A Detailed Guide For Your Next Getaway to Northern Ireland

Last Updated on the 7th of August, 2025

Nestled on the banks of the River Lagan, Belfast, the thriving capital of Northern Ireland, is a place that should be on every traveller’s wish list.

The city is famed as the birthplace of the legendary RMS Titanic and for having been the filming location for the acclaimed TV and movie production Game of Thrones.

With an abundance of cosy pubs and a wealth of art and cultural experiences to discover, Belfast has all the ingredients for an unforgettable trip, even if you only have a day to explore its wonders.

All you have to do is wisely choose which Belfast city attractions you want to experience the most and spend the maximum time in the place of your preference.

On the right, you can see a mural by Smug painted in 2016 on High Street Court, Belfast

Suggested Plan for 1 Day in Belfast

With only 24 hours in Belfast, we would suggest that you see the following attractions at a minimum:

Black City Taxi Tour to see the murals

Titanic Belfast & the Docklands

Cathedral Quarter & the Cathedral

Belfast City Hall & the Donegall Square

Interior at the Queen’s University in Belfast

Places To Include In Your Belfast One-Day Itinerary

To plan a one-day itinerary in Belfast, prioritize key attractions like the Titanic Quarter and Belfast City Hall, and consider a guided tour for a seamless experience.

If you’re interested in learning more about Belfast’s history, devote more time to exploring the city centre.

If ships and maritime history are more your thing, spend more time at the Titanic Quarter.

If you want to experience culture and art, visit the Cathedral Quarter.

I’ve added one outlier as well, which is a bit further out: the Botanical Garden (including the Ulster Museum) and the Queen’s University.

I hope this Belfast itinerary comes in handy for you. I know there’s too much listed here to see in one day, but hopefully, it helps you make some choices. The best way to see Belfast, though, is to stay for more than one day.

Watching a sunset over River Lagan in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Morning (9:00 am to 1:00 pm): Belfast City Hall and Black Taxi Tour

Wake up in one of the hotels across Belfast city centre, have a hearty breakfast and get ready to explore!

In the morning, you can cover the cluster of relatively nearby sights.

Start with Belfast City Hall, followed by a short walk along Donegall Square to see the sights of the Grand Opera House with its historic and opulent auditorium, and the most famous pub in Belfast – Crown Liquor Saloon, before embarking on an Original Belfast black taxi tour.

The Grand Opera House is Northern Ireland’s most iconic theatre

Belfast City Hall (09:30 am to 10:30 am)

The magnificent building – located in Donegall Square – is Belfast’s most impressive landmark, and it’s a fantastic introduction to the city.

You can enjoy the grand building’s exterior and visit the museum inside City Hall. There are regular tours of the hallowed halls, all for free. The tour usually lasts for 1 hour, and you can just turn up and register at reception.

The monumental building complex has the Titanic Memorial Garden on its eastern wing, where the 1512 victims of the shipwreck are commemorated on bronze plates.

Address: Donegall Square N, Belfast BT1 5GS, United Kingdom

Hours: Weekdays: 09:30 am to 5:00 pm | Weekends: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Belfast City Hall is home to the city council

Original Belfast Black Taxi Tour (11:00 am to 01:00 pm)

While the Troubles are submitted to the history books, people and places in Belfast City still ponder the tragedy of that period.

There is no better way to gain insight into Belfast’s historical conflict than by going on a black cab tour, which is usually led by a local who lived and worked during the Troubles.

The black taxi tour would entail an opportunity to immerse yourself in modern history without stepping into a museum.

You’ll be driven right into the heart of the Troubles and learn excruciating detail about how Protestants and Catholics went from being friends and neighbours to hostile enemies in almost no time.

The world-famous Bobby Sands Mural in Belfast

You’ll get a chance to catch a glimpse of the haunting murals that bear remembrance of those who battled and perished during the Troubles.

A memorable stop lies along Shankill and Falls Road, where a 5.5-metre-high concrete wall known as the peace wall is located.

How long is the tour? The tour usually lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours

Main Highlights: Europa Hotel, Political Murals, Falls Road and Shanklin Road

Good to know: There isn’t a fixed itinerary for the taxi tour. Ask your driver as many questions as you want, and let them know if there are certain facts or places that you would like to focus on.

Belfast Peace Wall was built by the British Army to keep Protestant and Catholic communities apart

Lunch (01:30 pm to 02:30 pm)

Just a reminder not to forget to eat!

There are some fantastic lunch spots around Belfast.

For classic fish and chips as well as other seafood, stop by the Fish City; for a traditional Ulster Fry, check out Queens Café Bar, but if you fancy a Venetian-style pizza, make sure you stop by Coppi, located on St Anne’s Square.

For a quick bite on the go, head to Boojum, where you’ll find classic burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, fajitas and salad bowls.

Blooming magnolias in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Afternoon (3:00 pm to 05:00 pm): Docklands and the Titanic Quarter

You couldn’t find a better place to experience the deep maritime roots of Belfast than the Docklands, which have played a significant role in the city’s history.

