To ask about Belfast?

[Wanderlust1984]

I'm off to Belfast tomorrow for a short mini break - first time to Ireland! Any recommendations on what to see/do? Also, I've never flown domestic, does anyone know if I still need to check in a few hours before? I do realise I should know this already, it's been a very last minute decision!

Hello wanderlust
We are just back from visiting my partner 's family just outside Belfast.
How long are you there for?
You still need to be at the airport around 2 hours before your flight. We flew from Birmingham to Belfast International and the security queue was pretty hefty.

We went to the Titanic Centre. It was fantastic and I definitely recommend going there.
If you have access to a car, the surrounding countryside is lovely too. Catch the little car ferry from Strangford to Portaferry and have coffee in the Portaferry hotel.

Have fun!

If you're hand luggage only you don't really need to be there as early (I think the official line is 45 mins to an hour) as you don't have to go through passport control, but still have to deal with security queues. If you like game of thrones there's some great tours you can do. Titanic museum, walk along river, trip to giants causeway. My personal favourite thing though is self serve frozen yoghurt at spoon Street!

I'd love to go to the Titanic Museum.I think the Giant's Causeway is handy to get to.

My brother goes there quite a bit for weekends - he loves it there!

The Crown bar is a must do - it's lovely.

Oooh I love be Belfast, it’s got a really great vibe. Go for a pint in the crown!

I wouldn’t say you have to be there 2 hours before the flight, no. If you only have hand luggage and check in online / print out boarding passes or have them on your phone, an hour will be fine! No harm in arriving a bit earlier tho if you want peace of mind (and a sneaky drink at the departure gate!).

Cross post with CelticLassie!

The red bus tours are good way of seeing all the sites around belfast as you can hop on/off

Be prepared for cold and wet

St George’s Market is lovely for a wander round on a Saturday or Sunday morning!

Hi! I'm in NI - hope you have a lovely trip here, weather isn't great at the moment but still lots to do

Titanic Museum is great, it's right by the Harland & Wolff cranes too. The city centre is really good for food and shopping, there's the Opera House for shows. The Botanic area is lovely, Botanic park is very pretty and the Ulster Museum is set in the grounds. It's right by the university but students are gone for Christmas still so very peaceful at the moment.

If you've got a car there's so many places you can get to (or train!) - Newcastle, Bangor and Portrush all lovely for seaside. Giants Causeway is a must.

Have fun!

And titanic centre is awesome. I'd leave some of the further away stuff ie giants causeway, bushmills etc for another visit

PS I fly Belfast to London & back frequently and if you've got hand luggage only you only need to be there maybe 1.5 hours if that before departure. Could easily do it in an hour, if security lines are okay.

Where and how long are you staying OP?it is really cold and wet at the minute,all the better to snuggle by fire in a nice bar!

There are good walking tours you can do. Food and/or drink, that help you see a bit of the city and also be entertained as well. A black cab tour is a good way to get the stories and sights of the murals. Crumlin Road Gaol is a good alternative to Titanic Belfast, though honestly Titanic would be my top pick. If you’re flying into Belfast International get a bus into town. If it’s George Best Belfast City airport get a cab to your hotel. Much easier. Uber isn’t a big thing in Belfast yet, although there are some Uber taxis. Good dinners can be had at Mourne Seafood, Ginger and any of the Deanes restaurants. Have a brilliant time!

If you’re staying in town - go to St George’s Market on Sunday morning, I’d recommend Crumlin Rd Gaol, head up to Ulster Museum/Botanic /QUB for a nosy - both within walking/bus/short taxi ride.
Have a drink in Dirty Onion, Muriel’s, the National, Baltic/Babel (upstairs), the Harp Bar, the Spaniard (not one of my faves but everyone else seems to like it ), the Tipsy Bird.

If you’re here on Sunday - shops open at 1pm.

You'll have a great time OP. I'm just back from a couple of nights in Belfast, grew up a bit outside it.
Check out Harlem on Bedford Street and agree re PP about Muriel's.
Titanic Quarter is amazing.

If you can book a black cab tour of the murals, it's a great way of learning the history. Found it fascinating.

titanic centre, crumlin road gaol, tour of city hall, st georges market, grand opera house for show tho think its only panto on at the minute. If u have a car you cud go to giants causeway, dark hedges etc. tho weather is ribbush at the minute

Thank you all for the replies, very excited now!! Titanic and crown bar added to my list of definites I'm actually staying in Ballymena but just as a base to explore Belfast mainly. I've wanted to visit Ireland for forever and cannot wait now

Have a great time.

Ulster museum in Botanic Gardens in belfast is great

Everyone elses suggestions are great. Cathedral quarter in belfast is great for food and drinks.

If you do go to the North Coast to the giants causeway there are lovely restaurants in Portrush.

I hope you're not under the impression Ballymena is on the outskirts of Belfast! If you hire a car, much quicker for a trip to north coast (and giants causeway, Bushills etc) from there though.

Implant's bar list is spot on!! If you are staying out too late having a drink or what have you and it's too late for the train, book your taxi in advance because it will be bedlam this weekend. Anything over £40 from Belfast to Ballymena and you're being shafted. If you're going solo you won't be splitting the cost with mates so probably best not miss the train!

If you're in Ballymena (bit of a shame, it's not that nice!) definitely head to the North Coast for one day. Bushmills Inn for a drink, Giant's Causeway and if you're lucky enough to get a clear day, visit Gortmore for the most beautiful view in the world. Breathtaking. You've already had fab Belfast recommendations - though I prefer the Duke of Yorks to the Crown Bar, or even Fibber Magees which is next door to the Crown (and right down the back).

Have a fab time - I love Belfast.

oooh Implant's pub recommendations are perfect.

Ballymena is almost an hour from Belfast.

Are you staying at Galgorm resort? It's the best thing near Ballymena, very luxurious!

But Ballymena has a decent train service to Belfast, so not being in the thick of it isn't a huge problem. Ballymena itself is not particularly nice. It's not awful, just dull, and nothing much of interest to visitors.

I'm staying with friends in Ballymena, understand it's far off Belfast but we'll be heading in there most days and will stay there at least one night. It sounds fab, I may not come back home