5-day city and coast itinerary: Dublin and Belfast

History is always by your side in Dublin – from the city’s Viking roots to its grand 18th-century architecture. At the Book of Kells Experience in Trinity College, journey back to the 9th century and see one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures. The exhibition explores the renowned illuminated manuscript and includes a visit to the Long Room, one of the world’s most impressive libraries.

 

Outside, Trinity’s captivating cobblestoned campus awaits, with its leafy squares, grand architecture and iconic 19th-century campanile. Take a Trinity Trails guided walking tour, and you’ll hear stories about past alumni, including Dracula author Bram Stoker and wit extraordinaire Oscar Wilde, while discovering architectural gems, such as the Museum Building.

 

A short walk from Trinity are two of Dublin’s top attractions: the National Gallery of Ireland, featuring work by Irish and international artists, and the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, where you’ll find an astonishing collection of prehistoric goldwork. Want to delve into Dublin’s contemporary creative energy? Try a Street Art Walking Tour by Alternative Dublin or spend the afternoon crafting your own Claddagh ring at Dublin Silver Works.

Dublin is a hotbed of culinary creativity, and there’s never been a better time to discover its food scene. From old-school tea rooms and third-wave coffee shops to cutting-edge restaurants offering sharp new takes on Irish classics, the city retains a distinctive edge when it comes to food. Nowhere captures that energy quite like Drury Street, with its colourful array of food-focussed bars, hip cafés and the super-popular Loose Canon, serving natural wines and local cheese.

 

For a unique Dublin food experience, try the tiny Assassination Custard, known for its seasonal dishes and distinctly Irish atmosphere, or settle in for an upscale lunch at destination restaurants such as Library Street, Comet or Delahunt, housed in a spectacular Victorian building. Looking for something more low-key? You’ll find a perfect mix of historic architecture, cosy vibes and great food in gourmet pubs such as The Legal Eagle, L Mulligan Grocer and Ryan’s of Parkgate Street, all set within beautiful 19th-century surroundings.

 

Want an inside look at what makes Dublin’s food scene tick? Join The Walking Food Tour with Kevin Adams, which reveals the city’s food scene from the inside out.

Dublin may be a top European destination for great food, but the city has long led the way with great drinks. One of the world’s most famous stouts, Guinness, was born here, and the best way to discover its story is by visiting the Guinness Storehouse.

 

The Liberties district, where the Storehouse is located, is an authentic and characterful area where you’ll also find several whiskey distilleries offering tours, including Teeling, Pearse Lyons and Roe & Co. For more whiskey history, make your way across to Smithfield and visit the Jameson Distillery, where you can try a whiskey cocktail-making class, or head to the Irish Whiskey Museum for exhibits, tours and a tasting room.

As day turns to night, Dublin comes alive. Experience the best of the city’s traditional music scene with a musical pub crawl, or head to pubs such as O’Donohue’s, the Cobblestone and Pipers Corner for great live tunes and buzzy vibes.

 

Want to keep it upscale? Why not book in for an evening of gourmet delights at a top Dublin restaurant? Choose from the two-starred Chapter One, enjoy dinner with canal views at elegant Lena in the hip neighbourhood of Portobello, or head to Frank’s on Camden Street Lower for biodynamic wines and seasonal dishes in an old butcher’s shop.

Dublin is a green city at heart with generous parks framed by beautiful 18th-century architecture. Spend the morning strolling through St Stephen’s Green or Merrion Square, soaking up the leafy tranquillity, laid-back park life and the rows of graceful Georgian buildings.

 

Afterwards, drop in for coffee and cake at Margadh RHA, a small, but beautifully airy café and restaurant at Dublin’s Royal Hibernian Academy gallery, surrounded by the grand Georgian buildings of Ely Place. Or try The Commons Café in the basement of the Museum of Literature Ireland on Stephen’s Green.

If you have more time, it’s worth sticking around Dublin to explore some of its gorgeous coastline. Hop on the Dart (train) and travel the sweep of Dublin Bay to uncover charming villages filled with living history, fantastic food and great craic – all just a short ride out of town.

