When people think of UK cities they will mention London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow. However, most people seem to forget about the capital of Northern Ireland – BELFAST.
In my opinion Belfast is the most underrated city in the UK and personally is one of my favourites to visit. I have visited Belfast four times, and every time I have found something new to do.
To help you plan your trip I have compiled a list of my top five favourite places to visit whilst in Belfast, giving you some information about each one as well as how to reach them.
The places I will talk about in this post are;
Titanic Belfast
The RMS Titanic was constructed in the Harland and Wolff shipyards in Belfast and since 2012 the Titanic Belfast Museum has been open to tell the story of this legendary vessel.
When visiting you get the opportunity to see replicas of the ships interior, learn about how the ship was built and what happened on April 14th 1912. At the end of the museum you also get to see video footage of the wreck itself. It is also been possible to step aboard the SS Nomadic which brought First Class passengers to the Titanic.
Things you need to know.
- Entry is £21.50 for an adult or £10 for a child.
- It takes approximately 120 minutes to experience the museum in full.
- There are set entry times, so book online to get the time you like.
- Audio guides are also available for £4 and are available in multiple languages.
How to reach Titanic Belfast
The two easiest way to reach the museum is by foot or by train. Walking from the centre of Belfast takes approximately 30 minutes and is well sign posted.
The closest train station is Titanic Quarter. The train takes 4 minutes from Lanyon Place with services running every 30 minutes. From the station cross over the motorway via the bridge and turn left. The walk takes less than ten minutes and is well sign posted.
Belfast City Hall
Located in the heart of the city Belfast City Hall was built in 1906 to celebrate Belfast becoming a city. The building was designed in Baroque Revival style and is built of Portland Stone. Today the building is primarily used as a function venue using one of the three dedicated areas inside.
In 2006 the city decided to open it for guided tours which would be free for everybody. These guides are lead by an experience guide who will take you to parts of the building that would normally be off limits and share with you some history of the development of Belfast.
Things you should know
- Tours are free, however groups of 10+ need to organise a private tour in advance.
- Tours are on a first come, first served basis and operate three times per day, you need to arrive 15 minutes before.
- All tours are done in English
- Donations are accepted with donation boxes in the reception.
How to reach Belfast City Hall
As Belfast City Hall is in the heart of the city you will likely find it easiest to reach by foot.
Most bus routes will stop nearby, when boarding ask the driver and they will happily tell you what stop is best.
The closest stations are Lanyon Place and Botanic, both of these are approximately ten minutes away.
Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum is an ideal place to visit if you want to find out about the history of Northern Ireland. With exhibits of art, history, science and languages there is something for everybody.
The Ulster Museum is just one of a collection of museums about the history of Northern Ireland. If you are in Belfast for more than a few days I would also recommend the Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum, these are located just outside of Belfast in Holywood. For the purpose of this guide I will talk about the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
Things you should know
- The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday.
- Bookings for groups of 15+ it is recommended to email the museum in advance.
- A full tour of the museum takes around 3 hours, however you can take as long as you like.
How to Reach Ulster Museum Belfast
The easiest way to reach the Ulster Museum is to take the train, with the closest station being Botanic. From the station it is less than ten minutes by foot.
Bus 8d also stops outside the museum and may be a better option if it is raining or very cold.
Belfast Castle
The original castle was built in the 12th century, however, the current building was built in 1870. The castle and grounds are open to the public too visit, and it is a popular wedding venue during the summer as people fall in love with the area.
Things you should know
- Dogs are not allowed inside the castle (guide dogs are allowed)
- There are multiple different cafes and menus that you can enjoy whilst exploring the area.
How to Reach Belfast Castle
The easiest way to reach Belfast Castle is by using the bus. Route 1 departs from the city centre and you should get off at Antrim Park. From there just follow the signs to the castle.
Stormont
Northern Ireland is well known for it’s political history. Even today politics can be a contentious subject, however, there is no denying that the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont) is a must see sight.
Tourists are able to walk around the gardens of the castle and take in the atmosphere and the grandeur of the building. Furthermore, during the week you are able to do a guided tour inside. These tours must be booked online and they depart twice per day.
Things you should know
- Security is tight around the area as it us a political building, there are no limits on liquids or electronics to enter the grounds but be sensible when taking a bag for the day.
- The grounds around the building are only open during the day and are closed at night.
How to reach Stormont
The closest train station is Sydenham (also used for Belfast City Airport) from the station it is a fifteen minute walk to Stormont.
However the easiest way to reach the grounds is to take the Bus Route 4A from Belfast City Centre. The bus will drop you at the bottom of Prince of Wales Avenue, Stormont is at the other end. If you need help the bus drivers in Belfast have a reputation for being really friendly and helpful with tourists, just ask the driver and they will happily help.
So now you have decided to visit Belfast, you need to know how to get there, below is flight information from Glasgow.
Flight Information from Glasgow
Airports:
Belfast City Airport | BHD
Belfast International Airport | BFS
Flight Time:
45mins
Airlines:
Aer Lingus | BHD
easyJet | BHD & BFS
Flybe | BHD
You may find the following posts relevant you you when booking flights;
George Nugent Travels 
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