white and green concrete building under white clouds during daytime

Belfast

Northern Ireland's capital, known for its shipbuilding history, political murals and as a base for the Causeway Coast.

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Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, where the River Lagan meets Belfast Lough. The city grew on shipbuilding and linen in the 19th century, and its Victorian streets and City Hall still shape the center. Harland and Wolff built RMS Titanic here, and the Titanic Quarter holds the Titanic Belfast museum and the slipways where the ship was launched. The Troubles, the conflict that ran from the late 1960s until the 1998 peace agreement, left political murals on the Falls and Shankill roads and peace walls between neighborhoods.

Belfast works well for a city break of two to three days, with a full day on the Causeway Coast to the north, where the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway meet the sea. Late spring to early autumn gives the longest days for walking the city and the coast.

Belfast in five

Get a UK ETA before you travelMost visitors who are not British or Irish need one, including when arriving overland from Dublin, even though there are no routine border checks.UK ETA explained
Book Titanic Belfast in a time slotEntry is by timed ticket, and summer and weekend slots sell out. Book online and allow about two hours.
See the murals with a local guideWalking and taxi tours cover the Falls and Shankill Road murals and the peace walls, with the history behind them.
Pay in pounds sterlingNorthern Ireland uses the pound, not the euro. A few places near the border take euros, at poor rates; use a card.

Things to do in Belfast

See all attractions in Belfast

Historic site · BelfastAlbert Memorial ClockVisit in the evening if you want to see the tower lit up.

Historic site · BelfastHarland & Wolff HQ & Drawing OfficesConsider booking a guided tour for access to the drawing offices and more context.

Theater · BelfastUlster HallCheck the Ulster Hall website for the programme and book tickets ahead of time.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BelfastPut the places you like in Belfast on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Belfast City (BHD), about 10 min; Belfast International (BFS), about 40
Getting there: Trains from Dublin, about 2 hours; ferries from Scotland
Getting around: Walk, plus Metro and Glider buses
Best base: City center near City Hall or the Cathedral Quarter
Time needed: 2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Wet, dark
FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Wet, cold
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°St Patrick's Day
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Showers
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Long days
JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Long days
JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Twelfth parades
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Festivals
SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Calmer
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Wet, windy
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Wet, dark
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Christmas market

Average daily high and low in Belfast, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Aug Féile an Phobail

Right now in Belfast

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 2°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Belfast

07:08 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+0

Today12°7°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed12°9°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
Thu11°9°20%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 20%.
Fri10°9°18%Friday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sat10°7°16%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 16%.
Sun10°6°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.

Updated 06:27 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7457 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Belfast

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

AugFéile an PhobailBelfast

Day trips by train

Causeway Coastabout 1.5 hours by roadThe Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the rope bridge.Read the guide
Mourne Mountainsabout 1 hour by roadHill walks above Newcastle.
Dublinabout 2 hours by trainTrinity College and the Georgian squares.Read the guide

Before you go to Belfast

Titanic Belfast ticketsTimed entry, book ahead in summerBook timed entry

Causeway Coast day toursFrom Belfast without a carCompare day trips

eSIM for Northern IrelandCheck UK coverage on the coast roadRead the guide

Travel insurance for the UKCover for weather cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Belfast, checked

Check whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you fly, on gov.uk.Source
Northern Ireland banknotes are legal tender across the UK, but some shops in England and Scotland do not accept them. Carry some sterling notes.
Belfast uses UK plugs (type G), 230 V, 50 Hz. The emergency number is 999 or 112.
Buses and trains in Belfast are run by Translink. Check current fares and payment options at translink.co.uk before you ride.Source

Plan around Belfast

All of Northern Ireland

Cities, coast, entry rules and money

Read the guide Causeway Coast

Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge

Read the guide County Antrim

The Glens, Ballycastle and Rathlin Island north of the city

Read the guide Derry or Belfast?

Which Northern Ireland city suits a short trip

Read the guide Dublin

About 2 hours by train south

Read the guide The United Kingdom

How the four nations fit together

Read the guide UK ETA explained

Who needs one and when to apply

Read the guide

Belfast FAQ

Is Belfast in the UK or Ireland?

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, part of the UK. It uses the pound and UK entry rules, although there are no checks on the land border with Ireland.

How many days do you need in Belfast?

Two days covers Titanic Belfast, a mural tour, the city center and Crumlin Road Gaol. Add a day for the Causeway Coast.

Can I visit the Giant's Causeway from Belfast without a car?

Yes. Day tours leave from the center, and trains run to Coleraine and Portrush with local buses along the coast.

Is Belfast safe to visit?

Generally yes. The city center and the main sights are busy and well served. Murals and peace walls are best seen with a guide who explains the history, and it is wise to check your government's travel advice before you go.

How do I get from Belfast to Dublin?

By Enterprise train in about 2 hours or by direct bus. There are no routine checks on the land border, but the UK ETA rule still applies if your passport requires one.