A Weekend in Belfast: Top Things to Do When You Arrive

A Weekend in Belfast: Top Things to Do When You Arrive

Belfast has had one of the most remarkable transformations of any city in Europe. Once defined by its turbulent past, it is now one of the most visited and talked-about weekend break destinations on the island of Ireland — a city with serious food, a fascinating history, world-class museums and a nightlife scene that surprises first-time visitors every time.

Whether you're travelling from Dublin for the weekend or using Belfast as your base before flying home from Dublin Airport, this guide covers the best things to do, where to eat, and how to make the most of two days in the city. And if you're coming from Dublin, the easiest way to get there is on the Dublin Express Route 785 — direct from Dublin City Centre or Dublin Airport to Grand Central Station, right in the heart of Belfast.

Getting There: Dublin to Belfast with Dublin Express

Before the sightseeing, let's sort the travel. Dublin Express operates direct coach services between Dublin and Belfast on Route 785, with up to 17 departures daily from both Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre.

• Dublin City Centre to Belfast: fastest journey 2 hours 20 minutes,

• Dublin Airport to Belfast: fastest journey 1 hour 45 minutes,

• Belfast drop-off: Grand Central Station, Belfast city centre — right where you want to be

Services run from early morning until late at night, seven days a week, with no need to book far in advance. Simply visit dublinexpress.ie to check times and buy your ticket.

✔ Dublin Express tip: Book your Dublin Express ticket online to secure the best fares. Tickets can also be purchased at the airport or on board (card payments only), but booking ahead guarantees your seat and the lowest price.

Your Weekend at a Glance

Here's a quick overview of how to split your two days across Belfast's highlights:

Belfast's city centre is compact and very walkable — most of the major attractions are within 20–30 minutes of each other on foot. For the Peace Walls and murals, you'll want a taxi or Black Cab Tour. For Titanic Belfast, it's around a 20-minute walk or a short taxi from Grand Central Station.

Day One: History, Markets and the Cathedral Quarter

Start at St George's Market

If you're arriving on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday — and a weekend trip means you almost certainly are — make St George's Market your first stop. Built between 1890 and 1896, this award-winning Victorian covered market is one of Belfast's oldest and most loved attractions, drawing over half a million visitors a year.

The Saturday City Food and Craft Market is the one most visitors aim for: fresh fish landed at Portavogie, pork from Cookstown, artisan bread, handmade crafts, local photography and pottery — all while a live musician fills the hall with sound. Come hungry. The street food stalls serve everything from a proper Ulster Fry to international cuisine, and the atmosphere on a Saturday morning is electric.

• Opening times: Friday 8am–2pm (Variety Market) · Saturday 9am–3pm (Food & Craft) · Sunday 10am–4pm (Arts & Craft). Bring cash — many smaller stalls don't take card.

• ✔ Dublin Express tip: St George's Market is just a short walk from Grand Central Station. If you're arriving on a Saturday morning, head straight there before checking into your hotel.

Explore the Cathedral Quarter

The Cathedral Quarter is Belfast's creative and cultural hub — a maze of cobbled streets, independent bars, galleries and street art centred around St Anne's Cathedral. It's the area most visitors fall in love with, and it's easy to lose a few happy hours here.

Pick up a coffee at one of the independent cafés, browse the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) for free — a modern arts space offering theatre, visual art and community events — and keep your eyes open for the murals that cover many of the walls. The Cathedral Quarter murals are distinct from the political murals of the Falls Road and Shankill; these are celebratory and artistic, reflecting Belfast's creative renaissance.

For lunch, the Cathedral Quarter has some of Belfast's most exciting restaurants. The Muddlers Club is renowned for its tasting menus; The Dirty Onion is a beloved outdoor pub set in a converted grain store; and the Duke of York is one of the most atmospheric traditional pubs in the city, tucked down a narrow cobbled lane.

Belfast City Hall and Victoria Square

Belfast City Hall sits at the heart of Donegall Square and is one of the finest Edwardian buildings in Ireland. The building survived the Belfast Blitz and has been at the centre of the city's political and civic life for over a century. Tours of the interior run regularly and are well worth an hour of your time — the memorial garden and visitor exhibition inside cover the history of Belfast in depth.

From City Hall, Victoria Square is just a few minutes' walk. Belfast's premier shopping destination, it sits under a stunning glass dome with a viewing gallery on top that offers panoramic views across the city on a clear day. Free to access.

Evening in the Cathedral Quarter

Belfast's pub scene is one of the best in Ireland, and the Cathedral Quarter is where you'll find the greatest concentration of great drinking spots. The John Hewitt is a community-owned pub beloved by locals, with excellent craft ales and regular live music. The Spaniard is a quirky, character-filled bar with an eclectic music policy. Kelly's Cellars, dating back to 1720, is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast and still packs in a crowd on weekend evenings.

For dinner, the city has something for every appetite and budget. OX Belfast holds a Michelin star and is widely regarded as one of the finest restaurants on the island. For something more casual, the Golden Mile along Great Victoria Street and the surrounding streets offer everything from gastropub food to excellent Indian and Asian cuisine.

Day Two: Titanic Quarter, Murals and the Queen's Quarter

Titanic Belfast — The Must-See Attraction

No trip to Belfast is complete without a visit to Titanic Belfast. Built on the exact shipyard slipway where RMS Titanic was constructed, this world-class visitor attraction tells the full story of the ship across nine immersive galleries — from Belfast's industrial heritage and the ship's construction to the night of the sinking and the ongoing legacy of the Titanic story.

