A city with a fascinating history, Belfast is a delightful blend of Northern Irish charm and culture. There’s plenty to do in the city and it’s easy to get to, making for a great weekend break destination.
Read on for my suggested how to see the best of Belfast in two days.
How to get to Belfast
Belfast is very easy to get to with multiple flights per day from most UK airports with various airlines including budget brands like Ryanair and EasyJet. There are two international airports that serve the city – Belfast International Airport (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD).
I flew from Manchester to Belfast International Airport with EasyJet and the flight was really quick, taking just 40 minutes. Because you’re flying within the UK, this is classed as a domestic flight and so there’s no need to show your passport at either end (although I did take mine just in case!).
The quickness and ease of getting to Belfast means that it’s not only great as a place to take a weekend city break, but it’s also possible to do a day trip here. There are often flights available that get you into the city early in the morning and late flights back again.
From the airport, I took the 300 Airport Express bus route into the city centre. This cost £9 each way and took around 45 minutes. It’s easy to find the bus – the stop is right outside arrivals.
Is Belfast safe?
Yes, Belfast is very safe. It has a low crime rate of 51 crimes per 1,000 people (source: uhomes.com) compared to 106 in London (source: Statista) in 2024.
I visited on my own as a solo female traveller and I can only speak for my experience as a white straight woman, but I felt incredibly safe walking around in the daytime and early evening (I didn’t stay out late as I was tired!). One of my tour guides also said that anywhere in the city centre is safe to go.
One thing I noticed was that everyone was very friendly. In the cafes, museums, and attractions that I visited, everyone made conversation with me, asking about where I was from and what I was doing in the city. For a solo female traveller, it was great for meeting new people.
Summary – Belfast 2 day itinerary
Day 1:
- Breakfast at Neighbourhood
- Free walking tour
- Belfast City Hall
- Lunch at City Picnic
- Walk along the harbour front
- Titanic Museum
- Dinner at Home
- Drinks and live music
- Stay at Room2
Day 2:
- Falls Road and Shankhill Road murals
- Lunch at Bootleggers
- Hop-on hop-off bus tour
Day 1 – Walking tour and Titanic Museum
Arrive & get breakfast at Neighbourhood
I got the first flight to Belfast from Manchester Airport and landed just after 7am. After catching the bus into the city, I dropped my bag at Room2, my base for the night, and headed to Neighbourhood for breakfast.
Neighbourhood is a cool coffee shop that wouldn’t look out of place in New York, and I’d seen it all over Instagram before my visit. I tried one of the special cinnamon bun lattes which was delicious and the chorizo hash.
I wasn’t blown away by the food, but I’m not sure if I chose wrong. There was a relaxed atmosphere inside with people enjoying a coffee stop before work.
Free walking tour
My favourite thing to do when I arrive in a new city is to take a free walking tour. It’s a great introduction to the city and a good way to get your bearings.
If you’re travelling alone and want to meet people, it’s also a good way to make friends, as there are usually solo travellers on them.
I really enjoyed this one as it was led by a local man who had grown up in Belfast. It was super interesting hearing him talk about what it was like during the Troubles and he gave us some recommendations for food and bars.
On the tour we saw the Europa Hotel – the most bombed hotel in Belfast, as well as lots of different architecture and the waterfront.
Just remember, that although these walking tours are free, you can leave a tip at the end if you enjoyed it. There is no obligation to do so and, in fact, on this one they didn’t even mention tipping, but I did as I felt it was worth it.
Book a free walking tour of Belfast
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is one of the best free things to do in Belfast. The building is beautiful from the outside as well as inside, and there are 16 rooms, each with different exhibits.
The exhibits tell you more about the history of Belfast, including its important industries. I learnt that the city has been a centre for linen making and ship building in the past.
Some of the museum is interactive, too, and you can spend a good couple of hours here. It’s also a great activity for a rainy day as it’s all inside.
Lunch at City Picnic
For lunch I headed to City Picnic, a casual eatery serving burgers and fried chicken. I went for the chilli chicken rice bowl and I had it with half rice, half chips.
