Till Mueller
b9a3605862
- New ITINERARY.md: complete day-by-day from Aug 4 Walldorf to Sep 2 home. Includes exact ferry departure/arrival times for all 4 crossings, recommended hotel departure times on driving days, timed daily schedules. Key findings: IoM→Larne (not Belfast) every 2-3 days, Aug 10 sailing fits; Galway→Dingle via Killimer-Tarbert car ferry saves 90km vs Limerick. - IoM restored to 3 nights (Aug 7-10) to fit ferry schedule - Belfast updated: arrival from Larne, not Belfast direct - All section dates corrected; README updated with ITINERARY.md link
3.9 KiB
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
- 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
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)
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
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. 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.