Top 25 Must-See Attractions in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast, a city with a turbulent history, has emerged as a vibrant urban center. Although remnants of past conflicts remain, they now coexist with modern advancements and cultural revitalization. Visitors can experience this change through numerous sights and activities that showcase the city’s heritage and contemporary offerings.

1. Ulster Museum

Situated on the northwest edge of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum encompasses a diverse array of exhibits from artistic masterpieces to paleontological specimens and ancient artifacts.

Visitors with an interest in decorative arts can explore extensive collections that include glassware, ceramics, textiles, costumes, jewelry, and metalwork.

The museum showcases captivating artifacts such as polished Neolithic axes, exquisite jewelry, and the famous mummy of Takabuti, a noblewoman from Thebes.

Among other notable exhibits is a meteorite fragment, jewelry salvaged from a Spanish Armada wreck, and the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Mairead Corrigan, who advocated for peace following personal tragedy.

2. Titanic Belfast

The iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast’s docks is renowned for being the site where the world’s most famous ocean liner, the Titanic, was constructed.

This area, once neglected, has been transformed into the Titanic Quarter, home to a modern museum characterized by its innovative architectural design reminiscent of four ship bows.

The museum, which opened in 2012, employs advanced multisensory technology to immerse guests in the early 20th-century world when the Titanic and its sister ships were built and launched.

Exhibits meticulously recreate elements of the Titanic’s interiors, alongside firsthand accounts of its tragic sinking.

3. City Hall

Belfast’s impressive neo-Baroque City Hall was inaugurated in 1906 and remains one of the city’s most recognizable structures.

Plans for the hall commenced as early as 1888, following Belfast’s city status approval by Queen Victoria, which coincided with rapid industrial growth.

The City Hall offers three complimentary hour-long guided tours daily to showcase lavish interiors featuring exquisite Brescia, Carrara, and Pavonazzo marble, along with stained glass elements.

Within its walls, one can find a portrait window of Queen Victoria and another depicting the city’s coat of arms. A Titanic memorial garden is located outside, and an exhibition on Belfast’s history is featured in the east wing.

4. Botanic Gardens

Initially established as a private park in 1828, the Botanic Gardens were not fully accessible to the public until nearly 70 years later.

Among the highlights is the Palm House, constructed in the 1840s, notable for being one of the earliest curvilinear glasshouses in the world.

Designed by renowned Irish iron founder Richard Turner, famed for his work on the glasshouses at Kew and Glasnevin, the Palm House features remarkable specimens like the giant globe spear lily and a centuries-old Xanthorrhoea.

The Tropical Ravine, a 19th-century gem, contains an indoor sunken garden showcasing tropical flora and fauna, providing an enchanting experience for visitors.

5. St Anne’s Cathedral

Constructed in stages during the early 20th century, Belfast’s cathedral is built on the historical site of the old St Anne’s parish church, established in 1776. Its neo-Romanesque architecture exhibits characteristics reminiscent of High Medieval churches, highlighted by intricately carved tympanums, column capitals in the nave, and an ambulatory apse.

Many of the capitals are the work of Morris Harding, with each exhibiting a different theme.

In the sanctuary, visitors can find the Good Samaritan window, a remnant from the 18th-century church.

Interestingly, St Anne’s is not technically a cathedral, as it does not serve as the seat of a diocese; however, it functions as the main church for the Down and Dromore, and Connor dioceses.

6. Crumlin Road Gaol

Once known as HMP Belfast, this Grade A-listed structure stands as the only remaining Victorian prison in Northern Ireland.

Crumlin Road Gaol was established in 1846 and has housed various inmates, including murderers, suffragettes, and individuals associated with the Unionist and Republican movements.

A tunnel connected the jail to its courthouse across the street, which visitors explore during guided tours.

Seventeen executions were conducted here, with the last occurring in 1961, and guests can view the cell where these took place.

