These 10 Belfast Attractions Will Make Your Visit Unforgettable!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and an Affiliate of other programmes, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is never an additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

Welcome to our post “These 10 Belfast Attractions Will Make Your Visit Unforgettable!”

‘Belfast’ from the Irish Béal Feirste, means “Rivermouth of the sandbanks”, is the Capital City of Northern Ireland, located on the banks of the River lagan on the east coast of Ireland. It’s the largest City in N.Ireland and the 2nd largest City on the island of Ireland, with 334,000 inhabitants (2015).

The city suffered greatly during ‘The Troubles’ and was once considered in the 1970s and 1980s as one of the world’s most dangerous cities, but after the Peace agreement of 1996, it’s now one of the safest Cities to visit especially for tourist. Belfast now has the fastest growing economy in the top 30 biggest Cities in the UK over the last decade and it’s visitor figures for tourism are 7.5 Million visitors in 2012 spending £415 Million.

It’s a great place to visit and compiling a list is never easy as there were just so many great places to visit. We initially had a long list of over 80, but after much discussuion we managed to make a short list of the 10 best places to visit in Belfast.

1. Belfast Titanic

No visit to N.Ireland would be complete without a visit to Belfast. There are 187 Titanic Museums in the world but The Belfast Titanic Centre is unique because this is where the Titanic was actually built, so we believe that gives it “an edge”.and one of our favourite Belfast Attractions

This centre cost £97 Million and tells the story of how the ship was built and launched in Belfast. The exhibition has nine interactive galleries – visitors can walk through the original Harland & Wolff shipyard gates, take a six-minute Shipyard Ride through different parts of the ship, with the sounds of riveting and smells of metal burning, and see replicas of the first-, second- and third-class cabins. There’s also a glass floor with video footage of the Titanic on the seabed.

Next door, the Titanic Slipways, where the ship and her sister ship Olympic were built, have been landscaped with lights, grass and decking to show the outlines of the actual ships. A few minutes away is Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House , where you can peer down into the 880 ft graving dock where Titanic sat for her final fit out. The best way to explore the Titanic Quarter is to take a tour – a two-hour walking tour includes access to the Dock and Pump-House and also to the Harland and Wolff drawing offices.

Belfast Titanic Centre Visitor Information

Address: Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queens Road,Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT3 9EP
Phone: +44 28 9076 6386
Website: http://titanicbelfast.com/
Opening Hours: Jan-Mar 10 am-5 pm, Apr-May 9 am-6 pm, June-July 9 am-7 pm, Aug 9 am-8 pm, Sept 9 am-6 pm
Prices: Adult £18.50, Child 5-16 £8, Child (under 5 ) Free, Student & Seniors (Over 60) £15, Essential Carer Free, Family pack 2 adults & 2 children £45

2. Crumlin Road Gaol

The Crumlin Road Gaol is a 19th century Grade A listed jail, open to the public for tours, concerts and events. It’s one of our top choices for Belfast Attractions

Designed by Charles Lanyon at a cost of £60,000, this was one of the most advanced prisons of its day when it opened in 1845. Designed to hold 500 prisoners, during the Troubles it was home to up to 900 before closing in 1996.

Take a tour to experience all aspects of the Gaol from the tunnel linking the courthouse on the other side of the Crumlin Road to the hanging cell, Governor’s office, hospital and graveyard.

Crumlin Road Gaol first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 and for 150 years was a fully operational prison. On March 31, 1996, the Governor of Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol walked out of the fortified prison and the heavy air-lock gates slammed shut for the final time.

During those 150 years the Gaol has housed murderers, suffragettes and loyalist and republican prisoners. It has witnessed births, deaths and marriages and has been the home to executions, escapes, hunger-strikes and riots.

Crumlin Road Visitor Information

Address: 53-55 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 6ST
Contact: 00 44 28 9074 1500; crumlinroadgaol.com
Getting there: bus to Crumlin Road Gaol (11A, 12A)
Opening times: standard tour: daily, first tour 10am, last tour 4.30pm. Times for Paranormal Tours vary
Price: standard tour: £9 (£7.50 if booked online); over 60s and students, £8 (£6); children 5-15, £6.50 (£5.50); under 5s, free; family ticket (2 adults, 2 children), £25 (£22). Paranormal tour, £15.
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: essential

3. Stormont Parliament Buildings

Stormont has been home of Northern Ireland’s Assembly since 1998 and is where their Politicians hold their meetings and make their decisions. Situated at the end of a gently rising Avenue, it makes a dramatic sight with its iconic white neoclassical facade.

On 8 May 2007, it returned to the forefront of Irish politics, when Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness – the best of enemies for decades – laughed and smiled as they were sworn in as first minister and deputy first minister respectively.

