About Belfast
Belfast is the capital, largest city and main port of Northern Ireland. It stands on the banks of the river Lagan, and is connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel. The city is the most populous in Northern Ireland and the second-largest, after Dublin, on the island of Ireland, with a recorded population in 2021 of 345,418 and of 704,406 for the greater metropolitan area.
Places to visit in Belfast
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Titanic Belfast
MuseumAn interactive museum on the site where RMS Titanic was built, telling the story of the ship and the city's shipyards. Book a timed ticket in advance during busy periods.
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Belfast City Hall
LandmarkA grand Edwardian building at the heart of the city with a striking copper dome. Free guided tours run most days, and the grounds host seasonal markets.
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St George's Market
MarketA Victorian covered market known for local food, crafts, antiques and live music. Visit Friday through Sunday mornings for the full experience, and come hungry for the Ulster fry and fresh seafood stalls.
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Crumlin Road Gaol
HistoricA former prison operating for over 150 years, now a museum with guided tours. The tours include the tunnel to the courthouse and the execution cell.
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Cave Hill Country Park
Nature · 4 mi from centreA hilly park overlooking the city, with trails leading to the Napoleon's Nose summit. Combine it with Belfast Castle, and wear sturdy shoes for the climb.
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Botanic Gardens
ParkA Victorian park beside Queen's University with the elegant Palm House glasshouse. It is next to the Ulster Museum, so plan to visit both together.
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Ulster Museum
MuseumA free museum covering art, natural history and the story of the Troubles. Allow at least two hours, and see the Egyptian mummy, a visitor favorite.
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Carrickfergus Castle
Historic · 9 mi from centreA well-preserved Norman castle on the shore of Belfast Lough. It is a short train ride from the city, and the ramparts offer good views.
Things to do in Belfast by type
11 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 7 experiences Belfast – Skip-the Line Titanic Museum & Distillery Discovery Tour -
City tours 2 experiences Belfast – Skip-the Line Titanic Museum & Distillery Discovery Tour -
Travel Services 2 experiences European eSim Data Card -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences Game of Thrones Film Locations and Giants Causeway Tour with Optional Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
- 3-6 hours 2
- Flexible 2
- Over 6 hours 2
- Shore excursions 1
Top experiences in Belfast
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 11 available.
Special Offer: City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $26 per adult
Giant’s Causeway, Glens of Antrim and Dark Hedges Tour
From $59 per adult
Game of Thrones Film Locations and Giants Causeway Tour with Optional Hop-on Hop-off Ticket
From $47 per adult
Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones Location Tour
From $70 per adult
Titanic Experience and Giant's Causeway Tour
From $70 per adult
Secret Food Tours Belfast
From $107 per adult
Belfast – Skip-the Line Titanic Museum & Distillery Discovery Tour
From $131 per adult
European eSim Data Card
From $12 per adult
Travel Internet Hubby eSIM - United Kingdom
From $1 per adult
Where to stay in Belfast
Popular hotels in Belfast.
ibis budget Belfast City Centre
From $72 per night
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
From $108 per night
Fitzwilliam Belfast
From $215 per night
Grand Central Hotel
From $235 per night
The Ramada by Wyndham Belfast
From $83 per night
The Malone
From $126 per night
Europa
From $173 per night
Stormont
From $124 per night
Hampton by Hilton Belfast City Centre
From $141 per night
Hilton Belfast
From $130 per night
Second Nature Belfast
From $98 per night
Belfast Central Travelodge
From $82 per night
Best time to visit Belfast
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Belfast is January and March to November, when average daytime highs are around 44–66°F and rain falls on about 15 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Belfast weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 53° 43° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 51° 40° 61%
- Fri 23 Oct 50° 44° 88%
- Sat 24 Oct 57° 41° 88%
- Sun 25 Oct 59° 48° 69%
- Mon 26 Oct 55° 47° 66%
Know before you go
- Currency
- British pound (GBP)1 US dollar ≈ £0.75
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +44
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Europe/LondonUTC+1
- Capital
- London
Upcoming public holidays in United Kingdom
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- Good Friday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Belfast
These are the airports closest to central Belfast. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BHD George Best Belfast City Airport3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- BFS Belfast International Airport12 mi (20 km) from the city centre
Getting around Belfast
Walk to all the central sights. The centre is within a mile or two of the Botanic Gardens, Queen's University and Titanic.
By bus
Belfast buses are run by Translink, a public corporation, check their website for timetables and fare deals such as day tickets. A single adult fare within city centre is £1.80 in 2026. There are three types of buses, which run from around 6AM to 11PM, plus Friday and Saturday night buses.
By Black Taxi
The Black Taxi is Belfast's equivalent to the dolmuş or marshrutka - they're shared taxis running over a fixed route for a fare similar to the bus. They mostly pick up and drop off at the bus stops but will stop anywhere that traffic allows along the routes, which connect the centre and the outlying housing estates.
By conventional taxi
Standard taxi operators include Fonacab ☏ +44 28 9033 3333, Value Cabs ☏ +44 28 9080 9080, and Castle Cabs ☏ +44 28 9024 1111.
Belfast travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Belfast?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Belfast is January and March to November, when average daytime highs are around 44–66°F and rain falls on about 15 days a month.
What is the weather like in Belfast?
July is usually the warmest month in Belfast, with average highs of 66°F (19°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 36°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 107 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Belfast?
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Belfast. Other nearby airports include Belfast International Airport (BFS, 12 mi).
What currency is used in Belfast?
Belfast uses the British pound (GBP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £0.75.
What time zone is Belfast in?
Belfast uses the Europe/London time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Belfast?
Walk to all the central sights. The centre is within a mile or two of the Botanic Gardens, Queen's University and Titanic.
What are the best places to visit in Belfast?
Top sights in Belfast include Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall, St George's Market and Crumlin Road Gaol. An interactive museum on the site where RMS Titanic was built, telling the story of the ship and the city's shipyards. Book a timed ticket in advance during busy periods.
What are the top things to do in Belfast?
Popular experiences you can book in Belfast include Special Offer: City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, Giant’s Causeway, Glens of Antrim and Dark Hedges Tour and Game of Thrones Film Locations and Giants Causeway Tour with Optional Hop-on Hop-off Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 11 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Belfast?
The most popular types of experiences in Belfast are day trips & excursions (7), city tours (2), travel services (2) and tickets & attraction passes (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Belfast?
Popular areas for hotels in Belfast include Belfast. Well-reviewed options include ibis budget Belfast City Centre and Maldron Hotel Belfast City.
