Belfast Top Things to Do and Visitor Guide 2026
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Bombay Street in Belfast is where some say the modern troubles began when Catholics were burnt out of their homes. Due to their effective nature they were built higher, longer, and made permanent and are still here today. They were built as temporary structures, meant to last only six months. You will have the opportunity to take your own photographs of the Belfast murals. You will go for a short walk around the area, where your black taxi cab driver will explain the loyalist murals Belfast has in the area and what they represent. There will then be an explanation about the recent troubles, which started in 1969 and ended when the peace agreement was signed in 1998.
How much is a taxi fare from Belfast International Airport to Belfast City?
On the east side, a branch of the Ulster Bank is built behind the classical portico of a former Methodist church dating from 1846. The Baroque revival City Hall was finished in 1906 on the site of the former White Linen Hall, and was built to reflect Belfast’s city status, granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. Next to the former the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices (now an hotel), stands the "cultural nucleus to Titanic Quarter", Titanic Belfast (2012) whose interactive galleries tell the liner’s ill-fated story. East Belfast developed from the Queens Bridge (1843), through Ballymacarrett, east along the Newtownards Road and north (along the east shore of the Lough) up the Holywood Road; and from the Albert Bridge (1890) south east out the Cregagh and Castlereagh roads. Further opportunities for women on the Falls Road arose through developments in education and public health. Meanwhile, road schemes, including the terminus of the M1 motorway and the Westlink, demolished a mixed dockland community, Sailortown, and severed the streets linking the Shankill area and the rest of both north and west Belfast to the city centre.
Some of Belfast’s most iconic bars are centered around a narrow walking street in the Cathedral Quarter, in the heart of the city. Showcasing sets, props, weapons, costumes and visual effects from the show, it’s required visiting for serious fans of George RR Martin’s fictional world. A bronze statue of Queen Victoria is accompanied by figures representing education and Belfast’s textile and shipbuilding industries, and a memorial to the Titanic lists the names of the more than 1500 people who died when the boat sank in the North Atlantic. The ground floor exhibition has displays on Belfast’s history and culture; artifacts include a sideboard intended for the captain’s quarters on Titanic. Each of the windows along the northeast corridor commemorates a significant moment or group in the city’s history. Don’t miss exploring the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world, which is included with a museum ticket and is docked right outside.
How to get a taxi from the Cathedral Quarter
Waiting times can sometimes be lengthy with these apps, so it’s essential to bear this in mind if you’re booking a ride to the airport. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities from exploring the Titanic Quarter to taking in the local music scene and dining at excellent restaurants. Then, venture to the Titanic Belfast, where you’ll find full-scale reconstructions, and explore the shipyard where they built the world’s most famous ship. We recommend finding a cosy spot to enjoy a cold bar, or an artisan gin from a local distillery whilst you enjoy live music and revel in the city’s undeniable charm.
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It’s easy to eat well in Belfast and in the most refined manner at the city’s two Michelin-starred restaurants. The home of Ulster Rugby, still affectionately known by its previous name, Ravenhill, accommodates 18,000 spectators and typically welcomes a full house for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon games. Northern Ireland has a rich sporting heritage, and watching one of the local professional teams in action is an exhilarating way to kick off a night on the town. Belfast’s Celtic roots ensure that the live music scene is baked into the nightlife culture. At the same complex, Banana Block is an innovative commercial and community events space in a former linen mill.
- Showcasing sets, props, weapons, costumes and visual effects from the show, it’s required visiting for serious fans of George RR Martin’s fictional world.
- From Belfast, it’s a short one and a half hour drive to The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most famous attraction (see day trips at the bottom of this article).
- Significant projects included Victoria Square, the Cathedral Quarter, Laganside with the Odyssey complex and the landmark Waterfront Hall, the new Titanic Quarter with its Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, and the development of the original Short’s harbour airfield as Belfast City Airport.
- Belfast’s Celtic roots ensure that the live music scene is baked into the nightlife culture.
- But the presence of 18 selective grammar schools in Belfast is a further feature of post-primary education in Belfast that distinguishes it from that of comparable cities in Great Britain where academic selection was abandoned in the 1960s and 70s.
The journey culminates with a deep dive into the RMS Titanic, whose ill-fated Atlantic voyage in 1912 eventually crippled the city’s top industry. Museums and tours nourish history buffs, while enthusiastic hikers can find nature on the city’s doorstep. The Belfast of today has a thriving performing arts scene and a nightlife that fuses haute cuisine with cozy pubs and Irish folk music.
Experience an authentic black cab tour of Belfast and discover the murals and unique characters of both the nationalist and unionist communities. Visit murals and hear accounts from both sides of the conflict in the Falls and Shankill. The tours used to go up to Belfast Castle and Stormont, where our government operates, but these stops appear to have been cut from the routes. Despite its troubled history, today Belfast is an enjoyable, pleasant city to visit with an onward and upwards vibe. From Belfast, it’s a short one and a half hour drive to The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most famous attraction (see day trips at the bottom of this article). If you are short of time, you should start at the top with the major attractions, namely Titanic Belfast museum, a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour and perhaps a small-group tour to learn more about the city’s history.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Whether you’re here for a day, two days or an entire… Whether you’re a local stuck for date night, a power luncher in need for ideas or you’ve… If hills aren’t really your thing, you can still enjoy Cave Hill Country Park which surrounds the castle and is a popular place for Belfast folk to take a walk.
Areas affected included the Sydenham Bypass near Belfast City Airport, Westlink, M2, A1, A4 and A5. Check out the city’s bike guide and rent one through Belfast Bikes, a bike-sharing system. Fares are economy class and may include connections with our partner airlines. Learn the best ways to see famous Crumlin Road Gaol and explore the most popular things to do in United Kingdom. These can accommodate up to 5 passengers plus 5 standard suitcases (23kg max), or 6 passengers plus hand luggage. These can accommodate up to 3 passengers plus 3 standard suitcases (23kg max), or 4 passengers plus hand luggage.
Political murals
Our premium fleet includes Mercedes E-Class, S-Class, and V-Class vehicles, Sprinter Minibuses with 16 seats, and luxury coaches that accommodate up to 54 passengers. Here, you’ll explore the powerful Republican murals, which portray themes of resistance, community, and the quest for equality. Born and raised in Belfast, belfast cabs Hugh has lived through the city’s turbulent past and now shares his insider knowledge and personal experiences to bring Belfast’s history to life.