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6 Guided Tours in Belfast That Gave Me a Holiday from Planning

I’ve been the trip planner of the family ever since I learned how to drive. And it’s a lot of fun—but also very draining. I’ve put together hundreds of itineraries with amazing spots every family member would like (which I think should be a professional skill by now).

And while I have exciting moments, more often than not, I don’t end up enjoying as much as I want to because of the stress. Sometimes, I wish to chill out and give up being a travel control freak for once.

So a few years ago, I reached out to a couple of guided tours in Belfast. And let me tell you, they changed my life by taking lots of the pressure off! Check out some of my favourite operators below.

1. City Tours Belfast

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Website: https://citytoursbelfast.com/ 
Address: Unit 6, Twin Spires Centre, Curran House, 155 Northumberland St
Contact Details: +44 28 9032 1912, [email protected] 
Fees: 

  • Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
    • 1-Day Ticket
      • Adult – from £19
      • Child (under 16) – from £12
      • Family (2 adults and 3 children) – from £65
    • 2-Day Ticket
      • Adult – from £24
      • Child (under 16) – from £14
      • Family (2 adults and 3 children) – from £79
  • Giants Causeway Tour from Belfast
    • Adult – from £28
    • Child (under 13) – from £25
  • Game of Thrones Tour from Belfast
    • Adult – from £28
    • Child (under 13) – from £25
  • Titanic Belfast Tour
    • Adult (17+) – from £41.50
    • Child (5 to 16) – from £23
  • Black Taxi Tour Belfast
    • Adult (minimum of 2 required) – from £35 
  • Giants Causeway + 1 Day City Tour
    • Adult – from £41
    • Child (0 to 13) – from £34
  • Whiskey Tour Combo Belfast
    • Adult (18+) – from £41
    • Child (5 to 17) – from £24

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City Tours Belfast is one of the best guided tours in Belfast to take if you want to explore more than 60 attractions. You can choose 1- or 2-day options here—the tickets are also valid up to 12 months from buying them! 

Some of the most convenient stops for me are the Titanic Belfast, St George’s Market, Ulster Museum, and the Cathedral Quarter. The tours run every 20 to 45 minutes, but the timing varies by season.

Pro tip:

In case you’re a tourist speaking French, Italian, Spanish, German, or Mandarin, take advantage of City Tours Belfast’s multilingual headphones! 

Booking the audio headset can help you understand the tour guide, especially when their accent sounds tricky.

2. DC Tours – Belfast Walking Tours

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Website: https://www.deadcentretours.com/ 
Address: Donegall Square N
Contact Details: +44 7716 949460, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Fees: 

  • A History of Terror Walking Tour – £22 per person
  • The Best of Belfast Walking Tour – £22 per person
  • The West Belfast Walking Tour –
    • Up to 4 guests – £175, with extra guests at £12.50 per person
    • A tour for 6 guests – £200 total
  • Private Tours – start at £175 for up to 4 guests
  • 1798 – A Belfast Rebellion – £22 per person
  • Study Tours – need to reach out directly

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Are you a history buff? DC Tours offers unique Belfast tours like ‘A History of Terror’ and ‘1798 – A Belfast Rebellion’. They begin with vivid and immersive storytelling from expert local historians as guides.

There are private, group, and team building or corporate tours as well. Lots of experiences feature the murals in West Belfast, but you might like the flexibility for other special interests, too.

Friendly reminder:

Wear waterproof, comfy shoes and adjustable layers when joining DC Tours! The tours typically proceed regardless of the weather, so you want to be prepared for anything. 

3. Belfast Free Walking Tour 

Media credit: belfastfreetour 

Website: https://www.belfastfreewalkingtour.com/ 
Address: 5 Donegall Square N
Contact Details: +44 7393 585531, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Fees (besides the Free Walking Tour): 

  • Belfast Political Tour: Conflicting Stories Walking Tour – £26 per person
  • Falls Road Troubles Tour – Free
  • Dark Belfast Tour – Free
  • Silent Disco Tour – Free
  • Rhythms and Tales of Belfast (authentic Irish showcase with food and dance)
    • Adults – £59
    • Students/Seniors – £55
    • Child (5 to 12) – £39
    • Under 5 – Free

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Need guided tours that are easy on the wallet? Belfast Free Walking Tour is an independent tour operator in the city with passionate locals. It operates on a tips-only basis, so it’s up to you how much you pay them.

The key spots are Belfast City Hall, Albert Memorial Clock, The Docklands and River Lagan, Cathedral Quarter, and the Big Fish sculpture. 

