Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital, is a city rich in history, culture, and resilience. Once a small settlement, it grew rapidly during the 18th and 19th centuries as a major centre of shipbuilding, linen production, and engineering. By the Victorian era, Belfast was one of the British Empire’s most important industrial cities, with Harland & Wolff shipyard famously building the RMS Titanic.
The city has also played a central role in Ireland’s political history, marked by its complex past during the Troubles — a period of conflict from the late 1960s to 1998 between nationalist and unionist communities that left lasting scars but ultimately led to peace through the Good Friday Agreement. In recent decades, Belfast has transformed into a vibrant, modern city, known for its thriving arts, food, and music scenes.
Its striking waterfront, including the Titanic Quarter and landmarks like the Harland & Wolff cranes, reflects its industrial heritage, while areas such as the Cathedral Quarter showcase Belfast’s creative energy. Today, the city blends history and innovation, offering visitors a unique and dynamic experience.
💡Belfast: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: The UK allows visa-free entry for citizens of many countries, including the US, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, for short stays (typically up to 6 months). There is an electronic travel authorization (ETA) that needs to be filled out before travel to the UK.
✈️ Closest Airport: Belfast International Airport (BFS) / Belfast City Airport (BHD)
💬 Language: English is the official language.
🏷️ Price Level: Moderate — Belfast is more affordable than London.
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / UK: US$4.79
💰 Currency: British Pound Sterling (£) | 1 USD ≈ 0.80 GBP
☀️ Best Times to Visit: June to August — the weather is milder, with longer daylight hours
🚆 Transportation: Buses, local trains, taxis, and Uber. The city is very walkable in the center.
🔌 Adapter: UK uses Type G plugs (three rectangular prongs). Visitors from outside the UK will need an adapter.
🛜 WiFi: Widely available in hotels, cafés, pubs, museums, and public spaces and throughout the city-provided “BelfastWifi” network.
🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including contactless payments. ATMs are easy to find. However, it’s good to carry a small amount of cash for markets or small vendors.
💸 Tipping: Tipping isn’t mandatory. At restaurants, 10–12.5% is appreciated if service isn’t already included. In taxis or for hotel staff, rounding up or tipping a small amount is polite but not expected.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: 48 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9EA (docked)
✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ Getting around Belfast is straightforward, efficient, and adds to the charm of exploring this vibrant and historic city. Belfast’s compact city centre makes walking one of the best ways to take in landmarks like City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, St George’s Market, and Victoria Square. Many attractions, shops, and restaurants are within a 10–20 minute stroll.
For longer journeys — such as to the Titanic Quarter, Stormont, or the Botanic Gardens — Belfast offers a reliable public transport network operated by Translink. This includes Metro buses and Glider rapid transit services, which connect the city centre with surrounding neighbourhoods and key sites.
You can pay for public transport using contactless debit/credit cards, mobile payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), or a Translink Smartlink card. Day passes and family/group tickets are available and offer good value for visitors.
For a unique perspective, consider a boat tour on the River Lagan or Belfast Lough — a scenic and memorable way to see the city from the water.
✈️ Belfast International Airport (BFS) is located about 21 km (13 miles) northwest of the city centre. The Airport Express 300 bus runs every 15–20 minutes and takes around 40–50 minutes to reach Belfast Europa Bus Centre. Taxis take about 30–40 minutes and usually cost £35–£45.
Belfast City Airport (BHD) is just 5 km (3 miles) from the city centre, making it the most convenient option for many travellers. The Airport Express 600 bus runs every 20 minutes and gets you into the city in about 10 minutes. Taxis take around 10–15 minutes and cost roughly £10–£15.
🚇 Belfast Cruise Terminal is one of Northern Ireland’s main gateways for visitors, located in Belfast Harbour about 3 km (2 miles) from the city centre. While not directly walkable to central attractions, shuttle buses and taxis are readily available at the port, with journeys into the city taking around 10–15 minutes.
Once in the centre, visitors can easily explore landmarks such as Belfast City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, and St George’s Market. Public transport — including Metro buses and Glider services — connects the city centre to attractions further afield, such as the Titanic Quarter, Stormont, and the Botanic Gardens.
Taxis and rideshare services are available at the terminal for convenient transfers to hotels, museums, or even day trips beyond Belfast, including the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast.
🚌 Both City Sightseeing Belfast and Hop On Hop Off Belfast operate one bus route covering the most important sights around the city (more info here and here).
⭐️ Top Sights in Belfast
"Belfast is the only city in the UK to have a wall of official peace murals, painted on dividing walls that once separated communities during the Troubles."
