This guide will help you plan your trip to Belfast.
Where to stay
When doing a city break I usually book a hotel with the airline I’m flying with as it usually works out cheaper than booking flights and hotel separate. If you’re not keen on flying, there is an option to get a ferry between England and Northern Ireland but this can work out more expensive FYI. For this trip we flew with British Airways and stayed in Hampton by Hilton in the city centre for 2 nights (Monday to Wednesday). The hotel was lovely, really friendly staff at reception, and to top it off a waffle maker at breakfast! If you sign up to a free membership with Hampton by Hiltons you can also check in earlier for free. Also, if you fly into George Best Belfast City Airport, you’re only a cheap taxi or 10 minute bus away from the city centre.
Where to eat
There are lots of 5 star restaurants to choose from in Belfast including many family run businesses. On our first night we had dinner at Darcy’s. Mussels and seafood chowder to start with salmon and Irish stew for mains. Our second night we had dinner at Holohan’s pantry, we had the chicken and chorizo boxty (savoury pancake) and the rack of lamb with cheese and lemon posset for dessert. Definitely recommend the boxty, I hadn’t tried this before and it was delicious! You need to book both of these restaurants as even on a weeknight they are very busy.
As a treat on out final day we went to The Merchant Hotel for afternoon tea. The hotel was stunning, sandwiches and cakes divine! The cost of staying at the hotel is £600 per night, so if you’d like to have a bit of luxury one afternoon, the £40 afternoon tea does nicely.
What to do
This is Europe’s top exhibition and even has more visitors than the Eiffel Tower. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s the best £20 I’ve spent on a day out. Fantastic experience. You learn about Belfast’s ship building industry, the shear scale of building the Titanic and craftsmanship, immersive models of what it would be like on the ship, a ride and cinema experience.
This is the oldest pub in Belfast. In fact, it was a gin palace before Belfast was officially made a city! From the outside it looks like a movie set and inside the wood carvings and detail are stunning. We had to try a Guinness in there which tasted so much better than at home! Not sure if it’s partly to do with how the barmen pour three quarters of the pint, let it settle and then put the last bit in.
Another drinking establishment and not one to miss! This one is more in the cathedral quarter so more in the centre. Its decorated with lots of coasters, memorabilia and has a really nice atmosphere. If you’re a cider fan the Belfast Blossom is great to try!
Definitely recommend a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway. Many of the trips include a stop at Dark Hedges (from Game of Thrones) and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge (this was closed due to covid but the viewing deck was still nice). This UNESCO heritage site is hard to describe- you literally feel like you’re in the land of giants and is a really cool place to tick off your bucket list.
Take a Black Cab Taxi Tour and see Shankill road, Belfast peace wall and murals from both Unionist and Republican communities. We felt very safe in Belfast. Learning about the war (also known as “the Troubles”) was quite a profound experience. This is a city trying to heal from wounds made not that long ago in history. It’s a city committed to maintaining the peace and making a better future for generations to come. Definitely recommend this trip one morning or afternoon that you’re in Belfast.