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Belfast Attractions
35 Results
- Historic home/museum
Andrew Jackson Cottage and U.S. Rangers Centre
This re-created 18th-century dwelling is built in the style of cottages once lived in by Scotch-Irish settlers—including the ancestors of Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the seventh President of the United States and the first President of Irish extraction. The cottage is decorated as it… - Library/University
Armagh Public Library
Founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, the library has an inscription in Greek above its door that translates as "the Medicine Shop for the Soul." As small-town libraries go, this one is exceptional, as it contains Robinson's collection of 17th- and 18th-century books,…County Armagh
- Park/Garden
Belfast Botanic Gardens & Palm House
Dating from 1828, these gardens were first laid out by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, but their most important feature came along 10 years later, when noted Belfast architect Charles Lanyon designed the beautiful glass-and-cast-iron conservatory. Now known as the Palm… - Castle
Belfast Castle
Northwest of downtown and 120m (394 feet) above sea level stands Belfast Castle, its 80-hectare (198-acre) estate spreading down the slopes of what is now Cave Hill Country Park. Dating from 1870, this was the family residence of the third marquis of Donegall, and it was built in the… - Cathedral
Belfast Cathedral
Although the foundation stone on this monumental cathedral, also known as St. Anne’s, was laid in 1899, it remained incomplete for more than a century; even now it still awaits a steeple. Blending architectural genres from Romanesque to Victorian to modern, the huge structure is more… - Zoo/Aquarium
Belfast Zoo
On the northern slopes of Cave Hill, near Cave Hill Country Park, this zoo emphasizes conservation and education. Many rare species are bred here, including Hawaiian geese, lowland gorillas, red lechwe (a kind of antelope), sea bears, Barbary lions, and golden lion tamarins. The… - Park/Garden
Benburb Valley Park, Castle, and Heritage Centre
The sweet village of Benburb sits on the dramatic banks of the River Blackwater, a favorite for canoeists and anglers. The park at the edge of town follows the river to a tree-lined gorge where a partially restored 17th-century castle high on a cliff keeps an eye on the scene. From… - Tour
Black Taxi Tour
For many years, Belfast was best known for its most conflicted neighborhoods, where in the 1970s and ‘80s protest and violence occurred daily. Peace has held on the Catholic Falls Road and its nearby parallel, the Protestant Shankill Road, for 20 years. A growing industry supports… - Castle
Carrickfergus Castle
Built in 1180 by John de Courcy, this massive Norman keep was Ireland’s first real castle, designed to loom darkly over the entrance to Belfast Lough. Centuries later, its defensive location would prove prophetic, as William of Orange landed here on June 14, 1690 en route to the… - Park/Garden
Cave Hill Country Park
Atop a 360m (1,181-foot) basalt cliff, this park offers panoramic views, walking trails, and archaeological and historical sights (including Belfast Castle). Its name derives from five small caves thought to have been Neolithic iron mines; several other ancient sites are scattered… - Historic Site
City Hall
A testament to the city’s grand industrial past, this domed building of granite, marble, and stained glass dominates central Belfast. Built in classical Renaissance style in 1906, it has white Portland stone walls and a soft green copper dome. Several statues dot the grounds,… - Historic Site
Crown Liquor Saloon
Easily the most impressive Victorian pub in the city, and possibly the best building in Belfast, the Crown Liquor Saloon piles on the atmosphere. The old “gin palace” owes its ornate appearance to Italian workers who came to Ireland in the late 19th century to work on churches but… - Historic site/museum
Crumlin Road Gaol
From 1846 until its closure 150 years later, Crumlin Road Gaol (known as “The Crum”) was one of the most notorious prisons in Northern Ireland. Improbable though it sounds, the Crum is now used as a conference center and wedding venue (festive!), although the original structure has… - Cultural complex
Cultúrlann Macadam Ó Flaich
Located in a former church building on the notorious Falls Road (a Republican stronghold during the Troubles), this cultural and arts center is a friendly, inclusive place. It has a handy cafe, a tourist information point, and a well-stocked shop full of Irish interest books,… - Religious Site
Down Cathedral
