Belfast isn’t just Northern Ireland’s capital. It’s a city that’s been quietly transforming itself into one of Europe’s most compelling destinations, and we think it’s about time the world took notice.
Days out in Belfast pulse with creative energy, world-class attractions, and a warmth that’ll have you planning your return visit before you’ve even left. The city wears its complex history with pride while embracing a future that’s bright with possibility.
From world-renowned museums that bring history to life to bustling markets where locals still chat about the weather over fresh produce, Belfast offers that perfect blend of must-see attractions and hidden corners that make you feel like you’re discovering something special.
Ready to fall in love with one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets? Here’s our guide to what to see in Belfast, Ireland. Don’t miss our Irish tours leaving from Belfast.
Titanic Belfast
Ever stood somewhere that gave you genuine goosebumps? Titanic Belfast does exactly that from the moment you catch sight of its striking angular architecture, rising from the very spot where the world’s most famous ship was born.
This isn’t just a museum. It’s a time machine that transports you back to an era when the city was the shipbuilding capital of the world, and was the obvious choice for the top of our list of what to visit in Belfast.
The four gleaming hulls that make up the building reaching skyward mirror the height of the Titanic’s bow, creating a monument that’s both beautiful and deeply moving. Inside, nine interactive galleries unfold the complete Titanic story.
Inside the museum, you’ll walk through a recreation of the shipyard, feeling the heat and hearing the deafening noise of thousands of workers crafting maritime history. The ship recreation takes you through opulent first-class cabins and cramped third-class quarters, making the human stories behind the headlines feel incredibly real. But perhaps the most powerful moment in this popular Belfast activity comes in the sinking gallery, where the temperature drops and you’re surrounded by the sounds of that fateful night.
Don’t miss the outdoor experience either to complete your trip. The surrounding Titanic Quarter has been transformed into a modern district, where you can walk the actual slipways where the Titanic was built, complete with markers showing her exact dimensions.
Ulster Museum
Here’s where Belfast really shows off its cultural credentials. The Ulster Museum tells the story of Ireland from dinosaurs to democracy, and it does so with a flair that makes even the most museum-shy visitors find themselves completely absorbed.
If you’re searching for things to see in Belfast, the natural history galleries are absolutely captivating, featuring everything from local fossils to exotic specimens that spark curiosity in visitors of all ages. The dinosaur exhibits get children excited, but adults find themselves equally fascinated by the geological story of Ireland told through rock formations and mineral displays.
Perhaps the most compelling part of this Belfast attraction is the history section, which tackles Northern Ireland’s complex past with sensitivity and honesty. The Troubles exhibition doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, but presents them in a way that promotes understanding rather than division.
Belfast Botanic Gardens
Tucked away in the Queen’s Quarter, Belfast Botanic Gardens offers a slice of paradise that is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Belfast. Locals have been treasuring this spot for over 150 years, and visitors often stumble upon it quite by accident, only to find themselves returning again and again.
The Palm House steals the show, and rightfully so. This stunning Victorian glasshouse, dating from the 1840s, creates a tropical oasis in the heart of Belfast. Step inside and you’re immediately transported to another world, where exotic palms stretch toward the glass ceiling and the humid air carries the scent of flowers.
The Tropical Ravine is equally spectacular but often overlooked. This sunken glen, covered by a Victorian glass dome, houses plants from around the world in a setting that feels like a secret garden. Banana plants, cinnamon trees, and ancient cycads create a jungle atmosphere that’s particularly magical on misty Belfast mornings.
But it’s not all about exotic plants. If you’re looking for things to do in Belfast in the summer, the outdoor gardens showcase how beautiful temperate gardening can be, with seasonal displays that paint the landscape in different colors throughout the year.
St George’s Market
No matter when you find yourself asking what to see in Belfast, St George’s Market delivers the goods every time. Each day has its own personality, and locals know exactly when to visit for what they’re after.
Friday brings the variety market, where antique dealers set up alongside local food producers. Saturday transforms the space into a food lover’s paradise, with artisan producers offering everything from locally baked breads to exotic international cuisines. Sunday keeps the food focus but adds live music that fills the Victorian ironwork canopy with everything from traditional Irish tunes to contemporary folk.
The building itself is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture. Those soaring cast-iron arches and red-brick walls create a cathedral-like atmosphere that makes even routine grocery shopping feel special.
Sample local cheeses that rival anything from continental Europe, taste freshly baked soda bread that’ll ruin you for store-bought versions, or try international dishes prepared by families who’ve brought their culinary traditions to Belfast. The coffee alone is worth the visit, with several stalls serving brews that would make Dublin jealous.
Belfast City Hall
Standing in Donegall Square, Belfast City Hall commands attention like a confident host welcoming guests to the city. This Baroque Revival masterpiece, completed in 1906, represents Belfast at the height of its industrial prosperity, and today it serves as both a working seat of government and a window into the city’s proud past.
The building’s Portland stone facade gleams white against Belfast’s often grey skies, while the copper dome turns green with age, creating a landmark that’s visible from throughout the city center. Free guided tours are one of the top things to do in Belfast and reveal spaces that most visitors never see.
Belfast City Hall regularly hosts events, from concerts in the grounds to exhibitions in the public spaces. Checking their calendar before your visit might reveal special opportunities to experience this magnificent building in full swing.
