Belfast

Travel Guide

Belfast City Hall which includes chateau or palace, a garden and heritage elements
Belfast City Centre showing markets, street scenes and signage
Victoria Square Shopping Centre featuring interior views and modern architecture
Stormont Parliament Buildings showing a statue or sculpture, a monument and an administrative buidling
Crown Liquor Saloon featuring nightlife, a bar and interior views

Belfast Travel Guide Video

The friendly capital of Northern Ireland has a fascinating history and is just an hour away from the country’s scenic Atlantic coastline.

Belfast is a traditional Irish city of political, cultural and historical significance and is surrounded by miles of natural beauty. There are less and less reminders of the tumultuous national conflicts that dominated the 1960s and ’70s and Belfast is now a safe, and popular, tourist destination. With less than 300,000 residents, Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland, but it’s not very urbanized. Walk the cobbled streets of the old center and visit castles and jails to travel back in time. The still quite traditional city has charm, but also has ultra-modern facilities, such as the Belfast Waterfront Hall, an entertainment and conference center along the River Lagan.Find maps and information at the Belfast Welcome Centre at Donegall Square, the central hub for shopping, entertainment and public transportation. Visit the nearby Crumlin Road Gaol or explore the historic Titanic Quarter to re-live the story from the ship’s fateful voyage that started in Belfast’s docks. Browse the iconic St. George’s Market or try a hearty potato dish in a typical Irish pub.Wander through the Belfast Castle, and hike Cave Hill while you are there, or enjoy the public park surrounding the Stormont Parliament Buildings.Explore the wider County Antrim area around Lough Neagh for an even more scenic nature experience. Drive north to the dramatic Atlantic coast to discover other popular attractions. Climb through the ruins of Dunluce Castle, visit the natural phenomena known as the Giant’s Causeway and tour the oldest licensed whiskey producer in the world: Old Bushmills Distillery.The downtown area of Belfast is compact and easily explored on foot. Travel outside the city using Belfast’s affordable public buses, or book a tour to see the coast. If you’d rather travel independently, car rental is readily available downtown and at Belfast’s two airports.Belfast has cool to warm weather in summer and rain year-round. Its winters are known to be windy, with sometimes heavy snowfall.

Where to stay in Belfast

Belfast City Hall showing heritage elements, a castle and heritage architecture

Belfast City Centre

4/5(6 area reviews)

Centred around Donegall Square, Belfast City Centre boasts the iconic Waterfront Hall, Victoria Square's commercial and leisure hub, and historic landmarks like Albert Clock and City Hall. Easily accessible via Belfast Suburban Rail stations.

Belfast City Centre
St. George\'s Market featuring food and markets

Belfast Central District

4.5/5(342 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Belfast Central District. Make a stop by Ulster Hall or Belfast Christmas Market while you're exploring the area.

Belfast Central District
Metropolitan Arts Centre featuring modern architecture and a city

Cathedral Quarter

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Developing arts and culture hub, the Cathedral Quarter offers artist spaces, cultural events, and performances at St. Anne's Cathedral. Must-visit spots include Custom House Square, Northern Ireland War Memorial, and the Metropolitan Arts Centre. Enjoy dining at The Muddlers Club or unwind at The John Hewitt pub.

Cathedral Quarter
Queens Quarter

Queens Quarter

4.5/5(99 area reviews)

Queens Quarter is a destination visitors seek out for is ample dining options, fascinating museums, and picturesque gardens. You might also want to check out attractions like Belfast Botanic Gardens or Ulster Museum while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Queens Quarter
Titanic Belfast featuring interior views

Titanic Quarter

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

Waterfront regeneration with historic maritime landmarks, Titanic Quarter offers the Titanic Belfast attraction, Catalyst Inc science park, and Belfast Harbour Marina. Accessible via Translink Metro Services and NI Railways.

Titanic Quarter
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Ormeau

5/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Ormeau, you might make a stop by sights like Belfast Botanic Gardens and Ormeau Park.

Ormeau
room2 Belfast Hometel
room2 Belfast Hometel
4 out of 5
32-36 Queen Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
$130 nightly
The price is $156 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$156 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (762 reviews)
Best in Belfast
"Super convenient location for walking to shops and sites. Comfortable rooms and great staff."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

room2 Belfast Hometel
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
5 out of 5
Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
$204 nightly
The price is $245 total per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
$245 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
"Great location and rooms were large and well kept"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
4 out of 5
20 Brunswick Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
$109 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$131 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,326 reviews)
"Great hotel close to new train station. Staff very helpful and food nice and fresh. Rooms really comfortable and quiet."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Maldron Hotel Belfast City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Ulsterville Residences
The Ulsterville Residences
3 out of 5
56 Ulsterville Avenue Lisburn road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Windsor Park are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
"The property was beautiful, and had everything we needed for our family of 4. Communication was excellent. Would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

The Ulsterville Residences
Cordia Serviced Apartments
Cordia Serviced Apartments
4 out of 5
Lisburn Road,355-367, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (174 reviews)
"Great apartment, clean, spacious, right next door to Tescos, 1 minute walk to the bus stop for transpirt direct to the city. Highly recommended"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Cordia Serviced Apartments
Student Only Great Patrick Street
Student Only Great Patrick Street
2 out of 5
28-30 Great Patrick St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and MAC Theatre are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Clean and tidy. Staff are helpful"

Reviewed on May 10, 2025

Student Only Great Patrick Street
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Belfast

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
184
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
137
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
33
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Belfast is a beautiful city excellent dining

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

In the four times I’ve been, I haven’t seen everything on my list. The city is a treasure chest of delights.

5/5 - Excellent

LMR

Loved Belfast, great sights, pubs, and museums!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

A black taxi cab tour is strongly advised for your stay in Belfast. It was phenomenal.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We were only there for one full day, mostly spent shopping. We are returning for three more days on this trip before we leave Ireland.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was a fantastic trip

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