The building itself is spectacular — its distinctive angular facade is designed to echo the prow of a ship — and the interactive exhibits, dark rides and full-scale reconstructions make this one of the best visitor experiences in Ireland. Combine it with a visit to SS Nomadic next door, the last remaining White Star Line vessel, for a complete picture of the Titanic Quarter's remarkable history.

• Practical info: Titanic Belfast sells out on weekends, particularly in summer. Book your tickets in advance at titanicbelfast.com. The attraction is around a 20-minute walk from Grand Central Station, or a short taxi ride.

• ✔ Dublin Express tip: Allow at least 2–3 hours for Titanic Belfast — it's bigger and more detailed than most people expect. Factor in another 45 minutes if you're also visiting SS Nomadic.

Black Cab Tour: The Peace Walls and Political Murals

One of the most powerful and eye-opening experiences Belfast has to offer is a Black Cab Tour of the Peace Walls and political murals of the Falls Road and Shankill Road. Your driver — usually a local with deep personal knowledge of the city's history — takes you through the neighbourhoods that were at the heart of the Troubles, stopping at the murals and the Peace Walls that once divided (and in some places still separate) Nationalist and Unionist communities.

The murals here are unlike anything else in Ireland or Britain — vivid, politically charged, historically dense, and often deeply moving. Many visitors describe this as the highlight of their entire trip. Tours typically run for around 1.5–2 hours and can be booked in advance or hailed in the city centre.

The Peace Walls themselves are covered in messages and signatures from visitors from around the world. Bring a pen and add yours.

Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum

After the intensity of the Black Cab Tour, the Botanic Gardens offer a lovely change of pace. Set in the leafy Queen's Quarter near Queen's University, these Victorian gardens are a beautiful spot to slow down, take a breath and enjoy some greenery. The Palm House — a Victorian cast-iron glasshouse dating from 1840 — is one of the oldest of its kind in the world.

The Ulster Museum, on the edge of the gardens, is free to enter and one of the best museums in Ireland. Its collections cover natural history, art, archaeology and the history of Northern Ireland, with a particularly strong permanent exhibition on the Troubles and the peace process. Allow 1–2 hours to do it justice.

Evening: Ormeau Road or the Golden Mile

For your final evening, head to the Ormeau Road for one of Belfast's most relaxed and local dining experiences. This long, tree-lined road through South Belfast is home to some of the city's best independent restaurants, bars and cafés. The Errigle Inn is a classic neighbourhood pub with an excellent food menu. The Pavilion is a popular spot with a terrace perfect for a summer evening. For something more adventurous, Jumon on the Ormeau Road has developed a devoted following for its creative Asian vegetarian and vegan cooking.

Alternatively, the Golden Mile — the stretch of Great Victoria Street between the city centre and Queen's Quarter — has a huge range of dining and bar options, from the Victorian grandeur of the Crown Bar (a National Trust-owned pub with stunning original interior) to modern cocktail bars and late-night venues.

Practical Tips for Your Belfast Weekend

Getting Around Belfast

Belfast city centre is very walkable — the main attractions are compact and most are within 20–30 minutes on foot of Grand Central Station. For the Titanic Quarter, it's an easy 20-minute walk along the waterfront or a short taxi. For the Peace Walls and murals, a Black Cab Tour is the best option as it includes a knowledgeable guide. The Glider rapid bus service connects East and West Belfast if you want to venture further.

Currency

Belfast is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The currency is pounds sterling (GBP), not euros. Most places accept card payments, but it's worth having some cash for St George's Market where many smaller stalls are cash-only. ATMs are widely available throughout the city centre.

Weather

Belfast's weather is famously unpredictable — a waterproof layer is never a bad idea regardless of the forecast. That said, Belfast is a great city in all weathers: the indoor attractions (Titanic Belfast, Ulster Museum, St George's Market) are just as enjoyable on a grey day, and many of the city's best pubs and restaurants are perfect for a cosy evening when it's raining.

Book Titanic Belfast in Advance

Titanic Belfast is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Ireland and sells out regularly on weekends and during peak season. Book your tickets at titanicbelfast.com before you travel to avoid disappointment.

Getting Back to Dublin: Dublin Express Route 785

When your weekend is over, Dublin Express has you covered for the return journey. The Route 785 service departs from Grand Central Station in Belfast, with multiple services throughout the day back to Dublin City Centre and Dublin Airport.

• Belfast to Dublin City Centre: fastest journey 2 hours 20 minutes,

• Belfast to Dublin Airport: fastest journey 1 hour 50 minutes,

• Last departure from Belfast to Dublin City: 21:25 — giving you a full day in the city before heading back

Coaches are comfortable and modern, with free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, onboard toilets and ample luggage space — ideal for winding down after a busy weekend.

• ✔ Dublin Express tip: If you're flying home from Dublin Airport on Sunday evening, the Dublin Express Belfast to Dublin Airport service gives you a seamless connection. Book your return ticket at dublinexpress.ie at the same time as your outbound journey to lock in the best fares.

Ready to Visit Belfast?

Belfast is one of those cities that gets under your skin. The history is profound, the food scene is genuinely excellent, and the people are as warm and quick-witted as anywhere in Ireland. A weekend barely scratches the surface — but it's more than enough to understand why so many visitors come back.

Book your Dublin Express tickets at dublinexpress.ie and give yourself something to look forward to.

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