3 days in Belfast

Day by day

1. Day 1: Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic

   Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic and Belfast City Hall, then Crown Liquor Saloon in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Titanic Belfast

      Built on the site of the slipways where the Titanic and her sister Olympic were constructed, this angular, silver-clad building tells the story of the ship and of Belfast's industrial peak across nine interactive galleries, including a ride through a recreated shipyard.

   2. Late morning

      SS Nomadic

      Entry is usually included with a Titanic Belfast ticket, so visit straight after the main exhibition.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ulster fry

      Cafés across the city, hotel breakfasts and the stalls at St George's Market on weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Belfast City Hall

      The Portland-stone, copper-domed City Hall opened in 1906 and dominates Donegall Square.

   5. Evening

      Crown Liquor Saloon

      Visit mid-afternoon on a weekday to have a better chance of getting one of the snugs.

2. Day 2: Murals and peace walls of west Belfast and Ulster Museum

   Murals and peace walls of west Belfast, Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens and Palm House, then Cathedral Quarter and St Anne's Cathedral in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Murals and peace walls of west Belfast

      Visitors sign the international peace wall on Cupar Way; a guided tour gives context you won't get on your own.

   2. Late morning

      Ulster Museum

      Northern Ireland's national museum covers art, natural history and local history, with an Egyptian mummy named Takabuti, a dinosaur gallery, treasure from the Spanish Armada ship Girona and a measured gallery on the Troubles.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Soda bread and potato bread

      Local bakeries and supermarkets; buy a pack to fry at home or have one toasted with butter in a café.

   4. Afternoon

      Botanic Gardens and Palm House

      The Tropical Ravine and Palm House are free and make a warm escape on a cold, wet afternoon.

   5. Evening

      Cathedral Quarter and St Anne's Cathedral

      Come back after dark, when traditional music sessions start in several of the pubs.

3. Day 3: Crumlin Road Gaol and Cave Hill and Belfast Castle

   Crumlin Road Gaol, Cave Hill and Belfast Castle and Belfast Zoo, then Grand Opera House in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Crumlin Road Gaol

      This Victorian prison held suffragettes, Republican and Loyalist prisoners until it closed in 1996.

   2. Late morning

      Cave Hill and Belfast Castle

      Allow about two hours for the circular walk to the summit and wear boots; the paths get muddy.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Champ

      Pubs and traditional restaurants, often alongside sausages, bacon or Irish stew.

   4. Afternoon

      Belfast Zoo

      Set on the steep slopes of Cave Hill, the zoo keeps animals including Asian elephants, red pandas and gorillas, with views over Belfast Lough between the enclosures.

   5. Evening

      Grand Opera House

      Seeing a show is the best way to see the auditorium; the Christmas pantomime is a long-running local tradition.

Before you go

• Titanic Belfast: Entry is by timed ticket and summer and weekend slots fill up; book online in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in St George's Market (City Centre): Arrive hungry on a Saturday or Sunday morning for an Ulster fry bap or fresh seafood from the stalls.
• Swap in Linen Hall Library (City Centre): Stop at the upstairs café for a quiet cup of tea in the book-lined rooms.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, City Centre keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Cathedral Quarter ($$$) suits nightlife, couples, food lovers and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–23 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 7.3 hours in December to 17.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Belfast
• 2 days in Belfast

Questions travellers ask