Dublin or Belfast for city break

[Sunnyside4]

DH wants to go to Dublin. I suspect I'm looking at the wrong streets on google maps, so can't make it work for me. Can anyone sell it to me please.

Also, does anyone think Belfast would be a better option (thinking about suggesting this to him).

Which is nicer/better for a city break - Dublin or Belfast. Obviously they're cities, but I'd be looking for one or two nice roads to potter along, museums, water, anywhere with character, nice places to eat and drink.

Any thoughts appreciated?

When are you going?
Both have lots of plusses.
Dublin suburbs have lovely access to the sea, to walk by it or swim in it if you are brave. I would err towards Dublin, but you could spend a few lovely days in Belfast (and a trip out to Giant's Causeway) as well.
(Dublin gets a lot of hate, so I am assuming those posters will come along soon)

I am probably slightly biased as I’m from Belfast but honestly I really don’t like Dublin - there are some lovely places on the outskirts like Howth & Blackrock but the centre itself isn’t a pleasant place to be in my opinion. I’m an huge city fan but any time we go to there I find myself bored - there isn’t a huge amount to do in terms of tourist attractions and I don’t find the shopping brilliant either. It feels quite run down and unsafe in many areas. We went to see the Guinness Storehouse last week (wouldn’t rate it - Bushmills Distillery is a much more authentic tour) and basically spent the remainder of the day wandering around in boredom. The only other thing we could find to do was drink!

Belfast is much more compact and easier to get around. I find the food scene much better - cheaper & higher quality with more variety. In terms of attractions you’ve got Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Queen’s University, Crumlin Road Gaol, Cathedral Quarter, black taxi tours etc in the city centre. Holywood is a lovely seaside town 15 mins outside of Belfast - the coastal path to Bangor is gorgeous. You could travel to the north coast and do Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Dark Hedges & Portrush/Portstewart. Derry isn’t far either - it’s NI’s smaller city but still worth seeing.

I adore Belfast tbh. Especially Strandtown, there's just so many indie shops to browse. The Titanic Quarter is always worth a look. And if you want a cracking sandy beach, just pop up to Holywood.
Dublin can be really nice, too, but I did a lot of walking in Dublin and not a lot of finding places to go in, so I guess it needs more planning than I did with my trip. But then if you're hiring a car it's also really easy to head up to Newgrange from Dublin, and Newgrange is incredible.

Belfast.
I honestly find Dublin a bit bland with not much to do and quite expensive. @Cappuccino5 gave a good overview and the independent bars, cafes and restaurants are great.
My sibling lives just outside Dublin and they don’t venture in much as they say it feels quite unsafe….

Either would be good but I think for what you are after Belfast.

I prefer Belfast. I think there’s more to see and do. It’s also cheaper than Dublin. What cappacino5 said about things to do.
when are you planning to have your trip?

Belfast. More to do, unless drinking in temple bar is your thing. Bits of Dublin is nice but Belfast would be my preferred choice for a weekend break.

Belfast, all day long. Better atmosphere, better nightlife, more to do. I prefer the shopping as well.

What streets are you looking at in Dublin? I love Dublin and have always found lots to do - grafton street and around for shopping, Dublin castle, Guinness storehouse, book of kells, Kilmainham.

Belfast is good too. Where are the shops in Strandtown @Darragon?

Had a fab long weekend in Belfast - DC were teens - it surpassed my expectations!
Dublin, on the other hand, has deteriorated dreadfully in recent years (as costs spiral)

Belfast, DD is at uni there, I love going to visit

Forget those, go to Cork or Galway FAR superior.

We did a weekend in Galway in June. Nice place but definitely felt like I’d seen it all in a day. More of a town than a city.

Belfast. I've done both but I just loved Belfast. As someone else said it was a lot more compact and just had a great vibe. Titanic Museum was brilliant.

Belfast, all day long.

We all enjoyed Belfast. Bus tour is great. Titanic museum fab. Took a car to Giants causeway and then drove home all round the coast. Fab.

Belfast is on my list, these posts are really selling it.

Belfast any day of the week.
I didn’t like Dublin at all, too crowded, messy, disappointing- I was there about fifteen years ago and it was not how I remembered it.
Belfast I have been to twice in the last year and would really like to go back soon.
edited to add: totally agree about the causeway coast as well. Beautiful.

Biased as I know Belfast very well, would get my vote as cheaper, good museums, great eating out, more compact, feels safer.

Been to both....preferred Belfast. Dublin was a bit of a let down.

+1 for Belfast and visit both several times a year for work. Dublin is a city built on alcohol, the nightlife vibe leaves a lot to be desired. The atmosphere and food options in Belfast are superior. I also like Cork for a short trip.

All parts of Ireland(Northern and Southern) have amazing countryside and coastal walks within minutes. All parts are worth a visit at some point.

There is no way that most MNers would rate Dublin for some reason. I enjoyed Belfast but one day and night did it, then it was off to the Antrim coast which was fabulous.

Dublin on the other hand was lively and very enjoyable. However I largely avoided the Temple Bar area and North of the river having read about where's good and bad, just like any other city anywhere.

Just a small recap of things I did in Dublin over three (very busy) days. 4 nights in all.
Socialised in South William Street and Camden Street areas. Absolutely buzzing as it's where the Dubliners go. They wouldn't be caught dead in the tourist spots. Lots of restaurants, bars, street entertainment along Grafton Street which is near the above streets, and generally a great atmosphere. We were lucky enough to catch an impromptu session of Riverdance on Grafton Street as the show was on around the corner in the Gaiety Theatre. Magic atmosphere.

Wandered around the lovely Georgian side of Dublin, around Merrion Square and that area, visited the Art Gallery, saw the Bog Bodies in the museum, went for lunch in the superb terrace at the Museum of Literature, and thoroughly enjoyed the oh so quirky Little Museum of Dublin. Had a drink in the Shelbourne Hotel to people watch. Then off to Glendalough on the St. Kevin's Bus for the day, what a magical place that is. Took the DART train to Howth and Dun Laoghaire, and took the bus from there to Killiney Hill, OMG it is like Sorrento up there and Bono lives nearby, I could wave at him.

Did so much more like Kilmainham Jail, Glasnevin Cemetery Tour (brilliant) followed by pints in the Gravediggers pub. Went up to the Dublin Mountains (Luas tram + bus, taxi back) to the Blue Light Pub. The views are stunning and the music session was great. So much to see that we didn't get to, but I'll be back!

Never been to Belfast. Went to Dublin years ago. I won't be returning unless it's for a specific reason.on a par with Nottingham or leister IMO.

Belfast is fun. Small but a proper city. As well as the places above there are some great restaurants/ breakfast places on the Ormeau Road or just south of the University. The Titanic museum is surprisingly good. Derry makes a good day trip. Again some good restaurants.

I live in Dublin but come from near enough to Belfast. I would choose Belfast. Dublin has deteriorated a lot in the last five years and is very expensive to be so rough.