The prison’s history is rich with stories of escape attempts beginning in 1866 and a Provisional IRA bombing in 1991. Following 15 years of vacancy, it was rejuvenated in 2010 and now operates as a music venue and event space.

7. HMS Caroline

Commissioned in 1914 and currently docked in the Titanic Quarter, HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship that participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Until 2011, she remained an active vessel within the Royal Navy, having been in Belfast since the early 1920s.

During World War II, she served as the naval headquarters in Northern Ireland and later functioned as a training ship.

After her decommissioning, HMS Caroline’s future was uncertain until her restoration as a floating museum.

Visitors can explore the restored cabins, the mess, and participate in interactive exhibits about naval warfare during the First World War.

8. Titanic’s Dock and Pump House

The Thompson Dry Dock and its accompanying pump house are essential to the history of the RMS Titanic.

These facilities were crucial components of Harland and Wolff’s operations, and witnessing the massive berth for the ship’s hull provides insight into the scale of the Titanic as well as other White Star vessels like the Olympic and Britannic.

Accompanied by a guide, visitors descend 13 meters into the dry dock, resembling a colossal footprint left by the Titanic.

The pump house features audiovisual displays that portray the Titanic in the dock and showcases the original tools used by the shipbuilders.

The pumps have been preserved, showcasing their ability to drain the massive dock in just 100 minutes.

9. Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

The Ulster Folk Museum has relocated historical buildings from around Northern Ireland to construct the fictional town of “Ballycultra,” illustrating early 20th-century Ulster life.

This outdoor museum comprises diverse structures including farms, cottages, churches, and houses.

In addition to exhibits, visitors can enjoy a tearoom and observe traditional crafts such as printing, cooking, and needlework demonstrations.

The Transport Museum addresses the evolution of travel in Northern Ireland, particularly emphasizing modern developments.

Highlights include a Class 800 locomotive from the 1930s, one of the largest to operate in Ireland, and a Short SC.1 vertical takeoff jet plane, which is a precursor to the Harrier.

Film enthusiasts will be delighted by the early clay model of the DeLorean DMC-12, produced in Belfast and made iconic by the film Back to the Future.

10. Grand Opera House

This iconic venue, designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, opened in December 1895 and is distinguished by its oriental architectural influences, most prominently observed in the dome atop the facade.

The theatre stages a diverse array of performances, including operas, concerts, pantomimes, dance, musicals, comedy, and dramas.

The auditorium, adorned with intricate stuccowork and frescoes, can accommodate over 1,060 guests. It underwent a substantial refurbishment in 2006 after sustaining damage from bombings in the early 1990s, due to its proximity to the Europa Hotel, known as “the most bombed hotel in Europe.”

11. Stormont Parliament Buildings

This Grade A-listed building is the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, affectionately referred to as the “House on the Hill,” situated within the expansive Stormont Estate.

The Neoclassical edifice features a prominent statue of Irish Unionist politician Lord Carson, aligned with its portico and approached via the lengthy Prince of Wales Avenue.

Each of the six pillars in the portico symbolizes one of Northern Ireland’s counties, while the structure’s width of 365 feet represents the days of the year.

The estate is largely accessible, permitting guests to enter and admire Sir Arnold Thornely’s architectural design, partake in debates or committee hearings, and join complimentary guided tours.

The grounds are woven with walking paths and include a café to conclude your visit.

12. Cave Hill Country Park

Located on the northern outskirts of Belfast, this area features basalt cliffs containing five caves, believed to have been ancient iron mines and utilized as bomb shelters during World War II.

Cave Hill is characterized by heaths, meadows, and moorland, with rich archaeological significance and stunning views of the city, Belfast Lough, the Mourne Mountains, Carrickfergus, and the Scottish coast.

Napoleon’s Nose, a distinctive basalt formation, offers striking natural beauty and may have inspired Jonathan Swift’s writing of Gulliver’s Travels due to its giant-like appearance.

At the summit of Napoleon’s Nose lies McArt’s Fort, which has been fortified since the Neolithic period, providing an optimal vantage point for observing peregrine falcons and kestrels.