 

Head north to the village of Howth, with its great seafood restaurants and cliff walk. Travel south to discover castles and heritage in the pretty village of Dalkey, or enjoy seaside strolls on the Victorian pier in Dún Laoghaire. When you’ve had your fill, it’s time to head to Belfast.

 

Luckily, getting there from Dublin couldn’t be easier. Frequent trains leave from Connolly Station in the centre of town and take around 2 hours 15 minutes to reach Belfast – it’s best to book your ticket in advance.

 

It’s a beautiful journey along the coast, with views of the Irish Sea and a patchwork of green fields out the window. You’ll arrive in the very heart of Belfast city at the newly-built Grand Central Station.

 

Pick up a Belfast Visitor Pass, which offers 1, 2 or 3 days of unlimited travel on the city’s public transport network, as well as discounts and offers on some attractions and tours.

Once in Belfast, make your way to the Cathedral Quarter for lunch. This buzzing creative district is a hotbed of excellent places to eat, from the cheap and cheerful Yardbird, which specialises in rotisserie chicken, to the elegant surroundings of Waterman House.

 

One of the oldest parts of the city centre, the Cathedral Quarter was rediscovered by creatives and restaurateurs in the early 21st century, who helped transform it into an arty, diverse and dynamic area. Today, the mix of forward-looking art spaces, such as The MAC, and historic architecture, such as the neo-Romanesque St Anne’s Cathedral, makes it one of Belfast’s hippest neighbourhoods.

 

Take some time to explore the knot of streets, packed with galleries, pubs, studios, cafés, a music centre and even a circus school. Drop in for a spot of whiskey shopping at The Friend at Hand; take a pic at the famous “Umbrella Lane”; and explore contemporary photography exhibitions at Belfast Exposed.

 

The Cathedral Quarter is also home to some of Belfast’s best pubs, from the live-music hub of John Hewitt to the much-loved Duke of York, packed with memorabilia.

 

Finish the day with dinner at one of Belfast’s top restaurants. Go Michelin-starred at Ox or The Muddler’s Club; opt for contemporary creative excellence at Edo or Beau; or enjoy classic seafood dishes at the Mourne Seafood Bar.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, the best way to start the day is with a trip to St George’s Market. Dating back to the late 19th century, the market is a joyous cornucopia of scents, sounds and sights, from the comforting aroma of freshly cooked bread to the sizzle of sausages from The Belfast Bap.

 

After breakfasting here, take a walk over to the Titanic Quarter and check out Titanic Belfast. Housed in the location where the ship was built and launched, this impressive museum details the vessel's story, from its conception through to its maiden voyage.

 

You can stroll by the water along the Maritime Mile, or if maritime history excites you, there are two ships to visit here: SS Nomadic, Titanic’s tender ship, and the HMS Caroline, a World War I vessel. Also worth a visit is the Titanic Dry Dock and Pumphouse, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering. Take a tour with Titanic Distillers to fully explore the immense dry dock, or opt for a tour of the Pumphouse, now home to their working distillery.

 

Want to keep the Titanic theme going? Stop for lunch at the Titanic Hotel, where history comes to life in the original drawing offices of Harland & Wolff, designers and builders of the Titanic.

After lunch, spend some time exploring Belfast’s creative side. This UNESCO City of Music is home to one of the most dynamic and diverse music scenes on the island of Ireland. From traditional tunes to cutting-edge sounds, its music culture comes alive in its pubs, venues, and streets.

 

Join the Belfast Trad Music Trail (Saturdays) or try one of the musical walking tours from the Oh Yeah Music Centre. If you come in August, don’t miss Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – the largest celebration of traditional music on the island and the perfect way to tune into the city’s rhythm.

 

Meanwhile, the Cathedral Quarter is the go-to for crafts and original artworks, including pieces at the Craft NI shop and the Belfast School of Art shop. Drop into Kindred of Ireland for beautiful Irish linen, or try Maven for super-cool homewares. The perfect way to bring a piece of Belfast home with you.

