Belfast is one of the best UK cities to visit. Belfast has some spectacular scenery and things to do. There is plenty to do to fill three 3 days. You are not restricted to the city either as you can visit amazing coastal scenery nearby (some of which has been used to film some of the Game of Thrones TV series). If you visit this vibrant but friendly city you will find it makes for one of the best UK city breaks.
Hire A Car To Drive The Giant’s Causeway
Our first day in Belfast wasn’t actually spent in Belfast as we rented a car and spent the day driving the Causeway Coastal Route, which is an hour and a half drive from Belfast International Airport in North Antrim.We then drove back to Belfast via the Coastal route.
The car we hired only cost £25 for the day, we even got upgraded so ended up with a Nissan Qashqai with a built in sat nav which was very handy.
Considering tours from Belfast cost around £30pp this was definitely the cheapest way to see the Causeway and it also gave us the freedom to go to the places we wanted and avoid the crowds.
There will be a separate post on our visit to the Giant’s Causeway appearing here soon. Sign up with your email address, so you don’t miss this post.
Where To Stay In Belfast
Our accommodation of choice was an Airbnb.We rented this 2 bedroom flat for around £80pn which was 10 minutes walk to the city centre but also close to Queen’s University in the other direction. The flat was lovely and clean and there were some really nice restaurants nearby. I’d recommend a stay there if it’s not booked!
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The Troubles Walking Tour Of Belfast
Our first morning in Belfast I booked a ‘Troubles Walking Tour’ through DC tours. We met outside the city hall at 10.30am and we were a small group of 8. Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable.
We were given headsets which meant we could clearly hear our guide at all times while walking through the city centre. We stopped in various points to hear stories about the Troubles and what it was like to live in the area at the time.
I found this tour very interesting and as it was from the perspective of the people living there at the time but wasn’t biased in any way. Both sides of the story were portrayed which was a very good way to do the tour. This was a good introduction to Belfast city centre and I would recommend to anyone new to the city.
Crumlin Road Gaol In Belfast
After a quick stop for a lovely sandwich at O’Brien’s, Victoria Square we headed to our pre-booked tour of Crumlin Road Gaol. The Gaol was 15-20minute walk from the Victoria Square shopping centre in the middle of the city centre.
The prison has been open since the Victorian times and is famous for holding political prisoners during the Troubles. The tour lasted about an hour, was very informative and there was the opportunity for questions. The tour guide covered the history of the prison and the conditions from the Victorian times through to its closure in 1996.
Crumlin Road Goal vs Alcatraz
I love all things criminology related so this isn’t my first prison tour. I’ve also been to Alcatraz, San Francisco and Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin and this was just as interesting although the tour was probably shorter. Still a really good stop on your Belfast city break.
You can read about our visit to Alcatraz and San Francisco by clicking here.
The Titanic Museum in Belfast
The Titanic museum is one of Belfast’s main tourist attractions so I’d booked tickets online before our visit. The museum was quite a long walk form our Airbnb and the weather was not good but we made it on time. The museum itself was spread out over a lot of floors and there were interactive exhibits.
Personally, I’m not really interested in boats or the Titanic specifically so I found the museum rather boring. There is a small ‘ride’ around halfway through which does break up the walking and looking at writing on the wall.
However, the other people on our trip did like the museum so I’m sure it’s just me. I was very tired the morning of the visit so that could have a lot to do with it!
Honesty Is The Best Policy In Belfast
On our walk back to the city centre we stopped at the Dock Café which was an attraction of it’s own. It’s a lovely café filled with old comfy sofas run by volunteers. It’s a pay-as-you-feel café and they serve hot drinks, soup and very tasty tray bakes. There are donation points around the café which is a good way for people to be able to actually pay what they want.
The vegetable soup was really tasty and the homemade tray bake desserts were delicious. The volunteers were helpful and it seems to be very popular with the local college students.
Something to note about our stay in Belfast is how friendly the people were! Living in Yorkshire I’m used to people being friendly but I always love it when I go somewhere else and experience the same kindness to strangers.
Final Thoughts On Belfast And The Best Things To Do
Our final afternoon was spent mooching around the city centre and window shopping. We spent far too much on funny souvenirs but that’s a given on any city break! I have a soft spot for Belfast having visited very briefly for a conference in June and returning in September for a proper city break.
I wouldn’t hesitate to return and I’m sure I will even if just for a foodie weekend due to all the fantastic restaurants. I’ll be writing a separate post on places to eat in Belfast which you’ll be able to find here.
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Why Belfast Is A Perfect UK City Break
I don’t think Belfast is usually people’s first thoughts for a European city break but hopefully this post has changed that. If you’re elsewhere in the UK you’ve no excuse as the flights are so cheap!
The Ryanair flight from Manchester was very cheap at £26 return plus £10 extra each way to take a cabin bag and a small handbag, classic Ryanair baggage policy!
The flight only takes 40minutes so by the time you’ve taken off and the seatbelt signs have been turned off they’re back on again and you’re making your descent.
My Belfast Highllights
The spectacular scenery around Belfast made for some of the highlights of the trip, especially as I love to explore nature. Once in the city, I would recommend ‘The Troubles Walking Tour’, this tour undoubtedly shares information that you just can’t find on google. Including the tour guides own personal experience.
The other thing that made Belfast worth exploring was how friendly the people are. Looking back at their complex history and the troubles you would understand if the people were not as accommodating.
By contrast what you find is that people have time to help you out, and you find establishments such as an honesty cafe. This and the feel of the cIty made me really feel at home here, like a place I could live.
What do you think?
I hope you enjoyed my first ever blog post! Let me know in the comments if you did? Also, feel free to let me know if you’ve been to Belfast or if you are planning to in the future. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Perhaps you have been to other places in Ireland you think I should know about? Definitely contact me if you have driven some other coastal routes in Ireland such as the Wild Atlantic Way. As this is something I would love to do more of in the future.
Remember to sign-up on the link below so that you don’t miss my future Belfast posts. While you are at it, please enjoy this picture of a cloud in the shape on the United Kingdom (taken whilst flying over Belfast).
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