Where to Stay in Belfast? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Belfast is a city of Victorian pubs, a proud industrial heritage and the docks where the Titanic was built. The centre is compact, and you can walk between most neighbourhoods in 20 minutes. It also makes an ideal base for a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway and the wild north coast. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Belfast, read on.

Distances are short, but the neighbourhoods feel very different in the evening, and that’s where your choice really makes a difference. Here are my five picks for the best areas, with three good hotels in each.

Where to Stay in Belfast: The Best Areas

• City Centre - best area for first-time visitors and shopping
• Cathedral Quarter - best area for pubs and nightlife
• Linen Quarter & Great Victoria Street - best area for trains, theatre and classic pubs
• Queen’s Quarter - best area for museums, parks and peace and quiet
• Titanic Quarter - best area for families and Titanic fans

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in March for two people, and they rise noticeably when there are big concerts, matches or festivals in town.

1. City Centre - best area for first-time visitors and shopping 🛍️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre, around City Hall, Donegall Square and the Victoria Square shopping centre.
• 🚌 Transport: You can walk to most places. Metro and Glider city buses run from the streets around City Hall, and Grand Central Station is about a 10-minute walk to the west.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About 30 to 40 minutes on the Airport Express 300 from Belfast International Airport, where a single ticket costs £9.50. From George Best Belfast City Airport, the Airport Express 600 takes around 10 minutes.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost around £145 to £200 per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and busy until late. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowded shopping streets, and expect partying and noise at weekends.

City Centre is the easiest choice for your first trip to Belfast. This is where you’ll find City Hall with its green copper dome in the middle of Donegall Square, and around it the shopping streets of Donegall Place and Royal Avenue, the Victoria Square shopping centre and many of the city’s restaurants. All the other areas in this guide are within a 20 to 25-minute walk, so you can walk back from almost anywhere.

City Hall is a good place to start. The building was completed in 1906, and on Belfast City Council’s page about City Hall you can check times for the guided tours and the exhibition on the city’s history. The grounds around the building include the Titanic Memorial Garden, with the names of those who died when the ship sank.

See hotels in City Centre here.

I’d look for a hotel south of City Hall around Donegall Square and Bedford Street if you want to be close to both the shops and the theatres in Linen Quarter. If you’d rather have the pubs of Cathedral Quarter on your doorstep in the evening, Castle Place and the streets north of Donegall Place make a better base. Titanic Quarter is on the other side of the River Lagan, around a 25-minute walk to the east, and Queen’s Quarter is about 20 minutes to the south.

The downside is that hotels in the centre aren’t the cheapest in the city, and some of the shopping streets go quiet once the shops close. In the evening, the action moves to Cathedral Quarter and Great Victoria Street, but both are only a few minutes away. For a short weekend break, it’s hard to find a more convenient place to stay.

Hotels in City Centre

Grand Central Hotel Belfast - five stars and views just behind City Hall

Grand Central is on Bedford Street, a few minutes’ walk from City Hall. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant and the Observatory bar high up in the building, where you can look out over the city. The rooms have air conditioning, and the location between the centre and Linen Quarter is hard to beat. It’s the most expensive of my three suggestions here, and some guests find that service in the bar gets slow when it’s busy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff. Absolutely outstanding, helpful and lovely to chat to.”

See photos and book Grand Central Hotel here.

DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square - a safe bet right by City Hall

DoubleTree is on Donegall Square South right by City Hall and has Josper’s restaurant, The Loft bar and a gym. With over 5,000 reviews and a score of 8.9, it’s one of the safest choices in the centre, and you have both the shops and Linen Quarter just around the corner. A few guests do feel that the breakfast varies in quality, though.

From one review: “The staff were exceptionally friendly and very helpful, and the food was fantastic.”

