With a lively cultural quarter, Victorian architecture, performance venues and art galleries bursting with original pieces, Belfast Central District packs a lot of attractions into its compact space.
One of the focal points of the city is Donegall Square with Belfast City Hall in its center. Take one of the free public tours of the beautiful baroque revival structure then visit the Titanic Memorial Garden, located alongside this civic building. The garden is dedicated to the more than 1,500 people who perished on the ill-fated liner, which was constructed in a Belfast shipyard.
From the square, walk down Donegall Place, one of the city's main shopping streets. The long avenue leads to Cathedral Quarter, a creative and cultural district centered around St. Anne's Cathedral, a neo-Romanesque church from the early 20th century. This lively area of bars, restaurants, hotels, galleries and street art was once Belfast's literary heart, home to several newspapers.
Explore the cathedral to see the baptistery's mosaic roof, a cross made of 600-year-old nails and the tomb of politician and judge Lord Carson of Duncairn. This is the only tomb in the cathedral. Located behind the church is The MAC Belfast, the Metropolitan Arts Center, which houses three art galleries and two theaters.
More cultural attractions await in Belfast Exposed, a contemporary photography gallery, and at the Belfast Print Workshop. Watch printmaking artists at work and participate in practical courses.
Stay in the quarter for early evening drinks and meals. There are lots of welcoming places to choose from, including The Dirty Onion. This pub is located in one of the oldest buildings in the city, a former warehouse with a history that stretches back to 1680.
For your evening's entertainment, see what's on at The Mac or book seats for a performance at the Grand Opera House or Waterfront Hall.
Although you can travel around Belfast Central District by car, dealing with traffic and parking can be difficult. Use buses, taxis or take advantage of the bike-sharing program. However, with many attractions close to each other, it may be easier to walk.