Excavations show that Downpatrick was a dún (or fort), perhaps as early as the Bronze Age, and its earliest structures were built on the site where this church now sits. Ancient fortifications ultimately gave way to a series of churches, each built atop the ruins of the previous… - Historic Site
Down County Museum
Next to the cathedral, the Down County Museum is set in a converted jail. The museum tells the story of Down from the Stone Age to the present day. It also has a handy tearoom.Downpatrick - Neighborhood
Falls Road
Scarred by decades of conflict, the Catholic Falls Road is a compelling place, as are all political hotbeds. It is quite safe -- the residents are used to sightseers wandering through to photograph the political murals, and most people are welcoming. It's an ordinary enough looking… - Natural Attraction
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Midway between Belfast and Armagh city, this center on the southern shore of the lake at Oxford Island is a sprawling nature reserve with lush reed beds, verdant woodlands, and gorgeous wildflower meadows. The center has historical and geographic exhibits, walking trails,…Lough Neagh - Landmark
Odyssey Complex
This enormous entertainment, education, and sports center on the east bank of the river is bursting with activities and has been popular since it opened in 2001. For kids, its hands-on science center -- W5 -- is a hypermodern, interactive learning environment where children can… Ormeau Baths Gallery
Occupying the site of, and partly incorporating, the old Victorian swimming baths designed by Robert Watt, Ormeau Baths Gallery opened in 1995 as the city's principal exhibition space for contemporary visual art. This striking and versatile facility can program multiple simultaneous…- Library/University
Queen's University
Founded in 1845 during the reign of Queen Victoria to provide nondenominational higher education, this is Northern Ireland’s most prestigious university. The turreted main building, an imposing example of 19th-century Tudor Revival, may remind you of England’s Oxford; its design was… - Historic Site
SS Nomadic
The last working ship in the White Star Line fleet, the Nomadic was built in Belfast as a tender to the most famous ocean liner in history—the ill-fated SS Titanic. (Tenders were small steamships that ferried passengers and supplies to and from the oceangoing behemoths.) After seeing… - Neighborhood
Shankill Road
Almost as soon as you turn onto Protestant Shankill Road, you pass a building that has been entirely painted with the Union Jack flag. A few blocks down the road, and off to the right, you'll see a cluster of enormous murals, including one celebrating Oliver Cromwell, who massacred… - Market
St. George’s Market
This eclectic street market is one of the city’s oldest attractions. The current iron-and-glass structure opened in 1896, although a market has been held on this spot for much longer. Friday is the Variety Market that’s packed with 250 stalls of fresh produce, antiques, clothing, and… - Historic Site
St. Patrick Centre
The modern glass-and-steel St. Patrick Centre, a 5-minute walk from Down Cathedral, tells the story of Ireland's patron sait through high-tech displays and exhibits. It also has an exhibition devoted to the legacy of Irish missionaries who helped spread Christianity in Europe in the… - Religious Site
St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral
Built on the site of St. Patrick's 5th-century church, the Anglican cathedral dates from the 13th century, although much of the structure was built in the 1830s. Inside the church are the remains of an 11th-century Celtic cross, and a strange granite carved figure known as the…County Armagh - Religious Site
St. Patrick's Trian Visitor Complex
In the old Second Presbyterian Church in the heart of Armagh, this modern visitor complex provides an informative and engaging introduction to Armagh, the "motherhouse" of Irish Christianity. Its dramatic presentations, including the Armagh Story and The Land of Lilliput (complete…County Armagh - Park/Garden
The Mall
Just to the east of the town center, this park has an interesting history. It was used for such low activities as horse racing and cock fighting until the 18th century, when an archbishop converted it into a lush park surrounded by Georgian buildings. The courthouse at its northern…County Armagh - Tour
The Wee Tram Tour
A fun way to see the Titanic Quarter, this lively tram tour takes you around the docks in about half an hour—including a few areas you can’t see any other way. The guides are adept at telling the history as a story, rather than a dry recitation of facts, while on-board multimedia… - Museum
Titanic Belfast
