What to Do on a Layover in Belfast

Three hours is an awkward amount of time for a layover. Anything less than that, and it’s probably best to shop in the airport, eat a burger, and avail of the free wifi. With three hours, though, Belfast’s sights are tantalisingly close. Belfast International Airport runs a shuttle bus that takes you directly to the heart of the city, dropping you off at the Europa Bus Centre. Check the timetable and allow around 30-40 minutes for the journey. If you’re lucky, you should have enough time to reach the city, see Europe’s most bombed hotel and stop into the historic Crown Liquor Saloon – a Victorian gin palace that recently underwent extensive restoration.

Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9027 1066

Crown Liquor Saloon, 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9024 3187

With five hours, you have enough time to really appreciate the crown jewel of Belfast tourism: Titanic Belfast. Recently voted the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, Titanic Belfast is a museum spread over nine galleries, telling the story of Belfast and the ship it built. If you take your time and experience all the building has to offer, your visit should take somewhere between an hour and a half and three hours. With a five-hour layover you can allow yourself plenty of time to get to and from the airport, two hours to see the Titanic museum and a few miscellaneous hours to grab a meal at The Galley Cafe or Bistro 401.

Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queens Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9076 6386

At seven hours, Belfast begins to open up. The plan detailed in the five-hour segment is still a good choice (Titanic Belfast really is worth seeing), but it can be added to. The walk from the Europa Bus Centre to the Titanic Building is around half an hour, but with strategic planning can be amended to hit some of Belfast’s other sights.

Setting out from the Europa, Belfast’s City Hall is not far away. From there, head up Donegall Place, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. Feel free to engage in some retail therapy, but don’t spend all your time (or money) shopping! Kelly’s Cellars, a traditional Irish pub built in 1720, is hidden down Bank Street, a small alleyway sandwiched between a Primark and a Tesco.

Kelly’s Cellars, 30-32 Bank St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9024 6058

From Kelly’s, make your way to Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and see its namesake, St Anne’s Cathedral. From there, walk towards the river and see one of Belfast’s weirdest landmarks: ‘The Big Fish’ sculpture, a ten metre-long ceramic salmon. Step over the bridge and continue along the River Lagan until you reach Titanic Belfast. That should fill your seven hours nicely!

The Big Fish, 62 Donegall Quay, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

St Anne’s Cathedral, Donegall St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9032 8332

With twelve hours to burn, Belfast is your oyster. As well as everything else on this list, we heartily recommend a trip to the University Quarter, and to Botanic Gardens in particular. The gardens themselves are beautiful, and they also contain an exotic Palm House and soon-to-be-refurbished Tropical Ravine. The Ulster Museum also sits within the gardens’ walls, and is an absolute must-visit. Its collection spans several floors and multiple subjects, with Irish history, natural history and fine art each having their own space in the museum.

Botanic Gardens, College Park, Botanic Ave, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9031 4762

Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9044 0000

If you have time, and if it isn’t sold out, you could even see a show in the Grand Opera House. Northern Ireland has a rich cultural history, and the Grand Opera House has been a part of that history since 1895. It has entertained audiences for well over a century, despite frequent setbacks (and infrequent bombings).

Don’t miss your flight!

Grand Opera House, 2-4 Great Victoria St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK +44 28 9024 1919