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Northern Ireland

Things to do in Belfast

As Northern Ireland’s capital, there are plenty of fun things to do in Belfast to suit everyone of all ages. As it’s home to the world’s biggest shipyard, there are plenty of unique things to do and see in Belfast. Arguably most well-known for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, one of the most famous ships in history, the city is rich in culture and history leaving tourists with many attractions to see.

Considered one of the safest cities in the United Kingdom, it is a perfect family-friendly destination to explore with lots of things to do in Belfast with kids available, your trip will be far from boring.

Today it is a contemporary centre for the arts, celebrated by the annual Belfast International Arts Festival which aims to create a community-focused event of contemporary arts and ideas of international appeal and stature.This Northern Irish city has established itself as the perfect destination for a mini-break thanks to its range of things to do in Belfast and the beautiful surrounding area, and friendly residents.

With regular P&O Ferries services taking two hours from Cairnryan to Larne, you will land in Northern Ireland half an hour down the road from Belfast. Why not add some flexibility to your plans with our Standard Flexi ticket; giving you flexibility on your departure time and the possibility of amending your booking if your plans change.

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Things to do in Belfast
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Titanic Belfast
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Explore the Cathedral Quarter
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Escape to Cave Hill Country Park

Fun Things to do in Belfast

Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens

The Ulster Museum is one of our top ten things to do in Belfast. To discover even more of Belfast’s unique history, heading south to the Queen’s Quarter to visit the Ulster Museum is a must. Its exhibitions are dedicated to documenting the human stories of Northern Ireland as well as presenting a variety of global cultural displays.

From Dale Chihuly’s Glass Sculpture for art lovers, to the ancient Egyptian mummy Takabuti for history buffs, to Peter the Polar Bear for excited children, there are plenty of fun things to do in Belfast for families as well as solo travellers and couples too.

The museum is ideally located at the main entrance to the beautiful Botanic Gardens, which spread an impressive 28 acres of the city and is another great spot to spend time in as a family. The park has been open to the public since 1895 and is a key feature of Belfast’s Victorian history and is a perfect free thing to do in Belfast to enjoy the scenery whilst being amongst the history and culture of the city.

One of the most unique things to do in Belfast includes visiting The Palm House conservatory. As one of the world’s earliest examples of a curvilinear cast-iron glasshouse, it consists of a cool wing and a tropical wing showcasing a beautiful range of plants and flowers which bloom year-round.

The gardens’ other greenhouse, the Tropical Ravine House, is unique in its design of two raised balconies either end of a sunken ravine running the length of the building. Outside in the gardens there is also a stunning rose garden which was built more recently in 1932. This spot is perfect for a bit of rest and relaxation and is a nice chance to appreciate one of the many free things to do in Belfast while children have a run around away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Tourist things to do in Belfast - Titanic Belfast

As one of the biggest tourist attractions in Belfast, you won’t be able to miss the impressive metal structure that forms the Titanic Belfast, constructed to mimic the shape of a ship’s hull, located in the former dockyard area of Belfast. Famous for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic during Belfast’s industrial boom at the turn of the 20th century, this visitor attraction, which opened in 2012, is another must see in the top ten things to do in Belfast, as it signals a positive era of regeneration for the city.

In the centre you can learn all about the history and innovation of the industrial boom that led to the creation of the RMS Titanic, through nine interactive galleries, with many different features. This centre is perfect as it offers endless things to do in Belfast for families which are both interactive and educational. Here, in the city where it all began, you can explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean, and uncover the true legend of one of the world’s most famous ships.

Best things to do in Belfast - Explore the Cathedral Quarter

Full of fantastic restaurants, bustling bars, and lots of the famous Irish craic, Belfast’s cultural quarter is the perfect place for a relaxing meal after a long day sight-seeing or a night out on the town. At the heart of the district is St Anne’s Cathedral, for which the area is named, and the surrounding narrow cobbled streets steeped in history provide a perfect setting to wander around and get lost in both the unusual and unique things to do in Belfast.

Feel free to branch out and try an eclectic range of cuisines; from Spanish tapas at 2Taps to contemporary Chinese food at the House of Zen, there’s something here to suit everyone’s taste. If it's drinks you’re after, look no further than The Dirty Onion, located in Belfast’s oldest building, for a modern yet unique thing to do in Belfast as you experience their take on a traditional Irish pub – don’t forget to get yourself a pint of Guinness to truly experience local drinking culture.

Things to do in Belfast - Escape to Cave Hill Country Park

If the busy city is all getting a bit much then why not escape to the beautiful countryside surrounding Belfast? Overlooking the city, Cave Hill Country Park offers unrivalled, panoramic views, including unusual things to do in Belfast such as archaeological sites and caves, a visitor centre, Adventure Playground, hillside walks, and vast areas of green space to enjoy.

Belfast Castle, built in the 1860s, resides on these hills overlooking the city and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The castle estate contains landscaped gardens and woodland and offers superb views of the city from many different vantage points. The estate and surrounding area is home to many different species of wildlife, including long-eared owls, sparrow hawks, and Belfast's rarest plant, perfect for anyone interested in nature, making it one of the busiest tourist things to do in Belfast.

This Northern Irish city has established itself as the perfect destination for a mini-break thanks to its range of things to do

Plan your trip to the Titanic Museum in Belfast

Top ten things to do in Belfast

Whether you are travelling in a group, in a couple, or solo there are endless things to do in Belfast. Here is our condensed list of all the top ten things to do in Belfast we think you should not miss:

1. Titanic Belfast
2. Belfast City Hall
3. St. George’s Market
4. Crumlin Road Gaol
5. Botanic Gardens
6. Black Taxi Tours
7. Ulster Museum
8. Peace Wall
9. The Dark Hedges
10. Lagan River Cruise

Why not book your Cairnryan to Larne ferry crossing today so you can start planning your trip to Northern Ireland straight away.

FAQs:

1. Where is Belfast?

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Located on the east coast of the island of Ireland, along the River Lagan it is only an half an hour drive away from our Larne port making it easy to plan your trip to Northern Ireland.

2. How to get to Belfast?

You can reach Belfast in multiple ways but with P&O Ferries offering many crossings from Cairnryan to Larne daily travelling to Belfast is simple whether you are travelling by car, foot, or even motorbike the opportunities are endless. Why not make the most of your trip and add priority boarding to your crossing so you can relax before you even set sail.

3. What should you not miss in Belfast?

With many things to do in Belfast it can be tricky knowing what places are the ebay things to see. Make sure you don’t miss Titanic Belfast, St. George’s Market, Crumlin Road Gaol, Black Taxi Tours, and the Peace Wall. Also, take time to visit the Ulster Museum and the stunning Botanic Gardens.

4. How to spend the day in Belfast?

Start with a visit to Titanic Belfast in the morning. Head to St. George’s Market for lunch, then explore the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens. In the afternoon, take a Black Taxi Tour and visit the Peace Wall. End your day with a stroll along the River Lagan or a visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol. Why not make your day trip more enjoyable by treating yourself to our club lounge so you can relax right at the start and the end of the day so you can be reassured you will have no stress when it comes travelling.

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