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Hayley on Holiday

13 Top Things To Do During a Weekend in Belfast

June 15, 2020 in Europe, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Historic Victorian buildings in Cathedral Quarter Belfast - things to do in Belfast at night)

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

If you’re wondering how to spend a weekend in Belfast, you’ve come to the right place. Follow my itinerary to discover the top things to do in Belfast in two days – day trips from Belfast included.

We’re travelling back to autumn 2017 today, which is when I spent a solo weekend in Belfast. I know, this post has been sitting in my drafts folder for way too long. Anyway, I had heard mixed reviews about Belfast before my visit. Some people said it wasn’t anything special, while others offered rave reviews. I decided I needed to visit to draw my own conclusion. What I found in Belfast was a gritty city with a heartbreaking history that’s surrounded by beautiful natural attractions. As it doesn’t have an overwhelming number of tourist attractions, it’s the perfect UK weekend destination. If you’re also looking to travel alone to Belfast for the weekend, here are my top recommendations for things to do in Belfast.

Table of Contents Show
General weekend in Belfast travel tips
How to get to and around Belfast
Where to stay during a weekend in Belfast
Solo travel in Belfast
How to spend a weekend in Belfast – top things to do in Belfast in two days
1. Do a day trip from Belfast
2. Visit Queen’s University and the Botanic Gardens
3. Pick up a souvenir at St George’s Market during your weekend in Belfast
4. Visit Titanic Belfast
5. Spot street art during your weekend in Belfast
6. Do a Belfast political tour
7. Visit Crumlin Road Gaol
8. Head out to Belfast Castle
The best things to do in Belfast at night
9. Head to the Cathedral Quarter during your weekend in Belfast
10. Listen to live music at Kelly’s Cellars
11. Enjoy dinner at Crown Liquor Saloon
12. See a show at the Grand Opera House
13. See Belfast City Hall illuminated at night

General weekend in Belfast travel tips

How to get to and around Belfast

Firstly, you’re probably wondering how to get to Belfast. I got the bus from Dublin to Belfast, which leaves from the city centre and only takes about two hours. Several bus companies operate between Dublin and Belfast, including Dublin Coach, Aircoach, Bus Eireann and Expressway. Other transport options include flying into Belfast or getting the ferry from Glasgow. The Stena Line ferry and bus option was the route I took when I left Belfast and it was definitely a unique mode of onward transport.

As for getting around Belfast, I did use the public bus system on a few occasions and simply paid on board. I recommend visiting the official Translink website before boarding to work out the exact fare.

River views from Belfast's Titanic Quarter

River views from the Titanic Quarter in Belfast

Check out my tips for travelling alone in Europe and for travelling across Europe on a budget.

Where to stay during a weekend in Belfast

I stayed at Vagabonds, a hostel located about a 10-minute walk from the bus station. Although it isn’t in the most central location, it is walking distance from the Botanic Gardens and Queen’s University. A cosy and welcoming space, I stayed in a six-bed female dorm, which was small but the mattress was extremely soft. There were shared bathrooms down the hall, which were always kept clean too. With comfortable communal spaces, friendly and helpful staff, and free breakfast, I would recommend Vagabonds to other solo and budget travellers spending the weekend in Belfast.

If you don’t fit into either of these categories, there’s an ibis Hotel in Belfast City Centre, which is always an affordable option. Alternatively, two of the best hotels to stay in Belfast are the Grand Central Hotel and the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel, as they each have amazing reviews.

Historic red brick building at Queen's University in Belfast

Queen’s University

Here are my top tips for staying in hostels and my other favourite hostels across the UK and Europe.

Solo travel in Belfast

I also wanted to quickly mention my thoughts on solo travel in Belfast. After hearing mixed reviews about the city, I didn’t know how comfortable I’d feel visiting Belfast. But overall, I’d recommend the city to fellow solo female travellers. It was easy to catch public transport, although I did find the city centre very compact and walkable. Furthermore, there are enough things to do in Belfast in two days to keep you busy. I also did end up walking back to my hostel at dusk one night along the main road and didn’t feel unsafe. However, always follow your instincts in these kinds of situations.

Looking up at the historic brick buildings in Belfast City Centre

Exploring Belfast solo

Check out this post for my entire Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary for fellow solo travellers, which features a few places not to miss in Ireland.