See photos and book DoubleTree Ten Square here.

ibis Belfast City Centre - a simple, central choice on Castle Street

ibis is on Castle Street in the western part of the centre, a couple of minutes’ walk from Castle Place and the shopping streets. The rooms are simple and have air conditioning, and there’s a restaurant and bar on the ground floor. It’s the cheapest of the three, but some guests mention noise from nearby bars and music venues in the evening.

One guest sums it up: “Clean hotel in a great location. Friendly staff.”

See photos and book ibis Belfast City Centre here.

2. Cathedral Quarter - best area for pubs and nightlife 🍺

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The Cathedral Quarter lies just north of the city centre. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to City Hall.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk to most places. Buses run along Royal Avenue on the western edge of the quarter, and the Titanic Quarter is about a 20-minute walk across the river.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Around 35 to 45 minutes on the Airport Express 300 to the city centre, plus a short walk from there, or 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Belfast City Airport.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to ££££. The three hotels below cost around £125 to £335 per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but noisy at weekends. The streets are busy until late, so ask for a room away from the street if you’re a light sleeper.

The Cathedral Quarter is my pick if the pubs and the evenings are a big part of why you’re going. This is Belfast’s old merchant district, with narrow cobbled streets and warehouses that are now packed with bars, beer gardens and restaurants. At its heart is St Anne’s Cathedral on Donegall Street, and the best-known alleyways are only a few minutes away.

Commercial Court is the narrow alley that’s home to the Duke of York pub, and on a Friday night this is where you’ll find the liveliest atmosphere, with live music and a crush at the bar. Hill Street and Waring Street have more restaurants, and the arts centre The MAC on St Anne’s Square puts on theatre, concerts and exhibitions. Belfast’s official tourism website Visit Belfast has a good overview of the pubs, music venues and festivals held in the quarter throughout the year.

See hotels in the Cathedral Quarter here.

The quarter is small, so you don’t need to pick a particular street. The Merchant is on Skipper Street right in the thick of it, Bullitt sits on the southern edge near Victoria Square, and the Ramada is right by the cathedral. You can eat well and go to the pub without taking a bus or taxi, and that’s a big part of the appeal.

The downside is the noise. Friday and Saturday nights go on late, and some streets fill up with stag and hen parties and large groups. If you’re travelling with children or like an early night, the Queen’s Quarter or the Titanic Quarter is a better choice. For a weekend with friends or a trip focused on music and Guinness, though, the Cathedral Quarter is hard to beat, and the pricey luxury hotels here are also the most atmospheric in the city.

Hotels in the Cathedral Quarter

The Merchant Hotel - five-star luxury in a former bank building

The Merchant is on Skipper Street in the former headquarters of Ulster Bank and is Belfast’s classic luxury hotel. There’s a spa with a hot tub, a rooftop gym and The Great Room restaurant in the old banking hall. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and several guests mention that the cocktails and food in the restaurant are pricey.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel was absolutely fantastic, and The Great Room was the best thing about it.”

See photos and book The Merchant Hotel here.

Bullitt Hotel - a youthful boutique hotel with three bars

Bullitt is on Church Lane on the southern edge of the Cathedral Quarter, close to Victoria Square, and has a restaurant and three bars. The rooms are modern with a fridge, and the whole place has a young, relaxed feel. As in the rest of the quarter, there can be street noise, especially at weekends.

From one review: “The best hotel I’ve stayed in for years, and the staff are top class.”

See photos and book Bullitt Hotel here.

Ramada by Wyndham Belfast - a practical base by St Anne’s Cathedral

The Ramada is on Talbot Street right next to St Anne’s Cathedral and has a restaurant and bar. It’s the cheapest of the three, and with more than 4,000 reviews and a score of 8.4, you get a lot for your money in a pricey area. Some guests do find the rooms get too warm, though.

One guest highlights: “The hotel was excellent in every way. Friendly staff, and we were able to check in early.”

See photos and book Ramada Belfast here.

