Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, is full of vibrant culture, history and a lot of beautiful sights! It has something to offer for every age group. Whether you are a student or just a tourist, there is a lot to explore in the city. I believe your student experience in Belfast should be beyond its local bars! Here are some places I recommend you should visit:

City centre shopping

A tour of Belfast must start at the city hall in the city centre. From there you should walk about and explore the city, there are a lot of shops, restaurants and cafes around. Belfast’s main shopping centre, Victoria Square, is a 5–10-minute walk from the city hall. There is a glass dome at the top of this shopping centre that offers panoramic views of the city. Other ideal places for shopping are Castle Court and charity shops on Lisburn road and Botanic Avenue.

Botanic Avenue has a variety of charity shops and book stores

For the foodies

Whether you want a quick bite, or a fancy sit down meal, there is good food in almost every corner of Belfast! Some of my favourite places are Boojum, Orto Pizza, Nu Delhi and Tribal Burger.

Around the main campus, there are a lot of good coffee shops! Caffé Nero is definitely my favourite. But some other recommendations would be Kaffe O and Greggs for a cheaper option.

Close by is St. George’s Market – a great place for local food and arts and crafts. On Sundays, you can catch some live music in the market!

Check out Mollie's guide to markets in Belfast!

Enjoy a hockey game at the SSE Arena

Another place enjoyable for students is the SSE Arena. It is the home of the Belfast Giants and houses a lot of ice hockey games, concerts and other sports events. My favourite activities to do there are bowling, playing arcade games and mini golfing with friends! These are very affordable and offer student discounts as well!

Take in the natural landscapes

Belfast is also abundant with greenery and beautiful parks. Two of my favourite ones are the Botanic Gardens and Drumglass Park. The Botanic Gardens are located right next to the McClay library and make for a refreshing study break! It is also a popular spot amongst students to bask in the sun.

Around Belfast is also a lot of beaches, tourist spots and places you can take day trips to! Helen’s Bay beach in Bangor, a short train ride away from Belfast, is a must visit. It is my favourite! The clear blue water and stunning skies make it a picturesque spot.

Helen's Bay Beach

History and heritage

Titanic Quarter houses a world-renowned museum and also explains Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage!

On the slopes of the Cavehill Country Park, is Belfast Castle. From the castle grounds you can see stunning views of Northern Ireland. For the adventurous ones, it is worth going up the Cavehill trail! It takes about 1.5 hours, but the views are definitely worth it! 

Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage site, is just a day trip away from Belfast! It has the best coastal views and if you are lucky, you might even spot dolphins! It is located on the North Coast and along it is a lot more beaches! I would recommend going to the Whiterocks Beach and Portrush Harbour!

Take a trip to the Giant's Causeway with Camila

Close to the Giant’s Causeway is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. While walking across it might be scary, it also exhilarating at the same time! Once again, the views are spectacular! 

A two-hour train ride from Belfast takes you to Derry. It is Northern Ireland’s second largest city. The peace bridge, city walls, and the Foyleside shopping centre are a few of my favourite places in the city!

Derry Girls mural

Belfast is a city that is effortlessly beautiful! This is a small list of a few of my favourite places but whether you are exploring the historical sites, indulging in some good food and retail therapy, or enjoying the student night life, there is something for everyone!

I hope you find the city as warm and welcoming as I have!

Find out more

Student life in Belfast

India: Admissions Guide

Manya Ranganathan  Medicine | Undergraduate Student | India I have just finished my second year of medical school at Queen’s. It has been an enjoyable two years in Belfast with lots of study sessions in the McClay, discovering new parts of the city and working together with my peers. I am an international student from Delhi, India but the wonderful people I have met and the friends I’ve made make Belfast seem like home.