Belfast in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Belfast is the most important city in Northern Ireland and also the capital of the country, which is part of the United Kingdom. Due to its hectic political life, it is also one of the most interesting destinations in the region and, in turn, offers a large number of museums, cultural exhibits and murals that expose the idiosyncrasies of this place.

Among the best things to do in Belfast in 3 days are visiting St. George's Market, seeing the Titanic Museum, attending a show at the city's Grand Opera House, taking a trip to the Giant's Causeway, discovering the bars of Cathedral Quarter, seeing Belfast Castle, touring the Ulster Museum and relaxing in the Botanic Gardens.

Belfast is one of the most traditional cities in the United Kingdom, so for the first day I propose a tour of its most popular circuit, which includes the murals of the city center, the Titanic Museum, which is one of the most popular in Europe, and a visit to the picturesque St. George's Market. You can also close the first day with a show at the Belfast Grand Opera House.

Take a tour of the city's murals

Exploring Belfast's murals has become one of the most traditional and enriching experiences this city has to offer. These murals, which began to be developed in the 1960s, are artistic and social testimonies that narrate the history and complexity of the conflicts in Northern Ireland, so they not only offer a visual journey, but also a sample of the culture and identity of the Northern Irish capital.

During the tour, which you can do on your own or as part of some of the best tours of Belfast, you can discover from symbolic representations of the resistance to artistic expressions that reflect the reconciliation between unionists and republicans. In addition, the mural tour of the old part of the city will also take you to the Peace Wall, a dividing wall that was built to appease the clashes between the two factions.

The mural route also offers the opportunity to explore historic neighborhoods such as the Falls Road and the Shankill Road, home to some of Northern Ireland' s most iconic street art.

Peace Wall, the epicenter of Belfast's murals, can be reached by buses on the 10a, 10b, 10h, 11a, 11b, 11c and G1 lines, although if you opt for the guided tour, private transportation is usually available.

Visit St. George's Market

After the morning tour of Belfast's mural circuit, I suggest a visit to St. George's Market, which is located in the heart of the city and is a culinary gem that offers a unique lunchtime experience. Founded in 1896, this market is one of the oldest in Ireland and has maintained its historic charm despite the changes in the Northern Irish capital.

Here you will find stalls offering fresh produce and gourmet preparations, including cheeses, breads and also seafood and organic products, which are typical of the local gastronomy. In addition, in this market you will also find live performances by street artists and local musicians, as well as craft stalls.

St. George's Market is also a very popular place during the gastronomic tours of Belfast and becomes a themed market during Christmas in the Northern Irish capital.

From Peace Wall you can reach St. George's Market on bus lines 1a, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3f and 3h in approximately 20 minutes.

See the Titanic Museum and visit the SS Nomadic

Visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast is one of the must-do activities in the city, so during the afternoon of the first day I propose a tour of this site, which reflects the connection between local maritime history and one of the most iconic ships of all time. Located on the site where the famous ocean liner was built, this museum tells the story of the ship from its planning to its tragic sinking in 1912.

During your visit you can explore interactive exhibits, view original artifacts that were salvaged from the seabed and get a detailed look at life aboard the ocean liner. In addition, you can also tour the SS Nomadic, the only surviving ship of the White Star Line fleet, which included the Titanic.

The SS Nomadic, which served as a tender for the transfer of passengers from the harbor to the Titanic, offers a unique glimpse into the golden age of international shipping. The museum's modern architecture, which evokes the shape of an iceberg, is also intimately connected to the history of the shipwreck.

From St. George's Market you can reach the Titanic Museum on the 5a, G2, 12, 94, 511 and 512 buses in approximately 10 minutes.

Take in a show at the Belfast Grand Opera House

Belfast is a destination noted for its artistic contribution and one of the city's cultural reservoirs is the Grand Opera House, an iconic theater that offers a unique platform to enjoy world-class performances. Whether it's a thrilling opera, a captivating play or a vibrant concert, the Grand Opera House is the perfect setting to explore the diversity and excellence of the local performing arts.

If you plan to visit Belfast between March and November, you can enjoy an opera performance there, an experience that fuses music, drama and performance into an artistic masterpiece. With productions ranging from timeless classics to innovative contemporary interpretations, the Grand Opera House offers a range of options.

The Belfast Grand Opera House also offers a year-round line-up of plays for young and old, as well as concerts by local and international artists. You can reach this site from the Titanic Museum on the G2 and 94 buses.

After getting to know the main circuit of Belfast, for the second day I propose a full day tour around the city to see one of the most emblematic sites in Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway. In addition, you can also close your second day touring the pubs of Cathedral Quarter.

Join a Giant's Causeway tour from Belfast and discover the locations of Game of Thrones

One of the best full-day excursions you can do from Belfast is to tour the Giant's Causeway, a natural phenomenon located on the coast of Northern Ireland that has hexagonal basalt columns that extend into the sea, creating a surreal and unique landscape. On the other hand, this site is part of the folkloric legends that suggest that it was built by the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill, as a way to Scotland.

