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Belfast is full of intrigue. Small-scale and sociable, this bastion of creativity boasts colourful street art, a diverse music scene – it’s a UNESCO City of Music – and strong literary traditions. For many visitors, the city’s Titanic history is a big draw, but Belfast deserves a longer stay, where you can dig into its past, get to know its people and uncover its secrets.
Go beyond the grand Victorian buildings and cobbled alleyways of the city centre and you’ll encounter a Belfast that many rarely see. In the sun-dappled parks, riverside pathways and rugged hills surrounding the city, walking and cycling trails abound. Venture further still, and the beauty of Belfast Lough unfolds with delightful villages such as Whitehead, the lively city of Bangor and the impressive Norman castle of Carrickfergus.
With an excellent public transport system and connections by train to destinations around the lough, exploring around Belfast is not only easy, it’s a pleasure!
Getting to know the city
Want to get to know Belfast? Walk it. Immerse yourself in the city’s inspiring imagination on the Street Art Walking Tour, feel its pulse on the Belfast Traditional Music Trail, or take a deep dive into the artisan food scene with Taste & Tour.
Find out about the city’s political history on a Coiste Irish Political Tour, or learn about Belfast’s connection with the “Ship of Dreams” on the Titanic Trail, a self-guided walking tour from City Hall to the Titanic Quarter. Fancy a more general introduction to the city? Try The Best of Belfast with DC Tours. Afterwards, head to the Cathedral Quarter – home to traditional pubs such as The Duke of York, innovative art spaces such as The MAC and third-wave cafés like Established and Neighbourhood.
Inspiring landscapes and charming towns
Belfast sits at the head of Belfast Lough, an inlet of the North Channel linking the Irish Sea and the Atlantic. You can get a real sense of the city’s location on the edge of this deep expanse of water from the top of Cave Hill Country Park. Start at the 19th-century Baronial-style Belfast Castle, before following the trails and tracks that reach up to a craggy bluff known as Napoleon’s Nose. The park can be discovered under your own steam, but a rewarding way to experience it is on a hike with the Belfast Cavehill Walking Tour.
On the southern side of Belfast Lough, you’ll find the popular seaside resort of Bangor, a short hop from Belfast by train. This section of the north Down coast has an undiscovered feel and laid-back atmosphere, which makes it perfect for travellers looking for a quieter escape. Head to Bangor Castle Walled Garden, designed in the 1840s, before a visit to 6th-century Bangor Abbey. Or spend a lazy day exploring the North Down Coastal Path, which follows the pretty coastline.