Northern Ireland is teeming with unique places to explore. From cities with 400-year-old walls to UNESCO Heritage sites, there is something to discover around every corner. You could spend days travelling around the beautiful six counties that compose this tiny country. But what attractions should you prioritise if you only have one day? If you are planning an extreme day trip, then here’s an itinerary that will help to pack in as much as possible during your trip to Northern Ireland’s capital city, Belfast. Belfast is well-connected to the rest of the UK and Ireland by air, sea, and land. The easy accessibility makes it a fine location for a day trip, no matter where you are coming from. This itinerary works best for traveling on a Saturday but Belfast has something different to see every day of the week. As always, make sure to check opening hours and availability before you book!
After touching down in one of Belfast's two airports, there are multiple modes of transport available to Belfast city centre. Getting the bus is one of the easiest ways to travel. Belfast International Airport (BFS), is roughly 20 miles from Belfast city centre. If you land here, take the Airport Express 300 (£13.50 return). As for George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), take the Airport Express 600, an easy 2-mile journey to the city centre. Pro tip: Buy an adult day ticket/daylink (£5) for the Express 300, this will cover travel on all metro buses for the day.
Stop number one involves a delicious breakfast. Less than 10 minutes from City Hall is St George’s Market, one of Belfast's oldest attractions. This is the place to be on a Saturday in Belfast. The historic market hosts over 150 traders. Enjoy live music and browse through a selection of stalls including scented candles, clothes, handmade jewellery, antiques, garden plants, souvenirs and beauty products. Search for the Belfast Bap Co to indulge in a breakfast that gives a true taste of Belfast. A traditional Belfast bap loaded up with bacon, egg and sausage. What more could you want?
Hop on the blue Glider G2 at Wellington Place (making use of that day ticket), this will take you to the Titanic Museum, one of Northern Ireland's leading tourist attractions. It can take around 2 hours to navigate your way around the museum that is situated just feet from where the infamous ship was built. You can take a guided tour or a self-guided tour (all tickets must be pre-booked in advance here). Afterwards, enjoy a walk along the waterfront of the Titanic Quarter. Take in sights of the stunning River Lagan on the maritime mile, passing some of the city’s greatest attractions such as the Great Light, HMS Caroline, the Samson and Goliath cranes and SS Nomadic. For Game of Thrones® fans, you might even spot a couple of installations from the Glass of Thrones series, including a tribute to the Iron Throne at the end of the titanic slipways. Stop here for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Catch the Glider back into the City Centre to grab a late lunch with a pint of Guinness at Fountain Lane. Tuck into local pub grub from a mouth-watering menu featuring Open Steak Sandwiches and Beer Battered Haddock.
Explore all that Belfast city centre has to offer. Book a free walking tour with Belfast Free Walking Tours at 2.30pm leaving Belfast City Hall. Learn all about Belfast's troubled history, culture, the 1798 rebellions, folklore and much more. For those looking to indulge in some retail therapy, a trip to Victoria Square, home to a wide range of high street stores is a must. Ascend to its 360-degree viewing platform for free and spot the city’s landmarks including Stormont Buildings and Cave Hill. If you’re an art lover, wander into the MAC and see the newest exhibitions (free) and discover work by local artists like the sculptural piece by Irish artist Mark Garry consisting of 400 metal wires that create a spectrum of colour.
Just around the corner from the MAC is Common Market. A popular street food market in Belfast, bringing together the best of local food vendors, all under one roof. From Filipino Asian-fusion to Canadian-French cuisine, you will be spoilt for choice. There is a flavour for everyone with all vendors catering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. This place has live music, a bar, and it turns into a nightlife hot spot from early evening, so it's a great location for those looking to get a taste of the nightlife in Belfast. Did we mention that it's also great craic!
In the evening, Belfast really comes to life in The Cathedral Quarter. So, be sure to call in to the famous Duke of York pub. Check out the vibrant neon umbrella installation at Commercial Court as you go in, one of Belfast's most popular selfie spots. This pub is the perfect place to grab a drink as the sun goes down. Harp Bar, The National, The Dirty Onion and The Thirsty Goat are also great options, all within a 2-minute walking distance.
And that's a wrap on your whirlwind tour of Belfast! You've packed a lot into one day. The only thing left to do is head back to the airport and plan your next short break to Northern Ireland. Hop back on the bus or call one of Belfast's main taxi companies: Value Cabs (028 90 80 90 80) and Fona Cab (028 90 333 333). Uber is also available to those who have the app. For more information about travelling to Northern Ireland, check out our FAQs. Hopefully, this taste of Belfast leaves you wanting more, and you'll be back soon to explore all the other amazing things this wee country has to offer!
St George’s Market one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted for numerous local and national awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere.
Welcome to Titanic Belfast, an award-winning visitor experience offering the opportunity to learn about Titanic’s history, just a few minutes from where the ship herself was famously designed, built and launched in 1911. This self-guided tour tells the Titanic’s story from conception through to its first and final journey across the Atlantic, as well as the historical and cultural impact on Belfast and beyond.
Explore Belfast’s historic waterfront. The Maritime Mile is home to some of Belfast's greatest attractions, unique tours and iconic festivals.
The Great Light is one of the largest optics of its kind ever built in the world, and is around 130 years old. It is located on the Titanic Walkway, a new 500 metre maritime walkway on Victoria Wharf, connecting the Titanic Slipways to HMS Caroline.
The World War One warship HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the conflict. Now a floating museum, it invites its visitors to experience the highs and lows of life at sea. By stepping onto its marvellous original deck, you are stepping back in time. Enjoy exploring real parts of the ship on your visit, like the Captain's cabins, the ward room and deck areas. Or try your hand at code breaking!
Although not officially classed as wonders of the world, the two massive cranes in Harland and Wolff Belfast, which serve one of the world’s largest Building Docks, are certainly masterpieces of engineering.
Built in 1911, Nomadic provides the story of Titanic's little sister, the only tangible surviving link with the world's most famous ship and the last White Star Line vessel in the world.
With a wealth of history as a tavern for the city, call in for good food, great drinks, local music, live sport
Completed in 1906, Belfast City Hall is a magnificent Baroque Revival 'wedding cake' built to reflect Belfast's city status, granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. The grounds are also used for many events from continental markets to open air concerts.
Northern Ireland’s biggest and brightest shopping centre. Inside Victoria Square you'll find shops, an Odeon Cinema and lots of eateries. Highlights include Five Guys, House of Fraser, Urban Outfitters, and Hugo Boss.
Parliament Buildings is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for Northern Ireland established under the Belfast Agreement 1998 (Good Friday Agreement).
Cave Hill Country Park gets its name from five caves, which could be early iron mines, located on the side of the main Belfast cliffs. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views across Belfast from vantage points on the hillside.
The MAC is one of Europe’s leading art centres, situated in the heart of Belfast. Recently nominated a finalist for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015, the award-winning venue has welcomed some 800,000 visitors since it opened.
Common Market is a street food market, function space and bar in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
Nestled along a narrow-cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke of York offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour.
The Dirty Onion is Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1780, the building was used as a bonded spirit warehouse from 1921. It was then known as ‘STACK N’ – a reference to its position on the north side of Waring Street.
