The ship was built here, so the city centres the story. Day 1 is the full Titanic Quarter, Day 2 is Belfast's living history, Day 3 escapes to the Causeway Coast. Everything walkable or a short Glider/taxi hop unless noted.
The world's largest Titanic visitor experience, in the iceberg-shaped building on the original slipway. Nine interactive galleries take you from Belfast's industrial boom through the build, launch, maiden voyage and the sinking. Allow 2.5–3 hours. Book a timed slot online — it sells out, and online is cheaper than the door. Your ticket includes SS Nomadic.
The last surviving White Star Line ship in the world — the little tender that ferried first-class passengers out to Titanic at Cherbourg. Restored and moored in Hamilton Dock right beside Titanic Belfast. Included with your main ticket, so just walk over.
Stand at the bottom of the actual dry dock where Titanic was fitted out — 850 ft of it, the last place she sat on dry land. The Victorian pump-house is still in place and now houses Belfast's first working distillery in nearly 90 years. Take the guided dock walk (66 steps down into history), then stay for a whiskey tasting. Genuinely the most "you are really here" moment of the day.
The restored Harland & Wolff headquarters — the very rooms where Titanic was drawn up. Now a hotel, but the two cathedral-like Drawing Offices are open to visitors; have a coffee or a Guinness in the Drawing Office Two bar surrounded by the original arches. Free to wander.
The essential Belfast experience: a local driver takes you through the Falls and Shankill Roads, the political murals and the Peace Walls, telling the story of the Troubles from the people who lived it. ~90 min, price is per cab (1–3 people), so it's cheap split between you. Several operators; book the day before.
A Victorian prison turned guided-tour attraction — the tunnel to the courthouse, the condemned man's cell, the hanging room. Dark, atmospheric and very well done. Tours run roughly hourly; book a slot.
Edwardian grandeur in the heart of town. Free guided tours, free exhibition, and the Titanic Memorial Garden in the grounds listing every victim's name.
Art, history and natural sciences (yes, the mummy). Beside the Botanic Gardens and Queen's University — a lovely free afternoon.
End the day properly. The Crown is a National Trust–owned Victorian gin palace — carved snugs, gas lamps, tiled everything. Then wander the Cathedral Quarter: cobbled Commercial Court, the historic Duke of York and The Dirty Onion, live trad music most nights.
40,000 interlocking basalt columns marching into the sea — Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and the unmissable stop. The stones themselves are free to walk to; the ticket covers the visitor centre, audio guide and parking. Book online for a timed slot in summer.
A swaying rope bridge to a tiny island 30m above the Atlantic. Timed entry, book ahead — it caps numbers and sells out.
A dramatic cliff-edge ruin (and a Game of Thrones location). Quick stop, huge views.
The eerie beech-tree avenue from Game of Thrones (the Kingsroad). Free to walk; park at the nearby hotel lot.
The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608), right on the route. Tour + tasting if you have time before heading back.