3. Linen Quarter & Great Victoria Street - best area for trains, theatre and classic pubs 🎭

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The Linen Quarter lies just south and west of City Hall. From Great Victoria Street it’s about a 5-minute walk to Donegall Square.
• 🚆 Transport: Grand Central Station sits on the western edge of the area, with trains to Dublin and the rest of Northern Ireland, regional buses and airport buses.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Airport Express 600 from Belfast City Airport runs to Grand Central Station in around 10 minutes, and Airport Express 300 from Belfast International Airport takes about 30 to 40 minutes into the centre.
• 💰 Price level: £ to £££. The three hotels below cost roughly £110 to £235 per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and lively. Great Victoria Street and Dublin Road can be noisy at night at weekends.

The Linen Quarter is my pick if you’re arriving by train or bus, or if you’re going to the theatre. The name dates back to the days when Belfast was the world’s leading linen city, and many of the big warehouses from the linen trade now house offices, bars and restaurants. City Hall actually stands on the site of the old White Linen Hall, and Great Victoria Street is the area’s main street.

This is where you’ll find the Grand Opera House from 1895, with musicals, theatre and comedy for most of the year. Diagonally opposite is The Crown Liquor Saloon, one of Belfast’s most beautiful Victorian pubs, with little dark-wood snugs and gas lamps, and it’s worth a visit even if you’re staying elsewhere. On Bedford Street you’ll find the Ulster Hall concert venue, one of the city’s classic stages.

See hotels in the Linen Quarter here.

The big advantage is Grand Central Station, the largest integrated transport hub on the whole island of Ireland. From here the Enterprise train runs to Dublin in about two hours, and you can check timetables and tickets with Translink. If you’re heading south, you can read my guide to where to stay in Dublin, and if you’re planning a tour of the whole island, I’ve also written about where to stay in Ireland.

The downside is that it’s a mixed area with office blocks and busy roads. Around Shaftesbury Square at the end of Great Victoria Street, things can also get rowdy late at night at weekends. So I’d choose a hotel at the northern end of the street near the Grand Opera House, where you’re closest to both the station and City Hall.

Hotels in the Linen Quarter & Great Victoria Street

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast - five-star neighbour of the Grand Opera House

The Fitzwilliam is on Great Victoria Street right next to the Grand Opera House and is a five-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, gym and valet parking. With a score of 9.0 it’s the highest-rated hotel in this guide, and the rooms in particular get lots of praise. A few guests do find that breakfast gets chaotic when it’s busy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was of an absolutely exceptional standard, and the service was fantastic.”

See photos and book The Fitzwilliam here.

Europa Hotel - the historic hotel by Grand Central Station

The Europa is Belfast’s best-known hotel and during The Troubles became known as one of the most bombed hotels in Europe. Today it’s a large four-star hotel with a restaurant, bar and spacious rooms right by Grand Central Station and opposite The Crown. Several guests feel that food and drink at the hotel are expensive.

Another guest writes: “It was the staff who made the holiday. They were so helpful, cheerful and friendly.”

See photos and book Europa Hotel here.

Travelodge Belfast - cheap and central on Brunswick Street

Travelodge is on Brunswick Street, a few minutes’ walk from both City Hall and Great Victoria Street. It’s a simple chain hotel without a restaurant or many facilities, but the price is usually among the lowest in the whole guide. The rooms and bathrooms are small, and its score of 7.7 is lower than the other two.

From one review: “Super central location and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Travelodge Belfast here.

4. Queen’s Quarter - best area for museums, parks and peace and quiet 🌳

• 📍 Distance to the centre: About 1.5 km south of City Hall, which is roughly a 20-minute walk along Botanic Avenue or University Road.
• 🚌 Transport: Metro buses run along Malone Road and Lisburn Road into the centre, and Botanic Station on Botanic Avenue has local trains.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About 15 minutes by taxi from Belfast City Airport, or 45 to 55 minutes from Belfast International Airport on the Airport Express 300 to the centre, then a bus or taxi onwards.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost around £110 to £160 per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe, with lots of students. Botanic Avenue can be lively at weekends and around the start of term.

