Belfast is a type of cities that sneaks up on you. One second you assume you’re coming only for the Titanic, and the following you’re sipping whiskey in a historic dock, buying your approach via a bustling Victorian market, and realizing you might want an even bigger suitcase to haul all of the cheese, bread, and gin you’re abruptly hooked up to.
With simply two days, you possibly can expertise Belfast’s distinctive mix of historical past, meals, and hospitality. Right here’s find out how to spend 48 hours in Belfast the best way locals would need you to: with a full abdomen and a raised glass.
Day 1: Titanic Tales & Whiskey Trails
Morning: Step Into the Titanic Story
Begin your journey at Titanic Belfast, one of many world’s main vacationer sights. This hanging, angular constructing sits on the precise slipways the place the RMS Titanic was constructed and launched in 1912, and its exhibitions take you deep into Belfast’s shipbuilding previous.
Inside, you’ll wander via 9 interactive galleries that mix artifacts, replicas, and immersive know-how. There are shipyard rides, recreated cabins, and loads of probabilities to mirror on the sheer scale of the Titanic’s building. Belfast constructed greater than only a ship — it constructed a global icon, and Titanic Belfast reveals how that story formed town itself.
Noon: Whiskey With a Maritime Twist
After a morning steeped in historical past, it’s time to steadiness issues out with a drink. Only a brief stroll from Titanic Belfast, you’ll discover Titanic Distillers, Belfast’s first working distillery in virtually 90 years.
The distillery is housed contained in the Thompson Dock & Pumphouse, the precise web site the place the Titanic was fitted out. The premium tour provides you entry to the restored pumphouse, a behind-the-scenes have a look at distilling gear, a historic tour of the Thompson Dry Dock, and tastings of their award-winning Irish spirits. We walked throughout the dry dock and even descended down into it at one level. It was fairly fascinating, and if you’re up for including one other hour to your tour, I like to recommend doing it. The tour was equal components historical past lesson and glad hour.
Lunch: Eating within the Titanic Quarter
For lunch, head to The Wolff Grill at Titanic Resort, it’s a refined pause earlier than diving again into Belfast’s buzzing streets. This restaurant serves elevated Irish delicacies that’s hearty with out being heavy. Suppose dishes like seared scallops, domestically sourced lamb, rooster katsu curry, and fantastically plated desserts. The actual standout for lunch was the seafood chowder.
Afternoon: Belfast by the Glass
When you’ve had your fill of Titanic tales, it’s time to see town from one other angle — via its drinks. Belfast by the Glass is a storytelling expertise that walks you thru Belfast’s brewing and distilling heritage by way of six fastidiously curated drinks.
Every “chapter” comes with a domestically made beverage — from craft beers to artisanal spirits like gin and even moonshine which they name Poitin — and a narrative about Belfast’s colourful previous. Your host is a component historian, half entertainer, and by the ultimate sip, you’ll not solely really feel like you understand Belfast higher, however you’ll additionally surprise why all historical past courses can’t be taught this manner. Granted, by the 4th drink, I wasn’t retaining a lot of that historical past.
For many who don’t wish to do a strolling tour, this is a superb choice.
Night: Dinner at mrDeanes
Cap off your first day at mrDeanes, one in all Belfast’s most celebrated eating places. Chef Michael Deane has been main town’s culinary scene for many years, and the menu blends innovation with a deep respect for Irish elements. Dishes change seasonally, however you possibly can anticipate plates which might be each fantastically offered and flavor-packed. I had the steak and it was phenomenal, as have been the brie bites and calamari. Pair your meal with a half bottle of wine (normal with dinner right here). For those who’re nonetheless thirsty from Belfast by the Glass that’s!
In a single day, verify into the Grand Central Resort Belfast, a glossy and trendy keep within the metropolis heart. Don’t miss a nightcap at The Observatory Bar on the highest ground — the tallest bar in Eire with panoramic metropolis views. It’s the right solution to toast your first day.
Day 2: Markets, Peace Strains, Pizza & Pubs
Morning: St. George’s Market
No journey to Belfast is full with out a go to to St. George’s Market. Open because the Eighteen Nineties, this Victorian constructing is the guts of Belfast’s weekend meals tradition. Relying on the day, you’ll discover a mixture of contemporary produce, handmade crafts, antiques, and stay music — however the true stars are the meals stalls.
Seize a breakfast bap filled with bacon and sausage, nibble on artisan cheeses, or attempt conventional soda bread contemporary off the griddle. Espresso lovers will discover loads of native roasters pouring excellent cups, and candy tooths ought to head straight for the traybakes. Wandering the market is equal components buying, consuming, and people-watching, and it’s simple to lose observe of time right here.
Afternoon: Historical past of The Troubles
Pictures used are a illustration of competing rhetoric displayed in artwork from the peace traces, not a political endorsement.
Go to the well-known peace traces all through town to higher perceive the sectarian violence between the Irish Catholics and the British Protestants. The partitions separate Irish and British neighborhoods, and almost 70% of the deaths throughout The Troubles occurred in shut proximity to those partitions. Over time, the folks used them to create murals and memorials to the lifeless on either side.
A number of the most outstanding partitions are situated in West Belfast on Shankhill Highway (within the Protestant majority space) and Falls Highway (within the Irish Catholic majority space). The dichotomy between them is stark. Some areas depict building-sized murals of British Royalty and troopers, like King Charles III, alongside a quote about claiming all of the lands of England, Scotland, and Eire. Different areas depict members of the Irish Republican Military, volunteers and starvation strikers.
You may discover the partitions on foot at your personal velocity or by reserving native bus or taxi excursions.
Night: Little Wing Pizzeria & The Duke of York
Wind down this whirlwind journey with an informal night within the heart of Belfast. Order a whopping 24 inch pizza from the Little Wing Pizzeria, situated simply down the road from the long-lasting Albert Memorial Clock Tower.
Wander beneath a halo of string lights till you enter The Duke of York simply two blocks away. This pub has a lot of seating, and outdated pictures and paraphernalia cowl virtually each inch of the partitions and ceiling. The jovial environment is ideal for a pint or a shot of Jameson (or two).
For those who’re toes aren’t drained but, or in the event you’re drunk sufficient, you possibly can even mosey all the way down to the harborside and kiss the Huge Fish for good luck and knowledge earlier than the top of your journey!
The place to Keep
- Grand Central Resort Belfast – Trendy luxurious with the most effective rooftop bar views within the metropolis. That is the place I stayed and I cherished my room. Sadly, I can not affirm the views as a result of as soon as the rooftop is full you can’t go up. It was on a waitlist by the point I attempted to go.
- Titanic Resort Belfast – For historical past buffs, staying within the Titanic Quarter is unforgettable.
- Bullitt Resort – A trendy boutique choice with a vigorous social scene.
Ultimate Ideas
Two days in Belfast may not sound like a lot, however this metropolis makes each hour depend. In simply 48 hours, you possibly can:
- Step into the world of the Titanic and sip whiskey at a historic dock
- Style Belfast’s previous via storytelling and drinks
- Wander via a market that’s been feeding locals for over a century
- Discover the historical past of The Troubles via radical inventive expression on the Peace Strains
- Take pleasure in among the finest meals Eire has to supply
- Cap all of it off with an evening of pizza and pints downtown
Belfast is proof that you just don’t want weeks to fall in love with a spot — only a good urge for food, a way of curiosity, and 48 hours.
Particular due to Eden Shamy (my daughter) for rounding out this text with The Troubles, an important pizza spot, and a wonderful pub.