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Belfast is one of those cities that sneaks up on you. One moment you think you’re coming just for the Titanic, and the next you’re sipping whiskey in a historic dock, shopping your way through a bustling Victorian market, and realizing you may need a bigger suitcase to haul all the cheese, bread, and gin you’re suddenly attached to.
With just two days, you can experience Belfast’s unique blend of history, food, and hospitality. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Belfast the way locals would want you to: with a full stomach and a raised glass.
Day 1: Titanic Tales & Whiskey Trails
Morning: Step Into the Titanic Story
Start your adventure at Titanic Belfast, one of the world’s leading tourist attractions. This striking, angular building sits on the exact slipways where the RMS Titanic was built and launched in 1912, and its exhibitions take you deep into Belfast’s shipbuilding past.
Inside, you’ll wander through nine interactive galleries that combine artifacts, replicas, and immersive technology. There are shipyard rides, recreated cabins, and plenty of chances to reflect on the sheer scale of the Titanic’s construction. Belfast built more than just a ship — it built an international icon, and Titanic Belfast shows how that story shaped the city itself.
Midday: Whiskey With a Maritime Twist
After a morning steeped in history, it’s time to balance things out with a drink. Just a short walk from Titanic Belfast, you’ll find Titanic Distillers, Belfast’s first working distillery in almost 90 years.
The distillery is housed inside the Thompson Dock & Pumphouse, the exact site where the Titanic was fitted out. The premium tour gives you access to the restored pumphouse, a behind-the-scenes look at distilling equipment, a historical tour of the Thompson Dry Dock, and tastings of their award-winning Irish spirits. We walked all around the dry dock and even descended down into it at one point. It was quite interesting, and if you are up for adding another hour to your tour, I recommend doing it. The tour was equal parts history lesson and happy hour.
Lunch: Dining in the Titanic Quarter
For lunch, head to The Wolff Grill at Titanic Hotel, it’s a refined pause before diving back into Belfast’s buzzing streets. This restaurant serves elevated Irish cuisine that’s hearty without being heavy. Think dishes like seared scallops, locally sourced lamb, chicken katsu curry, and beautifully plated desserts. The real standout for lunch was the seafood chowder.
Afternoon: Belfast by the Glass
Once you’ve had your fill of Titanic tales, it’s time to see the city from another angle — through its drinks. Belfast by the Glass is a storytelling experience that walks you through Belfast’s brewing and distilling heritage via six carefully curated drinks.
Each “chapter” comes with a locally made beverage — from craft beers to artisanal spirits like gin and even moonshine which they call Poitin — and a story about Belfast’s colorful past. Your host is part historian, part entertainer, and by the final sip, you’ll not only feel like you know Belfast better, but you’ll also wonder why all history classes can’t be taught this way. Granted, by the 4th drink, I wasn’t retaining much of that history.
For those who do not want to do a walking tour, this is an excellent option.
Evening: Dinner at mrDeanes
Cap off your first day at mrDeanes, one of Belfast’s most celebrated restaurants. Chef Michael Deane has been leading the city’s culinary scene for decades, and the menu blends innovation with a deep respect for Irish ingredients. Dishes change seasonally, but you can expect plates that are both beautifully presented and flavor-packed. I had the steak and it was phenomenal, as were the brie bites and calamari. Pair your meal with a half bottle of wine (standard with dinner here). If you’re still thirsty from Belfast by the Glass that is!
Overnight, check into the Grand Central Hotel Belfast, a sleek and modern stay in the city center. Don’t miss a nightcap at The Observatory Bar on the top floor — the tallest bar in Ireland with panoramic city views. It’s the perfect way to toast your first day.
Day 2: Markets, Peace Lines, Pizza & Pubs
Morning: St. George’s Market
No trip to Belfast is complete without a visit to St. George’s Market. Open since the 1890s, this Victorian building is the heart of Belfast’s weekend food culture. Depending on the day, you’ll find a mix of fresh produce, handmade crafts, antiques, and live music — but the real stars are the food stalls.
Grab a breakfast bap stuffed with bacon and sausage, nibble on artisan cheeses, or try traditional soda bread fresh off the griddle. Coffee lovers will find plenty of local roasters pouring perfect cups, and sweet tooths should head straight for the traybakes. Wandering the market is equal parts shopping, eating, and people-watching, and it’s easy to lose track of time here.
Afternoon: History of The Troubles
Images used are a representation of competing rhetoric displayed in art from the peace lines, not a political endorsement.
Visit the famous peace lines throughout the city to better understand the sectarian violence between the Irish Catholics and the British Protestants. The walls separate Irish and British neighborhoods, and nearly 70% of the deaths during The Troubles occurred in close proximity to these walls. Over time, the people used them to create murals and memorials to the dead on both sides.
Some of the most prominent walls are located in West Belfast on Shankhill Road (in the Protestant majority area) and Falls Road (in the Irish Catholic majority area). The dichotomy between them is stark. Some areas depict building-sized murals of British Royalty and soldiers, like King Charles III, alongside a quote about claiming all the lands of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Other areas depict members of the Irish Republican Army, volunteers and hunger strikers.
You can explore the walls on foot at your own speed or by booking local bus or taxi tours.
Evening: Little Wing Pizzeria & The Duke of York
Wind down this whirlwind trip with a casual evening in the center of Belfast. Order a whopping 24 inch pizza from the Little Wing Pizzeria, located just down the street from the iconic Albert Memorial Clock Tower.
Wander beneath a halo of string lights until you enter The Duke of York just two blocks away. This pub has lots of seating, and old photographs and paraphernalia cover practically every inch of the walls and ceiling. The jovial atmosphere is perfect for a pint or a shot of Jameson (or two).
If you’re feet aren’t tired yet, or if you’re drunk enough, you can even mosey down to the harborside and kiss the Big Fish for good luck and wisdom before the end of your trip!
Where to Stay
- Grand Central Hotel Belfast – Modern luxury with the best rooftop bar views in the city. This is where I stayed and I loved my room. Sadly, I cannot confirm the views because once the rooftop is full you cannot go up. It was on a waitlist by the time I tried to go.
- Titanic Hotel Belfast – For history buffs, staying in the Titanic Quarter is unforgettable.
- Bullitt Hotel – A stylish boutique option with a lively social scene.
Final Thoughts
Two days in Belfast might not sound like much, but this city makes every hour count. In just 48 hours, you can:
- Step into the world of the Titanic and sip whiskey at a historic dock
- Taste Belfast’s past through storytelling and drinks
- Wander through a market that’s been feeding locals for over a century
- Explore the history of The Troubles through radical artistic expression at the Peace Lines
- Enjoy some of the best food Ireland has to offer
- Cap it all off with a night of pizza and pints downtown
Belfast is proof that you don’t need weeks to fall in love with a place — just a good appetite, a sense of curiosity, and 48 hours.
Special thanks to Eden Shamy (my daughter) for rounding out this article with The Troubles, a great pizza spot, and a fabulous pub.
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