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, purchasing your method by way of a bustling Victorian market, and realizing you could want an even bigger suitcase to haul all of the cheese, bread, and gin you’re immediately hooked up to.
With simply two days, you possibly can expertise Belfast’s distinctive mix of historical past, meals, and hospitality. Right here’s tips on how to spend 48 hours in Belfast the way in which 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 points of interest. 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 by way of 9 interactive galleries that mix artifacts, replicas, and immersive expertise. There are shipyard rides, recreated cabins, and loads of probabilities to replicate on the sheer scale of the Titanic’s development. 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 stability issues out with a drink. Only a brief stroll from Titanic Belfast, you’ll discover Titanic Distillers, Belfast’s first working distillery in nearly 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 offers you entry to the restored pumphouse, a behind-the-scenes take a look at distilling tools, 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 attention-grabbing, and in case you are up for including one other hour to your tour, I like to recommend doing it. The tour was equal components historical past lesson and comfortable hour.
Lunch: Eating within the Titanic Quarter
For lunch, head to The Wolff Grill at Titanic Lodge, 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. Assume 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 — by way of its drinks. Belfast by the Glass is a storytelling expertise that walks you thru Belfast’s brewing and distilling heritage by way of six rigorously 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 fashion. Granted, by the 4th drink, I wasn’t retaining a lot of that historical past.
For individuals who don’t wish to do a strolling tour, this is a wonderful 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 count on plates which might be each fantastically introduced 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 (customary 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 Lodge Belfast, a modern and fashionable 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 proper approach to toast your first day.
Day 2: Markets, Peace Strains, Pizza & Pubs
Morning: St. George’s Market
No journey to Belfast is full with no go to to St. George’s Market. Open because the Eighteen Nineties, this Victorian constructing is the center of Belfast’s weekend meals tradition. Relying on the day, you’ll discover a mixture of recent produce, handmade crafts, antiques, and reside music — however the true stars are the meals stalls.
Seize a breakfast bap filled with bacon and sausage, nibble on artisan cheeses, or strive conventional soda bread recent 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 purchasing, consuming, and people-watching, and it’s simple to lose observe of time right here.
Afternoon: Historical past of The Troubles
Photographs used are a illustration of competing rhetoric displayed in artwork from the peace strains, not a political endorsement.
Go to the well-known peace strains all through town to raised perceive the sectarian violence between the Irish Catholics and the British Protestants. The partitions separate Irish and British neighborhoods, and practically 70% of the deaths throughout The Troubles occurred in shut proximity to those partitions. Over time, the individuals used them to create murals and memorials to the lifeless on either side.
Among the most outstanding partitions are situated in West Belfast on Shankhill Street (within the Protestant majority space) and Falls Street (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’ll be able to discover the partitions on foot at your personal pace or by reserving native bus or taxi excursions.
Night: Little Wing Pizzeria & The Duke of York
Wind down this whirlwind journey with an off-the-cuff night within the heart of Belfast. Order a whopping 24 inch pizza from the Little Wing Pizzeria, situated simply down the road from the enduring 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 number of seating, and outdated images and paraphernalia cowl virtually each inch of the partitions and ceiling. The jovial ambiance is ideal for a pint or a shot of Jameson (or two).
For those who’re toes aren’t drained but, or should 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 Lodge Belfast – Fashionable luxurious with one of the best rooftop bar views within the metropolis. That is the place I stayed and I liked my room. Sadly, I can not verify the views as a result of as soon as the rooftop is full you can not go up. It was on a waitlist by the point I attempted to go.
- Titanic Lodge Belfast – For historical past buffs, staying within the Titanic Quarter is unforgettable.
- Bullitt Lodge – A classy boutique choice with a vigorous social scene.
Remaining Ideas
Two days in Belfast won’t 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 by way of storytelling and drinks
- Wander by way of a market that’s been feeding locals for over a century
- Discover the historical past of The Troubles by way of 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 superb pub.
