Belfast, Ireland - Cruise Port
5 Activities to Kickstart Your Adventure
Belfast truly surprised us—not just with its rich history but also with the warm welcome we received. If you’re visiting for the first time, here are five essential experiences that truly capture the spirit of this incredible city.
Arriving in Belfast – The Basics
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, sits 103 miles north of Dublin. If you arrive by cruise, you’ll land in an industrial port known for its commercial significance. The terminal is functional—tourist info desk, souvenir shops, and a free phone for taxis—but not much else. Downtown is about 1.5 hours on foot, so you'll need a ride.
Shuttle Bus: Drops you at Donegall Square for around $15 round-trip per person (worth it for two or fewer travelers).
Uber: About £15 from downtown back to the ship, often more cost-effective for groups.
1. Belfast Tourist Information Office
Time needed: 15 - 30 minutes
The shuttle drops you off directly in front of the Visit Belfast tourist information office, which is massive. It features interactive displays, a vast collection of pamphlets detailing every attraction and service available, and even a gift shop. It almost feels like an interactive museum in itself!
If you arrive in Belfast without a set itinerary, this is the best first stop. The staff is extremely helpful, and you’ll find everything you need to plan your day. This area is also a major meeting point for independent tours if you didn't arrange a port pick-up.
💡 No public restrooms here, but City Hall is right across the street!
2. Belfast City Hall – The ‘Wedding Cake’
Time needed: 1 - 2 hrs
Affectionately nicknamed “The Wedding Cake” by locals, Belfast City Hall is an architectural gem. It’s free to enter and offers a fascinating ground-floor museum detailing the city’s history. They even run free guided tours, and yes—there are public restrooms!
Outside, the grounds are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a quick rest on a bench.
3. Black Cab Tours – Belfast’s Divided Past
Time needed: About 2 hours
One of the most eye-opening experiences we had was a Black Cab Tour through Belfast’s still-divided neighborhoods and their famous murals.
Belfast is part of the UK and has a complex history of conflict between Protestant loyalists, who support British rule, and Catholic nationalists, who seek unification with the Republic of Ireland. The city endured 30 years of sectarian violence, known as The Troubles, which officially ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. While Belfast has transformed into a dynamic and welcoming city, some divisions remain.
🚖 Cab Tours Belfast comes highly recommended. We booked our tour with Cab Tours Belfast, which came highly recommended. Our guide was either a loyalist or a nationalist who had lived through The Troubles—so no matter who you get, their perspective is deeply personal. The tour takes you through neighborhoods where murals still display strong political messages. One particularly striking mural of a loyalist shooter is painted in such a way that the figure appears to follow you as you move.
At the end of the tour, we were given pens to inscribe a message on the Peace Wall, a reminder of the city’s divided past and its ongoing hopes for unity. It was a profound and moving experience that left a lasting impression.
4. St. George’s Market – A Feast for the Senses
Time needed: 40 minutes, more if you plan to have lunch
Back in the city center, we visited St. George’s Market, Belfast’s oldest and most iconic market. Operating since the late 19th century, this place is huge. It’s a mix of food stalls, artisan crafts, secondhand goods, fresh produce, and unique bric-a-brac. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively—a perfect snapshot of the city’s creative energy.
We highly recommend setting aside at least an hour here. Longer, if you plan to eat (which you absolutely should!). The only challenge? Finding a seat! The dining area is small, and securing a table requires a bit of patience and assertiveness. But trust us, it’s worth it.
We were in awe of the massive crepes and couldn’t resist taking home some artisan hats, which we still proudly wear.
5. Titanic Belfast – The City’s Crown Jewel
Time needed: 1 - 2 hrs.
Often cited as Belfast’s top attraction, Titanic Belfast is a must-visit, even if you’re not a die-hard Titanic fan. This world-class museum is located at the very spot where the Titanic was built and launched.
The exhibition follows a chronological journey through the ship’s creation, from its design and construction to life onboard and its tragic fate. The immersive displays make it feel like you’re stepping back in time, and at times, the experience even resembles a theme park ride.
The museum is extremely popular, so book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Crowds can be heavy, but the scale of the museum and its in-depth storytelling make it well worth the visit.
Final Thoughts
Belfast offers so much more than we could fit into a single visit. It’s a city of resilience, history, and warm hospitality. We can’t wait to return.