Belfast’s shipbuilding industry was an important component of the city’s economy, with the RMS Titanic being its most renowned product. Given the ship’s close association with Belfast, don’t be surprised that the city has a neighbourhood dedicated to it.

The RMS Titanic was built in the dockyards of Belfast, and this area is now known as the Titanic Quarter. It’s where you find the Titanic Museum and Belfast’s Graving Docks.

If you are coming from the city centre, stop by the Lagan Lookout, a walking bridge which also functions as an engineering solution to maintain the river’s level artificially constant, to admire dazzling panoramic views of the Lagan River and the harbour before you reach the Titanic Quarter.

Fun fact: Before crossing the bridge, don’t forget to kiss the Salmon of Knowledge, as kissing the fish evokes wisdom

The Titanic Museum is unmissable when visiting Belfast

Evening (05:30 pm to 07:30 pm): Cathedral Quarter

As the evening moves on, make your way to the vibrant Cathedral Quarter if you really want to see how Belfast has advanced since the years of political strife.

Recently named one of the UK’s “coolest neighbourhoods”, the popular haunt is home to various art venues, a handful of lively pubs and the whiskey shop The Friend at Hand, which boasts 600 Irish Whiskeys.

Here, you can wander through a maze of cobblestone streets, discover refitted warehouses and admire the bright and colourful street art.

If you like art, make sure you stop by The MAC Live to check out its endless art exhibitions that are stationed here or stop by Golden Thread Gallery.

A visit to the Cathedral Quarter wouldn’t be complete without a walk around Belfast Cathedral so you can appreciate the architecture of the early 1800s.

Cathedral Quarter has lively pubs and cobbled streets

Dinner (08:00 pm to 09:00 pm)

Now that you are done with the sightseeing for the day, head for a hearty meal in one of the eateries at the Cathedral Quartal.

Here, you can find affordable restaurants, chic rooftop bars and dog-friendly places.

Head to the Northern Whig for a striking interior and a fantastic food menu created by head chef Rick Orr.

If you fancy a pizza, then go to the funky Pizza Punks restaurant, but if you are looking for delicious food made with locally sourced ingredients, then you must check out Made in Belfast, which is located at 4 Wellington St.

The Dirty Onion pub is Belfast’s oldest intact timber-framed building.

Alternate activity: Go for a stroll around the Botanical Gardens

If you are looking for a more leisurely activity, then you can swap the ones described above for a walk around the Botanical Garden, as it is one of the top things to do in Belfast whether you’re visiting as a couple, with your family, or by yourself.

Situated near Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens is a 19th-century oasis known for its stunning architecture and manicured landscaping.

There are giant bird feeders, rose gardens, beautiful sculptures and one of the oldest curved cast-iron glasshouses in the world – Palm House.

While at the gardens, you can also stop by the Ulster Museum, where you can see the incredible Game of Thrones tapestry, before arriving at one of the most prestigious universities in Northern Ireland: the Queen’s University.

One of the main reasons why you must include Queen’s University is to marvel at the glorious Tudor-style buildings. It is free to walk around the courtyards and cloisters and check out some of the facilities like the Naughton Gallery.

FAQ

How Many Days in Belfast Is Enough?

For an authentic Belfast experience, give yourself three days to soak up the culture, history, and sights.

On the last trip to Belfast, we had two full days. While we managed to see quite a lot, the trip felt a bit rushed, and we didn’t get to experience downtime and pub time in this vibrant city.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Belfast From Dublin?

Although it would make for a very long day, it is possible to do a day trip from Dublin to Belfast. You can rent a car or book train tickets via Irish Rail and depart from Connolly Station to Dublin.

Both journeys take around 2 hours each way, but taking the train gives you a wonderful opportunity to relax and take in the passing scenery. If you book the earliest train out and the latest back, you will get around 11 hours in Belfast City.

When To Visit Belfast

March to June is the peak time for sunshine and good weather in Belfast.

While Belfast is perfect for all-year-round trips, spring into summer brings longer days, more daylight and a calendar full of events.

The beginning of September is another great time of the year to consider, as inflated accommodation prices tend to take a welcome dip.

Belfast City Hall’s interior is a show-stopper

The Final Word on 1 Day in Belfast

And there you have it – all the top attractions you can fit into your one-day Belfast itinerary.

Over the last few years, I’ve been to Belfast numerous times and can say that obviously, you can’t see all the attractions in Belfast in just a day, because there is so much culture and history to uncover.

However, it is possible to cover a lot of ground and see some of the top sights with advanced planning, as most of the sights are within walking distance from each other.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Now, over to you!

Have you been to Belfast? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Belfast and have travel-related questions!

Subscribe For The Latest In Travel Inspiration

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to stay up to date with all our outdoor adventures

Enter your email below to receive updates

A Detailed Guide For Your Next Getaway to Northern Ireland – OUR CROSSINGS