It is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

While there, you can visit the Stormont Estate, where you will find beautiful gardens, memorials and some great walkways.

Stormont Parliament Buildings Visitor Information

Address: Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast, N.Ireland
Contact: 028 905 21802
Web Site: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk
Getting there: Parliament Buildings is situated in Stormont Estate which is on the east side of Belfast, on the Upper Newtownards Road (A20). You can travel to the estate by car or by bus.
Opening times: 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, guided tours 11am & 2pm
Price: Free

4. Belfast Cathedral

Also known as St Anne’s Cathedral, this Cathedral is very different to other Cathedrals as usually a Cathedral is where a Bishop sits. But the Belfast Cathedral has two Bishops sitting, the Bishop of Connor and the Bishop of Down & Dromore, serving two separate dioceses, making this particular Cathedral quite unique.

Built in 1899 by the architect Sir Thomas Drew, and constructed around the Old Parish church of 1776. Once built, the old Church was demolished and the new Cathedral stood alone in all it’s splendour.

The building itself is Romanesque, giving it a lofty grandeur associated with that style; semi-circular arches and massive pillars, vast and high single windows, and possessing an uncluttered spaciousness. The Cathedral contains mosaics designed by Sir Charles Nicholson, as well as sculptures by Rosamund Praegar and Maurice Harding. The 40 metre stainless steel Spire of Hope was added in 2007 and is illuminated at night.

The audio guide takes you on your own personal tour of Belfast’s magnificent Cathedral. Find out how the cathedral’s story is intertwined with that of its home city, discover the rich historic artefacts and be introduced to the people who helped shape this sacred place. Another favourite in our list of Belfast Attractions.

Belfast Cathedral Visitor Information

Address: Donegall Street, Belfast. BT1 2HB
Contact: +44 28 9032 8332
Web Site: http://www.belfastcathedral.org
Getting there: 4 mins walk from city centre, or buses 300/600 from airport
Opening times: Mon – Sat 09.00 – 5.15, Sund 1 pm – 3 pm
Price:

Adults: £5 (including guide book or audio guide)
Concession, student and over 60: £4
Children aged 5-12 years old: £3
Family ticket 2 adults, 2 children: £12
Guided tours £6.

5. Belfast Black Taxi Tours

These offbeat 90-minute tours in traditional black cabs include the Catholic Falls Road and Protestant Shankill Road, the wall murals, the so-called Peace Walls keeping Protestants and Catholics apart, the docks and the university area.

Once they pick you up from your hotel or wherever you want, there’s no stopping them! Like Taxi drivers everywhere, they have their views on what happened, why it happened & where it happened. They do try to be impartial but our driver was obviously more sympathetic to the Catholic cause, but I suppose that’s understandable isn’t it?

It’s a great tour if you want a quick no holds barred opinion of “The Troubles” during the 70s & 80s

Belfast Black Taxi Visitor Information

Address: Black cabs are everywhere and take you to Protestant & Catholic stronghold areas
Contact: 00 44 28 9064 2264
Web Site: http://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/ is the best but there are others
Getting there: Free collection from anywhere in the City
Opening times: Daily 8 am – 8 pm, or by previous booking
Price: From £35
Reservations: Essential
Payment: Credit cards not accepted

6. HMS Caroline Battleship Tour

This Battle Cruiser is the last survivor of one of the greatest sea battles of all time, the Battle of Jutland. A first world war battle in 1916 of, at the time the greatest navy’s in the world, Britain & Germany. Both sides claimed victory but with 14 vessel loses against 11 vessel losses, no one really won. The great loss of life of 8,600 killed was quite shocking to everyone involved and led to this being the last naval battle in world history involving Battleships.

Now beautifully restored, with audio-visual displays recapturing the blood and thunder of the battle, and the ship itself a fascinating look at life below decks, from the hammocks and tin mugs of the 300 seamen to the fine table linen and proper bunks of the officers, their logs written in perfect copperplate.

HMS Caroline Visitor Information

Address: Alexandra Dock Titanic Quarter, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9DT
Contact: 00 44 28 9045 4484; nmrn.org.uk
Getting there: Bus from Donegall Square North to Titanic Belfast (600b), then half a mile walk
Opening times: daily, 10am-5pm
Price: £9.50; over 60s and students, £6; child 5-15, £4; family (2 adults and 3 children), £20.50; 1 adult and 3 children, £13.50
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary

7. Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle is around 4 Miles from Belfast City centre and is set in Cave Hill country park in North Belfast.

The first castle on the site was built by the Normans in the 12th Century. A second castle was built on the ame site in 1620 but burned down 100 years later. In 1862, the third Marquis of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family, decided to build a new castle within his deer park, situated on the side of Cave Hill in what is now north Belfast.

