2 Days in Belfast: Itinerary For a Perfect Northern Ireland Weekend

By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Belfast contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Don’t have a lot of time to explore Belfast, Northern Ireland? Welcome to your new favorite 2 days in Belfast itinerary, perfect for travelers who love to walk a lot and explore all the must-see sites in a short amount of time.

In this itinerary, I will help you prioritize what to do in Belfast if you only have 2 days. Thanks to the compact nature of the city, most highlights are within walking distance from each other, so you can stretch your legs and explore political murals, exhibitions, and lively bars and restaurants.

My mom and I traveled to Belfast last year, and even though they still had COVID-19 precautions in place, we greatly enjoyed our time in the city. From gritty stories of The Troubles to incredibly well-done immersive museums, there’s something for everyone in the quirky capital of Northern Ireland.   

Belfast makes a fantastic add-on to your exploration of Ireland, including a 48-hour trip to Dublin or a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher in Western Ireland.

Happy Sampling!

Day One – A Mural Tour of The Troubles, A Beautiful University, & A Mouth-Watering Urban Market

 

On day one of our exploration of Belfast, we will start the day with a hearty breakfast, take an informative tour of the city’s political murals, and end the day on a lighter note.

(1) George’s Market

One of the best places in Belfast to grab a bite to eat is at one of the 200+ stalls at St. George’s Market, the last surviving Victorian market in Belfast. It was built between 1890 and 1896 on the site of a Friday market dating back to 1604 – talk about crazy old history! St. George’s is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so be sure to visit if you are in Belfast over the weekend. Grab produce, coffee, and other artisanal foods.  

Need a gift to take back to your family? St. George’s is also the perfect place to do this!

The Friday Variety Market, as the name suggests, is open only on Fridays, with 248 different market stalls. This includes a section made up of a whopping 23 fresh fish stalls during the hours of 8 am and 2 pm.

On Saturday, St. George’s becomes the Saturday City Food and Craft Market. Grab breakfast or lunch before closing time at 3 pm, and lean into the atmosphere by getting a coffee and listening to the live music.

Finally, Sunday is for the Sunday Food, Craft, and Antique Market. This market is a mix of the Friday and Saturday selections, with a special emphasis on artisan crafts from the area. It allows Belfast locals to showcase their handmade goods and supports their economy of small businesses.

(2) Black Taxi Tour

Taking a Black Taxi Tour is one of the most unique things to do in the city of Belfast. As you may know already, Belfast was at the center of a long and bloody period spanning over 30 years. Known as ‘The Troubles’, this conflict claimed the lives of over 3,500 people. To put it as simply as we can in a travel blog, the conflict was between the Catholics who wanted Northern Ireland to be part of the Republic of Ireland and the Protestants who wanted Northern Ireland to remain under British rule.

Over the years, The Troubles have been preserved in the form of murals scattered all over the city. Of course, you can take a walking tour and view the murals, but the best way to see the most is via a black taxi tour. These knowledgeable guides will take you a lot further than you can walk and will explain the meaning behind the most important street art in Belfast.

We had a great time with our tour guide and heard a lot about the gritty history of the city. We even learned that the gates of the Peace Walls still close at night, keeping the Catholic and Protestant communities separate to this day!

(3) Walk Around Queen’s University

Queen’s University is a gorgeous university from 1845, founded as a counter to Trinity College in Dublin. Queen’s encouraged education for Catholic students, while Trinity was the school for Anglicans. Walk around the campus to get a jaw-dropping view of the famous architecture.

If you start to get PTSD from your university days, remember that you don’t have to follow any students into their classrooms!

The most famous buildings are the Lanyon Building and McClay Library located in the heart of the university. The college campus has now spread throughout the entire neighborhood which is known as the Queen’s Quarter. This lively area is worth a visit to see where students and young adults hang out in Belfast.

(4) Botanic Gardens

Need more plants in your life? Visit the Botanic Gardens, established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society to encourage the local population to learn about botany. The Botanic Gardens have a great collection of exotic trees and plants.

On a rainy day, it’s perfect to wander around the glass greenhouse and take a look at the Palm House’s tropical plants – you’ll feel like you are in Mexico instead of rainy Northern Ireland. Sir Charles Lanyon, who designed the Lanyon Building at Queen’s University, was also the architect behind the Palm House.

Be sure to check out the Tropical Ravine for the oldest seed plants still around today. The ravine was built over 2 levels, showcasing orchids, cinnamon, and banana plants. Just like everything in Belfast, you will be impressed by the age of all of the buildings on the complex.