The grounds surrounding City Hall offer a peaceful respite from the bustling city center. Formal gardens provide colorful displays throughout the growing season, while monuments and memorials create opportunities for quiet reflection.
City Hall also serves as a starting point for understanding Belfast’s layout and is a good place to start if you’re wondering what to see in Belfast in one day. From here, you can witness the way the city spreads out toward the hills, with different quarters each offering its own character and attractions. Many walking tours begin at City Hall, making it a natural first stop for visitors wanting to get their bearings.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Some attractions entertain, others educate, but Crumlin Road Gaol haunts you in the best possible way. This imposing Victorian prison operated for 150 years, and walking through its corridors offers a sobering but fascinating glimpse into justice, punishment, and human nature.
The guided tours are definitely one of the best activities in Belfast, consisting of theatrical experiences that bring the prison’s history to life. Former inmates, guards, and local historians serve as guides, sharing stories that range from darkly humorous to deeply moving.
But this isn’t just about grim history. The prison housed everyone from suffragettes fighting for women’s rights to political prisoners from various conflicts. Their stories reveal the complex social and political forces that shaped Belfast over more than a century, and the exhibits thoughtfully present these different perspectives without oversimplifying the moral complexities involved.
The underground tunnel that connected the prison to the courthouse across the street adds another layer of intrigue. Prisoners would walk this tunnel on their way to trial, never seeing daylight between their cell and the dock. Today, visitors can walk the same route, imagining the anxiety and hope that must have filled those shadowy passages.
The Metropolitan Arts Centre
Belfast’s Metropolitan Arts Centre, known locally as The MAC, represents everything vibrant and forward-looking about modern Belfast. This striking contemporary building in the Cathedral Quarter houses theaters, galleries, studios, and performance spaces that showcase both emerging local talent and internationally acclaimed artists.
The building’s modern architecture makes a bold statement about Belfast’s creative ambitions. The design deliberately contrasts with the surrounding Victorian architecture, creating a visual dialogue between Belfast’s past and future.
You’ll find plenty of things to do around Belfast here, with a theater program including everything from experimental works by local playwrights to touring productions from London’s West End. The visual arts galleries feature rotating exhibitions that highlight contemporary Irish art alongside international works.
The ground-floor galleries at The MAC are free to visit, making them perfect for spontaneous cultural discoveries during a day of exploring the Cathedral Quarter. The building also houses artists’ studios where visitors can sometimes watch creators at work.
Cave Hill Country Park
These popular attractions are all well and good, but what if you’re wondering what to see in Belfast to get a local perspective? Head up Cave Hill, where the city spreads out below you like a living map, and you’ll understand why people fall in love with this place.
This 750-acre country park offers the best views in Belfast, but it’s the journey to reach them that makes the experience truly special. The most popular route to the summit follows well-marked trails through woodlands and open moorland. The climb isn’t particularly challenging, but it’s enough of an effort to make reaching the top feel like a genuine achievement.
Along the way, you’ll encounter ancient earthworks, mysterious cave formations, and panoramic viewpoints. Napoleon’s Nose, the rocky outcrop at the summit, provides the classic Belfast photo opportunity.
The visitor center provides maps, historical context, and practical information about the various trails and wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy their attention. Whether you want a gentle hour-long stroll or a more challenging half-day hike, Cave Hill offers options for every fitness level and interest.
Queen’s Arcade
Belfast knows how to do shopping with style, and Queen’s Arcade proves it beautifully. This Victorian shopping arcade, connecting Donegall Place to Fountain Street, offers retail therapy in surroundings that are almost too pretty to be a mall.
Built in 1924, the arcade combines practical shopping with architectural beauty in a way that modern shopping centers rarely achieve. The glass roof floods the space with natural light, while decorative tilework and ornate storefronts create an atmosphere that’s both elegant and welcoming.
In Queen’s Arcade, local fashion designers showcase their work alongside vintage clothing stores that offer genuine treasures from previous eras. Jewelry shops feature both contemporary pieces and antique finds, while specialty stores sell everything from handcrafted soaps to artisan chocolates.
The arcade also houses several excellent cafés and restaurants that take advantage of the beautiful setting. Having coffee under the glass roof while watching shoppers browse the elegant storefronts feels like stepping into a more civilized era of retail therapy.
If you’ve been looking for what to see in Belfast city centre, the location makes Queen’s Arcade perfect for a shopping break during a day of city exploration. It’s close to City Hall, within walking distance of the Cathedral Quarter, and connected to the broader city center shopping district.
Discover Belfast with Irish Experience Tours
Whether you’re drawn to Belfast’s maritime heritage, its artistic renaissance, or simply its reputation, the city rewards travelers who approach the range of things to see with curiosity and openness. It’s a place where every conversation might lead to a story, every turn might reveal something unexpected, and every day ends with the feeling that you’ve discovered something genuinely special.
The city’s transformation from industrial powerhouse to cultural capital is still happening, and being part of that story requires more than just hitting the obvious tourist spots. Many of our small group tours of Ireland include Belfast on the itinerary, offering the chance to experience intimate guided tours of the city and visit the places we’ve talked about in this article.
Visit Belfast on our 13 Day Full Irish Experience Tour or our 11 Day Ultimate Irish Experience Tour, or plan an extended visit as part of our private organised tours.