How to spend a weekend in Belfast – top things to do in Belfast in two days

1. Do a day trip from Belfast

I know, you may not want to do a day trip with only a weekend in Belfast. However, I saw everything I wanted to see with only one day in Belfast, so I highly recommend looking into day trips from Belfast. When I arrived in Belfast, I headed to the Irish Tour Tickets shopfront near the bus station and organised a day tour for the following day. I did this Giants Causeway Tour from Belfast. It was a big bus tour, but there were a guide, a bus driver and plenty of interesting stops. You begin by driving along the famous Causeway Coastal Route to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway.

Rocky and rugged landscape at Giant's Causeway in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway’s rocky and rugged landscape

Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark, Giant’s Causeway is a geographical marvel. It’s home to 40,000-plus hexagonal-shaped stepping stones and basalt columns, which were formed some 60 million years ago by volcanic activity. Hugging the Atlantic Ocean, I recommend join a locally-guided tour once you reach Giant’s Causeway. Our guide, Mark told us a lot more about the area then I would have gathered from Wikipedia.

The next stop is lunch at the Old Bushmills Distillery before you arrive at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. You may not want to cross the bridge if you’re afraid of heights, but I thought it was a cool experience. With pitstops at places like Dunluce Castle, Carnlough and Carrickfergus Castle, I really enjoyed this tour. Along the way, the guide also told us a lot of interesting facts about Northern Ireland’s tumultuous history.

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge near Belfast, Ireland

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

After doing two tours with Irish Tour Tickets, I highly recommend the company. Here are several more of their day trip options, as they organise different Games of Thrones tours if that’s more your vibe.

2. Visit Queen’s University and the Botanic Gardens

Down the road from my hostel was Queen’s University (hello, pretty main building) and the Belfast Botanic Gardens. If I have time, I don’t mind a wander through botanic gardens when I visit a city. Visiting these botanic gardens also happens to be one of the best free things to do in Belfast. The public park is home to numerous walking routes, as well as the historic Palm House, which is filled with tropical plants. Meanwhile, the Tropical Ravine houses the oldest seed plants. 

Historic Palm House building in Belfast Botanic Gardens (free things to do in Belfast).

The historic Palm House

Another place to visit within the Belfast Botanic Gardens is the Ulster Museum. The largest museum in Northern Ireland, its diverse permanent collection includes pieces from the UK and around the world in fields like fine art, archaeology, botany and zoology. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best things to see in Ulster Museum, which includes Peter the Polar Bear, an ancient Egyptian mummy and a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture.

Beautiful tropical pink flower inside the historic Palm House building in Belfast Botanic Gardens (free things to do in Belfast).

Inside the Palm House

3. Pick up a souvenir at St George’s Market during your weekend in Belfast

Another one of the best free things to do in Belfast is to stop by St George’s Market. The Victorian-era covered market is one of the oldest Belfast tourist attractions, open from Friday to Sunday every week. With nearly 250 stalls on Friday alone, it’s one of the best places to visit in Belfast. Stop by and sample some of the city’s best food, pick up a unique souvenir and listen to great live music. I purchased three A5 postcards from Flax Fox, a local artist. You can spot them in this travel decor ideas post.

Red brick exterior of St George's Market in Belfast, Northern Ireland (head here during your weekend in Belfast).

St George’s Market

4. Visit Titanic Belfast

If you happen to visit on a clear day, I recommend walking along the waterfront towards Titanic Belfast. The world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, it’s also been recognised as the world’s leading tourist attraction, which is an accolade and a half. Visitors can explore nine interactive galleries inside the Titanic Museum, join The Discovery Tour, walk the decks of the SS Nomadic and find a gift inside the Titanic Store. Located in the aptly-named Titanic Quarter, other things to do in the area include going on a tram ride, visiting the HMS Caroline and following the Titanic Pilgrimage Walk.

Looking over the river towards Titanic Belfast

Looking towards Titanic Belfast

5. Spot street art during your weekend in Belfast

In case you didn’t know, I am a big fan of street art and seek it out in every city I visit. For evidence, please see these posts from London, Vilnius, Melbourne… 😬. So naturally, I had to check out some of Belfast’s most popular street art murals. I saw quite a few on the walking tour I mention below. However, there are also pieces scattered across the city centre. This Virtual Street Art Tour post by Visit Belfast highlights some of the city’s top street art spots. However, for an insider’s knowledge, Seedhead Arts do weekly street art walking tours too. Spotting street art is another one of the best free things to do in Belfast.

Street art in Belfast, Northern Ireland (free things to do in Belfast).