This ambitious and impressive museum, which opened to huge fanfare in 2012, tells the story of the Titanic in revelatory detail. Located next to the site where the doomed vessel was built, the angular aluminum-clad frontage juts out in four directions at the height of the ship’s… - Tour
Titanic Boat Tour
Many of Belfast’s historic shipyard buildings were demolished in the early 2000s to make way for new development, opening up long-obscured views of the harbor from the river. While there really aren’t that many Titanic-related sights left, this jaunty and informative hour-long boat… - Historic Site
Titanic's Dock and Pump-House
Another of Belfast’s ship-related attractions, this fascinating self-guided tour takes you around the dry docks at the old Harland and Wolff shipyard, where Titanic and Olympic were constructed from 1909–11. Designed to appeal to a general audience, not just enthusiasts, it’s a great… - Museum/Historic Site
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
One of Northern Ireland’s best living-history museums, the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is made up of buildings rescued from demolition and reconstructed, piece by piece. Mostly dating from the 19th century, they include houses, schools, a chemist’s shop, a pub, and even a… - Museum
Ulster Museum
One of Ireland’s best museums, the Ulster Museum has a comprehensive collection of everything from dinosaur bones and prehistoric artifacts to art and other treasures from Ireland and around the world. Highlights include 16th- to 18th-century Dutch and Italian paintings; a hoard of… - Museum
W5
This great science play center for kids is part of the Odyssey Complex, a huge modern entertainment center in the Titanic District. Properly known as “Whowhatwhenwherewhy”—you can see why they abbreviate it to W5—this high-tech, interactive learning environment lets kids try out over…
Belfast Shopping
Belfast is a surprisingly good place to shop. Start at Donegall Place, where the streets are lined with shops and the Victorian arcades are filled with gift and jewelry stores. Good buys are to be had on Belleek china, linen, and crystal from County Tyrone. Shops are typically open weekdays from 9 or 9:30am to 5 or 5:30pm, and open later on weekends.
The main shopping street is Royal Avenue, home of several well-known chain stores, while the Westfield Castlecourt Shopping Centre on Royal Avenue and the glass-domed Victoria Square shopping center are Belfast’s main downtown multi-story shopping malls.
Built in 1896, the iron-and-glass St. George’s Market (May Street at Oxford Street, 📞 028/9043-5704) has a number of different street markets. On Fridays, there’s the Variety Market (6am–3pm), packed with 250 stalls of fresh produce, antiques, clothing, and bric-a-brac. On Saturdays, the City Food and Craft Market (9am–3pm) specializes in artisan foods, with plenty of tempting fresh snacks on offer, plus an assortment of local crafts. The Sunday Market (10am–4pm) is a happy combination of the two, although the balance tends to be in favor of crafts.
13 Results
- Antiques
Archive's Antiques Centre
Several dealers sell their wares at this sprawling center, with specialists in everything from silverware to pub memorabilia and militaria. - Antiques
Archive’s Antiques Centre
Several dealers sell their wares at this sprawling center, with specialists in everything from silverware to pub memorabilia and militaria. - Arts & Crafts
Coppermoon
A riotously creative little boutique, Coppermoon sells interesting art and gorgeous little knick-knacks. Plenty of local designers get good representation, including makers of bags and accessories; funky, Steampunk-style jewelry; glass and ceramics; and quirky pieces of homeware,… - Jewelry
Frank and Carmel Alexander
These wonderful designers sell beautiful and unique pieces from their little store on Great Victoria Street. They make all sorts of rings, necklaces, and other pieces, but their range featuring moonstones set with silver are particularly beautiful. - Gifts
Irish Linen and Gift Centre
This place stocks a huge range of Irish tablecloths, bed sheets and other linens, plus more traditional gift items, such as Belleek china, Aran sweaters, and a selection of Titanic merchandize. They’re also an official seller of Guinness-related products, which means all the… Kozo Paper
A popular entry in the little black books of wedding planners all over Ireland, this great little store sells beautiful stationery from Japan and other parts of Asia. They specialize in wedding invitations, but also sell stationery for other occasions, plus notebooks and other papery…- Bookstores
No Alibis
Here’s a mystery to solve. You walk into this independent bookstore empty-handed and come out carrying a bag filled with books and a lighter wallet. What happened in there? J’accuse No Alibis, with its excellent stock devoted to crime fiction from all over the world. - Antiques