Between 1945 and the 1970s Belfast Castle was a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas.

In 1978 the castle closed as part of a £2 million refurbishment programme, overseen by Hewitt and Haslam Partnership architects. It reopened on 11 November 1988 and is now a popular venue for weddings, conferences and other events.

There’s a restaurant on site as is Cave Hill Visitor Centre. Cave Hill Country Park and the Adventure Playground are well worth exploring, and the grounds are particularly popular for picnics during summer months.

Belfast Castle Visitor Information

Address: Belfast Castle, Antrim Rd, Belfast, Antrim, BT15 5GR
Contact: 028 9077 6925
Getting there: From Belfast City Centre, buses 18,19 19a, 1a, 1e, 1d& 1f| By Car M2 Northbound to Antim Road A6
Opening times: Monday 09:00-18:00, Tuesday 09:30-22:30, Wednesday 09:30-22:30, Thursday 09:30-22:30, Friday 09:30-22:30, Saturday 09:30-22:30, Sunday 09:00-18:00
Price: Free Admission

8. Belfast Zoo

Belfast Zoo opened in 1932 and is owned and operated by Belfast City Council. This 55 acre site is home to more than 130 species the majority of which are facing increasing danger in their natural habitats. The Zoo is passionate about education, learning and discovery. Their aim is to educate visitors about their animals and nature in general, and to provide them with a memorable experience.

The feeding times are always popular so we have listed the daily feeding times below.

Time	Animal			Location on map
11.30am	Chimpanzee (inside) – talk only			26
12 noon	Western lowland gorilla – talk only			29
12.15pm	Monkey house – talk only
12.15pm	Malayan sun bear – feeding time			36
12.30pm	Reptile and amphibian house – talk only			12
1.45pm	Asian elephant – feeding time and talk			16
2pm	Andean bear – feeding time and talk
2.15pm	Meerkats			18
2.15pm	Penguins	Gentoo penguins	Rockhopper penguins	43
2.45pm	California sea lion – feeding time and talk			45

Belfast Zoo Visitor Information

Address: Antrim Rd, Belfast BT36 7PN, UK
Contact: 028 9077 6277
Getting there: From Belfast city centre Follow directions for the M2 motorway. Stay on the M2 until you reach the second junction. Leave the motorway at junction two (Greenisland/Whitewell/Rathcoole). The zoo is sign posted from here.Take the extreme left slip road and follow the signs for the zoo.
Opening times: Summer: (16th Apr-30th Sept) 10 am to 6 pm daily (Last Admission 5 pm) Winter (1 October – 31 March) 10am to 4pm daily (Last admission is 2.30pm)
Price: Adult £13.50, Child (aged 4 – 16) £6.75, Child (under 4 ) Free, Students & Seniors £6.75, Family (2 adults, 3 children max) £36.75

9. Belfast City Hall

Belfast’s classical Renaissance-style City Hall was built-in fine, white Portland stone in 1906. The hall is fronted by a statue of a rather dour ‘we are not amused’ Queen Victoria. The bronze figures on either side of her symbolise the textile and shipbuilding industries. The child at the back represents education.

After viewing the fantastic architecture of the building, you can move into the grounds which are complete with Titanic Memorial Garden, lawns and benches on which to relax and watch the big screen.

Belfast City Hall Visitor Information

Address: Donegall Square, Belfast BT1 5GS
Phone: 028 9032 0202
Website: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Opening Hours: guided tours 11am, 2pm & 3pm Mon-Fri, noon, 2pm & 3pm Sat & Sun Oct-May, plus 10am & 4pm Mon-Fri, 4pm Sat & Sun Jun-Sep
Prices: Free

10. Queen’s University

Northern Ireland’s most prestigious university was founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. In 1908 the Queen’s College became the Queen’s University of Belfast and today its campus spreads across some 250 buildings. Designed by Charles Lanyon and opened in 1849, this gothic masterpiece is said to be based on Oxford University’s Magdalen College.

Just inside the main entrance is the Queen’s Welcome Centre, with an information desk and souvenir shop. Book ahead for guided tours, or pick up a free leaflet that outlines a self-guided tour. Famous alumni include former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney and scientist Lord Kelvin whose statue is in nearby Botanic Gardens. George Best received an Honorary Doctorate from Queen’s in 2001.

Queen’s University Visitor Information

Address: University Rd, Belfast, N.Ireland
Phone: +028 9097 5252
Website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/vcentre
Opening Hours: Open 09:30 – 16:30, Sun 10:00 – 13:00.
Prices: Guided Tour £5

Thank you for visiting our Blog Post. You may be interested in another of our posts “10 Must See Places To Visit In Northern Ireland”