I really enjoyed this as a lunch – it was a good portion and was full of flavour, setting me up for the rest of the afternoon.
Walk along the harbour front
From the city centre, it’s about a half an hour walk to the Titanic Museum and, since it was a beautiful day while I was there, I decided to walk it. This pleasant walk is called the Titanic Trail and along the way you’ll see The Big Fish and the Beacon of Hope sculptures.
Titanic Belfast
Although the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton, the ship was actually built in Belfast. At Titanic Belfast you can see the yard where it was assembled as well as learning more about its construction and what it looked like inside.
There’s also lots about the human stories of the people that were on board on the fateful day when it struck the iceberg. I spent a good few hours here, reading all the information.
Top tip: When you buy an admission ticket for Titanic Museum, you also get entry to the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Liner, which Titanic also was. Be sure you to get there early as last entrance for the SS Nomadic is 4pm.
Dinner at Home
I ate dinner at Home, a contemporary restaurant serving fresh dishes made using local seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere is really welcoming and, even as a solo diner, I really enjoyed it.
I had a seabass dish with parmesan risotto. Although the individual flavours were all delicious, I just felt that they didn’t really work that well together and I was a little disappointed.
Drinks and live music
Most of the bars in Belfast have live music every night of the week, so you should definitely try and see some while you’re here – alongside a pint of Guinness! Some to try:
- Dirty Onion
- Duke of York
- Kelly’s Cellars
- Maddens
- Whites Tavern
Day 2 – Falls Road, Shankhill Road and bus tour
Falls Road and Shankhill Road murals
Two of the most well-known roads in Belfast, these were the Nationalist and Republican areas during The Troubles. Now, you’ll find some incredible murals here, depicting the political issues and injustices of the time and up to the present day.
You can also see the Peace Wall here. This wall has divided the city into two from 1969 but it’s now a symbol of peace in Belfast.
Lunch at Bootleggers
If you like your meals supersized and you’re a fan of burgers, then you can’t miss Bootleggers. They serve a small menu of burgers and wings with daily specials.
I got the Chick Flick chicken burger which was delicious – if a little difficult to eat! You know it’s going to get messy when the restaurant has a roll of kitchen roll on each table!
It’s a little on the pricey side at around £15 for a burger (with sides sold separately) but if you’re hungry then it’s worth it.
Hop-on hop-off bus tour
The hop-on-hop-off bus tour is a fun way to discover more about Belfast. You can get on and off at different stops including Titanic Belfast, St George’s Market, and Queens University, as many times as you like throughout the day.
I actually just stayed on for the whole route and listened to the commentary.
Top tip: Your ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus tour lasts 24 hours, so if you’re visiting for two days, you could use it on the first afternoon and the second morning. I didn’t realise this until my second day so didn’t get to take advantage.
As well as being a great tour, it’s also a convenient way of getting around the city with stops at some of the most popular sights in the city.
Where to stay in Belfast
I stayed at the super stylish Room2 Belfast, which describes itself as a “hometel.” I stayed in a double room which was like a studio apartment with an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette.
Room2 is reasonably priced, and the kitchenette is a fantastic benefit if you’re travelling on a budget as you can prepare your own meals here, rather than eating out.
Breakfast is available and there’s a café downstairs with free Wi-Fi where you can work remotely. I had the best iced latte here!
The location of Room2 is fantastic – it is right in the city centre within walking distance of some great bars and restaurants.
FAQs
How far is Belfast to Dublin?
Belfast is around a two hour drive away from Dublin. The easiest way to get there if you’re not driving is to take a bus.
Which country is Belfast in?
Belfast is in Northern Ireland, a country in the sovereign state of the United Kingdom.
How far is Giant’s Causeway from Belfast?
Giant’s Causeway is just over an hour’s drive from Belfast. You can do a guided day trip to Giant’s Causeway from Belfast city centre.
When was Belfast founded?
There is evidence of Belfast existing since the Stone Age. In modern times, Baron Arthur Chichester founded the city in 1611 when he built a castle there.
Which Belfast airport is best?
Belfast City Airport is closer to the city centre than Belfast International Airport, making it the most convenient to get to.
