24 Hours in Belfast: What To See & Do.

This post will share how to spend 24 hours in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

For my 17th country, I decided to visit Belfast, the capital of the fourth country in the United Kingdom.

With this trip, I’m happy to have visited all four countries that make up the U.K.

The flight prices have been extortionate every time I have tried to visit Belfast.

There’s no reason domestic flights within the U.K. should cost more than a flight to Spain.

So I waited until the off-season, aka Winter, until it was cheap enough.

While I headed down to Cork in the Republic of Ireland at the beginning of January, I booked a day trip to Belfast for the end of January because I needed somewhere to visit while I renewed my passport.

Luckily, my passport returned in 10 days, so I could easily take an international trip.

But I had planned the Belfast trip already, so I just went through with it.

As always, here are all the details that went into planning the trip.

Here’s How To Spend 24 Hours In Belfast

Unlike Scotland and Wales, there isn’t a direct train from England to Northern Ireland.

The Irish Sea separates both countries.

The best and cheapest way to get there is to fly in.

Or if you want to travel slowly, you can always take a ferry.

But it’s not worth the hassle, especially since the flight is less than an hour.

Flights

Cost – £49/€ 55 return

I took the 8.45 am EasyJet flight to Belfast International Airport and returned with the 8.55 pm flight.

Now, Belfast has two airports: an international one, which is about 30-45 minutes from the city centre and a domestic one, called Belfast City Airport, which is less than 15 minutes from the city centre.

The Belfast City Airpot is ideal when flying from within the U.K.

However, the tickets are slightly more expensive than those for flying into Belfast International.

But it increases when you factor in the Shuttle Airport Transfer’s cost.

Best believe I’ll be flying into Belfast City Airport next time.

Airport Transfer

Cost – £11.50/ €12.84 return

As Belfast International Airport is 20 miles from the city centre, I had to find my way.

Thankfully, just outside the Arrival Terminal, a bus stop for the Express Airport Shuttle – Bus 300 – takes you straight to the Europa Bus Centre in the city centre.

A return ticket costs £11.50, which you can purchase at the ticket machine at the bus stop.

On your way back, use Google Maps to find the closest bus stop to catch Bus 300 back to the airport.

Moving Around Belfast

Cost – £3.50/€3.91 – one day bus pass

I visited Belfast on a random weekday, so I wanted the trip to be as stress-free as possible, as I was returning to work the next day.

Immediately after grabbing McDonald’s breakfast, I had to decide how to explore the city without too much effort.

I considered jumping on the Hop On Hop Off Bus, but the £16 ticket was too steep.

In the end, I decided on the next best thing.

I got a One-Day Bus Pass at the Visit Belfast Tourism Office and grabbed a map from the City Tours Belfast website to guide me to the must-see places to visit.

So, instead of paying £15 for a bus tour, I paid £3.50 for an all-day bus pass and followed the same routes.

I was so proud of myself for this decision.

Not only was I able to visit all the essential attractions, but I was also able to save money in the process. I usually prefer to explore on foot, but it was windy and chilly, so public transportation was a great choice.

Attractions

In case you didn’t know, Belfast is known for having the world’s largest shipyard, which built the Titanic.

The iconic ship was constructed and built in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.

Visiting Titanic Belfast was at the top of my list of attractions.

So, I made my way there as fast as possible to indulge in the history of the iconic ship.

I got there only to find out that it was closed for refreshments until March.

I was sad about this revelation, which means I must return to Belfast later in the year when it opens.

In the meantime. I tried to explore the rest of the Titanic Quarter before the rain started.

If you’re a maritime enthusiast fascinated by the history of iconic ships, Belfast is the city for you.

Other Must-See Attractions & Experiences

• SS Nomadic: Explore the world’s last remaining White Star Line ship built alongside the Titanic, restored to its original glory.
• Titanic Slipways: Walk along the historic slipway where the Titanic was built and first touched the water over a century ago.
• HMS Caroline: A former First World War ship restored into a floating museum.
• St George’s Market: A 19th-century indoor market only open on the weekends.
• Belfast City Hall: Another 19th-century town hall enclosed with the Titanic Memorial Garden.
• Ulster Museum: Explore Irish art history, history, and natural sciences. It’s free to visit, making it a good spot to relax and take a break while exploring.
• Botanic Gardens: An 18th-century public garden featuring tropical species and a Victorian glasshouse.
• Linen Hall Library: This is the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Ireland, dating back to the 17th century.
• Northern Ireland War Memorial: Learn about the country’s role in the Second World War

You can also combine sightseeing with any of the following experiences:

• Belfast Political Taxi Tour
• Belfast Murals Taxi Tour
• Game of Thrones Studio Tour
• Crumlin Road Gaol Experience

In Conclusion

This day trip is perfect for beginner travellers or those on a budget who want to spend 24 hours in Belfast.

At this point, I think I can categorically say that I prefer Belfast to Dublin.

The Titanic Quarter gives the city a lot more character and purpose.

I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the Titanic Belfast.