A Weekend in Belfast (A 48 Hours Itinerary With Map)

If you’re looking for a weekend in Belfast itinerary that is tried and tested and that follows a logical route, you’ll love this one.

I’ve been giving this 48 hours in Belfast itinerary to people for the last 5 years, and it has received a steady stream of positive feedback.

You’ll visit the main Belfast attractions, see parts of the city many people miss and discover the best trad pubs and food.

This 2 day Belfast itinerary is for those of you that are:

• Looking for a logical route that takes in the main attractions + hidden gems
• Looking to sample the citys best food, coffee and pubs
• Who don’t want to spend time figuring out public transport

A weekend in Belfast itinerary

Take 15 seconds to review the map above; it outlines the route that you’ll follow during your 48 hours in Belfast.

Please note that if you book a tour through the links provided below, we may earn a commission that helps support The Irish Road Trip (thank you!).

Decide how you’ll get about during your 48 hours in Belfast first

Before reviewing the itinerary, it’s essential to consider your transportation options in Belfast since some attractions are spread out.

Here are 2 options worth considering:

• Option A: Get the hop-on-hop-off bus (it’s around €29 for a 2 day pass)
• Option B: Use a combination of public transport and taxis/Ubers

Day 1: Museums, live music and the famous Black Cab tour

Day one on this weekend in Belfast itinerary starts with the exceptional Black Cab Tour and then takes you around the lower half of the city.

If you’re still mulling over hotels/B&Bs, see my guide on where to stay in Belfast (contains the best areas/neighbourhoods).

1. Start with the brilliant Black Cab Tour

You’re going to kick-off your 48 hours in Belfast with one of the Black Cab tours (there are several providers but I always tend to recommend the Political Taxi Tour).

One the 1-hour tour, a local taxi driver will offer insights into the city’s troubled past.

You’ll learn about the Troubles, uncover dark stories about the city’s past, and see the murals on The Falls Road and The Shankill Road, two communities still divided by the Peace Wall.

The drivers aim to provide an unbiased account, giving you the chance to form your own opinions about the city’s divisions. If you do one thing during your 2 days in Belfast, make it this tour.

2. Then see the stunning Grand Opera House

The Political Taxi Tour will drop you off on Great Victoria Street. From there, it’s just a 2-minute walk to the magnificent Grand Opera House.

Even if opera isn’t your thing, this building is a must-see.

Opened in 1895, the Opera House has endured many challenges, including World War II and The Troubles.

Designed by architect Frank Matcham, it’s one of the city’s most impressive structures.

There are very limited tours here, so I’d recommend that you admire it from the outside and then head to the next stop.

3. Take the guided tour of Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall, which opened in 1906, is a 5-minute stroll from the Opera House and it’s well worth exploring.

There’s a 1-hour, £6 tour here that runs Monday to Friday (11am, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm) and on weekends (12 noon, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm). 

Tour Highlights:

• Grand Staircase: Begin by climbing the magnificent Grand Staircase
• Lord Mayors’ Portraits: Discover the stories behind the portraits of Belfast’s Lord Mayors
• Robing Room: View the civic regalia, including the jewels of the Lady Mayoress of Belfast
• Council Chamber: Sit where Belfast’s City Council meets and see historic artefacts

4. Then enjoy the finest Irish fare at Holohan’s

Right – time for lunch. You’ll find one of the best restaurants in Belfast en route to the last few stops of the first 24 of your 48 hours in Belfast.

Holohan’s Pantry is a 20-minute walk from City Hall and it’s here that you’ll be treated to a very memorable feed!

While Holohan’s offer plenty of traditional Irish dishes, like Seafood Chowder, it’s the lunch menu boxtys (Irish potato pancake) that keep me going back.

You can get them with everything from roast chicken and braised beef to more veggie friendly options.

5. Step back in time at the Ulster Museum

From Holohan’s Pantry, you’re a 5-minute walk from the brilliant (and free-to-visit!) Ulster Museum.

It’s here that you’ll embark on a journey to discover Northern Ireland’s treasures from recent and ancient history.

Visitors can admire artworks, learn about the history of the area and come face-to-face with mummies, dinosaurs, meteorites and much more.

There’s also insights into ancient Ireland, the Troubles and more. Many people spending 2 days in Belfast miss the Ulster Museum, those that visit are rarely anything other than surprised!

6. Stretch the legs at the Botanic Gardens

The last main stop on this weekend in Belfast itinerary is the brilliant Botanic Gardens.

You’ll find the located right next to the Ulster Museum and they’re another free attraction!

Established in 1828 and opened in 1895, Belfast’s Botanic Gardens allow those in the city to escape the hustle and bustle for a bit.

