If there's a city that has undergone a renaissance in the last 20 years, it's Belfast.
And not just with respects to art and culture. Its transformation spans urban regeneration, development and notably, tourism.
Add to this reinvention the city's gripping history, fresh creative energy and the dramatic landscapes of the nearby coast and it's easy to see why Northern Ireland's epicentre has become one of Europe's coolest city breaks.
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It's safe to say that it now rivals the likes of Dublin and Edinburgh for a top British Isle getaway.
Things to Do in Belfast
With spring in the air, bank holidays coming up and city break season in full swing, it's time to give a shout out to Belfast.
So, here are some of the best things to do in Belfast. From the city's Titanic heritage to its lively pub scene and Game of Thrones filming locations - let's go.
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1. Walk the Titanic Quarter
The Titanic Quarter is Belfast's pride and joy. Home to the £100 million Titanic Belfast museum, this area pays homage to the city's shipbuilding legacy.
The museum itself resembles four ship hulls, rising as high as the original Titanic hull.
Inside, you'll find nine interactive galleries that tell the story of the ill-fated ship from conception to its tragic end.
The experience includes a ride through a recreation of the shipyard where the vessel was built.
Don't miss the actual slipways where Titanic and her sister ship Olympic were constructed. The outline of Titanic remains marked on the ground, giving you a true sense of her immense scale.
2. Explore Cathedral Quarter
If Belfast has a beating heart, it's the Cathedral Quarter. Named after St Anne's Cathedral, this network of cobbled streets has morphed into the city's cultural hub.
Commercial Court and Hill Street feature some of Belfast's most photographed street art.
As a spectacle alone, the Duke of York pub is a must-visit. Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of vintage advertisements and Belfast ephemera.
Owner Willie Jack has been collecting for over 30 years, making up the pub's trademark bric-a-brac interior.
Sign at "The Duke of York", Belfast (November 2015) by Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cathedral Quarter comes alive after dark. Check out The Dirty Onion, housed in Belfast's oldest building, or The Harp Bar for live traditional music sessions.
If you're after craft beer, The Sunflower Pub's beer garden is the spot locals flock to when the sun makes an appearance.
During festival season, the Cathedral Quarter transforms. The Out to Lunch Festival in January and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in May showcase the best of Belfast's creativity.
3. Queen's Arcade
Queen's Arcade is a Victorian shopping arcade that transports you back to a more elegant era of retail therapy.
Dating back to 1880, it features ornate iron and glasswork which has remained largely unchanged for over a century.
It also houses a mixture of luxury boutiques and local independent retailers.
Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lunn's Jewellers, Northern Ireland's oldest jewellery establishment, sits alongside quirky independent shops selling everything from artisanal chocolates to handcrafted souvenirs.
Unlike the cookie-cutter shopping centres that dominate most city centres, Queen's Arcade offers a glimpse into Belfast's commercial past while supporting local businesses.
4. Take a Black Cab Tour
Nothing provides a better insight into Belfast's history than a Black Cab Tour.
These journeys take you through areas that witnessed the worst of the Troubles that divided Northern Ireland for decades.
Drivers explain the political murals that colour the streets, offering a peek into a period that shaped modern Belfast.
Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay
The tours typically include stops at both loyalist and republican areas, providing context that no history book can match.
5. Stroll Around the Peace Walls
Connected to the Black Cab experience but worth exploring independently are Belfast's Peace Walls.
These barriers, some reaching eight metres high, were erected to separate nationalist and unionist neighbourhoods during The Troubles.
Adding to the Peace Wall by Gerald England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nowadays, they serve as open-air galleries with murals depicting everything from political statements to tributes to cultural icons.
The International Wall on Falls Road changes regularly, reflecting current global issues.
Leave your mark by signing the wall alongside messages from the likes of the Dalai Lama and thousands of visitors down the years.
6. Visit St George's Market
Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market operates Friday to Sunday, serving up local flavour in all senses of the word.
Friday's variety market continues a tradition dating back to 1604. Saturday brings the food and craft market, where you can sample Belfast baps stuffed with local bacon.
Sunday combines food, crafts and live music for the ultimate Belfast morning hangover cure.
Albert Bridge / St George's Market, Belfast (1)
The market's fish section showcases Northern Ireland's coastal bounty. Try dulse - a local dried seaweed snack that's an acquired taste even for locals.
7. HMS Caroline
In Belfast, you can take a voyage through time aboard a warship known as one of the luckiest in history.
HMS Caroline, a C-class light cruiser from World War I, survived the Battle of Jutland in 1916. It then continued serving as a training vessel in Belfast until 2011.
Now permanently docked in Belfast's Alexandra Dock, this meticulously restored ship offers a glimpse into 100 years of naval life.
William Murphy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Explore the captain's quarters, engine rooms and mess halls. All while audio installations recreate the sounds of battle and daily life on board.
The Caroline is also the last surviving ship from the Battle of Jutland. This makes her not just a Belfast treasure, but a rare piece of war history.
8. Ulster Museum
Located in the lush surroundings of Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum offers a condensed journey through Northern Ireland's natural, historical and artistic heritage.
The Palm House, Belfast Botanic Gardens by Peter Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The museum houses everything from dinosaur fossils to an Egyptian mummy. But its strength lies in its collection of artefacts from Northern Ireland's past.
The Troubles Gallery provides context to the conflict through everyday objects, while the art collection includes works by local artists alongside international masterpieces.
Best of all? Admission is completely free.
9. Hike Cave Hill
For those needing to burn off all those pub meals, Cave Hill is Belfast's most rewarding hike.
This basalt outcrop looking out over the city is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift's classic novel, Gulliver's Travels.
Cave, Cave Hill, Belfast by Rossographer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most popular route starts at Belfast Castle, worth a visit in itself, and takes about two hours to complete.
Your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views extending across Belfast Lough. And you can sometimes see as far as Scotland on clear days.
10. Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Just a 30-minute drive from Belfast, you'll find Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge. This is home to the official Game of Thrones Studio Tour.
Northern Ireland served as a primary filming location for HBO's fantasy epic, and this immersive experience showcases original sets, costumes and props from the series.
Game Of Thrones window four, Belfast by Rossographer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Walk through Winterfell, King's Landing and beyond the Wall while learning about the craftsmanship that brought Westeros to life.
For fans of the show, it's worth leaving Belfast for a few hours to experience the scale of this production.
Getting Around Belfast
Belfast is a compact city. Most things to do in Belfast are within walking distance of each other, especially in the city centre.
For longer journeys, Metro buses cover the city extensively. Black cabs are plentiful and reasonably priced for short hops.
The Glider, Belfast's Bus Rapid Transit system, connects east and west Belfast with the city centre on a dedicated route.
Stay Connected with an eSIM from Airalo
Whether you're using map apps or sharing your adventures on social media, reliable mobile data is a must.
eSIMs from Airalo offer an easy way to stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards.
Head over to the store, select and install the best eSIMs for Ireland and enjoy hassle-free connectivity on your travels.
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