Belfast is a city shaped by history, creativity, and resilience. Its shipbuilding heritage, vibrant arts scene, and deep cultural traditions make it a must-visit. Your private Belfast tour brings these stories to life, making each stop more engaging and meaningful.

Visit the shipyards where the Titanic was built, admire the architecture of City Hall, and see the murals that reflect Belfast’s past and present. Just outside the city, the landscapes of Northern Ireland offer dramatic coastlines, medieval castles, and rolling green hills. Avoid the crowds, uncover hidden gems, and hear the stories that bring Belfast to life—all with the expertise of a local who knows this city like the back of their hand.

<h3>Must-see sights </h3>
Belfast’s past is reflected in its grand buildings, murals, and historic sites. Here are the must-visit highlights to include in your Belfast itinerary:

Belfast City Hall
Admire this Baroque-style building in Donegall Square, featuring landscaped gardens and sculptures honouring important figures from Belfast’s past. The Titanic Memorial Garden pays tribute to those lost in 1912.

Titanic Belfast
Step into this architectural landmark built on the site where Titanic was constructed. Learn about the ship's story from its design to its tragic voyage. Interactive exhibits, recreated rooms, and historic artifacts provide a detailed look into Belfast’s shipbuilding history. A visit to the nearby SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel, adds another opportunity to explore a piece of maritime history.

Political Murals and Peace Walls
Walk along the murals on Falls Road and Shankill Road that reflect the city’s political history, struggles, and progress toward peace. The Peace Walls serve as a reminder of Belfast’s past, standing as symbols of resilience and hope.

St. George’s Market
Browse the city's oldest market, offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional Northern Irish specialties like soda bread and dulse. Enjoy live music as you explore stalls brimming with handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, and textiles.

The Albert Memorial Clock
Inspect the intricate carvings and statues on this 35-meter-high clock tower in Queen’s Square, completed in 1869.  The Gothic-style clock tower leans slightly due to its marshland foundation and stands as a beloved Belfast landmark.

St. Anne’s Cathedral
Discover the beauty of the Romanesque-style cathedral known for its mosaics and stained-glass windows. Look up at the Spire of Hope, a 40-meter steel structure added in 2007, symbolizing Belfast’s modern aspirations.

Crumlin Road Gaol
Walk along the halls of this former Victorian prison that operated for over 150 years. A guided tour will take you through underground tunnels, preserved cells, and the execution chamber while you learn about the stories of those who were held there.

Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum
Stroll through the Botanic Gardens, featuring a Victorian glasshouse with tropical plants, while the museum showcases artifacts from Northern Ireland’s past, including archaeological finds and contemporary art.

<h3>Step off the beaten path</h3>
Discover Belfast’s lesser-known spots and hidden gems for an authentic experience:

Hike the Cave Hill Country Park
A short distance from the city centre, this park offers panoramic views over Belfast. The caves along the hillside are thought to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. Belfast Castle sits at the base of the hill, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens.

Stroll through the Cathedral Quarter
This cultural district is known for its street art, historic pubs, and creative spaces. Writer’s Square honours Belfast’s literary heritage, while music venues and galleries keep the area active both day and night.

Visit The Dark Hedges
A road lined with twisted beech trees, creating an otherworldly setting. This location became widely known after being used as a filming site for Game of Thrones.

Explore Queen’s University Belfast
Founded in 1845, this university features impressive architecture and a beautifully designed campus. The nearby Botanic Avenue is filled with cafés, bookstores, and independent shops.

<h3>Exploring Northern Ireland from Belfast</h3>
Belfast is an ideal base for visiting Northern Ireland’s historic landmarks and scenic coastal routes on a day tour. A day trip tour can take you to:

Giant’s Causeway
 This UNESCO-listed site features thousands of hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity. The surrounding cliffs and ocean views make it one of the region’s most striking locations.

Antrim Coast
A drive along this coastline reveals dramatic cliffs, historic sites, and quiet beaches. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, suspended over the Atlantic waters, is a highlight of the route.

Carrickfergus Castle
A medieval fortress that has stood on the shores of Belfast Lough for over 800 years. The well-preserved site provides insight into Ireland’s medieval past.

Game of Thrones locations
Northern Ireland served as a key filming location for the series, with sites like Ballintoy Harbour, the Cushendun Caves, and Castle Ward drawing visitors interested in its connection to the show.

<h3>Practical travel tips for your visit</h3>
Here are some travel tips to make the most of your trip:

<b>Best time to visit:</b> The months between May and September offer mild weather, ideal for walking tours and outdoor activities.
<b>Local etiquette:</b> A warm greeting is always appreciated, and tipping 10–15% in restaurants is expected.
<b>Getting around: </b>A walking tour is the best way to explore the city centre. Public transport and taxis are convenient for reaching locations outside the central area.