Here, you’ll find historic structures such as the Palm House and Tropical Ravine House, designed by renowned architects, showcasing the city’s Victorian prosperity.

7. Relax and then head for food and live tunes

Day 1 of your 2 days in Belfast was fairly busy, yet you’ll have moved at a nice, relaxed pace without having to venture too far.

Head back to your accommodation (see my guide to the best hotels in Belfast) and chill for a bit.

When you’re ready, I’m going to recommend that you head in towards the Cathedral Quarter (you’ll see it by day on day 2).

• For food: The Mourne Seafood Bar (great for fish), Coppi (top-notch Italian) and Bank Square Brasserie (great for a mix of everything).
• For drink: There are some great pubs with live music in Belfast – Maddens (finest Guinness in the city) and McHughs (trad pub with live sessions) are both great!

Day 2: Crumlin Gaol, Titanic and the Cathedral Quarter

Day 2 on this 48 hours in Belfast itinerary takes in the best of the upper half of the city.

Today, you’ll explore the Cathedral Quarter, take the Crumlin Road Gaol tour and see all the Titanic Quarter has to offer.

1. Take a tour of St Anne’s Cathedral

Day 2 starts with the magnificent St. Anne’s Cathedral on Donegall Street. This Church of Ireland cathedral features Romanesque Revival architecture.

Its foundation stone was laid on September 6th, 1899, and it was built around an older church dating back to 1776, taking over 80 years to complete in stages.

You can visit the cathedral from 10:30, which means you can enjoy a lie-in on morning 2 if needed! Admission is around £2.50 and you’ll see: 

• Coventry Cross of Nails: Symbolizes suffering and hope, made from medieval nails, accepted in 1958
• Regimental Chapel: Consecrated in 1981, contains historical artefacts and memorials for soldiers
• The Baptistry: Features a mosaic roof with 150,000 glass pieces
• Tomb of Lord Carson: The only tomb in the cathedral, commemorating the influential Unionist politician

2. Then grab coffee from Neighbourhood and see the Cathedral Quarter

You’ll get some of the best coffee in Belfast a 2-minute walk from the cathedral at Neighbourhood Cafe (they do a fine bit of brunch, too!).

Grab a cup to-go and then head for a stroll. The Cathedral Quarter is home to some of the best of the Belfast street art.

If you follow this route I’ve laid out on Google Maps, you’ll pass the very impressive Merchant Hotel and see the lively Commercial Court.

You’ll also take in a load of street art in the process.

3. Walk or take the bus to Crumlin Road Gaol

So, I’d recommend walking from the Cathedral Quarter to Crumlin Road Gaol, as it’s only a 20-minute walk.

Operating for 150 years, Crumlin Road Gaol is the only remaining Victorian-era prison in Northern Ireland, having housed a diverse array of inmates (book tickets in advance!).

Built between 1843 and 1846, it replaced the old county jail in Carrickfergus. On the tour, you’ll walk through the tunnel connecting the gaol to the courthouse and hear tales from its dark past.

You’ll need around 1.5 hours here. When you finish the tour, grab some lunch from Cuffs Bar & Grill in the gaol.

4. Take the G2 Glider to the Titanic Quarter

When you finish up at the gaol, take the 20-minute walk to Custom House Square, which is where you can hop on the G2 Glider.

You can get it from here and it leaves every 10-15 minutes and it’ll take you to the Titanic Quarter in 5 minutes or so (buy your tickets at the stop).

When you arrive at the Titanic Quarter, head to the Titanic Museum and set-off on the tour (buy your ticket in advance).

A visit takes around 1.5 hours and you’ll see, feel and smell (yes, smell) all things Titanic. When you finish, head to the SS Nomadic (3-minute walk – included in your ticket).

This was the boat used to transport passengers from the mainland to the Titanic.

5. Chill time then food and traditional Irish pubs

So, you can get the G2 Glider back to the city centre from here in the Titanic Quarter (it leaves from here).

Head back to your accommodation, freshen up and then head back out into the city centre.

Here are some recommendations for the last night of this weekend in Belfast itinerary:

• The best pubs in Belfast: Whites Tavern, the Sunflower, the Duke of York and Kelly’s Cellars
• The best restaurants in Belfast: James St, Darcy’s and The Ginger Bistro

Have more than a weekend in Belfast? Do the Antrim Coast

So, if you’re spending longer than 2 days in Belfast, I’d recommend spending the 3rd tackling the Causeway Coastal Route.

You can see the best of it over the course of a day and it includes the like of the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Dark Hedges and Carrick-a-rede.

If you don’t have a car, this tour leaves from Belfast and takes around 9.5 hours.

Still struggling with your weekend in Belfast itinerary? Ask away in the comments below!