(5) Belfast City Hall

Finally, end the day by walking past Belfast City Hall, located in Donegal Square. Unless you are trying to write new legislation (or are incredibly interested in learning about it), Belfast City Hall is just a building to view from the outside.

The hall has intricate green-blue domes and is lit up beautifully at night. Belfast City Hall not only operates as a civic building but also divides the commercial and business zones of the city. Fun fact – it cost the equivalent of £128 million today to build! You can absolutely tell from the beautiful façade.

Day Two – An Old Jail, Greeting the Titanic, & The Liveliest Neighborhood in Belfast

 

On our second and final day in Belfast, we are going to explore a historic old jail, visit the multi-floor behemoth that is the Titanic museum, and end the day with a Guinness in the city’s liveliest neighborhood.

(6) Crumlin Road Gaol

The Crumlin Road Gaol is an old jail in Belfast that was operational between 1845 and 1996. Once you take a tour and realize how massive and overbearing the building is, you’ll find it hard to believe that it was operational so recently.

It is an incredibly immersive attraction where you wander through the halls and can see old cells, administrative rooms, the infirmary, and more. The experience is akin to feeling like you are also a Belfast prisoner. We happened to visit on a day when there were nearly no crowds which added to the creepy feeling of everything.

I highly recommend the self-guided experience. Even though the guided tour allows you to learn a lot more from the knowledgeable guides, going through the Crumlin Road Gaol on your own makes you feel more immersed in the prison.  

Quick spoiler alert for more squeamish visitors – there is a section where you enter an execution room, and it is chilling in an incredibly fascinating way. Once through the execution room, you can wander the grounds outside, where there are a few military helicopters out for display. You can just imagine what it would have been like to try and escape the gaol!

(7) Visit the Titanic Museum

Behold one of the coolest museums that I have ever visited. The Titanic needs no introduction. However, did you know that the Titanic was constructed in Belfast? The old shipyard is now home to a multi-floor immersive exhibit dedicated to the old ship. Just like the Crumlin Road Gaol, the immersive nature of the museum is jaw-dropping.

There are reconstructions of the first-class cabins, actual artifacts from the boat, and the entire time you feel as though you have journeyed with the Titanic from its construction to its final demise.

Usually, I suggest that you only need 1.5 to 2 hours at a museum, but the Titanic Museum will captivate you. You’ll end up spending way more than just two hours there. By the time you step outside, the sun will burn your eyes, and you will have forgotten what life outside the Titanic Museum was like.

Tickets for adults are £25, with certain discounts available for seniors and children. Even if you are a budget traveler, this museum is worth every cent.

(8) Go Shopping at Victoria Square

Victoria Square is proclaimed to be Northern Ireland’s ‘number one shopping and retail destination’.

It is a part indoor and part outdoor mall that is worth your visit, even if you aren’t trying to purchase any clothes. There are nice shops, food and drink options, and it is located right in the city center, making it super accessible.

Most of the streets in the Victoria Square area are pedestrian-only, so it’s a great place to take a walk and go window shopping. As we know about Belfast’s dark history, the Victoria Square shopping district elevated Northern Ireland’s economy and helped the city rebuild itself.

The best part of the shopping district is the iconic dome within the interior mall. Take the escalators up to the viewpoint for awesome 360-degree views of the city.

(9) Have Dinner at Drinks in the Cathedral Quarter

End the day with dinner and drinks in the Cathedral Quarter. This neighborhood of Belfast is an incredibly snazzy area made up of a maze of cobblestone streets. Cathedral Quarter is the heart of nightlife in the city and has fantastic bar and restaurant options. In the warmer months, there is no shortage of beer gardens to take your Guinness outside.

We personally loved our dinner at the trendy Revolución de Cuba, a lively and upbeat Cuban restaurant. As a Havana native herself, my mom greatly enjoyed their take on mojitos and traditional food.

Not a fan of nightlife? Head to the Cathedral Quarter during the afternoon for a wonderful tea time at the Merchant Hotel.

Day Trips from Belfast, Northern Ireland – Add Another Day to Your 2 Days in Belfast Itinerary!

 

So you’re sold on spending 2 full days in Belfast, but you think you’re going to fall in love with Northern Ireland and add another day to your trip? Look no further! Belfast is conveniently located close to other fantastic destinations in the area that make for a wonderful day trip.

Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway is a natural phenomenon of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. These are rocks made from the rapid cooling of lava, and in this area, they span for about three miles (5km).

