Here’s Why A Black Cab Tour Of Belfast Is Unmissable When Visiting The City

A Black Cab Tour of Belfast is, in our opinion, one of the best things to do in Belfast.

Especially if you want to delve deep into Belfast and explore the real story of Northern Ireland’s capital and it’s turbulent history.

These driving excursions take you across the city to the murals and peace wall to uncover the turbulent history, as well as the bright future of Belfast.

Below, you’ll find everything from what to expect on a Black Taxi Tour of Belfast to which tours we’d recommend checking out.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Black Cab Tours of Belfast

Although a Black Taxi Tour of Belfast is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. What are they

Belfast Black Cab Tours are given by drivers who lived through the many years of unrest in Northern Ireland. The tours offer a unique understanding of the city’s troubled past and offer an insight into how Belfast has changed over the last decades.

2. Where you’ll visit

Although the itineraries of a Black Cab Tour of Belfast will change depending on the driver, you’ll more than likely see The Shankill Road, The Falls Road, the Belfast Peace Wall, the highlights of the city and the better-known Belfast murals.

3. Are they worth doing

A Black Cab Tour of Belfast is a unique way to discover the city’s past through stories told by someone that lived through The Troubles. These tours are widely regarded as one of the best ways to learn about the city’s history.

What to expect from a Belfast Black Taxi Tour

If you’ve never heard of the Black Cab Tours of Belfast, I’ll break down what you can expect from them in the section below.

Again, it’s worth noting that there are several tour providers operating in the city, so what each offers may differ slightly.

1. A unique experience

A Black Taxi Tour is one of the most unique things to do in Northern Ireland. It’ll give you a window into the city’s past that you won’t get from any guidebook. And it’ll treat you to a style of storytelling that’ll captivate you from beginning to end. You’ll also be taken to what are often regarded as no-go areas of Belfast that you arguably wouldn’t want to be visiting solo.

2. An unbiased insight into the Troubles

The tours provide an unbiased view of The Troubles, offering an insight into the tragedies experienced by both communities in Belfast. You’ll also hear what it was like to live through The Troubles from a person that experienced the good and bad of the last 40 or so years.

3. A look at Belfast’s Murals

Perhaps the most unlikely attraction to come from the Troubles, was the murals that can now be found dotted around Belfast. Some of the common themes and depictions include of Bobby Sands, Frederick Douglass, the Red Hand of Ulster and Jackie Coulter, amongst many others. 

Three Belfast Black Cab Tours well worth doing

OK, so, you’ve decided that you fancy heading off on one of the Belfast Black Cab Tours – you’re in for a treat!

Below, you’ll find some of the different tours on offer. Note: if you book a tour through a of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going.

1. Belfast: Political Taxi Tour

The Belfast Political Taxi Tour showcases the history of the Troubles with a visit to the murals around the city, including on The Falls Road and The Shankill Road, two communities still separated by the peace wall. 

Your driver will be a taxi driver who lived through the Troubles, so you’ll be able to get a real insight into the history and ask whatever questions you want to know about this dark period in time.

The drivers are all dedicated to providing an unbiased account, so you can make your own mind up about the city’s divisions at the end of the hour-long drive.

• Price: From £60 per group up to 2
• Duration: 1 hour
• Review: 4.8/5
• Book your ticket here

2. Belfast Taxi Mural Tour

The Belfast Taxi Mural Tour is also conducted by drivers that lived during the Troubles. This means that you’ll be able to get a really personal insight into the ups and downs of Belfast’s history. 

The tour takes you to the Peace Wall at The Falls and Shankill Roads to see the famous murals, where the driver will be able to explain the meanings behind the depictions on both sides.

You’ll also be able to find out the local secrets around the city including the best restaurants, with a driver who knows the ins and outs of the city. 

• Price: From £60 per group up to 2
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Review: 4.9/5
• Book your ticket here

3. Political Wall Murals and Peacewall

With this slightly longer tour option, you’ll be able to stop for plenty of photos and chat away with your informative driver. All the guides on this tour grew up through the Troubles and are able to give a personal insight of life during the conflict.

The tour also takes you to the peace wall and past all the famous murals (not to be confused with the newer Belfast street art), where you’ll get the chance of signing your own name on the wall that has divided the city for over 45 years.

You can also be conveniently picked up from wherever you’re staying in the city centre and taken to all the must-see places around town.

• Price: £100 per group up to 2
• Duration 90 minutes
• Review: 5/5
• Book your ticket here

FAQs about taking a Black Cab Tour of Belfast

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from whether a Black Cab Tour of Belfast is worth doing to how long they take.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How long is the Black Cab Tour Belfast?

Tours differ depending on the provider, but they generally last around an hour (make sure to check this in advance).

Are the Belfast Black Cab Tours really worth doing?

Yes – 100%! These tours offer a first-hand insight into the city’s past that you just won’t find elsewhere. 

What do you see on a Black Cab Tour of Belfast?

You’ll see the city’s murals, the peace wall, The Falls and Shankill Roads and corners of the city that saw extensive unrest.