Belfast street art

6. Do a Belfast political tour

You may have heard of the world-famous Belfast Black Taxi Tours. There are several local companies offering mural and historic tours of the city from the comfort of their black cabs. However, they’re quite expensive if you happen to be enjoying a solo weekend in Belfast like me. Instead, I did this Political Walking Tour. If there’s only one activity you add to your weekend in Belfast itinerary, make it this tour. It’s guided by two ex-prisoners, so you learn about The Troubles – the city’s most tumultuous period from 1968 to 1998 – from both a Republican and Loyalist perspective. 

Politically-motivated murals along Falls Road in Belfast - do a political walking tour during your weekend in Belfast.

Falls Road’s murals

They each shared both fascinating and heartbreaking stories in an objective manner. Our first guide, the Republican took us down Falls Road (known for its politically-motivated murals) and told us about his experience before and during his imprisonment in what was basically a concentration camp. Then you reach the Peace Wall, which you can sign, and walk down Shankill Road with the Loyalist guide. This road is lined with memorials, where we stopped as the guide described different attacks and his time being a part of the front and accepting his imprisonment. As we stood outside a pub, he told us how he left only 20 minutes before it was heavily bombed.

Memorial along Shankill Road in Belfast - do a political walking tour during your weekend in Belfast.

Memorial along Shankill Road

This walking tour was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had on my travels and if you have any interest in learning more about Belfast’s past, I highly recommend joining this particular Political Walking Tour.

7. Visit Crumlin Road Gaol

Another one of the most popular Belfast tourist attractions is Crumlin Road Gaol. Established in 1845, it only closed its prison doors in 1996. After extensive renovations, it’s now a visitor attraction and events venue. There are several guided tours available of Crumlin Road Gaol, where you can learn more about its history, former prisoner stories and the political segregation of Republican and Loyalist prisoners.

Inside Crumlin Road Gaol, one of the top things to do during a weekend in Belfast.

Inside Crumlin Road Gaol // Source

8. Head out to Belfast Castle

Set on the sloping hills of Cavehill County Park, Belfast Castle is today a popular wedding and events venue. From its elevated position, it offers sweeping city views, which are worth a visit alone. But from Belfast Castle car park, markers point you towards a popular hiking route for even better views.

Exterior of Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle // Source

If you’re planning other Ireland adventures, check out these posts on Galway and Cork.

The best things to do in Belfast at night

9. Head to the Cathedral Quarter during your weekend in Belfast

If you walk past the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast’s city centre during the day like I did, you wouldn’t believe it’s the city premier nightlife epicentre. However, the historic area truly comes alive at night, as its home to a plethora of buzzing bars and contemporary restaurants. Check out this guide by Discover Northern Ireland to decide which bars and restaurants to visit during your weekend in Belfast.

Historic Victorian buildings in Cathedral Quarter Belfast - things to do in Belfast at night)

Belfast city centre

10. Listen to live music at Kelly’s Cellars

Built in the 18th century, Kelly’s Cellars is one of the best places to visit in Belfast to have a drink and listen to live music. Head there during your weekend in Belfast to see local musicians take to the stage. Alternatively, if you happen to visit during the week, Kelly’s Cellars has traditional Irish music performances every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening.

11. Enjoy dinner at Crown Liquor Saloon

Another one of the best things to do in Belfast at night is to visit the Crown Liquor Saloon. One of Belfast’s most famous pubs, the beautiful and historic Victorian building is owned by the National Trust. Naturally, it’s bustling at night, but being a solo traveller, I, fortunately, snagged a spot for dinner. Known for their Irish comfort food and seafood specials, I couldn’t look past a bowl of delicious Irish stew, washed down with a Magners cider, of course. 

Irish stew from Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast

Not the best photo, but this is the aforementioned Irish stew.

12. See a show at the Grand Opera House

When I’m travelling solo, I’ve been known to see a musical or two alone. Belfast’s Grand Opera House is as grand as its name suggests and hosts a range of amazing theatre productions. For example, you can already buy tickets for its 2021 shows, which include Mamma Mia!, The Nutcracker and Grease.

13. See Belfast City Hall illuminated at night

Belfast City Hall is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Free public tours are available during the day. However, if you head here from dusk onwards, you will see it lit up in a variety of bright colour combinations.

Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall starting to glow

I hope this post has inspired you to plan your own weekend in Belfast and has helped you decide what to do in Belfast, Ireland.

It’s definitely unlike any other city I’ve visited across the UK. If you happen to use these tips to plan your trip, I’d love if you let me know via Instagram or Facebook.