13. Crown Liquor Saloon

Designated as a Grade A-listed building and owned by the National Trust, the Crown Liquor Saloon is a remarkable Victorian gin palace dating back to the 1880s.

This prominent venue along the Golden Mile is renowned for its ornate decorations crafted by the same Italian artisans responsible for embellishing local churches.

Features include intricate wood carvings on the ceilings and ten booths designated for reserved Victorian patrons. The stylistic influences combine various cultures, evoking elements reminiscent of Hindu temple architecture.

The bar, featuring a red granite counter illuminated by gas lamps, boasts a heated footrest for added comfort.

14. W5

More than merely a museum, W5 is a hands-on interactive science center designed for children, featuring over 250 engaging exhibits organized into four distinct zones.

Children can explore the multi-sensory Spacebase activity area or climb through Climbit, a three-dimensional structure combining a jungle gym and maze.

Additional activities cover themes like flight, electrical circuits, natural phenomena, health, and geology in the “Go” exhibition, while the “Discovery” zone caters to younger visitors with digital storybooks and a soft-play area where children can construct a Formula 1 car.

15. St Malachy’s Church

Located a short distance from Belfast City Hall, St Malachy’s Church is Belfast’s third-oldest Catholic church, consecrated in 1844.

With its Tudor Revival architecture, the church was initially planned to accommodate 7,000 worshippers; however, financial limitations necessitated a more modest design.

Nonetheless, it is renowned for its stunning fan-vaulted ceiling, meticulously crafted in homage to the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey.

The intricate stenciled tracery surrounding the sanctuary and the beautiful mosaic flooring further enhance its historical significance, both of which received restoration to return to their 19th-century appearance.

16. Belfast Castle

Situated at the southern edge of Cave Hill Country Park, this Scottish Baronial-style estate was constructed in the 19th century by George Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall.

The castle’s name is derived from the original Norman Belfast Castle, which existed at the city’s core.

After the original structure was destroyed by fire in the early 18th century, the Chichesters relocated to the present site.

This architectural style features a blend of Renaissance and Gothic elements, complete with distinctive corner turrets and stepped gables.

The beautiful grounds provide expansive views of Belfast while the interior houses a visitor center, antiques shop, and a restaurant.

17. SS Nomadic

The SS Nomadic, which saw diverse uses throughout its history, resides in dry dock adjacent to Titanic Belfast, making it the last remaining vessel of the White Star Line.

Launched in 1911, the ship primarily functioned as a tender service for passengers traveling to and from the RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic when docked in Cherbourg Harbour.

During the World Wars, the SS Nomadic served as a mine-sweeper and troop transport, later remaining docked near the Eiffel Tower as a floating restaurant for almost three decades.

After returning to Belfast in 2006, the ship underwent meticulous restoration, reinstating its original wooden paneling for public display.

Guests can explore the lounges, climb the bridge, and engage with exhibits that narrate the stories of various passengers, from nobility to soldiers.

18. Belfast Zoo

As one of Northern Ireland’s prominent attractions, Belfast Zoo spans 22 hectares of lush greenery north of Belfast Castle.

The zoo is home to approximately 130 species, including popular animals such as giraffes, zebras, tigers, lions, and Asian elephants, alongside various primate species.

Guests can participate in feeding sessions and educational talks that cover the behaviors of chimpanzees, gorillas, meerkats, Gentoo penguins, California sea lions, Andean bears, and assorted reptiles.

Children can also interact with Shetland ponies, Tamworth pigs, miniature donkeys, and African pygmy goats, providing delightful hands-on experiences with the animals.

19. Peace Lines

Parts of Belfast still reflect divisions between Loyalist/Protestant and Republican/Catholic communities.

The Peace Lines, while appearing as relics of the past, have proliferated since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought an end to the Troubles. From their initial construction in the late 1960s, nearly 60 walls now extend for a combined length of approximately 34 kilometers as of 2018.

