Belfast City Hall
Ireland is well known for its beautiful landscapes but it also has some really wonderful cities to explore. And this sparks the question: Which city is better to visit? Belfast or Dublin?
We think both cities are pretty wonderful, but there are some things we always like to take into consideration when we visit a new city. So here are Wild N Happy’s tips about visiting Belfast and Dublin.
The Size Difference Between Dublin and Belfast
Belfast is a lot smaller than Dublin and this has a lot of advantages! The best thing about Belfast’s small size is that you can get around the city easily. Local transport is quick, but if you feel like stretching your legs you can walk from one side of the city to the other in only half an hour, and take in all the sights as you go! The population of Belfast is a lot smaller also, so you’ll find there are smaller crowds and you may just start recognising a few friendly faces as you explore the shops and pubs the city has to offer.
Dublin Luas Transport
Dublin’s larger size means there’s a lot more to explore. Fast paced and full of people, Dublin has a wonderful energy and even though it’s a lot bigger than Belfast you’ll find it is surprisingly walkable. If you’re hoping to see a lot in one day then renting a bike is a great way to enjoy the city.
Food in Dublin and Belfast
Irish Breakfast
Irish food is warm, comforting and wholesome, and you can bet your bottom dollar that both Belfast and Dublin do Irish food well. There is a difference between the cities, however. The smaller Belfast is a lot more traditional than Dublin, and you’ll probably find it’s closer to the Irish city in your imagination. From warm pub grub to the superlative Ulster fry (an Irish breakfast to die for) the food in Belfast is good.
Lamb Stew with Colcannon
Where Belfast is small and traditional, Dublin is cosmopolitan and varied. You can enjoy traditional Irish fare, or explore more unusual cuisines from around the world. The Dublin food scene is vibrant, so whatever you’re craving you are pretty sure to find it on the streets of Ireland’s capital.
How Affordable are Belfast and Dublin?
In terms of affordability, Belfast has the edge on Dublin. Dublin has wonderful pubs and restaurants but they can often come with a hefty price tag, whilst Belfast boasts the same quality for less. However, if you take a guided tour around these cities, you’ll be shown to the best spots with the best deals, and at Wild N Happy we offer an excellent range of Guided Tours of Ireland. We won’t go into all of our tours here, but we encourage anyone interested in taking their Ireland trip to the next level to browse through our offerings!
Sightseeing in Dublin and Belfast
Both Belfast and Dublin are cities rich with history, so it won’t come as a surprise to find out there are a lot of sights to enjoy in both of them.
Trinity College Library, Dublin
Dublin has been dubbed a UNESCO City of Literature and, given that it’s the city that gave the world Yeats, Beckett, Joyce, Wilde, Shaw, and more besides, it is easy to see why. You can explore Dublin’s literary history, starting with the Book of Kells, which is on display at the stunning Trinity College, and you can move on to other points of historical interest like the Guinness Storehouse!
Belfast Titanic Museum
Belfast offers some fantastic museums – the Titanic museum in particular – as well as tours that take you through the history of the Troubles. Just beyond the city limits you can enjoy the stunning Antrim Coast, visit the impressive Giant’s Causeway, and take a peek at some of the gorgeous film sites from HBO’s Game of Thrones.
There is so much to do and see in both cities that organising a trip can be a bit daunting. On top of that, it’s difficult to choose which city you want to explore more, but if you choose to take a tour with Wild N Happy you don’t have to make that choice! In fact, our 13 Day Ireland Vacation Tour Package is one of the most comprehensive trips we offer. Beginning in Dublin, the tour spans the length and breadth of Ireland ensuring you don’t miss a thing. So, if any of our guided tours have taken your fancy, or if you just want to find out more about Ireland, Belfast and Dublin then get in touch! We are happy to help!