What To Do In Belfast On A Rainy Day?

When visiting Belfast there is a high chance that you will have a few rainy days. On average it will rain on 213 days per year, almost 60% of all days. Luckily it is rarely in the form of constant rain all day, but rather showers that regularly pass over. I did have one of those days where it rained for hours without end during my visit. So what can you do on a day like that in Belfast?

I asked a few locals and all of them gave me the same answer. "I would go to a pub and have some beers!". I guess that answer works for many people and for some, the main reason for going to Belfast will be to visit some great pubs. If you're not interested in drinking beer at a pub there are however lots of other things you can do.

Titanic Belfast

Titanic Belfast is one of the main attractions of Belfast and something you must go to regardless. Titanic was built in Belfast and the history of ship construction is something that the city takes a lot of pride in. Not only Titanic, but it is the most famous example.

Titanic Belfast is in a whole new district of the city, built at the former grounds of the large ship-building docks. The district is still under construction and will be so for many more years. You can walk there from the city center but the easiest and best way is to take the Glider Buses (a fusion of bus and tram) there. Glider Line G2 stops just outside the complex.

Inside you will find an exhibition of the ship-building history of Belfast. How it became so important and the factors that played the part that led to the construction of the Titanic. The museum focuses a lot less on the fate and sinking of the ship than other related exhibitions.

It is a bit pricey, but it is also such a large attraction in Belfast that you should still go at some point during your stay. I spent four hours inside, but I also have a previous interest in Titanic, and it was the day when it rained constantly for hours. A normal visit is probably around three hours though, so make sure to plan for a long visit.

Crumlin Road Gaol

The former main prison of Belfast between 1846 and its closure in 1996. The tour is well done and interactive, but without previous knowledge of Northern Irish history it can be hard to find the context and notability of the prison.

It was interesting to go inside the room that they used for the many executions within the prison and to be able to go up close to gallow. The tour also explained well the process and how it worked in the days leading up to the executions.

If you've been to similar prison tours in other cities I would probably not recommend making the Crumlin Road Gaol a priority attraction in Belfast. Mainly for the location, which is slightly outside of the City Center. It is possible to walk, but if it is rain in the air then you should probably take a taxi. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from the center of Belfast.

Don't forget or miss to take a look at the old Crumlin Road Courthouse across the street. It is currently pretty much in ruins and despair, but it is important for the history of the city and prison.

City Hall

The City Hall is not just an architecturally beautiful building in the center of Belfast. It also contains an exhibition of the history of the city. You should undoubtedly go inside the City Hall, even if the weather is good. It's free and gives valuable information about the city you decide to visit.

You will walk by the City Hall several times as it is a natural center of Belfast. If you happen to be nearby when a shower passes over you have the perfect opportunity to run inside and wait it out while learning about the history of Belfast.

Victoria Square

Shopping is always a good way to spend a rainy day and Belfast has a large shopping center in the central areas of the city. Victoria Square is partly inside and partly outside. Most of the stores can be reached without having to leave the sheltered parts.

The upper floors have some fast food restaurants if it's time for food and you're just looking for a quick bite. At the top of the Shopping Center, there is an observation deck. It is not that high up and it is often closed on too rainy and cloudy days.

There is another large shopping center in the center of Belfast. CastleCourt is located not far at all from Victoria Square. I was never inside CastleCourt and it looked quite deserted most of the time. Victoria Square is the place to go if you're out shopping.

Ulster Museum

It's located a little bit outside of the absolute center of the city so you will likely have to take a bus there. The museum is especially good if you have kids. It seemed to be oriented towards a younger audience. It is the largest museum in Northern Ireland and it has a focus on Irish history, both natural history as well as human history.

Entry is free of charge so if you're on a budget and want to get time going it is a good option. I found it to be a little bit too family-oriented for a solo traveler like myself. But for a family trip, this should be included in your itinerary.

Nearby you also have the Botanic Gardens and the Queen's Quarter with the Queen's University of Belfast.