A weekend break in Northern Ireland: what to do, see, eat and drink

The perfect weekend break doesn’t always mean heading to Europe’s popular capitals or seaside resorts. Just a 90-minute flight from London, Northern Ireland offers as much sightseeing, culture, gastronomy and spectacular beaches – and with British Airways Holidays, you can book flights and hotels all in one go.

Once shaped by its shipbuilding industry (it’s famously the birthplace of the RMS Titanic), Belfast is now a modern metropolis where history, renowned cultural venues and all-round infectious conviviality create a vibrant, dynamic city ripe for a weekend getaway.

Take the Causeway Coastal Route straight from the city, and you’ll escape urban life in minutes. This scenic road winds past jagged cliffs, magnificent beaches and one of Northern Ireland’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Looking to explore at your own pace? Then a fly-drive holiday could be for you. When you book a fly-drive break with British Airways Holidays, all mandatory charges are included, and you’ll benefit from roadside assistance and 24-hour customer support. If you’ve only got three days to spare, our Northern Ireland long-weekend guide is a perfect place to start.

Belfast City Airport is the swiftest taxi ride from the centre of town, so within minutes of touching down you can begin tackling your Belfast to-do list.

First, get your bearings on the Hop On Hop Off open-top bus tour. Don’t write this off as a tourist trap: buy a one-day ticket and take the top deck to see sights like the Ulster Museum, HMS Caroline and several well-known murals, all detailed via audio commentary. You’ll get a truly fascinating history lesson as you weave around the city.

Alight in the Cathedral Quarter. Centred around St. Anne’s Cathedral, a grand, triple-arched Romanesque cathedral lovingly referred to as the ‘heart of the city’, this area pulses with bars, pubs, restaurants and music venues.

Here, settle in for a Michelin-starred lunch or early dinner at The Muddlers Club. Chef-owner Gareth McCaughey, born and bred in Donaghmore, County Tyrone, serves a seasonal tasting menu showcasing the best home-grown produce.

Then begin your essential tour of Belfast’s traditional pubs at The Duke of York. This wooden-clad labyrinth of a pub, where every inch of wall and ceiling is covered by photos, vintage posters and old street signs, claims to have the largest whiskey collection in Northern Ireland.

Today, leave the city behind with your Avis car hire and drive along the Causeway Coastal Route. This 115-mile (185km) road stretches from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry, tracing the picturesque coastline of County Antrim and parts of County Londonderry. Along the way, you’ll pass charming seaside villages, stunning beaches at Ballycastle and Portrush, and several must-see attractions.

Your first stop is Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, main image. Built by salmon fishermen in 1755, the footbridge connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island, a lush volcanic plug with one fisherman’s cottage. Suspended 100 feet (30 metres) above the sea, those who cross are rewarded with views reaching to Scotland.

Next, add the Giant’s Causeway to your itinerary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, this geological marvel features around 40,000 basalt columns rising from the sea at different heights. Formed 50 to 60 million years ago, local legend says it was created by a contest between Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill and Scottish giant Benandonner.

Finish in Portstewart, a seaside town in County Londonderry and home to Harry’s Shack. Located on Portstewart Strand, a beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy ale-battered Greencastle haddock and chips or creamy Mulroy Bay mussels while soaking up the sea views.

Start Sunday at Neighbourhood, an ultra-cool, pastel-hued café in the Cathedral Quarter. The coffee is as good as it gets, as is the brunch menu. Can’t decide between the vodka sauce beans on toast or eggs benny served on a sourdough croissant? Get both.

Pick up last-minute souvenirs at St George’s Market, Belfast’s last surviving Victorian covered market, beautifully restored after a £4.5m refurb in 1997. The Sunday market offers local food, artisanal crafts, art, jewellery and antiques.

Cross the River Lagan heading toward the airport and stop by Titanic Belfast, pictured above. Located on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where RMS Titanic was built, this museum is dedicated entirely to the ocean liner that famously sank in 1912. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the film or not, the story of her construction, crew and maiden voyage across 10 interactive galleries is fascinating.

From here, it’s a short express bus ride to the airport.