Should I Visit Dublin or Belfast?
Dublin and Belfast are the two largest cities on the island of Ireland and two of the most visited cities in the British Isles. Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Both cities have their own charm but they are quite different so should you visit Dublin or Belfast?
Table of Contents
Dublin or Belfast Overview
Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and easily its largest city with over 550,000 in the city and a much larger metro area. It is the chief port city in the country. The city has been named an Alpha Global City, meaning it is one of the top 30 cities in the world. Dublin is also a major university city with many institutions of higher learning.
The city is also considered to be one of the youngest cities in Europe with roughly 50% of the population being under the age of 25. Over the years, Dublin has also become one of the most popular cities in Europe. The main reasons why people are so intrigued by Dublin is because of its many pubs, museums, its many historic buildings, and for being the birthplace of Guinness beer.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the second-largest city on the island of Ireland. It has been a major port city for centuries and flourished during the Industrial Revolution. At one point it was the largest linen producer in the world. “The Troubles” was a time period from the 1960s to 2001 when Belfast was one of the best dangerous cities in the world. The city has a terrific setting with Divis and Black Mountains and Cavehill overlooking the city.
Since “The Troubles” ended in the early 2000s, Belfast has become one of the most visited cities in the UK and even in Europe with over 7 million yearly visitors. Today, the city has one of the fastest-growing economies in the United Kingdom and it has become a city full of contemporary designs and architecture. Belfast is also known for being where the Titanic was constructed.
Things to See
Places to See in Dublin
Dublin Castle opened in 1204 and was the seat of the British Government in Ireland.
Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1030 and is the oldest Medieval church in Dublin.
Temple Bar (and the surrounding area) is the most famous bar in Dublin. It offers over 450 types of whiskey.
Trinity College Library is one of the most famous libraries in the world.
Guinness Storehouse shows the history of beer and the history of Guinness.
Places to See in Belfast
Belfast Castle sits on the slopes of Cave Hill, overlooking the city of Belfast.
The Parliament Buildings, or Stormont, is open to tours.
The Titanic Museum is a popular attraction because Belfast is where it was built.
Belfast City Hall sits in the city’s most popular public square.
The Botanic Gardens were originally started in 1828 and the grounds are also used for concerts.
Food
Food in Dublin
The capital of Ireland may be a coastal city, but the Irish typically prefer beef to seafood. However, the famous dish of cockles and mussels is still an essential meal in Dublin. Part of what makes this meal so famous is the song Molly Malone, whose lyrics refer to a woman selling cockles and mussels in a cart along the street. The song was so famous, a statue was even built-in her honor!
Along with cockles and mussels, Irish Stew is also a beloved dish to the Irish people in Dublin. Don’t forget to visit one of the traditional pubs and get some Guinness in the city it originated in.
Food in Belfast
Most countries in the United Kingdom have some sort of fried breakfast, an Ulster Fry is the traditional breakfast of Northern Ireland. In the traditional version of Ulster Fry, bacon, eggs, sausages are all fried in lard, and then it is served with black pudding, potato bread, and soda bread. Seafood, like mussels or scallops, is also extremely popular in Belfast, given that it is a major port city. Head over to St. George’s Market for an authentic look at all of the foods available in Belfast.
Getting Around
Getting Around Dublin
When visiting Dublin, it would be smart of you to book your lodging near the city center because most of the city’s attractions are within walking distance there. Other options for getting around the city are buses, trains, and the hop-on hop-off buses. DoDublin is your best bet for Hop on Hop off buses, mainly because a day pass is only 19.80 Euros for 24hrs and 23.40 Euros for a 48hr pass. Dublin is notorious for having terrible traffic so renting a car might be a headache.
Getting Around Belfast
The entire area around City Hall is extremely walkable so you can just stroll for hours seeing most of the sights in the center of the city. Some of the city’s most iconic sights, like Belfast Castle and the Parliament Buildings, are located outside of the city center so you will want to utilize public transportation. Taking the bus or the train is your best bet for getting around unless you want to take a taxi. Another great option is to rent a bike, especially if you want to explore the waterfront areas.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Dublin
Dublin is a city with roughly 700 pubs so you won’t have any problem finding a place to get a drink. One thing to note is that most pubs quit serving drinks at 11:30 during the week and 12:30am for Friday and Saturday which means the nightlife starts a little earlier and stops sooner in the night.
The area around Camden Place has one of the highest concentrations of bars and pubs in Dublin. If you are getting sick of pubs, you should head over to Diceys is a really fun place to go. For more of a club scene, head to Opium or Copper Face Jacks. There is quite a selection of nightclubs to choose from.
Nightlife in Belfast
Belfast has an abundance of bars, pubs, and clubs so you can expect a great night out when you come here. The area around St. Anne’s Cathedral has become the hottest part of the city in regard to the highest concentration of nightlife. If you want to visit a classic pub then you might want to check out Duke of York or Whites Tavern. If you want to dance the night away, a couple of the best nightclubs in the city are Boombox and Thompsons Garage.
Day Trips
Dublin Day Trips
Wicklow Mountains National Park is just to the south of Dublin.
Wexford is a small city known for its medieval feel.
Skerries is a small coastal city to the north of Dublin.
Belfast Day Trips
Whitehead is a seaside town to the northeast of Belfast.
Giant’s Causeway is known for its unique rock formations and is just over an hour from Belfast.
Carrick-A-Rede Bridge is an old bridge along the beautiful coastline.
Moving a little further away than day trips, there are other cities in the region worth looking into after your time in Dublin or Belfast. Both Dublin and Belfast are great starting points to visit cities like Limerick, Galway, Cork, or Derry.
Which is Better, Dublin or Belfast?
As the two largest cities on the island of Ireland, Dublin and Belfast are two of the most visited cities in the British Isles. To put it simply, Dublin is a much larger city and it has more to see and do. Belfast is still a great city to visit but you will want to go to Dublin if you have to choose between the two cities. Don’t get me wrong, Belfast is a great city to visit but just not on the same level as Dublin.