Looking for the best things to do in Belfast for a weekend break? I visited Belfast during the British Isles cruise as one of the stopovers. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. It is located in the northern part of the Emerald isles that is part of the United Kingdom.
It has been a popular destination for all the visitors that wish to see and experience the beauty and British cultural heritage around the British Isles. Due to the exceptional natural beauty of Northern Ireland, it is considered one of the best places to visit in the UK and has been a popular filming location for various Hollywood movies and series like Game of Thrones.
I would like to share with you some of the best things to do in Belfast that you can include in your UK travel itinerary.
Best Things To Do in Belfast For Weekend Breaks
1. Visit the Titanic Belfast
📍Address: 1 Olympic Wy, Belfast BT3 9EP
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit
🌟 Ratings: 4.7 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Titanic Hotel Belfast
The most popular ocean liner in the world, Titanic was assembled in the Wolff shipyard and old Harland docks of Belfast. After the downfall of shipbuilding, this area of Belfast Lough had been in ruins for more than 10 years. Titanic Belfast has been revamped completely since the 2000s and is also called the Titanic Quarter.
The bold and cutting-edge design of Titanic Museum Belfast looks like four ship bows. Established in the year 2012, the multisensory technology is the icing on the cake of this Titanic exhibition Belfast that will take you back to the 1910s in Belfast when Titanic, along with its sister ships Britannic and Olympic was launched and assembled.
Elements have been reproduced well in this Belfast museum from the interiors of Titanic and you can learn the important details of how the ship was sinking at the Titanic Experience Belfast. You can book your tickets to Titanic Experience Belfast here via Get Your Guide.
Read More: 4 Ways How to Get from London to Belfast (Northern Ireland)
2. Have fun at Belfast Zoo
📍Address: Antrim Rd, Belfast BT36 7PN
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Abbeydene House
When it comes to visitors’ traffic, Belfast Zoo is one of the best Belfast tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. It is spread over 22 green hectares towards the north of Belfast Castle.
There are up to 130 species in the park, including all-time favourites like zebras, giraffes, lions, tigers, and Asian elephants, and a huge range of primates. A visit to Belfast zoo is one of the best things to do in Belfast for families with kids. You can book your tickets to the zoo here via their own website.
3. Ulster Museum
📍Address: Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: The Harrison
On the northwest of the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, the Ulster Museum Belfast exhibits traces of everything hence it is one of the best things to do in Belfast for culture and history.
Photo credit: Bazonka, CC BY-SA 3.0
If you love decorative items, you can find a range of ceramics, glassware, textiles, jewellery, costumes, and metalwork. You can find the polished Neolithic axes from the distant past, jewellery pieces, as well as the mummy of a noblewoman from Thebes, Takabuti, dated back to the 25th Dynasty of Egypt.
The museum has some of the jewellery from the Spanish Armada wreck, sliced from the meteorite and an exhibit about Mairead Corrigan awarded Nobel Peace Prize. She was the witness to her three nephews and nieces being killed by the shooting of an IRA member in a road accident and reacted by rallies known for reconciliation and peace.
4. Relax in Botanic Gardens
📍Address: College Park Ave, Botanic Ave, Belfast BT7 1LP
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: 1 or 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.3 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Global Village
Established in 1828 as a private park, Botanic Gardens Belfast was opened to the public around 70 years ago. The Palm House is one of the best Belfast attractions built in the 1840s and it is one of the initial curvilinear glasshouses in the world at the turn.
Richard Turner, the Irish iron founder, who would go on to build serene glasshouses at Glasnevin and Kew, built the building. You can look for a few of the specimens in the Palm House an 11m long globe spear lily and a 4-century old Xanthorrhoea.
The Tropical Ravine is another architectural wonder built in the 19th century. It has tropical fauna and an indoor sunken garden. It also houses the birds of paradise along with the viewing galleries.
Read More: British Inventions and Inventors That Changed The World Forever
5. St Anne’s Cathedral Belfast
📍Address: Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2HB
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Giant’s Causeway and Belfast Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre
St. Anne’s Cathedral Belfast was built at the beginning of the 20th century in stages on the site of the ancient parish church of St. Anne dating back to 1776. It has neo-Romanesque architecture, which has plenty of things similar to the High Medieval churches. Some of the best examples are carved capitals in the nave, tympanums on the west entrance, and the apse with an ambulatory.
In the nave, those 10 capitals are usually the art of Morris Harding, and each of them has a unique theme. Also, look for the Good Samaritan window in the sanctuary, the only surviving aspect dated back to the 18th century. A fun fact is that St. Anne’s is not actually a cathedral. It is because it is not the diocese seat, although it is the main church for both Dromore and Down, as well as Connor dioceses.
