Last updated: February 15, 2024

The largest city in Northern Ireland not only has some of the best appeal of any travel destination in the region, but it also represents a solid value in terms of how affordable it is to travel here. Whether it’s budget-friendly pub bites or free walking tours, you’ll be able to stretch your money out in Belfast amazingly well. 

Part of this is because of the history and civic-minded culture of the city. Some of its most popular attractions are the fantastic street murals that tell of its complicated history, while there are also plenty of spaces in the city that have been repurposed from industrial or ship-building districts into pedestrianised public spaces – especially along the waterfront. 

If you’re traveling to Belfast, you can expect amazing hospitality at highly reasonable prices, you just need to know where to go. And when you need the most convenient and affordable luggage storage in Belfast, you can rely on Bounce.

Free and Affordable Things to do in Belfast

Take a Free Walking Tour

Belfast city is fairly compact, making it easy to explore on foot. If you don’t want to wander around aimlessly (while free, it’s hardly efficient!), you can look into taking a free walking tour of the city. You’ll see many of the highlight landmarks along with important sights like the Belfast murals. These generally start at Belfast City Hall and Belfast Welcome Centre and will snake through the city, stopping at The Docklands & The Lagan River, the Cathedral Quarter, Albert Clock, The Big Fish, Belfast City Hall, and City Laneways. You’ll also learn about Belfast’s deeply complicated history through its poignant murals. These tours take a few hours, and they’re a great way to get a sense of the place. Getting some steps in is never a bad thing either!

Botanic Gardens

These gardens and fantastic Victorian greenhouse date back to 1828 and have been one of the most beautiful landmarks in Belfast ever since. The iconic glass greenhouse, with its striking white iron frame and curvature, is home to exotic plants and trees imported from countries all over the globe. There are also pathways through the gardens that make for a great afternoon stroll. 

Tour the Murals

“The Troubles” in Northern Ireland refers to decades of political and cultural strife that engulfed the city and country. These are deeply complicated and tragic issues, and these murals certainly reflect that fact. Falls Road, Shankill Road, and North Street are three of the best stretches for appreciating these murals. The West Belfast neighbourhood also has a lot of great restaurants and shops if you don’t mind spending a little cash.

Belfast’s Maritime Mile

Belfast has a long history as a port city and shipbuilding powerhouse. In fact, the Titanic was built in Belfast by the largest shipbuilder in the world at the time, Harland & Wolff. While this industry has largely subsided, its infrastructure along Belfast’s waterfront has been repurposed and pedestrianised for locals and travellers to enjoy time on the quays and wharves. 

CS Lewis Square

One of Belfast’s most beloved literary figures has been honoured with a full public square in the city centre where artwork and statues honour his iconic work. It’s entirely free to tour and is open 24/7. 

Cheap Belfast Restaurants

• John Long’s Fish & Chips: You simply can’t go to Belfast without trying its most iconic dish – classic fish and chips. While this street food has been appropriated into fine dining settings, you can still grab a proper serving from this institution for as little as £6. 
• Pablos: You probably won’t anticipate having a burger on the flight over, but one of the best cheap eats in Belfast is this Mexican-American-inspired spot in the Cathedral Quarter. 
• 7 Spice: In the UK, just about every street has a street food vendor or restaurant serving up ultra-cheap South Asian cuisine. This Bangladeshi spot in the city centre offers incredible curry-like dishes with flatbreads all for affordable prices. Their lunch special has a line around the corner for a reason.
• Yardbird: Situated above the popular Dirty Onion whiskey bar, this quirky restaurant serves up cheap bar bites in a fun setting. Their crunchy avocado salad is the most popular thing on the menu, and basically everything is less than £10. They have plenty of shareables, too, like a buttermilk-marinated whole chicken that Americans will love.  

Advice on Accommodation 

Like other European cities, Belfast’s hostels are the go-to destination for budget travellers. If you’re young and don’t need much in the way of amenities, then this is an ideal choice. Not only will you get a room for less than £50 per night, but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet other travellers from around the world. 

If you need a hotel however, you should expect to pay between £100 and £200 per night. Airbnb has grown tremendously in Belfast in recent years and could provide an excellent value when compared to hotels. You can always seek accommodation just outside of the city centre for lower prices.

Get Around Cheaply 

One of the easiest ways to cut costs during a trip to any city is by limiting the number of rideshare and cab rides. Belfast is a relatively small city and is pretty easy to get around, even on a shoestring budget. Biking is one of the least expensive ways, and you can rent a set of wheels through Belfast Bikes for less than £10 for a full day. Public transportation is always a good option, especially if you bundle your fare with a Belfast Visitor Pass. These can be found at the Belfast Visitor Welcome Centre on Donegall Square and will provide you with access to the Metro, NI Railways, Ulsterbus, and Glider services during your stay.