24HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST
Over 100 countries, countless posts and not one about my home town? That doesn’t seem right so let me change that! Belfast has been through tough times in recent history but over the past 10 years it has notably turned a corner and I can comfortably say it is up there with the best of them!
🗺 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: WHERE IS BELFAST? 🗺
📆 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: WHEN TO GO 📆
Northern Ireland is becoming more and more popular and like most countries the best time to visit is shoulder season, May, June or September.
When to go: May/June or Sept
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
⏳ 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: HOW LONG TO STAY ⏳
Do you enjoy a drink with live Irish music, meeting friendly locals, world class beaches, iconic history, world famous television shows, famous shipyards, hiking stunning mountains, god-made golf courses then you might want to apply for residency!!
How long: 3 full days
🏢 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: WHERE TO STAY 🏢
INCLUDE AREA. In terms of location, as long as you stay within walking distance of the Acropolis you can’t go wrong, however here are some options to suit all budgets
BEST HOSTEL – Lagan Backpackers Hostel
There are many options in the way of hostels here in Belfast but if you have your heart set on staying at one then Lagan’s Backpackers it is!
121 Fitzroy Ave, Belfast BT7 1HU
10 minutes walk to city centre
Rate – from £11/pp
BEST MID RANGE – Maldron Hotel****
Ideal location and great value, the Maldron hotel is just across the road from the central bus station and just 5 minutes to everything else.
20 Brunswick St, Belfast BT2 7GE
Located within city centre
Rate – from £45/pp for a double room
BEST LUXURY – Grand Central Hotel*****
Along with the Merchant (special mention), the Grand Central is the best hotel in the city and one of the newest. Even if you do not decide to stay here, be sure and visit the observatory bar on the top floor, reservations required.
9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF
Located within city centre
Rate – from £75/pp for a double room
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
🛫 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: HOW TO GET THERE 🛬
Transport in this part of the world is often and convenient throughout Europe but more so if you already find yourself in the U.K. or Ireland. Flights are cheap if booked well in advance.
How to get there: Continental flights available daily.
🌦 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: WEATHER 🌦
I would love to say the summer but I there isn’t one local who knows when that is. Your chances of sun are probably best in June as this month is synonymous for providing 3 days of sun out of the 5 we normally get! If the weather is dry then you are doing well!
Weather: Generally dry and warm – hot.
FACTS:
- Belfast has the 2 tallest buildings on the Island of Ireland
- The Obel is 85metres tall and the Grand Central Hotel is 80metres tall.
- The observatory bar at the top of the Grand Central is the highest bar in Ireland
- The Seahorse is the symbol of Belfast
- Led Zeppelin played Stairway to Heaven in Belfast for the first time
💳 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: MONEY 💳
British pounds and ATMs on every street.
Money; Euros & cards accepted, very affordable
RELATED READ: THE POPE AND GETTING THROWN OUT OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL
🗣 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: LANGUAGE 🗣
I would love to say English but that’s up for debate. Half of the fun of exploring Northern Ireland is hearing the mix of accents around the country. People are friendly and won’t be surprised if a tourist asked them to slow down when giving out directions!
Language: A form of English
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
🏍 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: HOW TO GET AROUND 🏍
With the options on city hotels it best to stay in centre to avoiding having to depend on a taxi. However Belfast is a small city and in the likely event that it rains, black taxis are readily available, although do book them for the evenings and nights.
How to get around: Walk & taxi
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
📱 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: INTERNET & MOBILE 📱
No matter where I go I always recommend everyone to get a sim card. Not just for social media and the rest but also for emergencies and that you’ll always have access to a phone line. Best option is to buy one in the city centre, phone shops are everywhere. 02 and EE are 2 good options.
Mobile: Buy a sim if required. Wi-Fi available.
🍽 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: WHERE TO EAT 🍽
I spend most of my time checking out the restaurants in Belfast and the best are;
MID RANGE *Don’t miss* – Freight
By far my favourite Brunch spot in Belfast. Also a great dinner experience
Lunch/Dinner
423 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7EW
MID RANGE *Don’t miss* – Mourne Seafood
My favourite spot for dinner in Belfast
Lunch/Dinner
34-36 Bank St, Belfast BT1 1HL
HIGH END – Muddlers
Looking for a great tasting menu and atmosphere, look no further!
Dinner
1 Warehouse Ln, Belfast BT1 2DX
SPECIAL MENTION – Neptune&Prawn / The Mermaid
An all round favourite that has it all.