P.S. Before you go, check out this post for my other favourite solo travel destinations and this post for suggestions on what to pack for an autumnal trip to Belfast.

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Comments

  1. Belfast Bus Tours says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:15 am

    What a great read thanks for sharing, N Ireland really is a hidden gem.

    Reply
    • Hayley Simpson says

      March 29, 2023 at 5:55 pm

      Agreed – thanks so much!

      Reply
  2. Jan Simpson says

    June 16, 2020 at 8:37 am

    No wonder you get itchy feet writing about these holiday destinations. So much to see and do hey 🤷‍♂️

    Reply
    • Hayley Simpson says

      June 16, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Yessss!

      Reply

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian who’s been solo travelling around the world for 10 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo and budget travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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Places to visit in Australia: Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania

The 10 Best Places to Visit Alone in Australia

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂   Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. However, I chose these Australian solo travel destinations as you can visit them without hiring a car and still have an unforgettable vacation. The best places to visit in Australia for solo travellers 1. Melbourne Let’s start with my current home, Melbourne. Thanks to the immense amount of things to do and its great public transport network, I believe Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia if travelling alone. However, I would recommend spending more than just a solo weekend here. Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne include visiting St Kilda, having brunch and a browse of the boutiques in Fitzroy, spotting street art in the CBD and going for walks through the city’s many gardens. You also shouldn’t leave Melbourne without doing a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I did an organised tour a few years ago and thought it was excellent. Where to stay in Melbourne: I have a post on where to stay in Melbourne. 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Alternatively, you can visit the taxi desk at the airport. Day to day transport As for day to day transport, if you feel comfortable renting a scooter, it’s one of the most popular options. There are locals renting scooters everywhere in Bali, which shouldn’t set you back more than 60,000 IRP per day. However, if you want to hire a scooter I recommend organising an international driver’s licence before you leave your home country. Personally, I rely on walking and Blue Bird taxis as a solo traveller in Bali. Blue Bird has an app, but I’d just walk and wait for one to appear on the main road. Once you arrive in Bali you’ll understand what I mean. The Balinese streets are overwhelmingly filled with a lovely combination of scooters, cars and taxis. Now, Blue Bird is the best company because all taxis have meters for the most affordable rate. If you hop into a different taxi, the driver may try to barter with you or “forget” to turn the meter on and no one has time for that. Uber and Grab are also present in Bali, but drivers are prohibited from entering many of the main tourist areas. As for public transport, the only option is the Kura-Kura public shuttle bus service. It travels between Bali’s most popular tourist attractions and destinations. I’ve never used this bus network, but I have seen them travelling around Bali. Travelling around Bali alone On my last solo trip to Bali, I also travelled from Kuta to Ubud and back again. In the first instance, I got my family’s driver to drive me as I wanted to stop at a few different places along the way. He’s fantastic, isn’t pushy like some drivers and speaks great English. If you’d like his details, let me know. On the other hand, from Ubud to Kuta I paid 60,000 IRP to travel on a shuttle bus with other people backpacking Bali alone. I just booked it at the travel desk outside my homestay in Ubud. If you’re a fellow budget traveller, this is a good option.  Money tips When I visit Bali, I travel with my Citibank debit card as I don’t get charged any international fees. I also predominantly use official bank ATMs. If you prefer, you can also bring cash in your local currency and change it at a money exchange. Although a few high-end restaurants have card facilities, cash is king in Bali. Tipping is also always appreciated at both restaurants and spas.  What to pack for solo travel in Bali As luck would have it, I’ve already written a post that highlights the 10 things I highly recommend packing for a trip to Bali. Check it out here. How to avoid Bali Belly on your solo trip to Bali We have to get real for a second because Bali Belly is a menace I am, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with. It’s essentially an upset stomach or travellers’ diarrhea that you can get while travelling around Bali. Predominantly caused by contaminated food and water, stay away from Bali’s tap water as it isn’t potable. Although experts say to not drink the ice in Bali, it’s government-regulated now and safe to drink.  I also take Travelan before lunch and dinner in Bali and it seems to be the magic ingredient. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as I was when I travelled around Bali for one month without getting sick. Life goals, friends 😂. If you do inevitably get struck down by Bali Belly, make sure you stay hydrated, take rehydration drinks (available from convenience stores) and stick to a bland diet. Bali Belly is also why I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your solo trip to Bali.  Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to solo travel in Bali. In my option, Bali is safe for solo female travellers. Personally, I’ve never felt afraid while walking around Bali alone. On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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