Your Local Guide
From world-class museums to legendary pubs, incredible food to stunning coastline — Belfast has never been a more exciting city to visit. Here’s everything you need from your hosts at Big Fish.
Photo by Humphrey M on Unsplash
Why Belfast?
Belfast has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations of any European city. Once defined by the Troubles, today it’s a vibrant, welcoming place that punches well above its weight for food, culture, nightlife and history.
It’s a genuinely walkable city — most major attractions are within 2 miles of each other, and both our properties put you right in the middle of it all. The people are famously friendly, and a pint of Guinness tastes better here than anywhere else.
Whether you’re here for a long weekend city break or using Belfast as a base to explore all of Northern Ireland, you won’t want to leave.
Chris’s tip: A Metro day ticket (around £4.50) is brilliant value if you plan to get around the city. The bus network is excellent and covers everything from Titanic Quarter to Botanic and beyond.
Need to Know
Must Do
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The Titanic Belfast museum is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience and has been voted Europe’s leading tourist attraction multiple times. It sits in the exact spot where the RMS Titanic was built and launched in 1911, in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
The building itself is extraordinary — its four prow-shaped wings mirror the height of the Titanic’s hull. Inside, nine galleries take you through the entire story from the Belfast shipyards to the ill-fated voyage and its aftermath.
Allow at least 3 hours. Book tickets in advance online — it sells out, especially in summer and at weekends. Combine it with a walk along the Titanic trail and a visit to the SS Nomadic (the only surviving White Star Line vessel) which is right next door.
Pro Tip: For a scenic escape from the city, head to the Lagan Towpath, an 11-mile riverside trail that winds from Belfast to Lisburn through lush woodlands and meadows. It’s a flat easy route perfect for a peaceful walk or cycle, featuring the Lock Keeper’s Inn for a mid-way coffee. Walk one way to Lisburn and catch a quick 15-minute train back to the city centre.
Not to Miss
Belfast is packed with things to see and do. Here are our top picks — all easily reached on foot or by a short taxi from either of our properties.
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Photo by Christopher Heaney
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Know Your City
Where to Eat
Belfast’s food scene has exploded in recent years. From Michelin-starred fine dining to brilliant street food, there’s something for every taste and budget. Here are our top picks — all personally recommended by Chris.
Where to Drink
Belfast has a brilliant pub culture. These are the ones worth seeking out — from Victorian gin palaces to legendary Cathedral Quarter bars.
Transport
Belfast is a compact, walkable city. Most things are within easy reach of both our properties. Here’s how to get around.
Beyond the City
Northern Ireland is tiny — you can reach most of the best scenery within an hour of Belfast. Here are the day trips worth making.
Photo by Korng Sok on Unsplash
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark and one of the most extraordinary natural sites in the world. Around 40,000 perfectly interlocking basalt columns — mostly hexagonal — stretch out into the North Atlantic Ocean.
The columns were formed around 50–60 million years ago by volcanic activity. Legend has it they were built by the giant Finn McCool as a causeway to Scotland. The truth is almost equally extraordinary.
The visitor centre (National Trust) has excellent exhibits about the geology and folklore. Allow at least 3 hours — the cliff path walk offers stunning views and the Organ, the Harp and the Wishing Chair are all worth finding.
Pro Tip: Driving to the Giants Causeway? Make the 20-minute coastal detour to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge for dramatic cliffside views. Suspended nearly 100 feet above the Atlantic, this crossing connects the mainland to a tiny fishing island. Pre-book timed entry tickets online as the bridge is very popular and parking fills fast in peak hours.
Both our properties put you right in the heart of the city — perfectly placed for everything in this guide. Book direct for our best rate, always cheaper than Airbnb or Booking.com.