Looking to spend 3 days in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland?
In this itinerary, we will help you prioritize what to do, see, and stay in Belfast if you only have three days. This guide will help you maximize your time in the beautiful city and make sure that you hit all of your necessary stops.
We visited Belfast last January and adored the blend of old and new. The city does a great job of showcasing its innovation while also paying tribute to The Troubles, a conflict that plagued Ireland and Northern Ireland for over 30 years.
There is so much to do in the capital, and if 3 days doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to come back again!
Luckily, due to the compact nature of the city, it is easy to see most of what Belfast has to offer in only three days. Make sure to bring your good walking shoes, as you will spend a lot of time on your feet.
Welcome to the city of the Titanic, beers, and colorful murals!
You could also easily weave 3 days in Dublin into a longer road trip around Ireland, stopping at places like Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher and Dublin.
Top Things to Do in Belfast in 3 Days
Here’s the short list of activities we believe are a must for any 3 day Belfast itinerary, treat it as a checklist if you will or keep reading to see how it first together.
- George’s Market
- Belfast City Hall
- Titanic Belfast
- Victoria Square
- Botanic Gardens
- Queen’s University
- Crumlin Road Gaol
- Black Taxi Tour
- Giant’s Causeway
- Cathedral Quarter
Belfast 3 Day Itinerary
Day 1 in Belfast
There’s no better way to start your exploration of Belfast than at Saint George’s Market. Home to over 200 stalls, this market has a Victorian ambiance and has been around since the mid-1800s.
As it is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, make sure to plan your itinerary around this particular attraction. You won’t want to miss the fresh food!
Grab coffee, breakfast, and gifts to bring back to your family while you wander around Saint George’s. If you are staying in an Airbnb, you may even consider grabbing fresh produce to cook in the apartment.
There is usually live music and ample places to sit down. If you’re lucky enough to visit Belfast during the summer, have your breakfast al fresco before continuing your exploration of the city.
Once you’re done with your coffee and breakfast, make sure to pay a visit to Belfast City Hall, located in Donegal Square. While you are more than welcome to go inside and wander the halls on a guided tour, it is a beautiful building to view from the outside as well.
The blue-green domes of the building make for a wonderful photo stop. At night, the domes glow, and during Christmastime, sparkling lights surround the square.
Next, take a taxi or stretch your legs by walking 2.4 km (1.5 miles) to the Titanic Belfast Museum. It is one of the coolest immersive museums that you will ever have the pleasure of visiting. The Titanic was built in Belfast, and the site of its building is now home to a fantastic museum that spans multiple floors.
The exhibits guide you through the entire lifespan of the Titanic, from its initial construction and its voyage, all the way to the modern-day efforts to recover remaining artifacts.
One of the best parts of the museum is riding a roller-coaster-style cart indoors, as it leads you through the building of the boat in a makeshift shipyard. The museum is truly remarkable. Click here to book your museum tickets online.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending all day at the Titanic Belfast, digesting all of the immersive halls and attractions. You might wander in during the daytime and step out when it is pitch black out!
Finally, end the day with some shopping at Victoria Square. Take a cab or walk 1.77 km (1.1 miles) to the mall. Regardless of whether you enjoy shopping or not, Victoria Square is a great site.
It is a half-indoor half-outdoor mall with gorgeous architecture. It is mostly pedestrian-only, making it a great place to go window shopping and grab dinner.
Don’t forget to go into the interior mall and see the 360° views of the city from the observatory deck. If you’re visiting Belfast in the winter, you’ll even be able to catch the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Wind down after a long day of walking before more exploration tomorrow.
Day 2 in Belfast
Start day 2 in Belfast at the Botanic Gardens. This old museum was established in 1828 with a large array of different trees and plants. The greenhouse and indoor exhibits make it a wonderful stop when it is a rainy day in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, this is quite common!
From the Botanic Gardens, it is a very short 5-minute walk to Queen’s University, a gorgeous campus from 1845. The famous architecture on the campus makes it a necessary stop on your itinerary. Check out the well-known buildings of McClay Library and Lanyon Building.
Make sure to grab a bite to eat around Queen’s Quarter, a young and vibrant neighborhood made up mostly of students. If you are a young backpacker, this zone is a great place to find accommodation.
