Ten things to do in Belfast and on the Antrim coast, counted down from ten to one, with one mistake to avoid at each. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and the money is the pound sterling; some places take euros, but that is not guaranteed. For more of the coast beyond this list, see our guide to County Antrim.
Published 11 November 2026 · Video length: 7 min 21 sec.
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The order is our own countdown, not an official ranking. Hours and ticket rules change, so check each place’s own website before you go.
10. St George's Market
A Victorian market hall built between 1890 and 1896; the Friday market dates back to 1604, with around 200 stalls. Named the UK's Best Large Indoor Market 2023.
The mistake to avoid: Going Monday to Thursday, or late in the afternoon. It is open Friday to Sunday only: 8 am to 2 pm on Friday, 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
9. The Ulster Museum
In Belfast's Botanic Gardens; admission is free, and the collections include Belfast's Egyptology collection.
The mistake to avoid: A Monday. The museum is closed on Mondays and open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday.
8. Belfast City Hall
Opened in August 1906. Guided public tours run daily and last 45 to 50 minutes (£6 for adults, children free), and the grounds hold the Titanic Memorial Garden.
The mistake to avoid: Arriving at the tour time. Tours are first come, first served, and you must arrive 15 minutes before they start.
7. Crumlin Road Gaol
A prison from 1846 to 1996. Visits take you through the prison and its tunnel. Check the operator’s current tour formats and opening calendar before booking; do not assume every ticket includes a guided tour.
The mistake to avoid: Buying at the door on the day. The online discount is only for tickets booked a day or more ahead.
6. The Dark Hedges
An avenue of beech trees planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century on the approach to Gracehill House; later the King's Road in Game of Thrones. Read the full story behind the Dark Hedges, including the Grey Lady legend.
The mistake to avoid: Driving down it. Bregagh Road has been closed to traffic since 2017: park nearby and walk. Some trees have been removed for safety.
5. Glenariff, Queen of the Glens
One of the nine Glens of Antrim. The Waterfall Walk is about 3 km (2 miles) through a gorge on boardwalks past the falls, in a working forest where walks can be diverted or closed. It also features on our list of Ireland’s best waterfalls.
The mistake to avoid: Thinking it is a gentle stroll. It drops very steeply down steps into the gorge, and you come back up a steep track.
4. The Gobbins
A guided cliff path at Islandmagee, with bridges over the waves and a tunnel below sea level: 2.5 to 3 hours, a strenuous 3 miles, compared to climbing and descending 50 flights of steps.
The mistake to avoid: Turning up in sneakers. Walking boots with full ankle support are required and trainers are not permitted. When tours are operating, book ahead and check in 15 minutes early. The path is seasonal and weather-dependent: this description is not confirmation that it is open for your visit. Check the operator’s booking calendar for your date before travelling.
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
First strung by salmon fishermen in 1755, almost 100 feet above the Atlantic, across a 20-metre chasm. The name means 'the rock in the road'. Most visitors spend about an hour and a half.
The mistake to avoid: Travelling without checking conditions and tickets. Wind can close the bridge. The National Trust currently requires advance online booking for the crossing; check its opening calendar and current ticket terms before travelling.
2. Titanic Belfast
Beside the slipways where Titanic was designed, built and launched; the ticket includes SS Nomadic, the last White Star Line ship still in existence. See our full visitors’ guide to the Titanic Experience for more on planning your visit.
The mistake to avoid: Arriving late in the day. Last admission is 1 hour 40 minutes before closing. Entry is by timed slot; as checked on 11 November 2026, an adult ticket is £24.95 online and £26.95 at the door. Check the current price before booking.
1. The Giant's Causeway
Basalt columns formed just under 60 million years ago; Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986). The legend says Finn McCool built it. Curious how the columns really formed? We go deeper into the geology here.
The mistake to avoid: Two in one. The walk to the stones is free (the ticket buys the visitor centre, parking, guides and audio guides). And do not push coins into the stones: the National Trust says it damages them.
The ten at a glance
| # | Place | The mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | St George's Market | Going Monday to Thursday, or late in the afternoon |
| 9 | The Ulster Museum | A Monday |
| 8 | Belfast City Hall | Arriving at the tour time |
| 7 | Crumlin Road Gaol | Buying at the door on the day |
| 6 | The Dark Hedges | Driving down it |
| 5 | Glenariff, Queen of the Glens | Thinking it is a gentle stroll |
| 4 | The Gobbins | Turning up in sneakers |
| 3 | Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge | A windy day, with a ticket from somewhere else |
| 2 | Titanic Belfast | Arriving late in the day |
| 1 | The Giant's Causeway | Two in one |
Based on the video’s checked official sources, with visitor information rechecked on 11 November 2026. Opening calendars, seasonal access and prices can change; follow the official links for your travel date.
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