📸 Titanic Belfast: An award-winning, iconic museum on the slipways where the Titanic was built, with nine interactive galleries that explore the ship’s design, construction, and tragic story. Its striking architecture makes it one of Belfast’s most photographed landmarks. You can also visit the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship, just across the dock.
📸 St Anne’s Cathedral (Belfast Cathedral): A Neo-Romanesque masterpiece in the Cathedral Quarter, famous for its intricate mosaics and stained glass. The 40-metre Spire of Hope rising from the roof symbolizes the city’s resilience and renewal. Inside, the atmosphere blends history and spirituality, offering a quiet contrast to the lively streets nearby.
📸 Crumlin Road Gaol: This 19th-century prison closed in 1996 and now offers guided tours through its cells, execution chamber, and underground tunnel to the courthouse. It provides a dramatic insight into Belfast’s turbulent past. Evening ghost tours and live events add an extra layer of intrigue for visitors.
📸 Belfast Murals & Peace Walls: These vivid murals tell the story of the Troubles and Belfast’s journey toward peace. Guided tours with local drivers or historians bring powerful personal context to the art and history. The walls themselves stretch for miles, still serving as living canvases of political expression and reconciliation.
📸 Ulster Museum: Located beside the Botanic Gardens, this free museum features art, history, and science under one roof. Highlights include dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies, and exhibits on Northern Ireland’s modern history. With ever-changing temporary exhibitions, there’s always something new to discover.
📸 Botanic Gardens & Palm House: A lush Victorian park loved by locals, with the stunning cast-iron Palm House filled with exotic plants. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing walk near Queen’s University. The gardens also host summer concerts and festivals, adding to their lively charm.
📸 Queen’s University Belfast: Established in 1845, Queen’s is one of the UK’s leading universities. Its Gothic Revival Lanyon Building is a standout landmark and a photogenic highlight of the university quarter. The campus is surrounded by cafés, pubs, and cultural spots that give the area a vibrant student energy.
📸 Belfast Castle: Sitting high on Cave Hill, this 19th-century Scottish Baronial-style castle offers sweeping views of the city and Belfast Lough. The castle gardens are dotted with cat statues, adding a whimsical touch to your visit. On clear days, you can even see as far as the Mourne Mountains.
📸 Grand Opera House: A richly decorated Victorian theatre that has survived wartime bombings and modernization, still hosting musicals, concerts, and opera. Its ornate interior is a treat in itself. The theatre’s lively program ensures there’s something for everyone, from classic drama to family shows.
📸 St George’s Market: Dating back to the 1890s, this lively weekend market is filled with food stalls, crafts, antiques, and live music. It’s a fantastic spot to taste local produce and experience Belfast’s community spirit. The bustling atmosphere makes it one of the city’s most beloved social hubs.
🍽️😋 Typical Food & Drinks
Belfast’s food scene is a vibrant reflection of its history, creativity, and warm community spirit. Once shaped by its shipbuilding and industrial roots, the city has transformed into a culinary hub where traditional Irish dishes meet modern innovation. From hearty stews and fresh seafood from nearby waters to global street food and inventive fine dining, Belfast caters to every taste. The city’s charm lies in its mix of historic pubs, cozy cafés, bustling food markets, and award-winning restaurants — all celebrating a love of good food and good company. For food lovers, Belfast offers a flavorful and memorable experience.
🍽️ Ulster Fry: Northern Ireland’s signature breakfast, typically featuring soda bread, potato bread (farl), eggs, sausages, bacon, black pudding, and tomatoes. It’s hearty, filling, and a must-try to start your day like a local.
🍽️ Irish Stew: A traditional dish made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, slow-cooked into a warming, flavorful comfort food. It reflects the region’s rural heritage and is often served in cozy pubs.
🍽️ Champ: Creamy mashed potatoes mixed with scallions (spring onions), butter, and milk. Simple yet delicious, this side dish is a staple in Northern Irish homes and pubs alike.
🍽️ Soda Bread: A classic Northern Irish bread made with baking soda instead of yeast, often served fresh with butter or alongside a fry. It can be found in nearly every bakery and café.
🍽️ Pastie Bap: A Belfast favorite — a deep-fried meat and potato patty (pastie) served in a soft bread roll (bap), usually with plenty of chips. It’s a true taste of local comfort food.
🍽️ Yellowman Ice Cream: A sweet modern twist on a traditional treat, combining creamy Irish ice cream with crunchy pieces of honeycomb, often enjoyed at markets and food stalls.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🚕 Uber