Once you are done with lunch and walking around Queen’s Quarter, take a taxi to the Crumlin Road Gaol, another immersive experience similar to the Titanic Museum. The jail was operated incredibly recently, not shutting its doors until 1996.
Now, visitors can walk through old cells, administrative offices, and the eerie jail grounds. Take a self-guided experience or a guided tour. However, to lean into the creepy vibe of the jail, we recommend taking the self-guided tour.
Finally, end the day with a famous Black Taxi Tour of Belfast. If you haven’t heard of this particular activity, it is one of the most famous and well-rated things to do in the city.
Hop into the backseat of a black taxi cab and drive around. Learn about The Troubles, a conflict that spanned over 30 years in Northern Ireland.
Belfast is a beautiful city with a brand-new economy, but there are still remnants of its troubled past. The Black Taxi Tours do a great job of taking visitors to the important murals around the city.
In Belfast, you will notice tons and tons of murals, but taking a guided tour in a car helps you cover more ground and the drivers are incredibly knowledgeable about the art form.
One of the most interesting facts is that even today – many years after the end of The Troubles – the gates of the Peace Walls are still closed every night, keeping the Catholic and Protestant communities apart.
Day 3 in Belfast
On your last day in Belfast, take a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage site is made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, giving the illusion of an entire landscape made up of tiny steps.
It’s a fantastic natural wonder, especially since the stepping stones are hexagonal in shape. They look incredibly man-made!
We recommend taking a guided tour so that you don’t have to worry about renting a vehicle. Tours will take you on an air-conditioned coach, leading to a comfortable ride.
The tours take you along the coast of Northern Ireland along the Antrim Coast Road. On top of the Giant’s Causeway, experience the famous landscape where Game of Thrones was partially filmed. Click here to book your Giants Causeway tour online.
Other stops include Carrickfergus Castle, Dunluce Castle, Carnlough Harbour, Caves of Cushendun, and The Dark Hedges.
Upon your return to Belfast, stop by the Cathedral Quarter for a final dinner in the city. This quarter is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of cobblestoned streets and plentiful bar and restaurant options.
In the summer months, there is an abundance of outdoor beer gardens and festivals to choose from.
For a wonderful dinner, check out Revolución de Cuba and grab some sweet plantains after a long day of exploration.
How to Get to Belfast
Belfast is accessible via 2 main routes: by train and plane.
If you are arriving by train, Dublin is only 2.5 hours away. It is a very easy journey up the Eastern coast of Ireland.
Belfast’s Lanyon Place, the main train station, is located in the heart of the city. Once you arrive in Belfast, you will have no trouble getting to your hotel.
Located only a 30-minute drive from the center of the city, the airport is also an accessible way to get to Belfast. It has frequent flights to major cities such as London, Paris, and other parts of Mainland Europe.
It is recommended to take the train if you are coming up from Dublin, as it is a lot easier than trying to fly into Belfast. However, from further destinations such as London and the wider United Kingdom, the airport is a great move.
Where to Stay in Belfast
Budget: Look at staying in the Queen’s Quarter neighborhood, an area that is popular among young backpackers. Vagabonds Hostel is within walking distance of Queen’s University and offers a quirky and friendly vibe to guests.
Mid-Range: Check out Malmaison Belfast. Its fantastic location in Cathedral Quarter means that you will never run out of restaurant and bar options. Plus, even if you do, Malmaison has an incredible in-house bar and grill.
Luxury: The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast is a great hotel, right in the heart of the city. It walks the line between incredibly luxurious and down to earth, with nice staff and a pleasant atmosphere.
In Short: Belfast Long Weekend Itinerary
Belfast is such a unique city that is well worth a visit. Even if you have fewer days in Belfast, there is so much to take in and experience. It makes for a perfect addition to your Ireland bucket list, especially after visiting Dublin for a few days.
Author Bio: Daniella is the founder of Sampler Platter Travel, a travel blog dedicated to short trips. Our bite-sized itineraries are built for busy travelers, along with tips and tricks to get a little sample of everything at your destination.
UK Travel Resources
- Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
- Find awesome day tours on Get Your Guide
- Book train tickets and buy a discount Railcard from Trainline
- Save on attractions with a city pass from Go City (including London and Edinburgh)
- Sort your pounds and other currencies with a Wise multi-currency card
Please visit:
Our Sponsor