A day in Belfast- recommendations?

[Afternooninbelfast]

I’m looking to book a surprise trip for DP and me to Belfast in April. We will land about 9am, then have to be at the airport for about 5:30pm the next day, so we won’t have long. The main reason for going is visiting the Game of Thrones studio tour. We are huge fans and I’ve heard it’s absolutely amazing. The plan is to do that on the second day, so I was looking for good suggestions of things to do on the first day!

In an ideal world I would absolutely love to do a trip out to the Giant’s Causeway and see some of the countryside, but they all seem to be full day excursions and we wouldn’t quite get to the city centre on time for pickup. There are private trips (I think it’s only about an hour away by car) but unfortunately it’s way out of budget! I looked at getting there on public transport, but it looks quite complicated and we’ll have had a very early start.

So ideas are welcomed! Unfortunately I don’t think DP would be hugely interested in the Titanic Museum, so I think that’s out. We both love history (although pre 1900 really), he loves a museum/art gallery and I love a good zoo, so if all else fails I might take him there 🤣

The Ulster museum in botanic gardens is very good. Then there's the palm house, tropical ravine and Queens nearby too

HMS Caroline, Ulster folk museum or Crumlin road gaol are all fairly close to the city

Take a look at the Extreme Day Trips group on Facebook - you will find loads of ideas and travel tips etc for Belfast - as well as other places. But I warn you - it is a bit addictive

Titanic building is great to go to.

You can just book a taxi to take you to the giants causeway. And book them to bring you back.
Worth the trip

Highly recommend the gaol tour.

If you want to grab a quick but incredible lunch one day go to Sawers Deli - absolutely delicious large and packed wraps and sandwiches etc

Honestly I'd spend the morning having a look around the city centre and then book into one of the excellent restaurants for lunch. Go to Victoria Square and head to the viewing gallery for great views of Belfast or have a drink in the Grand Central, also good views.
There are great black cab tours around various Belfast places of interest which are really informative and then plan a longer trip, spent on the North Coast which everyone knows is God's Own Country

I would like to go to the Titanic building, but I don’t think it would interest DP very much and it’s his birthday trip.

I could do, but I think a 70 minute taxi journey each way would be too pricey unfortunately, after the cost of flights, hotel etc. Perhaps I could get some quotes though and see.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I will look into them in more detail! The Ulster Museum was somewhere I had looked at already, so glad to see it recommended!

There's loads of stuff to do in Belfast- but Strangford is about an hour's drive away. Loads of Game of Thrones was filmed there at the national trust place. It's also really beautiful. Strangford itself is a little village, and I love getting the ferry from there over to Portaferry on the other side. It's cheap (park your car, don't drive on), takes about 15 minutes, and gives you great views of game of thrones sights. Random, but there you are!

I'm a big Belfast fan too, mind. You don't need to leave!

Another vote for the crumlin road gaol

Fair enough on titanic. It is an amazing building just to see, even if you don't do the museum tour thing.

Personally I would not recommend a taxi war history tour, but i know lots of people do do them.

Maybe an open top bus tour? Belfast is really small, it won't take long!

Or a train to (the original) Hollywood to the beach?

Yes the open top bus tour was good, worth seeing the murals at Falls Road and Stormont

I’d take a black cab tour around the city - if you like history it has an interesting one. or an open top bus tour is cheaper.

and then crumlin road jail

And then go to some pubs, Belfast has some great ones

Sunflower tavern has hood pizza and good music
Kellys cellars for Irish stew and music
crown liquor bar for full Victoriana - it’s full of tourists but it does look great
Maddens
Bittles
mchughs - good food also

Balloo House for cheap pub food, also yardbird. Bunsen burger is great

Ulster museum is nice but not standout, Titanic is pretty dull. The city centre isn’t v exciting.

The GOT hasn’t been much of a success. If he’s a hardcore fan he’ll probably like it, but it’s not the Harry Potter experience, just to warn you..

Next door to the studios there are some thrones scattered about on the slipway in front of the Titanic Experience which are worth seeing. Also agree that Crumlin Road Goal is worth a visit, especially as the restaurant there Cuffs is soooo good! Be sure to book though.

@KeeeeeepDancing OP: I’m going to Belfast and I like history.

You: don’t do the black taxi tour about the city’s unique recent history, get a train to a beach that faces an industrial plant. 😄

(I don’t enjoy being in Belfast but the taxi tour thing was good.)

We did the Game of Thrones tour a few years ago, it's good fun and you get to dress up. We even met the direwolves :)

I hired a car when there because we wanted to go the Giants Causeway. It's a very easy and lovely drive from the city.

I would definitely recommend a black can tour around Belfast. It aims to give a neutral commentary of the troubles, and is most informative - I could hardly believe we were in the UK. We did the one which links to to the various wall murals in the city . My (then 20) DS who wasn't even born in the Troubles, said it was the best thing he'd done all year.

Black Cab tour rather than Black Can !

As you are short of time I'd stick to Belfast. The museum is underwhelming / a black cab tour is very worthwhile doing, especially combined with the Gaol tour. The cab tour really helps you understand the horrors of the troubles and why the city was so volatile. For the fun stuff - Cocktails at the Merchant, a pint of the black stuff at the Crown bar, the Harp bar is also great. Aura for tapas is lovely. St George's Market is also great.

Haha! To be fair, I did say ideally pre 1900. Neither DP or I are hugely keen on modern history (about 1200-1800 would be my preference, his is potentially even earlier!) but given that so many people have suggested it then maybe we’ll give it a go.

Oh that’s interesting, that you’re saying it’s not been much of a success. The reviews seem to get overwhelmingly very positive! We are huge fans, yes 😳

Do you mind me asking if you’re a resident? Just thinking about the city centre not being very exciting!