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Activities & Attractions in Belfast

Things to do

What to do, what to see and where to go in Northern Ireland's capital city

For such a small and compact city, Belfast has an amazing array of activities and attractions for you to choose from. There are not too many cities in which you can visit a world-class visitor experience, see a top-class rugby team, take in a blistering ice hockey game and visit the stomping grounds of one of the greatest musicians of all time. Belfast is one of those cities where there is a story on every street.

Popular attractions

An unmissable visit to Titanic Belfast

Catching your first glimpse of Titanic Belfast in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, is an unforgettable moment. 1,000 workers spent four years on the construction of this landmark building. When it was completed in 2012 nothing of its kind had ever been seen in Ireland before. It is a stunning work of architecture and design. The shimmering glass and aluminum building dominates the area. It even manages to outshine Harland and Wolff’s two great yellow cranes - Samson and Goliath.

Inside is no less impressive and the story of the Titanic, its building, its people and its fate is told with cutting edge interactive tools that bring the whole thing to life. We’ve said it once, but we will say it again: this is without doubt one of the top things to do in Belfast.

A room with a view and two mountains too

You’ll catch another glimpse of the biblical cranes from the Dome at Victoria Square. This glass dome rises high above the city’s skyline and boasts 360-degree views across Belfast. It’s completely free and, should you feel the urge to, as they say, buy the T-shirt, there is a rather large shopping centre right underneath.

The best views of the city however are out in the mountains. Both Divis and the Black mountain offer a fantastic trail along the edge of Belfast’s hills, but be warned that it will take you half a day to complete and you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes. Although a little steeper, you might be better venturing up to Cave Hill and looking over the city from there. Locals know the hill as Napoleon's Nose and according to legend its resemblance to the face of a sleeping giant, gave Jonathan Swift the inspiration for Gulliver.

There are several routes you can take to the top of Cave Hill but the most popular, and probably best, is via the stunning Belfast Castle. There has been a castle of some sort on this site since the 12th century. John Lanyon designed and completed this spectacular sandstone construction in 1870. Inside, the Castle Tavern and Cellar Restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner but you might want to wait until you’re down the hill for that!

Botanic, Queens and surrounding areas in Belfast

Closer to sea level and the city centre, you need to visit the city’s famous Botanic Gardens. Even if you’re not so keen on horticulture, it’s a soothing spot for a stroll, to take a book or have a picnic with your family. Fans of the BBC/RTE series The Fall will recognise it, but we sadly can’t promise you’ll bump into Jamie Dornan when you go. You will however see a statue of Lord Kelvin who invented the Kelvin Scale, used to measure temperatures. There is also the spectacular Palm House built by Charles Lanyon in 1839.

Right next to the wonderful gardens, are the grounds of Queen’s University. Ranked well within the top 200 universities in the world, Queen’s has always been a beacon of learning in Northern Ireland. It has produced some of the land’s finest minds. As well as politicians, presidents and prime ministers there have been poets Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon, actors Liam Neeson and Stephen Rea and the BBC’s finest disc jockey, Annie Mac. The rather functional-looking Whitla Hall played host to Jimi Hendrix on his 25th birthday.

Trace the tunes of Van Morrison

Did somebody mention music? Well you’re in Belfast, so it’s never far away. So let’s get onto Van Morrison. Crossing over the Lagan from the Botanic Gardens and walking or cycling through the city’s oldest public park, Ormeau Park, will take you to Elm Grove Primary School. It doesn't look like much, but this is where Van the Man attended primary school and it is the starting point of the Van Morrison Trail. If you have even a passing interest in “Van the Man” then this 3.5km tour is well worth following. This area inspired much of Morrison’s acclaimed album, Astral Weeks, and on the tour you’ll find out why. It’s a lovely thing to do in Belfast as it gives you an insight into a man whose soul was steeped in the city.

More sport than you could shake an ice hockey stick at

Speaking of Belfast Giants, sports fans will want to consider taking in a game of ice hockey and seeing the current Elite League Champions at their home in the SSE Arena. And followers of rugby will not want to miss a Friday night at the Kingspan Stadium, an often raucous but always good-natured stadium. This is the home of Ulster Rugby where you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s greatest exponents of the game... while enjoying a few pints.

Do some time in The Crum

You’ll hear more about locks and wings when you visit the impressive Crumlin Road Gaol. Known locally as ‘The Crum’, this was an active prison until 1996. Since then it has become an extremely popular tourist attraction. The prison tours are top-class.

Finish with food and drink at the Victorian St George’s Market

Morning is the best time to visit the beautiful St. George’s Market. This bustling indoor street market hosts around 300 traders, artists, musicians, and food vendors. It is open Friday to Sunday and is the perfect place to soak up a bit of local atmosphere while trying local produce. It’s yet another unique experience that Belfast has to offer.

