head to The Crown: one of the original Victorian 'Gin Palaces'.
Immerse yourself in art
The Metropolitan Arts Centre is Belfast’s cultural hub with 2 theatres and 3 art galleries, which host a changing array of exhibitions from international and British artists. The centre is also sure to be a hit for those with children – a family room offers a host of carefully selected books and creative activities for little ones.
Sample Northern Irish cuisine, language and culture
An arts and cultural centre housed in a former church in the Gaeltacht Quarter, Cultúrlann McAdam O Fiaich celebrates and fosters Irish culture with poetry readings, traditional and contemporary Irish music, exhibitions and ceilidhs. Its homely café-restaurant Bia is a meeting place for Belfast’s Irish language community.
Explore the character of the city
Belfast is a city of quarters, each with its own unique character and story to share. The oldest quarter and the city’s cultural heart is the Cathedral Quarter, characterised by cobbled streets and traditional pubs.
Escape to the past
Set in the rolling landscape overlooking Belfast Lough, visitors to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum will discover how people lived and travelled over the centuries. Wander through history, encountering costumed guides and passing cottages, farms, schools and shops. There are also horse-drawn carriages, electric trams, motorbikes fire engines and vintage cars.