Oakland Antiques
This enormous antiques emporium specializes in furniture, glassware, and other household items from the 18th to early 20th centuries. - Fashion
Rojo
An absolute must for the well-heeled woman, Rojo specializes in women’s shoes and boots, from a wide selection of top designers. They also sell beautiful purses, handbags, and other accessories. It isn’t cheap, but the range is second to none in the city. - Jewelry
Steensons
Behind Belfast City Hall, this long-established showroom sells an outstanding collection of gold and silver jewelry. Most of what’s on sale are from Steensons' own designs, although it sells work by other top Irish designers too. They are known for their beautiful pieces made for… - Fashion
The Bureau
When this place opened in the late 1980s, it was something of a harbinger of the modern, cultured city Belfast would slowly become in the 1990s and 2000s. Today it remains one of the city’s major men’s fashion boutiques, selling a fantastic range of clothes and footwear from its… - Fashion
The Rusty Zip
Hipster heaven! Lovers of vintage style will fall for this place instantly, with its stock of retro items from the 60s, 70s, and 80s—though a few togs can usually be found from earlier decades too. The menswear is fab, but the selection of women’s clothes and boots is truly groovy. - Gifts
The Wicker Man
Don’t be put off by how humdrum this place looks from the outside; within lies an inventive selection of crafts, art, and other souvenirs, from clocks and jewelry to bath products and musical instruments. This is one of the best places in Belfast to shop for gifts.
Belfast Nightlife
Pubs & Clubs
Belfast has a plethora of historic pubs serving friendly local crowds, along with a fast-growing scene of late-night bars for the young and trendy, mostly clustered in the University Quarter. If you’re looking for a traditional pub, several of the best are tucked away in the pedestrian lanes off Donegall Place.
The licensing laws in Northern Ireland aren’t as notoriously strict as they used to be. Pub hours are generally Monday to Saturday from 11:30am to 11pm and Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30pm and 7 to 10pm, but some open until 1am, especially on Friday and Saturday; bars stay open later. Nightclubs tend not to get busy until after the pubs close; admission ranges from a few pounds to about £15.
The Performing Arts
Several sources provide up-to-date listings of shows and concerts. That's Entertainment is free and widely available at tourist offices and pubs, as are the Big List and Artslink. There's always the Belfast Daily Telegraph and the Irish News. You could also try www.gotobelfast.com and www.belfast.net.
With its distinctive bronze dome, the Waterfront Hall dominates the Lagan skyline (Oxford St., Laganside; tel. 028/9033-4455 for credit card reservations, or 028/9033-4400 for program information; www.waterfront.co.uk). The state-of-the-art conference center and concert venue attracts international performers. On the Golden Mile near the Europa Hotel, the Grand Opera House (Great Victoria St.; tel. 028/9024-1919; www.goh.co.uk) first opened its doors in 1895. A central part of Belfast's cultural scene, it offers the finest opera, drama, and musicals in town. The Ulster Hall (Bedford St.; tel. 028/9032-3900 or 028/9033-4455; www.ulsterhall.co.uk) hosts touring music groups, comedy, and drama, and is home to the Ulster Orchestra. The basement of the Empire Music Hall, 42 Botanic Ave. (tel. 028/9032-8110; www.thebelfastempire.com), is home to a varied music program, with regular jazz, blues, salsa, and acoustic sessions nightly. Ticket prices range from nothing to hardly anything (£3). The Odyssey (2 Queen's Quay; tel. 028/9073-9074; www.odysseyarena.com) on the waterfront has a 10,000-seat arena where touring rock groups from Oasis to Destiny's Child have performed. The complex also holds dozens of restaurants and bars, so there's plenty to keep you busy before the show.
Theaters include the Lyric Theatre (Ridgeway St.; tel. 028/9038-5673; www.lyrictheatre.co.uk) for new plays by Irish and international playwrights.
Tickets, which cost from around £8 to £30 for most events, can be purchased in advance from www.ticketmaster.ie. (You can always arrange to have tickets purchased online delivered to your hotel.)
The Gay & Lesbian Scene
The gay and lesbian scene in Belfast is very low-key and always has been. The handful of gay pubs and bars are generally friendly places, though; once you've been around a bit and people recognize you, you'll find a warm welcome. The scene is getting more cosmopolitan all the time.
