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Belfast

Cathedral Quarter pubs, murals & market halls

Browse Belfast

Belfast is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall and St Georges Market. Food lovers should not miss Muriel's Cafe Bar and The Crown Liquor Saloon. Below you will find 11 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Belfast at a glance

  • Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
  • Best time to visit: spring and autumn
  • Highlights: Titanic Belfast and Belfast City Hall
  • Where to stay: Cathedral Quarter and North
  • Local picks: 11 hand-chosen recommendations
  • Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Belfast

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Where to stay in Belfast

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Centre

Mourne Seafood Bar

A brilliant seafood bar sourcing oysters and mussels from its own beds.
★ 4.5
$$
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City centre

Muriel’s Cafe Bar

A quirky-yet-classy cafe bar down a quiet city-centre side street, with inventive, knowledgeable staff and a cracking gin menu. Grab an outdoor seat on a fine day or people-watch from inside when it rains; check the cocktail of the week and one of the Mediterranean platters.
★ 4.5
$$
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Centre

Muriels Cafe Bar

A quirky, candlelit cafe-bar beloved for cocktails and gin.
★ 4.5
$$
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East Belfast

Refresh Cafe

Why it matters: Refresh is the in-house social enterprise cafe of East Belfast Mission, and its profits fund the Mission’s work with more than a thousand vulnerable people every week – housing, employment support and mental health services. The same kitchen cooks over 250 hot meals a day for elderly and housebound neighbours, and runs training placements for people out of work. Come for the homemade scones and speciality coffee, stay for a proper cooked lunch, and have a look around the Skainos Centre it sits in – a shared-space building on the Newtownards Road that is a story in itself. Practical tip: it is weekdays only, 8am to 3pm, and closed at weekends – pair it with a walk up the road to C.S. Lewis Square.
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City Centre

The Bobbin

Why it matters: the City Hall coffee shop is run by Loaf Catering and Cafes, which provides training and work experience places for people with a learning disability, autism or Asperger’s – and every penny of profit goes to its parent social enterprise, the NOW Group, which moves those trainees into real jobs. The name came from a public vote in 2009, when more than 1,400 residents picked ‘bobbin’ after the spindles of Belfast’s old linen mills. Get a freshly-baked scone and a coffee, then walk straight into the free visitor exhibition next door. Practical tip: it sits at the back of City Hall, so use the rear entrance on Donegall Square South rather than circling the building.
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Centre

The Crown Liquor Saloon

A gloriously ornate Victorian gin palace of snugs and tilework.
★ 4.6
$$
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Book your trip to Belfast

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Belfast travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Belfast?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Belfast at a relaxed pace.

Where is the best area to stay in Belfast?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit.

What are the best things to do in Belfast?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in Belfast guide.

What is the best time to visit Belfast?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Belfast is worth visiting year-round.

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