Lunch / Dinner
54 Kerr St, Portrush BT56 8DQ
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
FOOD:
- Irish stew
- Ulster fry with soda bread
- Champ
- Shellfish; Oysters, mussels & Dublin bay prawns
📝 24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST: BE ORGANISED 📝
If you are limited for time and only here for a day then I would suggest you book everything well before you arrive. In this case you know what you will be able to fit in and hopefully not be left disappointed
24 HRS ITINERARY FOR BELFAST
6 A.M, VISIT THE MOST AMAZING COAST
Yes its early but there is just so much to do in one day. Immediately we are taking a tour (private or shared) or renting a car up north to visit the following attractions;
NORTH COAST
The North Coast is one of the most impressive landscapes I have ever seen and unique to only the island of Ireland. You cannot miss visiting Dunluce Castle and of course the Giants Causeway. Getting here early will mean you will avoid the crowds and have more of the place to yourself!
Be sure that the tour you book also takes you to the famous and precarious Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge which will prove a challenge for some but yet a lot of fun! On the way back to Belfast drop by to the famous Dark HedgeS/Kings Road from the most popular television program in the world, Game of Thrones!
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
TIPS:
- Easter is not an ideal time to visit Northern Ireland due to terrible licencing laws and prehistoric government
- Bars close around 12am – 1am
- Clubs continue to 2am
12 P.M., IRISH FOOD!
FOOD MARKET
Returning to Belfast it’s time for some local food. Head to St George’s market for bacon, sausage and egg in a Belfast bap, accompanied by none other than brown sauce! If you aren’t visiting during the weekends then visit Harlem Cafe for an Ulster Fry!
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
1 P.M., LEARN ABOUT BELFAST’S COLOURFUL PAST
BLACK TAXI TOUR
The black taxi tours has been made famous in Belfast and there is really no better way to see and learn about the city and its colourful past! The guides are all ex paramilitary who served time in prison for various crimes but have since moved on. Listen to them talk about their experience as if it was a trip to the corner shop!
For those who don’t like the sound of a history lesson, don’t worry, it will be like nothing you have ever heard before. Be sure and ask the guide whatever questions you want, they are always keen to only give you as much juice as you crave.
This is a must do in Belfast, I’ve been twice and would go again! I book with Taxi Tours in Belfast, check their reviews on Trip Advisor!
4 P.M., TITANIC
TITANIC EXHIBITION
After a few hours driving around Belfast the tour guide will happily drop you off at the Titanic exhibition where you can take a self-guided tour through nine interpretative and interactive galleries.
6 P.M., NAP TIME
HOTEL
Back to the hotel for a wash and a power nap, the real fun is yet to come
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
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7:30P.M., COCKTAILS ON TOP OF THE CITY
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL
Before dinner have a table (there is no standing) booked at the observatory bar at the top of the Grand Central Hotel. This is very much a cocktail bar with only a limited amount of costumers in at any one time.
8 P.M., DINNER
MUDDLERS OR FREIGHT
Dinner tonight is either at the muddlers for a tasting menu, with its locally sourced food and excellent atmosphere. Or if you want something just as tasty but a bit different then head to Freight on the Lisburn Road. Both of these restaurants will need booked well in advance!
10P.M., BELFAST NIGHTLIFE
CATHEDRAL QUARTER
Now dinner is done its time to check out the famous Belfast nightlife where you will be spoilt for choice.
The night should only ever be started at The Duke of York, a bar that often spills out onto the cobbled streets when its dry. Once you are suitably the whiskeys has warmed your throat its then time to cool it with a few Guinness’ at the Harp Bar only 20metres away!
Here you will enjoy live music, cold beer and copious amount of friendly/drunk locals!
24hrs itinerary for Belfast
HAVE MORE TIME…?
Not everyone will be able to visit here for 2 or 3 days but if you have a little extra time then I would suggest you consider the following!
- If you are a huge Game of Thrones fan then I would recommend doing a specialist tour for this. There are locations all around the country and a full day would likely be required.
- Visit the oldest distillery in the world for a tour, only 5minutes drive from The Giants Causeway! Tours are operated throughout the day
- Spending more time in the North Coast then you must visit Neptune Prawn or The Mermaid in Portrush after a day on the beach. This restaurant is iconic in Northern Ireland and a favourite among almost every local
- As they say in the world of golf, if man made the courses in America then God made the courses in Ireland. With Royal Portrush hosting the British Open and Royal County Down assumed better there are few better options elsewhere.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So if you are looking for that perfect 2 week adventure holiday to South East Asia then this is it. I would do anything to relive my 2 weeks I had here but if you do end up going, drop me a line on Instagram and let me know how it goes!
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