For a dose of culture, head to the Ulster Museum, set within a 19th-century building and boasting everything from Spanish Armada treasures to local Belleek pottery. Just beside the museum are Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, famed for their elegant 19th-century Palm House and Tropical Ravine. Entry to both is free.

If your idea of perfection is trays of exquisite pastries, perfectly crafted sandwiches and freshly baked scones, then an afternoon tea in Belfast is an experience not to be missed. One of the best places to enjoy it is The Great Room at the Merchant Hotel. This opulent and ornate space features an original Victorian interior, a glass cupola and a glittering chandelier. The hotel is also home to Bert’s Bar, a popular jazz spot that makes a nice place for a pre-dinner aperitif or a more leisurely evening meal.

Today, you can explore the world-famous Causeway Coastal Route, either on a guided tour or a self-drive adventure. Tour-wise, there are several options, but one of the most comprehensive is with McComb’s Coach Travel, which leaves Belfast at 8.30am, returns at 6pm, and takes in all the top sights.

Departing Belfast, the first stop is Carrickfergus Castle for a photo. Built in the 12th century, the castle boasts a stunning location on the shores of Belfast Lough – it’s a scene-stealing spot. Then it’s time to hit the Causeway Coastal Route proper.

 

Featuring a glorious mix of remarkable geology, pristine beaches and rolling green glens, the scenery of this part of the north Antrim coast is truly spellbinding. A stop at Carnlough Harbour gives a chance to appreciate one of the coastline’s most authentic fishing villages, set at the foothills of Glencoy, one of the nine Glens of Antrim.

 

Next, it’s on to the Cushendun Caves, a filming location for Game of Thrones®, before a stop at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge for a photo. Suspended 30 metres above the ocean between Carrick Island and the mainland, the bridge is one of the most spectacular sights along this stunning coastline.

After lunch, it’s time for the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Epic, memorable and lashed by Atlantic waves, the Causeway boasts 40,000 or hexagonal-shaped stepping stones, which date back to a volcanic era around 60 million years ago. From the visitor centre, an enjoyable walk of just under a kilometre will bring you down to the Causeway itself, where you can hop over the stones, explore the surrounding hills, or just sit and contemplate the puzzling geology that has led to one of the most remarkable natural sites in Europe.

 

The coastline continues to pile on the majestic sites with Dunluce Castle next. Perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, the castle was first built around 1500. After a short stop here, the tour continues onto The Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Finally, just before heading back to Belfast, you’ll get to see the Dark Hedges, another Game of Thrones filming location. Planted in 1775, this tunnel of beech trees is a visual treat and is even said to be haunted.

 

Back in Belfast, opt for a relaxed pub dinner at Kelly’s Cellars, a classic Victorian-style spot that serves traditional dishes like Irish stew. Kelly’s is also a perfect spot to enjoy some music and is one of the oldest bars in Belfast.

If you are doing a self-drive along the route and you’re not short of time, it’s definitely worth spending longer here and discovering everything the coastline has to offer. With lots of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track locations, it’s a place that rewards the curious. Great additional stop-offs include The Gobbins, where you can enjoy a “walk-on-water” experience along coastal cliffs.

 

There’s also Glenarm Castle & Garden, an ancestral estate of the Earls of Antrim, and Torr Head – a magnificent, rugged headland that boasts spectacular views across to Scotland.

 

And for a memorable experience, why not hop on a local ferry and sail across to Rathlin Island? This picturesque island off the Causeway Coastal Route is a joy for birdwatchers, history buffs, walkers and anyone looking to experience authentic island life.

Kick off your final day with breakfast at Established Belfast, one of the Cathedral Quarter’s most popular coffee shops, before uncovering a personal side to Belfast with a Black Taxi Tour. With a knowledgeable driver as your guide, each tour will take you through a different aspect of the city's history, from political murals to top sights.

 

With your trip at an end, it’s possible to catch a flight from one of Belfast’s two handily located airports. Alternatively, hop on a train back to Dublin or catch one of the frequent bus services from Belfast city centre direct to Dublin airport (Aircoach or Dublin Express) with a journey time of less than two hours.