Queen’s Quarter is my top pick if you’d rather stay somewhere green and peaceful than in the middle of the nightlife. The area is named after Queen’s University, and the university’s red-brick Lanyon Building is one of the most striking sights in Belfast. Around it you’ll find cafés, bookshops and small restaurants, and the area feels more like part of the local city than a tourist district.

Right next to the university are the Botanic Gardens with the Victorian Palm House glasshouse and the Tropical Ravine, and at the edge of the park you’ll find the Ulster Museum, which is free to enter and closed on Mondays. The museum covers everything from dinosaurs to art, plus a thorough exhibition on Northern Ireland’s recent history, so it’s a good way to spend a rainy day. The park and museum are easy to combine in half a day, and afterwards you can walk straight down Botanic Avenue for lunch.

See hotels in Queen’s Quarter here.

Botanic Avenue is the area’s main eating street, with lots of cheap restaurants and student bars, while Lisburn Road further west has more shops, delis and wine bars. The hotels below are on and around Malone Road, the quietest part of the area, with large Victorian houses and tree-lined pavements.

The downside is the distance to Cathedral Quarter and Titanic Quarter. You can easily walk to City Hall in 20 minutes, but Titanic Belfast is more than half an hour away on foot, so plan on a bus or taxi. On the other hand, you often get a bit more hotel for your money than in the centre, and it’s a good choice for a longer trip where you don’t need to be in the heart of the city every evening.

Hotels in Queen’s Quarter

The Harrison Chambers of Distinction - a quirky adults-only boutique hotel

The Harrison is on Malone Road in a Victorian townhouse and is adults only. The décor is quirky and full of detail, there’s a bar, and you can park for free on site. The hotel is some way from the centre, which several guests mention, so expect a 25-minute walk or a short taxi ride to City Hall.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel with fantastic rooms.”

See photos and book The Harrison here.

The Malone Hotel - a classic hotel with a pub in the quiet part of the area

The Malone is on Eglantine Avenue just off Malone Road and has a restaurant, a pub and air-conditioned rooms. It’s a large, well-known hotel with almost 4,000 reviews and a score of 8.3. On-site parking costs extra, and some guests find the restaurant service can be slow.

Another guest highlights: “The whole hotel is excellent, and the staff are so helpful and friendly.”

See photos and book The Malone Hotel here.

ibis Belfast Queens Quarter - a budget choice close to Botanic Avenue

The ibis is on University Street between Botanic Avenue and the university, so restaurants and the Botanic Gardens are just a few minutes away. There’s a restaurant and a lobby bar that’s open 24 hours, and the rooms have air conditioning. It was the cheapest hotel in this guide when I searched, but guests are less impressed with the evening meals.

From one review: “The hotel was clean, and the staff were really friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book ibis Queens Quarter here.

5. Titanic Quarter - best area for families and Titanic fans 🚢

• 📍 Distance to the centre: About 2 km east of City Hall on the other side of the River Lagan, which is a 20 to 25-minute walk.
• 🚌 Transport: The Glider bus route G2 runs between the centre and the Titanic Quarter, and Titanic Quarter Station has local trains.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About 10 minutes by taxi from Belfast City Airport, which is close by. See buses and trains on Belfast City Airport’s public transport page. From Belfast International Airport it takes 45 to 60 minutes on the Airport Express 300, then a bus or taxi onwards from the centre.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost around £110 to £180 per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Calm and safe. The area is modern and open, but there aren’t many people along the quays late in the evening.

The Titanic Quarter is the old shipyard area where Harland & Wolff built the Titanic, and today it’s Belfast’s newest district. It’s my pick for families and for anyone coming mainly for the city’s maritime history. The hotels are modern, there’s plenty of space, and the big sights are right on your doorstep.