The Giant’s Causeway has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986 and was named the fourth-greatest natural wonder in the entire United Kingdom. The phenomenon is incredibly curious with columns being mostly hexagonal and forming stepping stones. The tallest stone formations even reach 39 feet high (11.88m).

The name comes from the myth that a giant named Finn McCool created this causeway to cross the Irish Sea and face his Scottish rival. For those wondering, he was also a giant.  

Take a tour from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway. These tours transport you via coach alongside the coastline of northern Ireland and the beautiful Antrim Coast Road. Viator has a great full-day tour that allows you to climb the stones and be guided by a knowledgeable local. Along the way, drive past photo stops such as Carrickfergus Castle, Dunluce Castle, The Dark Hedges, Carnlough Harbour, and the Caves of Cushendun. 

Game of Thrones Tour

For someone who does not watch Game of Thrones, I sure do talk about the show a lot! Unlike a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik, however, Northern Ireland’s tour will be a bit chillier.

This incredibly high-rated tour from Viator takes you to the Giant’s Causeway and other key filming locations. Take a ride through Dark Hedges Road and hear insider gossip about the series.

The main stops include the Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges Road, Carnlough Harbour, Ballintoy, and the Caves of Cushendun where Melisandre of Asshai gave birth.

Read their description for more information on the significance of each of these stops in the Game of Thrones series.

Gobbins Cliff Path

Just 30 minutes outside of the Belfast City Centre is the Gobbins Cliff Path, an incredibly dramatic coastal walk for the most adventurous of travelers. This walk is only 3 miles/5km but is incredibly difficult with steep inclines and declines. Therefore, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours in total.

Traverse walkways that are carved into the rock, and you will feel as though you are right in the center of the ocean. There is a tunnel, a swinging suspension bridge, a clifftop viewpoint, and more.

Ticket prices cost 20 pounds but you must access this area with a guide (for good reason! People should know if you fall into the ocean). Make sure to book your tour so you can experience this insane coastal walk. Adrenaline junkies must add this to their bucket list.

Londonderry

Derry, or Londonderry, is a city located an hour away from Belfast. It is famous for being the last completely intact walled city left in Ireland. The walls were built in the 1600s to protect Scottish and English planters. Now, they are the most important landmark in Derry.

Plus, lovers of the show Derry Girls will recognize the city from this incredibly candid sitcom following a group of teenagers growing up during the 1990s. The show makes constant allusions to The Troubles, weaving a comedic element into the otherwise dark story. It is such a funny show for those who haven’t had the pleasure of watching it. Plus, one great tour takes you to all of the filming locations!

Either rent a car and drive the one-hour trip to Londonderry or take the 2-hour long train from Belfast Lanyon Place (the central train station).

What to Eat in Belfast

 

What is traveling without trying the local food? While there is no shortage of dark Guinness at every pub in Belfast, check out these five must-eat items when you’re in the city. Add these foods to your 2 days in Belfast itinerary!

1. Pasty

Think empanadas. Pasties are the English version of empanadas, usually savory pies filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese. They are hand-wrapped before getting baked and make for a fantastic meal.

2. Seafood Chowder

Even people who aren’t traditional chowder lovers will enjoy the seafood stew from Belfast. This base of creamy potatoes and bacon is topped with a combination of different seafood. Options include salmon, clams, mussels, haddock, and cod. Most Belfast pubs will have some variation of this beloved chowder on their menu.

3. Ulster Fry

In our Dublin itinerary, we chatted about the Irish breakfast, a meal that will have you skipping lunch thanks to being so full. However, while the Irish breakfast is a winner in Dublin, Belfast has its own breakfast platter known as the Ulster fry. While it has all the main components of the Irish breakfast such as eggs, sausages, black pudding, and bacon, this version includes soda and potato bread.

4. Belfast Bap

Continuing our tour of Northern Irish breakfasts, the breakfast bap is a beautiful large sandwich bun containing bacon, sausage, fried eggs, mushrooms, cheese, and more. It makes for a hearty breakfast that is perfect if you have done some drinking the night before. Too much Guinness? Grab a bap! One well-known location to buy one is the Belfast Bap Company in St. George’s Market.

5. Lamb

Try any lamb dish in Belfast and you will be happy. Northern Ireland considers lamb to be a sustainable and local meat, with sheep running rampant around the area. The best dishes include rosemary-seasoned potatoes and a mouth-watering lamb shank. Always pair it with a hearty beer for a fantastic winter meal.

