Virgin Voyages' guide to Belfast, Northern Ireland
Pulsing with an energy only found here, Northern Ireland’s capital’s gritty history, vibrant street art, booming music scene and fearless spirit all come together to create a city that’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
Bold, Beautiful, Brazen
Nestled on the manicured banks of the River Lagan, Belfast, Northern Ireland’s quirky capital city, is bursting with both gritty industrial energy and a creative pulse that can be felt at every turn. With a lengthy history of shipbuilding, Belfast’s most infamous is the Titanic. While locals joke “she was fine when she left us”, both the ship and its famous capsizing is remembered fondly throughout the city, especially at the iconic Titanic Belfast museum.
While getting around Belfast is supremely convenient with public transit, if you’re looking to get beyond Belfast’s borders be sure to check out Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site world renowned for its ancient volcanic-formed basalt columns, walk across the Carrick-a-Red Rope Bridge or take in the dramatic cliffs and rugged beaches of The Antrim Coast.
Shore Excursions
Breakaway in Belfast
Incredible coastlines, creative cocktails & Titanic tales.
Antrim Coast & Giant's Causeway
Embark on a road trip along the scenic Antrim Coast Road. Stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge viewpoint, where you'll marvel at the 80-foot-deep chasm. Stop at Dunluce Castle for a brief photoshop, before arriving at the famous Giant's Causeway -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The natural wonder, comprising 40,000 basalt stones, has a rich historical and mythological past, which you'll learn all about.
A Cocktail of Sense
Enter a stylish venue where mixologists will guide you through an artisan cocktail experience. Guests will tap into each of their five senses to create their own cocktails, all to the subtle sound of background music. At the end you’ll get to taste a tailor-made creation to suit your senses.
Step Back in Time at Titanic Distillers
Embark on a tour of Thompson's Dock and Pumphouse, the site where Titanic last sat on dry ground before its maiden voyage. The 120-minute guided tour of the distillery and dock will take you back in time -- you'll learn about the building of the Titanic, as well as Belfast's distilling tradition.
More Shore Things for your wishlist...
We have even more in our curated catalog.
The leaning clocktower of Belfast?
The iconic Albert Memorial Clock leans more than the leaning tower of Pisa.
Set on the River Lagan, Northern Ireland’s bold and quirky capital is a city where industrial grit meets creative soul. Discover its shipbuilding legacy at the iconic Titanic Belfast museum, indulge in artisanal bites and peruse handmade goods at St. George’s Market. Explore flawless murals on a guided tour and get lost in the Cathedral Quarter’s maze of street art, boutiques, and buzzing bars. Easy to navigate by public transit, Belfast also makes a great base for adventures beyond — from the dramatic basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway to the cliffside thrill of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the stunning scenery of the Antrim Coast.
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