Activities & Attractions in Belfast

What to do, what to see and where to go in Northern Ireland's capital city

For such a small and compact city, Belfast has an amazing array of activities and attractions for you to choose from. There are not too many cities in which you can visit a world-class visitor experience, see a top-class rugby team, take in a blistering ice hockey game and visit the stomping grounds of one of the greatest musicians of all time. Belfast is one of those cities where there is a story on every street.

An unmissable visit to Titanic Belfast

Catching your first glimpse of Titanic Belfast in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, is an unforgettable moment. 1,000 workers spent four years on the construction of this landmark building. When it was completed in 2012 nothing of its kind had ever been seen in Ireland before. It is a stunning work of architecture and design. The shimmering glass and aluminum building dominates the area. It even manages to outshine Harland and Wolff’s two great yellow cranes - Samson and Goliath.

Inside is no less impressive and the story of the Titanic, its building, its people and its fate is told with cutting edge interactive tools that bring the whole thing to life. We’ve said it once, but we will say it again: this is without doubt one of the top things to do in Belfast.

A room with a view and two mountains too

You’ll catch another glimpse of the biblical cranes from the Dome at Victoria Square. This glass dome rises high above the city’s skyline and boasts 360-degree views across Belfast. It’s completely free and, should you feel the urge to, as they say, buy the T-shirt, there is a rather large shopping centre right underneath.

The best views of the city however are out in the mountains. Both Divis and the Black mountain offer a fantastic trail along the edge of Belfast’s hills, but be warned that it will take you half a day to complete and you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes. Although a little steeper, you might be better venturing up to Cave Hill and looking over the city from there. Locals know the hill as Napoleon's Nose and according to legend its resemblance to the face of a sleeping giant, gave Jonathan Swift the inspiration for Gulliver.

There are several routes you can take to the top of Cave Hill but the most popular, and probably best, is via the stunning Belfast Castle. There has been a castle of some sort on this site since the 12th century. John Lanyon designed and completed this spectacular sandstone construction in 1870. Inside, the Castle Tavern and Cellar Restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner but you might want to wait until you’re down the hill for that!

Botanic, Queens and surrounding areas in Belfast

Closer to sea level and the city centre, you need to visit the city’s famous Botanic Gardens. Even if you’re not so keen on horticulture, it’s a soothing spot for a stroll, to take a book or have a picnic with your family. Fans of the BBC/RTE series The Fall will recognise it, but we sadly can’t promise you’ll bump into Jamie Dornan when you go. You will however see a statue of Lord Kelvin who invented the Kelvin Scale, used to measure temperatures. There is also the spectacular Palm House built by Charles Lanyon in 1839.

Right next to the wonderful gardens, are the grounds of Queen’s University. Ranked well within the top 200 universities in the world, Queen’s has always been a beacon of learning in Northern Ireland. It has produced some of the land’s finest minds. As well as politicians, presidents and prime ministers there have been poets Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon, actors Liam Neeson and Stephen Rea and the BBC’s finest disc jockey, Annie Mac. The rather functional-looking Whitla Hall played host to Jimi Hendrix on his 25th birthday.

Trace the tunes of Van Morrison

Did somebody mention music? Well you’re in Belfast, so it’s never far away. So let’s get onto Van Morrison. Crossing over the Lagan from the Botanic Gardens and walking or cycling through the city’s oldest public park, Ormeau Park, will take you to Elm Grove Primary School. It doesn't look like much, but this is where Van the Man attended primary school and it is the starting point of the Van Morrison Trail. If you have even a passing interest in “Van the Man” then this 3.5km tour is well worth following. This area inspired much of Morrison’s acclaimed album, Astral Weeks, and on the tour you’ll find out why. It’s a lovely thing to do in Belfast as it gives you an insight into a man whose soul was steeped in the city.

More sport than you could shake an ice hockey stick at

Speaking of Belfast Giants, sports fans will want to consider taking in a game of ice hockey and seeing the current Elite League Champions at their home in the SSE Arena. And followers of rugby will not want to miss a Friday night at the Kingspan Stadium, an often raucous but always good-natured stadium. This is the home of Ulster Rugby where you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s greatest exponents of the game... while enjoying a few pints.

Do some time in The Crum

You’ll hear more about locks and wings when you visit the impressive Crumlin Road Gaol. Known locally as ‘The Crum’, this was an active prison until 1996. Since then it has become an extremely popular tourist attraction. The prison tours are top-class.

Finish with food and drink at the Victorian St George’s Market

Morning is the best time to visit the beautiful St. George’s Market. This bustling indoor street market hosts around 300 traders, artists, musicians, and food vendors. It is open Friday to Sunday and is the perfect place to soak up a bit of local atmosphere while trying local produce. It’s yet another unique experience that Belfast has to offer.

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Number of results: 260

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Waterworks

Belfast

Address

Waterworks, Cavehill Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 3AS

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Belfast's former water supply is now home to many birds and wildfowl. A popular place for local people.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Slieve Croob 'Twelve Cairns' Walk

Belfast

Address

The Stableyard, Barnett Demesne, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5PB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9030 3932

info@walkni.com

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

There was once a massive cairn (a manmade mound of stones) on the summit of Slieve Croob. This may have marked a Bronze Age Burial. Unfortunately little remains of this once impressive monument but the local name for the mountain,‘The Twelve Carins’.