6. Belfast Castle
📍Address: Antrim Rd, Belfast BT15 5GR
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: 2-Day Rail Tour from Dublin
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Somerton House
Belfast Castle is styled in Scottish Baronial architecture at the south of Cave Hill Country Park. It was built by the 3rd Marquess of Donegall, George Chichester in the 19th century. The building is named after the Norman Belfast Castle at the centre of the city.
Later on, the stronghold was set on fire at the beginning of the 18th century. The Chichester who were the owners moved to this address in suburbs. The Scottish Baronial style has a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles and the house is beautifully endowed with false machicolations, stepped gables, and turrets. You can soak in the views of Belfast afar from the ground. There is an antique shop, visitor centre and restaurant inside.
7. Cavehill
📍Address: Newtownabbey BT36 7WH
🌟 Ratings: 4.8 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Somerton House
Cave Hill is actually a range of basalt cliffs puzzled with five caves over the northern suburbs of Belfast. These were bomb shelters and ancient iron mines during the period of World War II. As the name suggests, Cave Hill is embedded in meadows, heaths, and moorland, peppered with serene archaeological attractions and blessed with panoramic views of the city, along with the Scottish coast, Mourne Mountains, Belfast Lough, and Carrickfergus.
A heavy basal outcrop, Napoleon’s Nose is the most amazing natural attraction and one of the best places to visit in Belfast Ireland. It might be an inspiration behind Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift in the 18th century. The rock here seems to be a sleeping giant. Mc. Art’s Fort was fortified during the early Neolithic period atop Napoleon’s Nose. It is now a scenic attraction to spot kestrels and peregrine falcons.
8. Albert Memorial Clock
📍Address: 17 Queen’s Square, Belfast BT1 3FF
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Full-Day Giant’s Causeway Shore Excursion
🌟 Ratings: 4.7 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Central Belfast Apartments Fitzrovia
Albert Memorial Clock is a neo-Gothic Victorian monument that stands at only 35m. It is a cool way finder on Queens Square, located by the left bank of the Lagan River. The square is located on the land which was reclaimed from the river. In the late 1860s, the clock tower was built as a tribute to the prince consort of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert.
The clock is located upriver from the docks and it would have been a vital vantage part to witness the launch of the Titanic in 1911. The marshy ground beneath the tower has left the tower with a lean of 1.3m. It was worse at the beginning of the 2000s until it got a preservation project.
9. Crumlin Road Gaol
📍Address: 53-55 Crumlin Rd, Belfast BT14 6ST
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Crumlin Road Gaol Experience
🌟 Ratings: 4.6 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: room2 Belfast Hometel
This Grade-A complex was once HMP Belfast and it is the only Victorian cellar that survived in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1846, the Crumlin Road Gaol housed suffragists, murderers, and both Republican and Unionist terrorists for the next 150 years. It was associated with the courthouse that can be reached by a tunnel to traverse on the tour.
In this jail, around 17 executions were held and the last one was held in 1961 you can also see where it happened inside the cell. Well, you can also get to know more about these walls. For example, 1866’s escape attempts and 1991’s bombings by Provisional IRA. The jail remained vacant for around 15 years. In 2010, it was renovated and became the function hall for weddings and dinners and a live music venue.
10. Visit the Lewis Square
📍Address: Visitor Centre, 402 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HH
🌟 Ratings: 4.5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Kingscourt House
Walk along the CS Lewis Square and relive the charm of The Chronicles of Narnia novel series. It is a public space, which pays tribute to C.S. Lewis, an author born in Belfast. It features 7 bronze sculptures including The White Witch, Aslan, The Beavers, Mr Tumnus, The Stone Table and The Robin, which belonged to ‘The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. It is a beautiful display of art for the public. I personally love this book series and read them as a teenager!
Photo Credit: Visit Belfast
CS Lewis Square is located where the Comber Greenways and Connswater intersect, along with the EastSide Visitor Centre, which can be accessed from innovative screens, wall maps, and interpretative panels, which connect people to the popular faces of EastSide. It also consists of a coffee bar, which is named after CS Lewis, JACK Coffee Bar. It presents products from food makers and local artists.
Map of Belfast, Northern Ireland
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
I hope that helped you in learning the best things to do in Belfast for your weekend break! These various attractions will definitely make your trip super fun!
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
Have you been to Belfast?
Share with us your best Belfast travel experience in the comment box below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published in BBC, Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet, and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British-Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK, Europe, and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history, and culture.
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