2 Weeks in Belfast

What You Should Know Before Going On A Belfast Tour

Belfast Weather & When to Go

Belfast experiences distinct seasons with varied weather, which may play a role in when you decide to visit. The warmest time of the year is the summer, which takes place from June to August, when temperatures reach an average high of about 70 degrees, and daylight hours are extremely long. For these reasons, the summer is typically considered the best time to visit Belfast. The most festivals also happen during the summer months.

The spring is close runner-up, however. The lowest chances of rain are during the spring, and temperatures are still comfortable with highs in the 60’s. The landscape is particularly scenic during this time, with animal and plant life coming to blossom.

Like the spring, the autumn is a good in-between time, with similar weather and daylight hours to the Spring. Both of these times of year are also great times to cash in on discounted travel and avoid other tourists.

In the winter, Belfast doesn’t get too too cold, and experiences highs in the mid 40’s Fahrenheit. The weather typical fluctuates in and out of freezing, so more than an inch or so of snow is unlikely. However, the sun sets quite early, and many hours you could be spending traveling in the summer are spent wasted in the dark.

One more thing about Belfast weather to note is that, no matter the time of year, short rain showers are common in Northern Ireland. These do not typically last more than a hour or so, so many locals suggest saving the extra luggage space and skipping a rain jacket. Instead, you can jump inside of a local pub when it starts to rain!

Belfast Street Art Tours

While the most well-known graffiti spots are along the city Peace Wall, there are plenty of fantastic spots to go hunting for street art. A common activity on walking tours, your guide is sure to dive into Belfast’s troubled political past while explaining any of the street murals you encounter, so you’ll also get a good refresher on Northern Ireland history.

Another little known fact is that Belfast’s street art is not just restricted to political art created during the Troubles. In fact, the street art scene in Belfast is flourishing, and a cultural tour provides fascinating insight into the city’s subcultures.

What is the Belfast Castle?

One of the city’s primary landmarks, the Belfast Castle is not actually a medieval castle. This building, more aptly called the Belfast Castle Estate, was built in the 1860’s and is located in the beautiful Cavehill Park and just outside of the city.

The Castle used to be the centerpiece of Cavehill, which was previously one single estate. Today, you can enter the building for a nice cup of tea at the Castle’s cafe. Today, the Castle is primarily used as a wedding venue.