Ultimate Weekend in Belfast Itinerary for 2025: Irish Pubs, Giants and More

Thirty years ago, you wouldn’t have wanted to visit Belfast. Plagued by unrest, Northern Ireland and its capital city were torn apart by conflict. Even before that, Belfast wasn’t a particularly sought after destination. Gritty and industrial, it grew as a center for linen production before repositioning itself as the home of British shipbuilding.

But then, something changed. With the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 bringing peace to Ireland, Belfast steamed into the 21st century determined to reinvent itself. And reinvent itself, it certainly did.

The gateway to miles of Northern Ireland’s sublime coast and countryside, Belfast today is a trending destination in its own right. Home to world class museums, a surprisingly diverse dining scene and nightlife not to be sniffed at, a weekend in Belfast is just long enough to get a taste for this endearing city.

With that, here is my ultimate weekend in Belfast itinerary for 2025.

Getting to Belfast

By Air

Most travelers heading to Northern Ireland for a weekend in Belfast will arrive at one of its two airports. Both are within easy reach of the city center, though if you have the choice, Belfast City is closer and being smaller, quicker to get through. Car rental concessions and taxis are readily available whichever airport you fly into.

Belfast City (BHD), named after footballing legend George Best, serves mainly domestic flights. There are dozens of daily flights from four London airports as well as Edinburgh, Glasgow and regional British airports. The airport’s sole international connection, from Amsterdam, is ideal for those connecting in from further afield. Buses run frequently to central Belfast, with a train link also available from nearby Sydenham station.

Larger Belfast International (BFS), around 13 miles north of the city, serves low-cost and leisure flights from destinations across Europe. A handful of seasonal long-haul routes provide connections to the U.S. and Mexico.

By Land

If you’re planning a weekend in Belfast as part of a longer Irish adventure, it will come as no surprise that Northern Ireland’s capital is well connected to the rest of the island. High-speed trains run several times a day from Dublin, complimented by regular intercity bus services.

If you’re adding a weekend in Belfast whilst exploring Great Britain, taking a ferry across the Irish Sea is a relaxing alternative to flying. Several ferries depart daily from Cairnryan, a couple of hours south of Glasgow. Some dock in Belfast, whilst others arrive 25-miles north of the city in Larne. The crossing time for both routes is around two hours. The other option is a twice daily sailing from Liverpool, with a crossing time of eight hours.

Another alternative option is to take the ferry from the Isle of Man.

Where to Stay for a Weekend in Belfast

With just a weekend in Belfast to explore all the highlights, it’s best to choose a centrally located hotel. Staying within walking distance of City Hall on Donegal Square puts you within easy reach of all the main sights, plus the best restaurants and bars.

My all time favorite Belfast hotel is Grand Central. A relatively recent addition to the city, it’s a two-minute walk from Donegal Square and the 23rd-floor observatory bar is the perfect spot for cocktails after a hard day’s sightseeing. And you get a cute rubber duck (or seahorse) to take home.

Ten Square Hotel is another excellent choice in an unbeatable location. The rooms are spacious, and the rooftop terrace has stunning views of City Hall. For a hotel with a chequered past, check out the Europa. It holds the rather unusual title of “most bombed hotel in Europe”.

If you’re seeking out great value stays for your weekend in Belfast, you’ll want to stay in Queen’s Quarter. The area around Botanic station is home to Belfast’s best bargains. The 1852 is a quirky bar with rooms which comes with a free beer at check-in. Tara Lodge is ideal if you’re looking for a quiet, modern bed and breakfast, whilst House Hotel will suit anyone who prefers the more traditional, full-service stay.

The Ultimate Weekend in Belfast Itinerary

Day One

Morning – A Taste of Belfast

Chic French brasserie Parisien, right opposite City Hall, is the place to go for weekend brunch. Their flaky filled croissants and pain perdu bring a flavour of Paris to Belfast, but if you want to be true to Northern Irish tradition, their Robinson & Cleaver Cooked Breakfast has to be on your radar. Parisien occupies part of what was once Robinson and Cleavers department store.

Suitably fuelled for the day, head across the road to explore City Hall and Donegal Square. Completed in 1906, City Hall is still in use as the council’s civic chambers. Don’t miss taking a look at the impressive stained glass windows which feature portraits of Queen Victoria, William III and the shields of all four Irish provinces.

