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Activities & Attractions in Belfast

Things to do

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.

Popular attractions

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: 263

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Crawfordsburn Country Park, Coastal Walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk ambles through a hay meadow, which is full of wild flowers in the summer months. The route then leads along sandy beaches, including Crawfordsburn Beach and Helen's Bay.
Grey Point Fort is a restored coastal battery.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Funky Monkeys - Kennedy Centre, Children's Indoor Play Centre

Belfast

Address

Unit 57 Kennedy Centre, 580 Falls Road, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT11 9AE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 2292

kennedycentre@funkymonkeys.ie

Type

Type:

Indoor Play Area

Funky Monkeys Soft Play Café are NI’s leading indoor play centres for children aged eight and under, featuring play frame equipment which has been specifically designed through the recognition that children can learn and develop their minds.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland

Belfast

Address

Assembly Buildings, Fisherwick Place, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 6DW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9072 7330

phsilibrarian@pcinet.org

Type

Type:

Ancestry / Tracing Your Routes

The library and archive of the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland is an important resource for the history of Presbyterianism in Ireland and for those with Presbyterian roots.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
262 reviews
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Belfast

Address

Upper Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 9LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 0202

parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Public Park

The beautiful Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park comprises rolling meadows, woodland, riverside fields and formal gardens which includes the famous rose garden.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - The park is served by two car parks which are both on the Upper Malone Road. There is no charge for parking or admission.
Sinclair Seamen's Presbyterian Church

Belfast

Address

5-7 Corporation Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3AJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 9931

sinclairschurch@gmail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Built in 1856 at a cost of £4,500 in memory of Mr John Sinclair.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Groomsport Beach

Groomsport

Address

Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JP

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Beach

Groomsport has one of Northern Ireland's few fully accessible beaches for all ages and abilities, located close to Bangor in County Down.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
91 reviews
Ward Park

Bangor

Address

Hamilton Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

A perfect park in the centre of Bangor. An ideal spot to enjoy the local wildlife and feed the ducks.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Walk it off NI

Dunmurry

Address

15 Rosevale Avenue, Drumbeg, Dunmurry, County Antrim, BT17 9LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 796 8816 988

nikki@walkitoffni.com

Type

Type:

Food Tour

See the stunning landscape of Northern Ireland and Taste local cuisine during a walking & food experiences with Walk It Off NI. Learn about the fascinating heritage and rich natural landscape on our doorstep with experienced guide Nikki Elliot, a…

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Victoria Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Oasis for wildlife in Belfast

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
The Secret Day Spa

Belfast

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9067 1914

contact@thesecretdayspa.co.uk

Type

Type:

Spa and Well-being

The Secret Day Spa on Belfast's Belmont Road is a dedicated deluxe boutique spa with gorgeous surroundings and great pampering packages.

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St Mark's Church

Belfast

Address

217 Holywood Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9065 4090

office.dundela@down.anglican.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

This was CS Lewis’ local church in which he was baptised on 29 January 1899 and confirmed on 6 December 1914. There is a stained glass window in the church, donated by the Lewis brothers in memory of their parents, designed by Irish artist M. Healy.

Price
Free

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Movilla Abbey

Newtownards

Address

Movilla Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8EZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Abbey / Priory

Movilla Abbey, Methodist and Church of Ireland.
As important as Bangor, Movilla was associated with Saint Finian of the 6th-century. As with many early monasteries, it was refounded as an Augustinian abbey in the Norman 12th century.

Price
Free

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Knock Golf Club

Belfast

Address

Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, County Antrim, BT16 2QX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9048 3251

knockgolfclub@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Designed in the early 1920’s by a top team of English golf architects, Colt, Mackenzie and Allison.
Knock has developed into one of Ireland’s finest inland courses - the par of 70 is reputed to rank among the toughest in the country.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Kiltonga Nature Reserve

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lakeland walk with wildfowl

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4 reviews
The Great Light & Titanic Walkway

Belfast

Address

Queens Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9FH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9073 0490

info@greatlighttq.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Maritime Heritage

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.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
176 reviews
C.S. Lewis Square

Belfast

Address

402 Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 1900

visitorcentre@eastsidepartnership.com

Type

Type:

Public Park

An exciting public space at the heart of the Connswater Community Greenway. It features over 300 native trees and 7 statues by Irish artist Maurice Harron who was inspired by characters from C.S. Lewis’ 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
North Down Coastal Path

Address

Extends from Holywood to Orlock near Donaghadee, County Down

Telephone
028 9127 0069

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This relatively flat scenic coastline known as the North Down Coastal Path extends from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east. The path passes through coastline and parkland. Historic relics and flora and fauna are found in abundance, including…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Plantsman's Garden Tours

Bangor

Address

12 Meadow Way, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1JJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3081

trevor@trevoredwardsgardens.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

'Plantsman's Garden Tours' offer incredible access to the gardens of historic stately homes and the privately owned masterpieces of Co. Down and Northern Ireland together with those of the Republic of Ireland.

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Minnowburn and Giant’s Ring

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Beautiful trails along the Lagan and through woodland.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)