Due to the sensitive nature of these barriers, dedicated guided tours are available, allowing visitors to gain insights from those who experienced the city’s conflicts firsthand.

These tours often guide guests to significant sites on both sides of the barriers, elucidating the many murals that depict historical narratives from the Troubles.

As the Northern Ireland Executive has committed to dismantling these divisions within the next decade, these sites hold complex historical significance.

20. Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Located off the M1 route to Lisburn, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park spans over 50 hectares of beautifully landscaped parkland.

Visitors can traverse meadows, forests, riverbanks, and various gardens throughout the undulating terrain.

Highlights include the Japanese Garden, Camellia Trials, and Walled Gardens, while the formal Rose Garden showcases 40,000 roses and hosts the popular Rose Week every July.

The park also features Wilmont House, dating back to the 1760s, established by the Stewart family, who were pioneers of large-scale carrot farming in Northern Ireland.

A quaint coffee shop resides within the old stables, and the park’s boundaries are flanked by prestigious golf courses, namely Dunmurry and Malone, welcoming visitors to enjoy a round of golf.

21. Black Mountain

Divis and Black Mountain represent the highest elevations in the Belfast area, dominating the western skyline.

Standing at 478 and 388 meters, respectively, these mountains consist of limestone and basalt, and they provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Accessible from the city center, visitors can hike along multiple trails while enjoying panoramic views of Scotland, Donegal, Strangford Lough, the Mourne Mountains, and the Sperrin range.

Upon reaching the initial ridge, city life fades into the background as they meander amidst grazing livestock through thriving heathlands and blanket bog.

22. Albert Memorial Clock

This remarkable neo-Gothic Victorian monument stands at just under 35 meters in Queens Square, adjacent to the River Lagan.

The square occupies land reclaimed from the river, and the clock tower was erected in the late 1860s to honor Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

Its location, upriver from the docks, would have allowed for sightlines to the Titanic’s launch in 1911; however, the tower is currently not open to visitors.

Additionally, due to the marshy ground, the tower exhibits a 1.3-meter lean, which was lessened following preservation efforts in the early 2000s.

23. St George’s Market

Trading at St George’s Market dates back to 1604, with an iron and glass structure being introduced in the 1890s, later restored in 1997.

Fridays see the market bustling with nearly 250 stalls at the Variety Market, offering a wide variety of antiques, clothing, fruits, and vegetables, along with an impressive number of fishmongers.

Saturdays celebrate culinary delights at the City Food and Craft Market, where artisans showcase an array of coffee, tapas, crêpes, international cheeses, and local delicacies, complemented by live music.

Sundays provide a blend of market offerings, combining elements from Friday and Saturday while featuring handmade crafts alongside live performances.

24. Streamvale Open Farm

Located on the eastern outskirts of Belfast, Streamvale is a working commercial farm that serves the Dale Farm dairy brand.

During the summer, the farm opens its facilities to the public, offering children insight into agricultural practices.

Visitors can observe various farm operations, including cow milking, sheep herding, and interacting with small animals such as chicks and rabbits.

Available activities encompass tractor and pony rides, pedal go-karts, zip lines, and tire swings.

A newly introduced Play Village presents an agricultural-themed experience for children, complete with a mock milking parlor and mechanic’s garage where kids can engage in role-play activities reflecting various agricultural professions.

25. A2 Road

A drive along the A2 to Derry, known as the Antrim Coast Road, promises to be an unforgettable experience.

The route boasts an extensive array of attractions, ranging from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway to charming castle ruins, spectacular glens, basalt cliffs, and iconic filming locations from the acclaimed show Game of Thrones.

When the sun shines, travelers are encouraged to stop at a picturesque fishing village for tea, stroll along scenic sandy beaches, or explore coastal paths.

Additionally, the Old Bushmills Distillery, operational since 1784, offers tours, while the nearby Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge provides thrilling views, hanging 30 meters above the water.