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Royal Ulster Rifles Museum

Belfast

Address

2nd Floor, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2FE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 2086

rurmuseum@yahoo.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The museum tells the story of the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1793 to 1968. From the raising of the 83rd & 86th Regiment of Foot in preparation for War with France through the Indian Mutiny, Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Borneo, Cyprus.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Golden Thread Gallery

Belfast

Address

Golden Thread Gallery, 23-29 Queen Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 6EA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9033 0920

info@gtgallery.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Welcome to Golden Thread Gallery, Northern Ireland's leading contemporary visual arts gallery,

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Game of Thrones® Film Locations Tour

Belfast

Address

10 Great Victoria Street, Somerdale Park, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 7HD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 1321

info@citysightseeingbelfast.com

Type

Type:

GoT Guided Tours

Book your group on-board our coach to the 'Kings Road' and join us for a day visiting the main filming locations featured in this phenomenal series.

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Clement Wilson Park

Belfast

Address

Shaw's Bridge, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5YN

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Along River Lagan

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This route follows an attractive glen into the Castlereagh Hills with superb views over the city from the top.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Cliftonville Golf Club

Belfast

Address

44 Westland Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 6NH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9074 4158

cliftonvillegc@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Cliftonville Golf Club was founded in 1911. It is one of Belfast City’s oldest clubs with a wealth of history and experience.

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Minnowburn and Giant’s Ring

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Beautiful trails along the Lagan and through woodland.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
31 reviews
James Connolly Visitor Centre | Áras Uí Chonghaile

Belfast

Address

374 - 376 Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6DG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9099 1005

info@arasuichonghaile.com

Price
Price £10.00 to £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Áras Uí Chonghaile | The James Connolly Visitor is an award-winning modern, inspirational, visitor centre located only yards from where James Connolly, a leading Trade Unionist, Socialist and Republican and an iconic figure in Irish history, lived…

Price
Price £10.00 to £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Keith Drury Art

Belfast

Address

32 Belmont Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 2AN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9065 6007

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Months of exacting work go into each of Keith Drury’s detailed artworks and they often yield surprises to those who are eagle-eyed. Each print is a top quality Giclée print on acid free paper.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
204 reviews
Dundonald International Ice Bowl

Dundonald

Address

111 Old Dundonald Road, Dundonald, County Down, BT16 1XT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9080 9100

icebowl@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Ice Skating

Enjoy a great day out at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Whether you are looking for a family day out, an evening out with friends or a day out for a school or youth organisation, there is a range of fun packed activities for everyone.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ormeau Golf Club

Belfast

Address

50 Park Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2FX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 0700

ormeau.golfclub@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Located within a mile of the bustling centre of Belfast, historic Ormeau Golf Club can truly be labeled “The Course in the heart of the City”. Formed in 1893, the club is one of the oldest in Ireland and is situated on mature tree covered parkland.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Belfast Music Bus Tour

Belfast

Address

Oh Yeah Music Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 0845

hannah@ohyeahbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Arts and Culture tours

Experience Belfast's vibrant music scene with the Belfast Music Bus Tour, celebrating its UNESCO City of Music status.

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Helen's Bay to Whitespots

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Woodland corridor

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Get up & Get on Paddleboarding

Portballintrae & Bangor

Address

Portballintrae Harbour & Helen's Bay, Portballintrae & Bangor, County Antrim, BT57 8RS

Telephone
+44 (0) 7767 443 173

info@getup-geton.co.uk

Type

Type:

Water Sports

Start your paddleboarding journey with Get Up & Get On Paddleboarding. Experience excitement, adventure and a healthy aquatic lifestyle encouraging sights, sounds and smells of nature.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 20:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
2002 reviews
Belfast Botanic Gardens and Palm House

Belfast

Address

College Park, Botanic Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1LP

Telephone
028 9031 4762

parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Public Park

First established in 1828, the gardens have been enjoyed as a public park by the people of Belfast since 1895. There is an extensive rose garden and long herbaceous borders and the tree enthusiast can seek out the rare oaks planted in the 1880s.

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Laganview Golf Centre

Lisburn

Address

20 Ballyskeagh Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT275SY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 2332

info@laganviewgolfcentre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Mini Golf and Pitch and Putt

Laganview Golf Centre is one of the largest golf centres in Northern Ireland boasting 50 floodlit bays with PowerTee automatic machines and Inrange ball tracking technology that caters to golfers at all levels.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Dunmurry Golf Club

Belfast

Address

91 Dunmurry Lane, Dunmurry, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 9JS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 0834

info@dunmurrygolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

In 1983, Dunmurry Golf Club moved from its original location north of Dunmurry village to a site overlooking the River Lagan and adjacent to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. With views up the Lagan valley to the south and north towards the Belfast.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
54 reviews
Sentry Hill Historic House & Visitor Centre

Newtownabbey

Address

40 Ballycraigy Road, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 4SX

Telephone
0300 123 7788

culture@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Sentry Hill is a 19th century farmhouse in the Parish of Carnmoney, County Antrim. The house and its contents provide a rare insight into life in rural Ulster during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

More Info