To pack as many sights as possible into your weekend in Belfast, book tickets for a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Buses depart frequently from Donegal Square and tickets are valid for 48-hours.

Jump off at Queen’s University before making a stop at the Europa Hotel. Just across from the Europa, you’ll find Belfast’s most famous pub and a perfect spot for a quick lunch. The Crown Liquor Saloon, opened in 1885, still features working gas lamps.

Afternoon – Building the Titanic

This afternoon, continue your weekend in Belfast with a visit to Stormont, the Northern Irish parliament. Formed in 1998, for nine of it’s 27 years, the Northern Ireland Assembly hasn’t sat due to internal disagreements. Tours of the building are available, but slots are limited so check and book in advance.

The next stop on this weekend in Belfast itinerary is the city’s most famous attraction. The site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard is now home to Titanic Belfast, a multi-award winning interactive museum dedicated to the building of the ill-fated ocean liner.

Built right here between 1909 and 1911, Titanic set sail from Belfast for Southampton where she would pick up the first passengers for her maiden voyage to New York.

In addition to the exhibition, your visit to Titanic Belfast includes the chance to explore the SS Nomadic. Built to serve as a tender for the Titanic and her sister ship, RMS Olympic, the Nomadic is the only remaining White Star Line vessel in the world.

Evening

Start your first evening in Belfast with a tour of McConnell’s Distillery. McConnell’s have been distilling whisky (note the British spelling is used here, sans the “e” found in the Republic of Ireland) in Belfast since 1776.

For dinner, head to Mourne Seafood Bar. Oysters are their signature, all freshly caught in their own beds. If you’re more a fan of fish, their soy glazed coley (pollock) or whole roasted seabream won’t disappoint. For the traditionalists, there’s always fish and chips.

Day Two

Morning – The Causeway Coast

No weekend in Belfast would be complete without a glimpse of the world renowned Causeway Coast. Start your day with a coffee and croissant from Black Sheep Coffee, just off Donegal Square, before joining a half day tour to the Giant’s Causeway.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising around 40,000 basalt columns, the Giant’s Causeway was formed by a volcanic eruption some 50-60 million years ago. As impressive as that is, we all know that it’s a complete myth. The Giant’s Causeway was actually built by Finn MacCool, a local giant who wanted to reach the middle of the Irish Sea to fight Benandonner, a Scottish giant.

I may be confusing fact with fiction; either way, one of the these stories is true. Take a trip out to the Causeway to decide for yourself during your weekend in Belfast.

In addition to the Causeway itself, your tour along the Causeway Coast will provide glimpses of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, suspended 100-feet above the Atlantic. For Game of Thrones fans, you’ll also get the chance to pass the Dark Hedges, the tree-lined avenue which served as the “King’s Road”.

Afternoon – Behind the Wall

Back in Belfast, a highlight of any weekend in Belfast – albeit a slightly sombre one – is a black cab tour to the Peace Walls. At the height of the Troubles, over 20-miles of peace lines were built in west Belfast. When the Troubles subsided, peace lines continued to be built to reduce the possibility of future clashes. Despite the Northern Ireland Assembly committing to the removal of the Peace Walls by 2023, they still remain.

A black cab tour is unquestionably the best way to get a true feel for the communities these walls separated. You’ll get to see the sectarian differences on either side, admire the murals and hear tales of just how different life was here before the Good Friday Agreement. Most travelers would agree, this is often the highlight of any Belfast itinerary.

If you have a little more time to spare, book a tour which includes a visit to Crumlin Road Jail. Officially HM Prison Belfast, the jail served for 150 years before its closure in 1996. During its time, many big names in Irish nationalism served time here, including Eamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Ian Paisley and Bobby Sands.

Evening

For your final meal on this weekend in Belfast, head for Holohans Pantry, a third generation family restaurant near Queen’s University. They’re all about classic Irish cuisine. For a true taste of Belfast, go for one of their Pan Boxty. These traditional Irish potato pancakes come with a myriad of different fillings; roast chicken, seafood and beef and onion are the favorites, and vegetarian options are available too.

Round off your weekend in Belfast with cocktails in the Grand Central’s Observatory. Be sure to book in advance, this is one of the most popular spots in the city. If you’re not ready to call it a night, head to the John Hewitt Bar for a spot of live music. The Duke of York is the place to go for the classic Irish pub experience. Having been blown up during the Troubles, when it was rebuilt it was decorated to celebrate Belfast and all it stands for.

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