Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Belfast?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Belfast?

Most visitors spend one to three days in Belfast when visiting. The affordable city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the big city activities, the nightlife, and the shops and boutiques.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. It has a major port and historically was known for its maritime activities. It's also the birthplace of the Titanic, and you'll find many references and museums around town relating to the vessel.

Do you have one or two days to visit Belfast? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Belfast?

One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Belfast. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to discover the big city activities, grab some drinks at a bar, and find the best deals at the shops. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to three days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, As a medium-sized city, Belfast offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Belfast

Perhaps the most famous place in Belfast is Belfast Castle, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Belfast Pub Crawl ($19)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Belfast?

A fun weekend trip to Belfast is often considered the right amount of time, as many tourists spend one to three days in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the big city activities, the nightlife, and the shops and boutiques. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland

How to spend 2 days in Belfast

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Belfast, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Belfast is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. While the city is often overlooked for more popular destinations, visitors to Belfast will enjoy affordability, accessibility, and natural beauty.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • 2 hours Belfast Original Drivers The Troubles Black Taxi Tour ($92)
  • The Troubles and iconic black taxi driver private 2 hrs tour ($125)
  • Shore Excursion: Giant's Causeway Tour Including Belfast City Tour ($44)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Belfast, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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