Belfast’s unique history is a sobering one, but it also boasts many fun things to do. For example, you can visit all the Belfast murals dotted around the city or take an open top bus tour to see them all!
The Ulster Museum is another great attraction that is perfect for all ages. It has everything from dinosaur skeletons to Egyptian mummies.
1. Visit the MAC
Located in the Cathedral Quarter, this world-class venue is Belfast’s cultural hub. This eclectic space is home to endless exhibitions, theatre performances and much more.
You can explore the MAC on your own or join a guided tour to learn more about it. Tours are very popular and book up quickly, so reserve your spot well in advance!
No trip to Northern Ireland is complete without a visit to the MAC. It’s also one of the best things to do in Belfast at night as the building is beautifully lit up.
2. Take a tour of the Titanic Quarter
Whether you’re a fan of the blockbuster movie or just interested in learning about Belfast’s industrial past, this area is worth a visit. You can explore the site where the Titanic was built and walk the entire footprint of the massive ship, or take a guided tour of the SS Nomadic, the tender ship for the RMS Titanic.
You can also visit the HMS Caroline, a WW1 light cruiser that was part of the Battle of Jutland. Guided tours of the ship and its visitor center are available.
Sports fans can take in a game at the Belfast Metropolitan Stadium, home to Ulster Rugby. A visit to this stadium is a must for any rugby fan!
3. Visit the Titanic Experience
The Titanic Experience is an awe-inspiring museum that teaches visitors about the ill-fated ship. The unique building was designed to resemble a ship, with its hulls representing the actual height of the Titanic from her keel to her boat deck. Inside, visitors can see everything from dinosaur skeletons to Egyptian mummies.
Guests can also check out the Belfast Docks, which house a vast collection of Titanic memorabilia including a steward’s badge and a doll allegedly retrieved from the ship’s wreckage. The museum also has a restaurant and gift shop.
4. Visit the Ulster Rugby Stadium
With its local team playing against the best in Europe, you’ll find an atmosphere to remember at Kingspan Stadium. Take a tour for a behind the scenes look at the changing rooms, tunnel and dugouts.
Alight at Great Victoria Street railway station and you’ll be a short walk from the Europa Buscentre which is the terminus of most Ulsterbus “Goldline” services, connecting to Dublin and Belfast City and International airports. Buses also run to Belfast Central and beyond.
The Crown Bar is across the road, a good spot for a post-arrival pint.
5. Visit the Belfast Giants
The Belfast Giants entered the UK Ice Hockey Superleague in 2000 and quickly established themselves as a mainstay of Northern Irish sporting culture. They ticked all the boxes for a community-friendly team, being non-sectarian and helping to introduce ice hockey to a whole new audience.
They play at the Odyssey Arena and fans are known as the ‘Teal Army’. The middle and upper sections of the arena are popular with fans who lead cheers, chants, and drumming. It’s a real atmosphere and the crowds are very much part of the action.
6. Visit the Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum is Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and present, with rich collections of art, history and natural sciences. Discover ancient relics, meet dinosaurs and explore modern masterpieces. Bring the kids and they’ll come face to face with mummies, wear costumes and take part in hands on activities – there’s even a souvenir edition explorer map for them.
The main rail station in Belfast, Great Victoria Street, is conveniently located near to many of the city centre’s most popular tourist attractions. Bangor line, Derry
7. Visit the Peace Wall
The peace walls were erected during “The Troubles” to separate Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods. Today, many are dotted throughout Northern Ireland and are popular tourist destinations. They are usually punctuated by gates that open during the day to allow traffic through, and then closed at 10pm each night.
Visiting these interface areas is best done on one of the Black Cab Tours that visit this area. Here you can hear the story of the conflict from a local and get to know the people who live there.
Belfast Great Victoria Street is home to the Europa Buscentre. This is the city’s most central transport hub for buses, with a bijou shopping mall and a small selection of cafes.