These are usually for small groups of 6 people, for a more personal and engaging experience. Private options are offered as well.

Cool ideas:

After your experience with Belfast Free Walking Tour, remember (or take notes) of the places you’d like to return to! You might want a pint or two in the Cathedral Quarter, check out museums, or visit nearby shops later.

4. Belfastology Walking Tours

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Website: https://www.belfastology.com/ 
Address: 9 Donegall Square N
Contact Details: +44 7552 309575, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Fees: 

  • Belfast Eclectic Walking Guided Experience, along The Marti Way – from £22
  • Belfast Music and Street Art Small Group Guided Experience – from £20
  • Belfast Political Murals Street Art and Peace Wall Small Group Walking Tour – from £30
  • Belfast Eclectic Small Group Guided Walking Experience – from £20

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Whether you’re a local or a tourist, there’s always something new to see. Because of this, Belfastology Walking Tours was founded by a photographer who wants visitors to truly appreciate Belfast’s history, culture, architecture, and changes.

This guided tour is known for its eclectic nature, offering sightseers a diverse range of aesthetic attractions. You can go for a city centre, political mural, or pub and music walking tour, as well as a private or custom tour. 

Handy tip:

Ask for lots of advice from the Belfastology Walking Tours’ guide! You’ll be introduced to many hidden gems, like pubs and art galleries anyway, so ask for the city secrets, like the best food (on specific occasions), dates, photography spots, and more.

5. Belfast Walking Tours 

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Website: http://www.belfastwalkingtours.com/ 
Address: Cotton Court, 30-42 Waring St
Contact Details: +44 7845 536119, +44 7900 365192, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Fees: 

  • Highlights of Belfast Tour
    • Between 1 to 4 people – £150 for the group
    • 5 to 7 people – £180 for the group
    • 8 to 12 people – £240 for the group
    • 13 to 18 people – £280 for the group
    • 18+ people – need to enquire
  • Pack Up Your Troubles Tour
    • Between 1 to 4 people – £175 for the group
    • 5 to 7 people – £200 for the group
    • 8 to 12 people – £240 for the group
    • 13 to 18 people – £280 for the group
    • 18+ people – need to enquire
  • Titanic Quarter Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • Linen Quarter Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • Cathedral Quarter Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • Queen’s Quarter Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • Buddy Tours – need to enquire
  • Historic Pub Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • Art in the Heart of the City Tour – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour
  • The Buildings of Belfast (Architectural Heritage Tour) – same as Highlights of Belfast Tour

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Should you fancy themed guided tours, Belfast Walking Tours provides many options, ranging from historical sites to architectural highlights, as well as pubs and art hubs—there’s something for everyone!

Our favourite key sites are Cotton Court, Cathedral Quarter, and Belfast City Hall. There are amusing street art and public art installations here too. 

Also, the tour guides are born and bred Belfast natives, so you’ll be sure that they have deep knowledge of the city with unique stories to tell. 

Expert touring advice:

Before booking Belfast Walking Tours, check for city festival dates first! You can join vibrant events like the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Culture Night. The pop-ups and street performances can also make your time here more worthwhile.

6. Taxi Tours Belfast 

Media credit: belfasttours_ni 

Website: http://www.belfasttours.com/ 
Address: 67 Squires Hill Rd
Contact Details: +44 28 9064 2264, 07702449694, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Fees: 

  • Belfast Political & Mural Tour – from £80
  • 3-Hour Ultimate Belfast Experience – from £277
  • 3-Hour Ultimate Political Tour – £277
  • Cruise Ship Luxury Day Trips & Excursions – £700
  • Multi-Day Tour – price on application
  • Luxury Giants Causeway & Antrim Coast Tour – £700
  • Luxury of Game of Thrones Tour – £700
  • Large Group Tours – price on application
  • Chauffeur Services & Private Hire – need to enquire

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Don’t really feel like walking? Then Taxi Tours Belfast is among the most ideal guided tours for you! The tours are typically conducted in iconic black Hackney taxis or executive MPVs, so you’ll have the privacy and comfort you want.

For me, the most iconic things to see are the peace walls and murals, Crumlin Road Gaol (a historic former prison), and the Giant’s Causeway (a geological wonder). The drivers here are known to be polite and friendly too.

Fun recommendation:

Request tailored spots with Taxi Tours Belfast because riding a private taxi means flexibility! Research or ask the staff about interesting murals or buildings on your route beforehand, so you can include them later.

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