Belfast Vacations

A must see destination on any visit to this once great industrial city is Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. Visitors are able to explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the full story of the sunken ship in the city where it all began. Titanic Belfast is located in the aptly named Titanic Quarter of Belfast, an area of the city that is undergoing a bit of a resurgence of late and is becoming a popular tourist destination with the nearby Odyssey Arena home to many restaurants and events. This area is also the location of the city’s famous Harland and Wolff cranes, two large yellow cranes that dominate the city skyline.

With Northern Ireland’s recent past steeped in the history of the troubles, Belfast taxi tours offer a great experience and insight into this past, something that has become a surprise tourist destination in recent years. With the option of being collected at your hotel door, you will be taken on a journey through Belfast that will open your eyes to the chequered history of this once troubled city. You’ll find the taxi drivers and tour guides are very informative and have plenty of opportunities to photograph the wonderful city murals and visit historic sites that will help you to visualise the different perspectives of the conflict of the past and more recent times. If you have time, visit Crumlin Road Gaol, first opened in 1846, housing prisoners from both sides of Northern Ireland’s troubles. Today after restoration the Gaol is opened to the public where you can walk in the footsteps of over 25,000 prisoners.

For families, Belfast has plenty to see and do. Admission into the Ulster Museum, a treasure house of art, history, and natural sciences, is free and it’s a must see, what with three interactive discovery zones packed with plenty for young children to engage with and enjoy. Alternatively if the weather is good a trip to Belfast Zoo or the local Streamvale Open Farm is well worth a visit. Streamvale Open Farm is designed for families to enjoy and learn about the countryside, while they will have the opportunity to get a closer look at traditional Irish farm animals. If you time your visit you may be lucky and catch the farms dairy cows being milked every afternoon.

Those in need of some retail therapy won’t be disappointed either, Belfast has many of the world’s leading brands to shop in, found on the city’s famous Royal Avenue located at the foot of the popular City Hall, or the newly built Victoria Square Shopping Centre. Head straight to the top of Victoria Square for an unparalleled 360 panoramic view of the city.

Belfast is also a growing favourite for foodies, with many popular restaurants within the city all cooking locally sourced Northern Ireland produce. The Cathedral Quarter of the city is home to many popular local restaurants and bars. Take a stroll around this area after a long day touring the city and enjoy some food and drink in one of Belfast’s many famous watering holes. St Anne’s Square in the Cathedral Quarter is one foodie hangout in particular that attracts crowds seven days a week.

The nearby St George's Market is one of the city’s oldest attractions and home to some of the finest food produce and arts and crafts. Open at weekends, the market attracts thousands of visitors every week and on Saturday and Sunday you can look forward to the sounds of traditional and popular music bellowing out.

Northern Ireland’s famous landscapes have made it draw the attention of film crews as a backdrop for filming scenes, with Belfast the home of the American fantasy drama series Game of Thrones. If you are a fan take the opportunity to visit sites of the series’ most popular scenes near Belfast.