Northern Ireland offers a variety of things to do and places to see, highlighting its rich culture, history, and natural beauty.
Whether you are drawn to art, history, or entertainment, the country provides countless opportunities for exploration.
Northern Ireland's tourism scene is as diverse as its heritage, with museums, galleries, theatres, and historical landmarks spread across the country. Visitors can immerse themselves in centuries of history, enjoy vibrant cultural performances, and marvel at natural wonders that are recognised worldwide.
With the amount of time that Northern Ireland has been inhabited, it should be no surprise that it is rich in museums and cultural institutions. The Ulster Museum in Belfast is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland's cultural life. Housing over 9,000 years of Irish history, it showcases art, natural history, and industry in a classical setting, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the nation's story. Located in the city's Titanic Quarter, Titanic Belfast is one of the most recognised attractions. Its nine interactive galleries tell the story of the ill-fated ocean liner, blending history with cutting-edge design. The Ulster Folk Museum, as well as the Ulster American Folk Park, offer immersive experiences of rural life and emigration history. Costumed actors and reconstructed buildings transport visitors back to the 19th century, offering a vivid glimpse into everyday life. National Museums NI and the Ulster Transport Museum further enrich the cultural landscape, with exhibitions ranging from transport heritage to fine art.
Historical and natural landmarks in Northern Ireland include the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its unique hexagonal basalt columns rising from the sea are steeped in myth and geology, attracting visitors from around the world. Castles such as Dunluce Castle and the historic walls of Derry-Londonderry provide insight into the region's medieval and modern history, while scenic routes like the Causeway Coastal Route showcase breathtaking landscapes.
The Grand Opera House in Belfast is a marvel of Victorian architecture and a hub for performing arts. Hosting musicals, comedy, dance, and drama, it remains one of Northern Ireland's premier entertainment venues. Belfast also boasts a thriving music scene, with concerts and festivals throughout the year, including the Belfast International Arts Festival, which celebrates theatre, dance, and visual arts.
Northern Ireland's countryside is dotted with national parks and forest trails, such as Tollymore Forest Park and the Mourne Mountains, which are perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures. Family-friendly attractions include Belfast Zoo, home to hundreds of species, and coastal destinations such as Portstewart Strand, offering sandy beaches and stunning sea views.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy venues like the Kingspan Stadium, home to Ulster Rugby, or attend Gaelic games across the region. Annual festivals, from Saint Patrick's Day parades to local food and music events, highlight the community spirit and cultural pride of Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland brings together cultural depth and natural splendour, offering something for every traveller.
Recommended Resources
Hosted by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, this site offers an overview of the country, its culture, and heritage. It presents things to do and see, including activities and attractions for the family, as well as a directory of accommodations, destinations, activities, events, restaurants, and drinking establishments. The reader can browse featured resources by subject categories or check out the interactive map. A trip planning guide and a blog are included.
https://discovernorthernireland.com/
Ireland Before You Die: Northern Ireland
Hosted on a large travel site focused on Irish experiences, this section of the site covers Northern Ireland, offering a range of articles, including destination guides, travel advice, bucket lists, cultural articles, and other resources, such as photos and embedded videos. Examples include "20+ Best Things To Do in Belfast," "Top 10 Best Forest Parks in Northern Ireland," and "10 Scenic Drives in Northern Ireland." Road trip itineraries and specific destinations are also featured.
https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/category/destinations/northern-ireland/
Focused on things to see and do across Northern Ireland, the travel guide is aimed at independent, self-drive, and small-group visitors. The regions covered include the North and Causeway Coastal Route, Belfast, South East and Mournes, South West, and the Fermanagh Lakelands. An interactive, hoverable map features red dots indicating popular tourist destinations to help visitors plan routes. Sample road trips, day routes, and destination guides are also included.
https://northernirelandholidays.co.uk/
Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance
The NITA is an industry-led organisation established in 2018 that acts as the voice for tourism and travel across Northern Ireland, with members from all sectors of the tourism economy. The organisation advocates for the industry by influencing government policies, member engagement, and sector-wide collaboration. The NITA runs conferences, publishes reports, newsletters, and news stories to share industry developments and opinion pieces. Contact details are posted on the site.
https://nitourismalliance.com/
Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Association
The NITGA is the professional membership body for qualified tourist guides covering Northern Ireland and the whole island. It was established to represent guides, promote professional standards, and support continuing professional development. NITGA runs and promotes guiding training, including the Blue Badge Tourist Guiding Course, and supports its members with continuing professional development and guidance on selection criteria for courses. Membership information and levels are provided.
https://nitga.co.uk/
Published by National World Publishing LTD, Northern Ireland World is an online news site providing local and regional coverage across Northern Ireland. It provides breaking news, politics, crime, and business reports, as well as highlighting lifestyle issues, sports, and entertainment venues, including football, GAA, snooker, and broader sports coverage. Additionally, it features photo galleries, videos, and both sponsored and recommended content. Advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.northernirelandworld.com/
Things To Do In Northern Ireland
Created by Northern Irish locals, this comprehensive travel resource covers attractions, food, hotels, events, and regional guides across Northern Ireland, featuring posts and lists tailored for families, outdoor enthusiasts, dining, and local festivals. The site curates recommendations for restaurants, takeaways, and regional favorites, and has a dedicated area for things to do with kids, such as local festivals, indoor attractions, and family-friendly venues.
https://thingstodoinnorthernireland.com/
TGNI is Northern Ireland's tourist guiding body focusing on quality, training, and professional development of its guides. TGNI is spearheaded by several established, experienced, and skilled guides, who are elected annually from within its membership. TGNI has a wide range of expert tour guides in its membership, ranging from Site Guides to City Guides and all-Ireland guides, as reflected in the selection of tours they offer. TGNI members can offer walking, taxi, driver/guides, and coach tours.
https://tourguidesni.com/
Tourism NI is the public body responsible for developing tourism and marketing Northern Ireland as a destination to domestic visitors within Northern Ireland, as well as to visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Its key services and programmes include destination marketing, enterprise development programmes, business guidance, consumer sentiment analysis, tourism performance statistics, and "MyTourismNI," an e-learning platform designed to build sector skills, knowledge, and confidence.
https://www.tourismni.com/
This regional leisure and travel portal lists events, attractions, places to eat and stay, activities, local news, and a business directory for Northern Ireland. Includes are guides to attractions, activity categories (walking, boat tours, skydiving, horse riding, golf, go-karting), and local food and drink recommendations. It is aimed at residents and visitors planning days out, holidays, dining, or accommodations, as well as regional services and property listings.
https://www.whatsoninnorthernireland.com/
