Welcome to Belfast

You’ve had a fab sail in, and now restrictions are easing, it’s off the ship for a good old wander about, and having spent your hard earned cash on a cruise, I thought I’d look at what you can do for free!

http://www.maritime-mile.com is Belfast’s fantastic, free, interactive walking tour. If you choose to visit any attractions you’ll have entrance fees, but the walk is totally free. From a cruise ship I’d take the shuttle into town then walk to one end of the route or you could take a taxi to the titanic museum, where you can of course stop for the best picture at the iconic sign

You can also walk right beside the SS Nomadic, tender to the Titanic and only White Star Line ship still in existence (shown in the top photo). You can pay to board, book through the Titanic Museum, but I’m just trying to point out the free stuff here

I’d just like to mention the Dock Cafe now, it’s Belfast’s Honesty Cafe, run by a multi denomination Christian organisation where you can get a simple cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and donate as much or as little as you can afford. There’s usually soup available too, or you can bring your own sandwich in to enjoy with your cuppa A nice spot for a rest in the Titanic Quarter

The Maritime Mile website suggests you take part in our Maritime Mile Treasure Trail and explore the most interesting parts of Belfast’s iconic waterfront!

The free self-guided trail starts at City Quays, bringing you past the AC Hotel Belfast towards the Big Fish. Cross over the Lagan Weir Footbridge and along the waterfront towards Titanic Belfast. Keep walking and you will see the Great Light and HMS Caroline, with the final stop at Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House.

Download a map (shown above) and make your way to each of the 20 stops, uncovering exciting questions and facts about the Maritime Mile. If you do it in reverse and stop at City Quays it’s easy to dander back into town, checking out some street art and more free stuff along the way

There’s no shortage of street art or murals in Belfast. While a lot have a political or sectarian theme, there’s others celebrating the linen industry, of course the Titanic, some just pretty pictures like the kitten on the side of what used to be the Belfast Telegraph and quite a few now depicting our famous faces. This one can be found at the Duke of York pub in Commercial Court, who had outdoor seating long before it was a thing, to make good use of the cobblestone alley leading to it. http://www.dukeofyorkbelfast.com. You never have far to look for a drink though, the city is peppered with traditional pubs. You can view the murals for free and drinks prices are usually competitive here http://www.belfast-murals.co.uk has a fairly up to date map of the street art and murals

While you are in the centre of town, pop into Victoria Square Shopping Centre for the best free viewpoint in Belfast

If you are feeling fit, climb the stairs, otherwise a series of escalators or two lifts will take you to the viewing platform at the top with a fabulous 360* view of the city. My photo here is from Christmas a couple of years back, but there’s usually some sort of decor and activity going on in the centre, occasionally there’s even a yoga class up in the dome!

In normal times I’d also suggest you check out Belfast City Hall, however you can only see the outside at the minute, tours are cancelled and the exhibition is closed due to COVID

The Ulster Museum is however open and welcoming visitors (closed on Mondays) you’ll find it in Belfast’s Botanic garden and general admission is free http://www.nmni.con photo is from their website

If you prefer not to head into the city centre but stay in the east of the city a walk down Dee Street, crossing the famous bridge where the Titanic Yard Men walked in their thousands daily, takes you past the Titanic Mural and turn left up to CS Lewis Square (you’ll pass well known burger joints & coffee houses if the tummy is rumbling). Walk round the square and marvel at the fabulous statues from The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and be sure to find the tiny Robin

On the way you’ll have passed another Mural depicting many famous faces and you really are in Van Morrison country here, you can walk along Cypress Avenue, search for the blue plaque on his old home in Hyndford Street or walk through ‘the hollow’ part of the Greenway which runs behind. If you follow on along the Connswater Greenway you’ll eventually come to George Best country with his house in the Cregagh Estate

Too much walking?

To do all the free stuff there’s a lot of walking! You can cut this down by taking the shuttle bus into town, see the City Hall, walk through to Victoria Square then possibly some street art or a stop in a traditional pub before catching the bus back. Or get a taxi to The Titanic Museum, take your pics by the sign and walk along past the SS Nomadic and maybe part of the maritime mile the Lagan Weir is good to walk over. There’s lots of taxis available with Eastside Taxis, Foneacab and Knock Cabs all servicing the cruise terminal

Saturday or Sunday?

If you are lucky enough to be in town at the weekend do pop into St George’s Market, both days the bustling 100 year old market will be packed with stalls selling local foods and crafts, pick up some great souvenirs

I’ve purposely tried to leave out all references to our troubled past. Tours are available of the street art and peace line, there’s all sorts of walking tours, taxi tours and bus tours that will take that in, but I’ll cover those in a separate post. The Belfast Murals website will give you a map of where to find the more political murals

Enjoy your day in Belfast

Suzanne x