In addition, these tours also include a tour of Game of Thrones locations, as several scenarios near the Giant's Causeway were used as sets for the series, transforming them into famous sites such as the Iron Coast and the King's Road. During the tours, which last approximately 10 hours, Game of Thrones fans will be able to walk the same trails as their favorite characters.

In these experiences, in addition to the folkloric myths, you can discover the real history and amazing geology of the Giant's Causeway, which has its origins in the rapid cooling of lava from a volcanic caldera.

Wrap up your second day in the city with a pub crawl in the Cathedral Quarter

Belfast's casual nightlife scene is another of the city's highlights, so ending your second day by discovering the bars of Cathedral Quarter is one of the best things to do in Belfast. This neighborhood, known for its cobblestone streets and bohemian atmosphere, is home to some of the most traditional bars, such as the Duke of York, an iconic pub with its facade adorned with murals and its interior full of memorabilia.

In the area you can also explore The Spaniard, a place that combines the authenticity of an Irish pub with contemporary touches and is popular for its extensive variety of spirits and cocktails. The same goes for The Harp Bar, another popular spot that adds live music concerts and a selection of craft beers, which you can sample on your own or as part of a bike tour with beer stops.

If, in addition, you want to continue the night until the wee hours of the morning, you can visit Dark Horse, a pub that fuses art, music and a varied gastronomic offer. This bar, located in a historic building in the city center, is open until the early hours of the morning.

The Cathedral Quarter district can be reached by bus on the 94 and G2 lines or on Belfast's hop on-hop off tour bus.

The third and last day of your tour of Belfast will allow you to discover the surroundings of the historic center of the city, from Belfast Castle to the Botanical Gardens, through the Ulster Museum and St. Anne's Cathedral, which at night gives one of the most beautiful images of the city with its illuminated facade.

Tour Belfast Castle

Protagonist of the best guided tours of the Northern Irish capital, Belfast Castle will allow you to travel through a history of more than 150 years by the convulsed local political situation. Built in the 1860s on the highest point of the city, the castle initially served as a defensive measure in response to the growing threat of attack in the context of international tensions.

While it was never used for military purposes, its meticulous construction and strategic position offer a glimpse into Victorian England and the military architecture of the period, as well as one of the best panoramic views of Belfast. Within its sturdy walls, you can explore exhibitions and galleries that tell the story of the city and the evolution of this building.

The castle is also home to the Belfast Military Museum collection, which features a variety of objects related to military service and Belfast's involvement in international conflicts.

Belfast Castle can be reached from the city center by buses 1a, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f.

Visit the Ulster Museum

The Ulster Museum is, after the Titanic Museum, the most visited exhibition in the city and also a cultural gem that captivates visitors with its display of Northern Ireland's history, art and diversity. Founded in 1929, this site has evolved into a dynamic space that houses a collection ranging from archaeological artifacts to contemporary works of art.

Within the walls of the Ulster Museum the multiplicity of the region's identities and experiences are represented and visitors can browse through exhibits ranging from Irish prehistory to contemporary events. In addition, the museum houses the largest collection of modern Irish art in the country, providing a unique window into local creative expression over time.

From Belfast Castle, the Ulster Museum can be reached by buses 1a, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 7a, 7b, 7d, 8a, 8b and 8d for a 30-minute ride and by the city's hop-on-hop-off tour buses that include a stop at the site.

Walk through the Belfast Botanic Gardens

Located adjacent to the Ulster Museum, the Belfast Botanic Garden offers a serene green haven in the middle of the city, providing an ideal place to relax before continuing your tour on the last day. Within the grounds you will find themed gardens, winding paths and rest areas.

In addition, botanical enthusiasts will find several greenhouses housing exotic plants and flowers from around the world. On the other hand, the winding paths will offer you a perfect circuit for a walk or a bike ride and if you plan to visit the city during Christmas, you can find Christmas Eve decorations at this site.

The Belfast Botanic Gardens also houses the Tropical School Museum, a Victorian-style building that displays a collection of plant and animal specimens from around the world. There you can explore the exhibits and learn about the interconnectedness of plant life in different regions of the planet.

Discover the illuminated façade of St. Anne's Cathedral

One of the most representative nighttime images of Belfast is the illuminated facade of St. Anne's Cathedral, which is located at kilometer zero of the city and is characterized by its neo-Gothic style of the mid-nineteenth century, so you can not leave the city without knowing this site.

This architectural jewel, besides marking the skyline of the city, is deeply linked to the religious tradition of Belfast. As the seat of the Church of Ireland, this Anglican cathedral has been a place of worship for over a century and over the years has been a symbol of religious and cultural heritage, as well as a tangible testimony to the religious diversity that characterizes the region.

From the Belfast Botanic Gardens, St. Anne's Cathedral can be reached by buses 1a, 1d, 1e and 1f in about 15 minutes.

With this intense itinerary you will get to know Belfast in three different circuits, one that includes the typical layout of the city and its main attractions during the first day, another that will take you to one of the natural wonders of Northern Ireland during the second day and, finally, a visit to the Botanic Garden and three of the most emblematic buildings of the city, to discover all the splendor of the Northern Irish capital.