I don’t usually celebrate birthdays, but this year, I wanted to treat myself to a solo weekend trip. Belfast seemed like a good option, it being not far from London and small enough to explore in a weekend. And it’s been on my UK travel bucket list for quite some time! This is what I got around to seeing.

Clock tower against a blue sky, with trees in the foreground on both sidesAlbert Memorial Clock

Belfast City Hall

One of the most recognizable buildings in Belfast and the centre centre of the city. Opened in 1906, the Neo-Baroque building stuns the visitors who marvel at its beauty. You can go in for free, look at the elegant foyer and see the exhibition in the left wing. You can also join a tour (once free, now £6 per person) which runs four times daily and will take you to areas normally inaccessible to the public. You’ll learn about the history of the building and the structure of the local government.

Neo-Baroque building, with columns and a dome, and a tall fence around it

Tour guide with a group of tourists looking up at a mural in a Neo-Baroque interiorMural by John Luke

Room with rows of wooden seats, with long, narrow window behind themCouncil Chamber

Murals

I knew that Belfast is full of murals, but didn’t know it’s to that extent! The city is an absolute paradise for street art lovers. I can honestly say that Belfast is the most street art-heavy of any cities I’ve been to so far!

Mural on a grey wall depicting a man wearing a "helmet" made of eyeballsLet Me Unsee by Asbestos

Mural picturing the word HOPE in blue on pink background, including black-and-white hands and a blue butterflyHope by Visual Waste

When You Weren’t Looking by Kitsune Jolene

New stunning murals keep popping up around the city, often as part of the Hit the North festival. But the most popular are the political paintings addressing Northern Ireland’s turbulent past. To better understand the history of the Troubles, I booked on a walking tour with Dead Centre Tours (guess where the name came from!). The guide was a local man who grew up during those difficult times and turned out the perfect person to explain the complexities of the local politics in a clear, neutral way.

Tall metal structure depicting a woman holding a huge ring with both handsBeacon of Hope by Andy Scott, where the walking tour concluded

St George’s Market

The market originally dates back to the early 1600s, but the building standing today was constructed at the end of the 19th century, and fully renovated a hundred years later. Today, it is the last Victorian covered market in Belfast still in operation, housing around 200 stalls selling food, flowers, souvenirs, antiques and lots of other things. It runs Friday to Sunday, with the final day focused on arts and crafts.

Aisle in an indoor market, full of people, with stalls on both sides

Belfast Castle

This relatively new (mid-late 19th century) castle is quite far from the city centre, but is a must-see when you’re in Belfast. It took me an hour and a half to walk there (including a detour), but I came back by bus.

The castle sits on the slope of Cave Hill and offers unobstructed views over the city and Belfast Lough. Inside it’s just a venue for hire for special events, but you can still admire its Victorian, Grade A‑listed exterior. Cat lovers will love hunting for artistic representations of their favourite animal in the garden. I only found two – a huge mosaic on the ground, and a sculpture on the fountain wall – but there are apparently as many as nine in total.

Victorian castle against a cloudy blue sky

Waterworks

There are quite a few green spaces in Belfast, but my messy schedule only allowed to explore one. I had a spontaneous stroll through Waterworks on my way to the castle. Not so much a park as just an open space with two ponds, it’s perfect for a walk if you need a body of water, but don’t fancy the crowded, urban environment of the river. The elevated terrain provides somewhat of a nice view, and the swans and ducks – a friendly company.

Ducks strolling on a grassy slope, with people walking a dog above them, against a cloudy sky

Two women feeding swans at a lake, with trees and a blue, cloudy sky in the background

Titanic Museum

Finally, the main purpose of my visit! The museum is a pleasant stroll along River Lagan, in what is called the Titanic Quarter. This innovative, angular building is instantly recognizable and rivals the City Hall as the symbol of Belfast.

Modern, angular building against a blue sky, an older, red brick bulding on the right, and a tree branch in the top left corner

Opened in 2012, just before the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking, it’s everything that the Titanic nerds could wish for. The extensive exhibition (allow at least 3 hours!) takes you on a journey from the construction to the sad demise of the ship. But before the mood gets too sombre, it covers the breakthrough discovery of the wreck, and the reflects on the Titanic’s enduring influence. Just to pre-empty expectations: the museum has nothing to do with the 1997 film, so if you’re hoping to see anything related to Jack and Rose, you’ll leave disappointed.

The ticket also includes entry to the nearby SS Nomadic, the world’s last remaining White Star vessel, so don’t miss out on that.

Visitors in a museum looking at the exhibition in a dimly lit room

I must say that I underestimated Belfast, as it turned out that a one-night stay wasn’t enough to cover everything I had on my agenda. I had to skip the Botanic Gardens, and I barely explored the Cathedral Quarter. But seeing how much the city impressed me, I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m back!