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: 256

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Kiltonga Nature Reserve

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lakeland walk with wildfowl

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Conway Mill

Belfast

Address

5-7 Conway Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT13 2DE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 9646

info@conwaymill.org

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

The Mill was originally built around 1842, and was one of the first linen spinning mills to be established on the Lower Falls Road.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1197 reviews
Experience Belfast

Donegall Square

Address

Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, County Antrim, BT1 5GS

Telephone
+44 (0) 7771 640 746

info@experiencebelfast.com

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

We're qualified objective guides and authors and historians. We know Belfast and can cover all bases. Whether it’s a walking tour, a private tour around Belfast or a group tour on a coach, you’re guaranteed a wonderful experience that’s engaging…

Dates

From:

1 Oct 2025to30 Apr 2026Various Opening Times

From:

1 May 2026to30 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30

More Info
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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Discover Ulster-Scots Centre

Belfast

Address

The Corn Exchange, 1-9 Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3GA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 1113

jpurse@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Cultural Centre

Get a whole different story at the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Parking (charge) - There are several parking options located close to the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre. They include: • St Anne’s Square Car Park • Exchange Street Car Park • Hill Street Car Park • Handy Park Corporation Street Car Park • Handy Park Tomb Street Car Park.
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Belfast City Hall

Belfast

Address

Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5GS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 0202

visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk

Price
Price £4.00 to £6.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

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.

Price
Price £4.00 to £6.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Laganview Golf Centre

Lisburn

Address

20 Ballyskeagh Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT275SY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 2332

info@laganviewgolfcentre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Driving Range

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
Executive Car Hire

Newtownabbey

Address

17 Church Park, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 6ER

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9059 1384

info@executivecarhireni.com

Type

Type:

Golf Tour Operators

Executive Car Hire can provide complete transport solutions including airport/boat transfers, scenic tours and all your travel needs during your stay in Northern Ireland.

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Victoria Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Oasis for wildlife in Belfast

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Stormont Woodland Walks & Fitness Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only five miles out of the city, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
58 reviews
Belvoir Park Forest

Belfast

Address

Belvoir Drive, Belfast, County Antrim, BT8 7QT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 2240

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Managed by the Forest Service, Belvoir Park Forest is unique in the UK as it is a working forest within a city. Walks within the forest link to the Lagan River 'Towpath' and the Lagan Valley Regional Park.

Price
Free

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Barnett Demesne

Belfast

Address

Malone House Car Park, Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5PB

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This route explores an historic estate in Lagan Valley Regional Park, taking in Malone House, meadows, woodland and along the River Lagan.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Helen's Bay to Whitespots

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Woodland corridor

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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.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
26 reviews
Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW)

Belfast

Address

100 Airport Road West, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9046 1458

belfast.lough@rspb.org.uk

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Visit RSPB NI’s nature reserve right in the heart of the bustling Belfast Harbour Estate and prepare to be WoW-ed!
Enjoy panoramic views of the Lough, the birds and wildlife which call the reserve home. Within this modern visitor centre, there is…

Dates

From:

1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

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Balmoral Golf Club

Belfast

Address

518 Lisburn Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 6GX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9038 1514

admin@balmoralgolf.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

One of Northern Ireland's finest parkland course. Situated in the leafy suburbs of South Belfast close to the city centre.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Carnmoney Hill

Newtownabbey

Address

Carmoney Hill Local Nature Reserve, Knockenagh Avenue, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 6AQ

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A beautiful woodland walk, with wonderful views.

More Info
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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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
Bangor Golf Club

Bangor

Address

Broadway, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4RH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0922

office@bangorgolfclubni.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Bangor Golf Club is situated on the outskirts of Bangor overlooking Belfast lough and the Antrim Hills. It is a Private Members Club with upwards of 1,000 playing and social members. Bangor Golf Club was founded in 1903 with a nine hole golf course.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site