# Belfast, Northern Ireland

> **Type:** City destination + ferry arrival
> **Recommended stay:** 1–2 days
> **Best for:** History, Titanic, murals, starting point for Wild Atlantic Way north

## Arrival from Isle of Man
**Steam Packet no longer serves Belfast directly.** Since December 2025 the route is **Douglas → Larne** (not Belfast). Larne is 20 miles north of Belfast — 30–40 min drive to the city centre.

- Ferry departs Douglas 09:30, arrives Larne 14:15 (~4h 45m)
- Sailing runs every 2–3 days — **check available dates** when booking: [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com)
- August 2026 sailing dates from Douglas: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31
- **Aug 10 sailing** fits the itinerary (arrive Larne 14:15, Belfast ~15:00)

## Must-See

### Titanic Belfast
The world's largest Titanic visitor experience, built on the exact slipways where the ship was constructed. Even if you're not a Titanic enthusiast, the building itself (angular steel "hull" design) and the exhibition quality are exceptional.
- **Allow:** 2–3 hours
- **Book ahead:** [titanicbelfast.com](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)

### Cathedral Quarter & City Hall
Belfast's historic centre, with Victorian City Hall (free to enter), pubs, and the Cathedral Quarter's street art scene.

### Falls Road & Shankill Road Murals
The political murals in West Belfast are one of the most vivid open-air documents of the Troubles. ⭐ **Take a Black Cab Tour** — led by people from the communities themselves, giving a balanced and personal account of the conflict from both sides. One of the most memorable things you can do in Ireland. 1.5–2h, bookable on the street or in advance.

### St George's Market
Victorian covered market, open Friday–Sunday. Best on Saturday morning: food, antiques, live music.

### Titanic Quarter & SS Nomadic
The SS Nomadic is the last remaining White Star Line vessel — the tender that ferried first-class passengers to the Titanic. Moored near the museum.

## Day Trip: Causeway Coast
If you have a second day, the Causeway Coast east of Belfast is unmissable.
- ⭐ **Giant's Causeway** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns from volcanic activity. Can be busy in summer — arrive early.
  - **EV note:** The Giant's Causeway visitor centre car park has EV charging — top up while you walk the causeway.
- **Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge** — Suspension bridge to a tiny island; dramatic coastal views
- **Dunluce Castle** — Ruined clifftop castle, one of Ireland's most dramatic
- **Bushmills Distillery** — Oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608)

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## EV Charging in Belfast
Belfast has solid rapid charging infrastructure.
- **Applegreen / ESB ecars** rapid chargers in the city centre and at major retail parks
- **Titanic Quarter:** ESB charger near the museum — convenient if you're visiting anyway
- **Sprucefield Retail Park** (south of city, M1): fast chargers on the route toward Dublin/Donegal
- Treat Belfast as a full recharge before heading into the sparse Donegal network

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## Practical Info
- **Currency:** British Pounds (GBP) — Northern Ireland is part of the UK
- **Note:** Republic of Ireland uses Euros (EUR); the border is invisible but the currency changes
- **Driving:** Left side (same as rest of UK/Isle of Man)
- **Ferry from Isle of Man:** Steam Packet Company Douglas → Belfast (seasonal); check [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com). Stena Line also serves Belfast from Liverpool/Cairnryan.

## Onward: Into Ireland
From Belfast, cross the border into the Republic (invisible since the Good Friday Agreement — no passport control). Head northwest toward Donegal to start the Wild Atlantic Way at its northern end.

See `06-wild-atlantic-way.md`.

## Links
- [Visit Belfast](https://visitbelfast.com)
- [Titanic Belfast](https://www.titanicbelfast.com)
- [Causeway Coast](https://causewaycoastandglens.com)