Where to Stay for 2 Days in Belfast

 

Belfast has so many fantastic neighborhoods that are perfect to stay in. However, these are our three favorites for our 2 days in Belfast itinerary.

 

Central Belfast

This neighborhood is perfect for travelers who want to be in the heart of the city. It has awesome options for restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing.

Pros: Central location; large heartbeat; restaurant options

Cons: Hostels and Airbnbs in the area are more pricey; more of a crowded neighborhood

For travelers with a higher budget, I greatly recommend the Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast (no affiliate link). It is incredibly down-to-earth and friendly while remaining luxurious. Its location next to the Grand Opera House is fantastic, and I could not recommend it more.

Cathedral Quarter 

This neighborhood has tons of pubs and restaurants. It is the coolest area to stay in for travelers who are foodies and love to be in the center of nighttime action.

Pros: Tons of bar and restaurant options; lively, young crowd; nighttime activities available

Cons: More expensive than other neighborhoods in the area; rather loud until the wee hours of the night

Queen’s Quarter

This is the neighborhood surrounding Queen’s University which is bustling with students and has a younger vibe.

Pros: Cheaper; younger; perfect for students and backpackers

Cons: Farther from the center; not great for older travelers or families

How to Get Around Belfast

 

Belfast is a super walkable city, and this 2 days in Belfast itinerary has been organized to maximize everything you need to see on foot efficiently. Even the farther stops like the Titanic Museum and Crumlin Road Gaol are walkable if you don’t mind stretching your legs and seeing more of Belfast.  

If you are arriving in Belfast via train from Dublin, the Belfast Lanyon Place station is located in the heart of the city as well. Even the Belfast International Airport, found on the outskirts of the city, is only a 30-minute drive away.

You’ll find that the main sites in Belfast are in a pretty compact area, so you won’t have trouble walking or taking the occasional taxi.

Frequently Asked Questions About a 2 Days in Belfast Itinerary

 

Can you do Belfast in 2 days?

Yes, you can certainly see Belfast in just two days! The city itself is compact and walkable and even offers a bunch of bike rentals for those who would rather stick to some wheels. While there are of course certain highlights like the Titanic Museum and Crumlin Road Gaol which are actual landmarks, a lot of the exploration of Belfast takes place on foot. The most notable walking tours include the murals and the history of The Troubles from the area.

Therefore, you can definitely see the entire city in 2 days, and if you want to go on a day trip outside of the city, you should add another day to your itinerary. Northern Ireland is a beautiful zone of the United Kingdom that includes more highlights than just Belfast.

Is Belfast a walkable city?

Yes, Belfast is an incredibly walkable city! We highly suggest walking as we have organized this 2 days in Belfast itinerary in certain geographical blocks to maximize the time that you can spend walking. Overall, this saves you money on public transportation and taxis. Better yet, you can learn a lot about a city by walking through different neighborhoods.

Even the Titanic Museum, located in a shipyard a bit farther out from the center, is easily walkable, providing a great viewpoint of the River Lagan. If any attraction is further out than you feel comfortable, feel free to take a taxi as they are relatively cheap.

Should I go to Dublin or Belfast?

Gosh, what a tricky question! The short answer is that you should visit both cities because they offer such different vibes.

Plus, don’t forget that Belfast and Dublin are in different countries, with Dublin being the capital of the Republic of Ireland and Belfast being the capital of Northern Ireland of the United Kingdom. It only takes 2.5 hours to take a train from Dublin to Belfast, so it’s certainly doable to add both cities to your itinerary.

However, if you absolutely must choose between one or the other, interests play a big role. Dublin is great for leisurely activities such as drinking Guinness, eating hearty meals, and walking through beautiful parks. Belfast is your place if you are interested in a historical trip and learning about The Troubles and the Titanic.

What to see in Northern Ireland in 3 days

3 days in Northern Ireland is a perfect amount of time to get a little sample of everything. Spend a couple of days in Belfast and take a day trip for your last day. Options include going to Londonderry for another historical city, the Giant’s Causeway for a famous natural spot, or the Gobbins Cliff Path for an exhilarating adventure.

I hope you enjoyed this fast-paced and walkable 2 days in Belfast itinerary. It was tested and loved by my mom and me during our trip in January of last year, where we greatly enjoyed being able to walk everywhere and see the major sites of Northern Ireland’s gritty and historically significant capital city.

A weekend in Belfast itinerary is a great addition to your trip to Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, as well as mainland Europe, so don’t forget to check out our other European Travel Guides.

Happy Sampling!