Belfast Reimagined: Essential Experiences in Northern Ireland's Dynamic Capital
March 12, 2025 / 6 MINUTE READ
By Alice Lindeman
If there's a city that has truly undergone a renaissance in the last two decades, it is undoubtedly Belfast. And this transformation isn't just limited to art and culture; its reinvention spans urban regeneration, significant development, and notably, a booming tourism sector.
Combine this impressive revitalization with the city's gripping history, fresh creative energy, and the dramatic landscapes of the nearby coast, and it's easy to understand why Northern Ireland's vibrant epicenter has become one of Europe's coolest city break destinations. It's safe to say that Belfast now confidently rivals the likes of Dublin and Edinburgh for a premier British Isles getaway.
Top Activities in Belfast
With spring in the air, upcoming bank holidays, and city break season in full swing, it's time to shine a spotlight on Belfast. So, here are some of the best things to do in Belfast, covering everything from its Titanic heritage to its lively pub scene and iconic Game of Thrones filming locations. Let's explore!
1. Discover the Titanic Quarter The Titanic Quarter stands as Belfast's enduring pride and joy. Home to the magnificent £100 million Titanic Belfast museum, this area serves as a poignant homage to the city's unparalleled shipbuilding legacy. The museum building itself strikingly resembles four ship hulls, soaring to the height of the original Titanic's hull. Inside, nine immersive, interactive galleries meticulously narrate the story of the ill-fated liner, from its conception to its tragic demise. The experience even includes a captivating ride through a recreation of the shipyard where the vessel was constructed.
Don't miss visiting the actual slipways where both the Titanic and her sister ship, the Olympic, were built. The immense outline of the Titanic remains marked on the ground, offering a profound sense of her colossal scale.
2. Explore the Vibrant Cathedral Quarter If Belfast possesses a beating heart, it's undoubtedly the Cathedral Quarter. Named after the majestic St Anne's Cathedral, this network of cobbled streets has blossomed into the city's vibrant cultural hub. Commercial Court and Hill Street showcase some of Belfast's most frequently photographed street art. As a spectacle in itself, the Duke of York pub is an absolute must-visit. Inside, you'll discover an impressive collection of vintage advertisements and Belfast ephemera, meticulously curated by owner Willie Jack over 30 years, forming the pub's distinctive bric-a-brac interior.
The Cathedral Quarter truly comes alive after dark. Check out The Dirty Onion, housed in Belfast's oldest building, or The Harp Bar for authentic live traditional music sessions. If you're seeking craft beer, The Sunflower Pub's beer garden is where locals flock when the sun makes an appearance. During festival season, the Cathedral Quarter transforms, with events like the "Out to Lunch Festival" in January and the "Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival" in May showcasing the very best of Belfast's dynamic creativity.
3. Stroll Through Queen's Arcade Queen's Arcade is a charming Victorian shopping arcade that transports you back to a more elegant era of retail therapy. Dating back to 1880, it features ornate ironwork and glasswork that has remained largely unchanged for over a century. It houses a delightful mix of luxury boutiques and local independent retailers. Lunn's Jewellers, Northern Ireland's oldest jewelry establishment, sits alongside unique shops selling everything from artisanal chocolates to handcrafted souvenirs. Unlike the often-generic shopping centers that dominate most city centers, Queen's Arcade offers a captivating glimpse into Belfast's commercial past while actively supporting local businesses.
4. Take an Insightful Black Cab Tour Nothing provides a more profound insight into Belfast's complex history than a Black Cab Tour. These journeys take you through areas that bore witness to the worst of "The Troubles," the conflict that divided Northern Ireland for decades. Drivers, often with personal connections to the era, explain the powerful political murals that adorn the streets, offering an intimate perspective on a period that profoundly shaped modern Belfast. The tours typically include stops at both Loyalist and Republican areas, providing a nuanced context that no history book can fully capture.
5. Reflect at the Peace Walls Intrinsically linked to the Black Cab experience but also worth exploring independently are Belfast's Peace Walls. These imposing barriers, some reaching eight meters high, were erected to separate nationalist and unionist neighborhoods during The Troubles. Today, they serve as poignant open-air galleries, adorned with murals depicting everything from political statements to tributes to cultural icons. The International Wall on Falls Road regularly changes, reflecting current global issues. Leave your own mark by signing the wall alongside messages from figures like the Dalai Lama and thousands of visitors over the years.
6. Visit St George's Market Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market operates from Friday to Sunday, serving up local flavor in every sense of the word. Friday's variety market continues a tradition dating back to 1604. Saturday brings a vibrant food and craft market, where you can sample delicious Belfast baps stuffed with local bacon. Sunday combines food, crafts, and live music, making it the ultimate Belfast morning (and possible hangover cure!). The market's fish section showcases Northern Ireland's abundant coastal bounty. Try dulse—a local dried seaweed snack that's an acquired taste even for locals!
7. Board HMS Caroline In Belfast, you can embark on a voyage through time aboard a warship celebrated as one of the luckiest in history. HMS Caroline, a C-class light cruiser from World War I, famously survived the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and continued serving as a training vessel in Belfast until 2011. Now permanently docked in Belfast's Alexandra Dock, this meticulously restored ship offers a vivid glimpse into 100 years of naval life. Explore the captain's quarters, engine rooms, and mess halls, all while immersive audio installations recreate the sounds of battle and daily life onboard. The Caroline is also the last surviving ship from the Battle of Jutland, making her not just a Belfast treasure but a rare piece of global wartime history.
8. Discover the Ulster Museum Located within the lush surroundings of Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum offers a condensed yet comprehensive journey through Northern Ireland's natural, historical, and artistic heritage. The museum houses everything from dinosaur fossils to an ancient Egyptian mummy, but its true strength lies in its extensive collection of artifacts from Northern Ireland's past. The Troubles Gallery provides vital context to the conflict through everyday objects, while the art collection features works by local artists alongside international masterpieces. Best of all? Admission is completely free.
9. Hike Cave Hill For those needing to burn off all those delicious pub meals, Cave Hill is Belfast's most rewarding hike. This dramatic basalt outcrop overlooking the city is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift's classic novel, Gulliver's Travels. The most popular route begins at Belfast Castle, itself worth a visit, and takes approximately two hours to complete. Your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views extending across Belfast Lough, and on exceptionally clear days, you can sometimes even see as far as Scotland.
10. Experience the Game of Thrones Studio Tour Just a 30-minute drive from Belfast, you'll find Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, home to the official Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Northern Ireland served as a primary filming location for HBO's epic fantasy series, and this immersive experience showcases original sets, costumes, and props from the show. Walk through Winterfell, King's Landing, and "beyond the Wall" while learning about the incredible craftsmanship that brought Westeros to life. For devoted fans of the series, it's well worth leaving Belfast for a few hours to experience the sheer scale of this production.
Getting Around Belfast
Belfast is a compact city, with most attractions within easy walking distance of each other, especially in the city center. For longer journeys, Metro buses provide extensive coverage across the city. Black cabs are plentiful and reasonably priced for shorter trips. The Glider, Belfast's Bus Rapid Transit system, connects east and west Belfast with the city center on a dedicated route, offering an efficient way to get around.
Stay Connected with an eSIM from RoAmigo
Whether you're using map apps to navigate historic streets or sharing your adventures on social media, reliable mobile data is an absolute must. eSIMs from RoAmigo offer a simple way to stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards. Head over to the RoAmigo store, select and install the best eSIMs for Ireland (which covers Northern Ireland), and enjoy hassle-free connectivity on your travels.
Alice Lindeman is a Canadian content specialist who loves connecting with audiences through strategic storytelling.