<h3>Experience Belfast with a private tour</h3>
Belfast is a city that balances its history with modern creativity. Every street, market, and mural tells a story, and a local guide makes these stories more personal and engaging.

See the shipyards where Titanic was built, experience the atmosphere of the Cathedral Quarter, or stand in the shadow of the Peace Walls, hearing about Belfast’s transformation. A local expert brings deep knowledge and insight, offering a perspective that goes beyond what is written in guidebooks.

From the sounds of traditional music in a pub to the waves crashing against the Antrim Coast, Belfast invites you to listen, observe, and connect. Book your guided tour and experience the best Belfast has to offer. 


Belfast

Enjoy A Hosted Trip to Belfast 

Belfast By Train 

This tour is suitable for Shore Excursions &amp; Hotel pickups in and around Belfast

Giants Causeway + Belfast Murals Tour

A walking tour to interpret the troubled history of Belfast

History and politics of Belfast - Private walking tour of Belfast City Centre

Life is an Adventure, let's explore it together

Giants Causeway Coastal Route Bespoke with Paul - Shore Excursion

The Famous Black Cab Mural - Half Day Tour

The Political History & Murals Tour

A Visit of the Murals in a Half Day Trip

Belfast Political Private Tour

Private Express Tour of The Famous Murals

Belfast Political Mural Tour

Discover the incredible political and cultural history of Belfast

The Story of Belfast

From 1969 to 1998 - an in-depth walk through history

Belfast Falls Road Troubles Walking Tour

Belfast Private Mural Tour and Historical Sites

Explore and See the History and Politics of Belfast in a Half Day Tour

Step into the darkest era in Belfast's history

A Troubles Belfast Walking Tour. Political art and Peace walls

The Irish American Walking Tour of Belfast

Belfast Docks where Eagle Wing, a ship bound for America left Ulster in 1636

Grand Central Hotel, Joe Biden's base for his recent visit to celebrate 30 years of peace.

Statue of American anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass, who visited Belfast in 1845

McHugh's bar, and the site of the first American Conusul in Belfast 250 years ago

Explore the historical connections between Belfast & North America.

Belfast Troubles Murals and Peace Walls Tour Luxury Mercedes Benz

Learn all about the "Troubles" and the Recent Conflict

Belfast Private Half Day Tour - Shore Excursion

Belfast Historical and Political Tour

Discover this incredible story, as told by an eye witness to the conflict

The Troubles - A Belfast Tour

Doctors and Diseases Private Walking Tour

Clifton House Poor House. In 1774, the Belfast Charitable Society opened the Poor House, that combined a 36-person poorhouse and a 24-bed infirmary. The poor house aimed to give support and sustenance to those in need in exchange for labour. Many of the inmates were trained in the skills and practices of the cotton industry such as weaving, spinning, knitting and net-making and this contributed to the establishment of the cotton industry in Belfast.

St Patrick's School, Donegall Street. Adjacent to the St Patrick's church is the old St. Patrick's School, constructed in 1828 by the Belfast builder Timothy Hevey. This was the first Catholic school to be built in Belfast, on land donated by the Marquess of Donegall. For much of its history the school was operated by the Christian Brothers and was a functioning primary school until 1982.

White's Tavern, Winecellar Entry. Alcohol abuse was a major problem in Belfast during the Victorian era and led to the creation of a strong and robust temperance movement to try and reduce the negative health effects of drink.

White's Oyster Rooms, Winecellar Entry. During the turn of the 20th century, large numbers of working-class people died in Belfast from enteric fever through eating contaminated shell fish harvested from Belfast Lough that had been poisoned by pollution from the local sewerage works.

Tuberculosis Institute, Durham Street. Tuberculosis was a major killer in late 19th century and early 20th century Belfast. In the early 1900s, an epidemic of the disease led to 13,000 deaths in Ireland. TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. In 1918, the purpose-built Central Tuberculosis Institute was built in 1918 at 89 Durham Street.

Blue plaque to Dr William Drennan, Rosemary Street. Drennan was born in the manse of First Presbyterian Church in Rosemary Street in May 1754 where his father was the minister. He then became a physician and was one of the earliest advocates of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection and inoculation against smallpox. He died in 1820.

Blue plaque to James McDonnell, Queen's Arcade, Donegall Place. McDonnell was born in Cushendall, Co Antrim on 14 April 1763 and trained as a doctor. He set up his own practice in 13 Donegall Place where he remained for the rest of his life, becoming a leading figure in medicine and medical education and also in literary, scientific and cultural activities.

1.James Murray was born in 1788 and trained as a doctor. He devised a fluid magnesia preparation of his own design to treat the lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Marquis of Anglesey. This substance became known as milk of magnesia and was a white suspension of hydrated magnesium carbonate in water, used as an antacid or laxative. Murray died in 1871.

Northern ireland tours

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