What Areas Of Belfast To Avoid (If Any) In 2025

“Hi! I’m visiting in a week and I’m wondering which areas of Belfast to avoid?!”

Is Belfast safe? The short answer? Yes. The longer answer? Yes, but like every major city it has it’s problems!

Like every city in the world, there are areas to avoid in Belfast (mainly at night!) and there are things to avoid doing while you visit (e.g. talking politics…).

However, according to the latest 2025 crime stats, recorded crime across Northern Ireland is down, and all policing districts, including Belfast, reported lower levels of crime year-on-year.

Is Belfast safe?

Berlin, Warsaw, Dublin – the list goes on. Along with Belfast, there’s a whole host of European cities that saw extensive conflict during the second half of the 20th century.

And while scars remain, we’re happy to continuously throw ourselves at these cities in the name of travel and curiosity.

Belfast’s a friendly and fascinating place that’ll live long in your memory – read on to discover what areas of Belfast to avoid.

The city has come a long way

For 30 years, Belfast was regularly in the news for all the wrong reasons and its turbulent past can still colour impressions of the city today.

Though things have improved since 1998’s Good Friday Agreement, Belfast’s political and cultural divide remains acute and, like all cities, there are areas of Belfast to avoid.

However, Belfast, for the most part, is safe, you just need to apply the common sense that you would apply when visiting any new city. 

2025 PSNI crime figures

According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), recorded crime in Belfast City fell by 2.8% in the 12 months to August 2025.

It’s worth noting this is a year-on-year drop, not a long-term trend, but it supports what many visitors already find: Belfast feels safer and calmer than its reputation suggests.

What areas of Belfast to avoid (and which ones are fine to visit)

I want to start this section with a disclaimer; this is a guide for tourists, it’s not a guide for people looking for places to buy a home/rent.

Below, you’ll find a handful of places in Belfast to avoid (mostly at night) and places that are perfectly fine.

The City Centre

Home to many of the most popular things to do in Belfast along with plenty of street art, great pubs and incredible restaurants, the city centre is the vibrant heart of Belfast where people of all backgrounds mix.

Like any city centre, things start getting a little rowdier in the evening after a few drinks so, if it looks like there’s trouble brewing, head on elsewhere.

Recent PSNI figures show that most incidents in the city centre relate to minor thefts, antisocial behaviour, and shoplifting.

East Belfast

With a skyline dominated by the Harland and Wolff cranes, East Belfast is where the likes of George Best and Van Morrison grew up. These days it’s a largely working-class area that struggled after the shipyard’s decline.

PSNI data shows East Belfast was the only part of the city to see a small rise in recorded crime in 2025 (up 9%), though the overall levels remain low.

The Titanic Quarter isn’t far from here, but if you’re unfamiliar with the area, it’s best to stick to main roads and avoid wandering East Belfast late at night.

Short Strand, a small Nationalist enclave surrounded by Unionist neighbourhoods, has seen occasional tensions over the years due to its location, though incidents are far less common these days.

South Belfast

Leafy, lively, and home to Queen’s University, South Belfast mixes students, long-time locals, and visitors in one of the city’s most relaxed areas.

According to the PSNI, recorded crime in South Belfast fell by 7.7% between September 2024 and August 2025 – the biggest drop of any part of the city.

That said, like anywhere with nightlife, there can be the odd late-night issue. The Holyland area, near the university, gets rowdy thanks to student parties, and petty theft occasionally happens around the train station or after closing time on Botanic Avenue.

North Belfast

North Belfast stretches from the city centre up towards Cave Hill and Belfast Castle, mixing residential streets with deep-rooted communities.

According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, recorded crime in North Belfast fell by 3.3% between September 2024 and August 2025.

Most offences here were minor and concentrated in a few residential pockets rather than the areas visitors typically explore.

Areas like Tiger’s Bay, the New Lodge, and Ardoyne have had their share of late-night anti-social behaviour over the years and are best avoided after dark.

West Belfast

With its colourful murals and famous Peace Wall, West Belfast is one of the most interesting parts of the city to explore. It’s also an area that saw heavy conflict during the Troubles but has changed dramatically in recent years.

According to the PSNI, recorded crime in West Belfast fell by 4.2% between September 2024 and August 2025.

For most visitors, the best way to experience West Belfast is by taking a Black Cab Tour during the day. The Falls Road and The Shankill Road are fascinating, but it’s best not to wander around them late at night.

Staying safe in Belfast

So, now that I’ve tackled areas to avoid in Belfast, it’s time to talk about how to stay safe in the city during your visit.

Most of these points will be common sense while others, like politics and team jerseys, are often overlooked.

1. Avoid talking politics

Anthony Bourdain once said that all good travellers should be “relentlessly curious, without fear or prejudice.”

When approaching a divided city like Belfast, removing prejudice is important but avoiding talking politics altogether is a good way to stay away from trouble. 

Be respectful to your host city and learn as much as possible (see my guide to the differences between Northern Ireland vs Ireland) but be aware that one stray remark of a political nature after a few beers could land you in an unanticipated spot of bother. 

2. Don’t stray off the beaten path

Going off the beaten path is typically one of the more seductive parts of the travel experience but in Belfast, it’s better to stick to what you know, especially at night.

If you’re staying in one of my recommended hotels in Belfast city centre, then it’s a wise idea to stay around that area when evening falls (see this where to stay in Belfast guide). 

Going for a night-time jolly along the Falls or Shankill roads by yourself absolutely isn’t the best way to get the most out of your Belfast experience.

3. Use common sense

Simply apply the same common sense you’d use in any other new city, but also be aware of Belfast’s particular sensitivities. Wandering around late at night isn’t recommended and take extra care when the pubs and bars empty.

As you may notice, some of Belfast’s pubs tend to lean towards one community or the other so apply some common sense if you find yourself in an establishment that clearly leans Unionist or Nationalist (and definitely avoid politics talk!)

4. Team jerseys

Unless there’s an international tournament or a cup final on, it’s unlikely that you’d be wanting to throw on a team jersey during your travels but if you really must then keep it neutral.

And certainly don’t go walking up the Shankill in a Celtic or Ireland jersey and likewise stay away from the Falls road if you’re wearing a Rangers or England jersey. 

Belfast is far from the only city where wearing the wrong jersey in the wrong area will get you in trouble, however your best bet to stay safe is to avoid wearing sports jerseys altogether. 

5. No go areas in Belfast

While there aren’t any official areas of Belfast to avoid, as I’ve spoken about at length above it’s simply a question of using common sense when moving around the city. Stick to the tourist areas if you can and don’t do anything that could be seen as provocative. 

Even if you think your comments will align with the views of the people you’re talking with, it’s best not to make them in the first place and just ask for advice on the city while enjoying their hospitality.

FAQs about areas to avoid in Belfast

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from is Belfast safe to what areas to avoid in Belfast during a visit.

I’ll stick some of the most FAQs below (see my guide on spending 24 hours in Belfast or my 2 day Belfast itinerary).