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Number of results: 281

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
405 reviews
Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Bangor

Address

Valentine Road, Castle Park, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BN

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Garden

It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Varieties of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables mix with sculptures and a unique fountain with a tongue twister! We are thrilled that the Walled Garden is now open all year round…

Dates

From:

1 Nov 2024to31 Mar 2025

From:

1 Apr 2025to31 May 2025

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Funky Monkeys - Kennedy Centre, Children's Indoor Play Centre

Belfast

Address

Unit 57 Kennedy Centre, 580 Falls Road, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT11 9AE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 2292

kennedycentre@funkymonkeys.ie

Type

Type:

Indoor Play Area

Funky Monkeys Soft Play Café are NI’s leading indoor play centres for children aged eight and under, featuring play frame equipment which has been specifically designed through the recognition that children can learn and develop their minds.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ballyholme Yacht Club

Bangor

Address

Seacliff Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5HT

Telephone
+44 (0) 7546 198 939

admin@ballyholme.com

Type

Type:

Adventure Sports

Learn to Sail or Powerboat at Ballyholme Yacht Club. Learn Navigation skills or take part in the summer sea swim series. There is something for everyone here from age three up.

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Polished Jewels & Cultural Guinness

Belfast

Address

34 Strathmore Park North, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5HR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 6961

contact@diamondchauffersireland.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Our knowledgeable and friendly chauffeurs will be thrilled to introduce you to the Emerald Isle, through our Private Tours in Northern Ireland.

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Mysteries of the Malt Tour

Cushendun

Address

7 The Square, Cushendun, County Antrim, BT44 0PQ

sam@highseaspirits.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Take the world’s oldest whisk(e)y trail to where it all began and where it thrives today. From the very best the Causeway Coastal Route has to offer in food, drink and accommodation, we add the bonus of excusive distillery tours and expert tastings…

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Rollo Gillespie Monument

Comber

Address

Comber Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historial figure

Situated in The Square in Comber, it was erected in 1845 to commemorate the bravery of Major General Robert 'Rollo' Gillespie born in the town in 1766. A list of his battles can be found on the sides of the pillar.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Clandeboye Golf Club

Conlig

Address

51 Tower Road, Conlig, County Down, BT23 7PN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 1767

office@cgc-ni.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

36 Holes. There are two courses in wooded undulating parkland/heathland with clusters of gorse bushes and copses ready to claim the wayward shots.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
7 reviews
Hound of Ulster Tours

Belfast

Address

39 Lagmore Glen, Dunmurry, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0UZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7513 355 206

info@houndofulstertours.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Discover the real Ireland with Hound of Ulster Tours.

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The Wee Tram - Titanic Quarter

Belfast

Address

Calling at Titanic Belfast, Olympic Way, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT3 9EP

info@theweetram.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Take a tram ride around Belfast's Titanic Quarter, with its many attractions, in carriages inspired by the tramcars than ran through Titanic’s shipyard.

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Ballymenoch Park

Holywood

Address

Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT19 6JF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

A lovely park perfect for families located only a short distance from Holywood.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Plantsman's Garden Tours

Bangor

Address

12 Meadow Way, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1JJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3081

trevor@trevoredwardsgardens.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

'Plantsman's Garden Tours' offer incredible access to the gardens of historic stately homes and the privately owned masterpieces of Co. Down and Northern Ireland together with those of the Republic of Ireland.

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Balmoral Golf Club

Belfast

Address

518 Lisburn Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 6GX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9038 1514

admin@balmoralgolf.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

One of Northern Ireland's finest parkland course. Situated in the leafy suburbs of South Belfast close to the city centre.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
The Belfast Experience

Belfast

Address

Spectrum Centre, 331 Shankill Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT13 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 7954 181 004

katherineredpath@icloud.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

The Belfast Experience offers enthralling social, industrial, and political walking and taxi tours which brings to life the history of one Belfast’s most remarkable communities, the Shankill Road.

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Royal Belfast Golf Club

Holywood

Address

Station Rd, Craigavad, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8165

admin@royalbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Founded in 1881, Royal Belfast Golf Club lays claim to the title of the oldest golf course in Ireland. Visitors are assured of a very warm welcome and a wonderful golfing experience.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
The Theatrical History Tour of Belfast

Belfast

Address

The Big Fish, Donegall Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3NG

Price
Price £20.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

‘The Theatrical History Tour of Belfast,’ is a new, innovative walking tour that sees two actors, a male and a female, lead a one-hour walking tour from The Big Fish to The Soundyard. During this one-hour tour, the actors will perform five…

Price
Price £20.00 Activity

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Clip 'n Climb Dundonald

Address

Dundonald International Ice Bowl, 111 Old Dundonald Road, County Antrim, BT16 1XT

Telephone
+44028 90 487 777

info@clipnclimbdundonald.co.uk

Type

Type:

Climbing

Clip 'n Climb Dundonald is an exciting indoor climbing arena based at Dundonald International Ice Bowl.
With 24 different climbing challenges of varying skills and difficulty, Clip 'n Climb is ideal for all ages from school kids to retired kids.

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Slieve Croob 'Twelve Cairns' Walk

Belfast

Address

The Stableyard, Barnett Demesne, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5PB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9030 3932

info@walkni.com

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

There was once a massive cairn (a manmade mound of stones) on the summit of Slieve Croob. This may have marked a Bronze Age Burial. Unfortunately little remains of this once impressive monument but the local name for the mountain,‘The Twelve Carins’.

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Belfast Exposed

Belfast

Address

23 Donegall Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2FF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 0965

info@belfastexposed.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Born from engagement with the community, Belfast Exposed houses contemporary photography galleries, bookshop, and archive with some of the most iconic images taken during the Troubles.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This route follows an attractive glen into the Castlereagh Hills with superb views over the city from the top.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Victoria Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Oasis for wildlife in Belfast

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)