The main attraction is Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition. An adult ticket costs £24.95, and it also gets you onto SS Nomadic, the Titanic’s old tender, which is moored in Hamilton Dock right next door. A little further out you can see the Thompson Graving Dock, the dry dock where the Titanic sat before she sailed. Along the water runs the Maritime Mile, which links the Titanic Quarter with the waterfront by the Albert Memorial Clock and the Cathedral Quarter, and it makes a lovely walk into town.

See hotels in the Titanic Quarter here.

For children, there’s the W5 science centre in the Odyssey complex by the river, which also has a large arena for concerts and ice hockey. Belfast City Airport is only a few kilometres away, which is handy if you land late or fly early. If you’re coming by car, both Titanic Hotel and Residence Inn have parking, which is easier than the narrow streets in the centre.

The downside is that it’s further to the pubs and restaurants in the centre, and there isn’t much going on in the area in the evening. For a short weekend focused on pubs, I’d rather stay in the Cathedral Quarter and walk over here one morning. But if you have children with you, or the Titanic is the whole reason for your trip, it’s a lovely quiet place to wake up.

Hotels in the Titanic Quarter

Titanic Hotel Belfast - stay in the shipyard’s old headquarters

Titanic Hotel is on Queen’s Road in Harland & Wolff’s former headquarters, where the draughtsmen worked on the Titanic and her sister ships. The old drawing office, Drawing Office Two, is now used for things like afternoon tea, and Titanic Belfast is just across the road. It’s the most expensive of the three, and some guests mention that service in the restaurant can be slow.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I can’t stress enough what a wonderful hotel this is. I’ll be back!”

See photos and book Titanic Hotel here.

Residence Inn by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter - apartments with kitchens by Titanic Belfast

Residence Inn is on Olympic Way by Titanic Belfast and has studios and apartments with kitchenettes, a gym and a bar. It works well for families and longer stays, when it’s nice to make your own breakfast. Parking costs extra, which surprises some guests.

From one review: “We were upgraded to a suite, which was lovely.”

See photos and book Residence Inn Titanic Quarter here.

Aloft by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter - a modern, good-value choice

Aloft is right next to Residence Inn on Olympic Way and has a restaurant, bar and gym. The décor is modern and colourful, and the price makes it the budget option by Titanic Belfast. A few guests would like more food options in the bar.

One guest sums it up: “Good hotel in a perfect location.”

See photos and book Aloft Belfast here.

Where not to stay in Belfast?

Watch out for hotels that have Belfast in their name but are actually at Belfast International Airport. The airport is about 30 km north-west of the city, and you’ll need a bus or taxi for everything. An airport hotel only makes sense around a very early departure.

I also wouldn’t choose a cheap apartment in West Belfast around Falls Road and Shankill Road on a first visit. These neighbourhoods are fascinating to visit in daylight, ideally on a tour of the political murals, but they’re a long way from the centre in the evening. If you’re travelling around 11 and 12 July, when large bonfires are lit and marches are held in several neighbourhoods, you should stay in the centre or the Queen’s Quarter and keep an eye on the local news.

City Centre is my best all-round pick for a first trip to Belfast. You’ll be central, with shops and restaurants close by, and you can walk to the Cathedral Quarter, the Linen Quarter and the Titanic Quarter. The Cathedral Quarter is the obvious alternative if pubs and live music are your priority.

The Linen Quarter is best if you’re arriving by train from Dublin or going to the theatre. The Queen’s Quarter suits you if you want somewhere quiet near museums and parks, and the Titanic Quarter is strongest for families and anyone coming mainly for the Titanic.

If you have an extra day, take a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, the hexagonal basalt columns on the north coast about 100 km from Belfast and Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coast is open from dawn to dusk, and with the National Trust the visitor centre costs £16 for adults. The easiest option without a car is a full-day tour from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway, and if you’d rather drive the coast road yourself, you can hire a car via Booking.com.

If you’re continuing to Scotland, the ferries sail from Belfast to Cairnryan, and you can read my guide to where to stay in Glasgow. If you land in Dublin instead, the guide from Dublin Airport to the city centre will help you on your way, as buses run directly from the airport to Belfast.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?