Widely viewed as the heart of the scene is Kremlin (96 Donegall St.; tel. 028/9031-6060; www.kremlin-belfast.com), a clever, Soviet-themed bar open 7 nights a week but best known for its Saturday-night party, "Revolution." It's split into three areas: a cocktail bar, a disco bar, and a club section, where resident DJs and visiting acts play live. Theme nights encompass everything from the Wizard of Oz to the Kremlin State Fair, complete with games, circus acts, and cotton candy. We're not sure what Lenin would have thought, but it's all in the spirit of open-minded fun.
The gay scene goes public each year in late July or early August for Belfast's small but enthusiastic Pride celebration (www.belfastpride.com). For general information about GLBT life in Belfast check out the Gay Belfast website (www.gaybelfast.net), or search for Northern Ireland on the Gay Ireland website (www.gay-ireland.com).
12 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Apartment
This glamorous cocktail bar with a fantastic view of Belfast City Hall is popular with a young and sophisticated crowd, drawn by top DJs (from about 9:30pm on weekend nights) and an excellent cocktail list. They also serve good food. - The Performing Arts
Belfast Empire
This former music hall is now one of the city’s busiest live venues, with acts a few times a week (some big names, mostly of an indie/alternative variety) and standup comedy every Tuesday. It’s also a busy bar and nightclub, open until 1am every night except Sunday. - The Performing Arts
Black Box
This eclectic venue has a great program of theater, spoken word, cabaret, film, and other live events, as well as exhibition spaces featuring whatever’s interesting in the worlds of photography and visual art. From Wednesday to Sunday nights, the Green Room bar offers pizza, beer,… - Bars & Pubs
Café Vaudeville
Dripping with Gilded Age glamor, this luxurious bar is a pleasant café during the day; at night, come for dinner or drinks, while you listen to an old-school swing band or cabaret chanteuse (on Fridays, there’s a regular vaudeville slot). Reservations are advisable on weekends. - Bars & Pubs
Crown Liquor Saloon
There’s a very real possibility that this impeccably restored Victorian gin palace is the most handsome pub in the world. - The Performing Arts
Grand Opera House
One of the main landmarks of Belfast’s Golden Mile, the Grand Opera House opened in 1895. The interior is full of late-Victorian detail, including a grand auditorium with an elaborately painted frieze on the high ceiling. Severely damaged twice by IRA bombs, it underwent a full… - Bars & Pubs
Kelly's Cellars
One of a couple pubs claiming to be Belfast’s oldest, Kelly’s Cellars certainly looks the part, with low doorways and a selection of vintage fishing nets, lanterns, and other bric-a-brac hanging from the high-beamed ceiling. It’s also considered one of the best pubs in town for live…028/9024-6058 - Bars & Pubs
Kelly’s Cellars
One of a couple pubs claiming to be Belfast’s oldest, Kelly’s Cellars certainly looks the part, with low doorways and a selection of vintage fishing nets, lanterns, and other bric-a-brac hanging from the high-beamed ceiling. It’s also considered one of the best pubs in town for live… - The Performing Arts
Lyric Theatre
The Lyric is a highly respected repertory theater (the only one in Northern Ireland), producing original work and hosting a varied program of touring plays all year. Ticket prices vary, but are generally between about £10 and £25. In 2011, the Lyric played a walk-on part in history,… - Bars & Pubs
The Morning Star
Another lovely traditional pub, the Morning Star has been in business since at least 1810. Originally it was next to a stagecoach terminus, providing sunrise pick-me-ups for overnight passengers—hence the name. The pub is famously hard to find: Pottinger’s Entry is a small,… - Bars & Pubs
White's Tavern
White’s Tavern has been serving liquor since 1630, which makes it an even older establishment than all of the above (though technically not the oldest pub; it began life as a wine shop). It was renovated in 2014 to keep it looking…well, decidedly not new, and that’s exactly why… - Bars & Pubs
White’s Tavern
White’s Tavern has been serving liquor since 1630, which makes it an even older establishment than all of the above (though technically not the oldest pub; it began life as a wine shop). It was renovated in 2014 to keep it looking . . . well, decidedly not new, and that’s exactly why…
