Walking & Bike Tours in Belfast

Belfast is such a compact city and the best way to explore the attractions and the cities history is by foot.  There are a number of different walking tours available throughout the city offering you a chance to explore the history, the street art, and parts of Belfast you may not notice yourself.

Tours are suitable for couples and young families and usually last 2-3 hours.  A walking tour is a great way to get your bearings of the city.  We would recommend booking a walking tour on the day you arrive at Clayton Hotel Belfast.  Check-in is available from 3.00 pm, however, you are welcome to drop your bags off earlier.

Belfast Mic n Bike Cycle Tour

The Belfast Mic n Bike guided cycle tour will take you on an 11km journey through history where you will discover Belfast’s unique and fascinating Maritime and Industrial Heritage and some of the Political upheavals that shaped the modern city.

For the first hour, you will cycle around the Historic Titanic Quarter and Clarendon Dock, exploring some of the remaining maritime infrastructures including Dry Docks, Pump Houses, and Gantry Cranes that were used to build over 1500 ships (including Titanic) and ensure Belfast’s place as an International Centre of Ship Building over 100 years ago.

The second hour of the tour explores Belfast’s growth from the early settlement around High Street, the English Civil Wars impact, and William III’s brief stay in the city. You will also look at the failed 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion in Belfast and its legacy. The tour proceeds into the heart of the Cathedral Quarter where you can view some of Belfast’s unique street art murals covering everything from ‘Van Morrison’ to ‘Game of Thrones’.

The tour uses a state-of-the-art wireless system so you have a small receiver unit and a single ear piece, which enables your friendly and informative guide to give you a commentary as you cycle. Your guide can also inform you of the route ahead and of parts of the route where caution should be exercised.

You can book this cycling tour here.

Tour price  – £20 pp (you supply the bike)

Tour Duration – Approximately 1.45 Hrs

Belfast Mic n Hike Belfast Walking Tour

Enjoy a unique guided walking tour along the River Lagan and the city center, where you will hear the fascinating stories of Belfast’s maritime/industrial heritage and political/religious upheavals. The tour includes access to the historic Harbour Office and you can learn of Belfast’s unique connection with the American Declaration of Independence. This tour ensures social distancing and also makes use of a state-of-the-art radio receiver and earpiece so every story and fact can be heard.

Tour highlights include:

• Views across the River Lagan to the Titanic Slipway.
• Clarendon Dry Docks (oldest in Ireland).
• Access into the historic Harbour Office to view the Heritage Room and Captain Smiths dining table.
• High Street, the story of Belfast’s origins, William III’s entry to Belfast, the United Irishmen Rebellion, the Belfast Newsletter’s connection to the American Declaration of Independence.
• The oldest surviving Church in Belfast and still in use, the historic 1st Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street.
• The Assembly Buildings and the story of the Belfast Slave ship Company.
• The Cathedral Quarter and the fantastic Commercial Court Cultural Murals.
• St Anne’s Cathedral (see the largest Celtic cross in the world) and Writers Square.
• Royal Avenue, Bank Square.
• The tour ends on the grounds of the fabulous City Hall at the Titanic Memorial, where your guide will highlight other fantastic sightseeing opportunities.

Tour starts at the Big Fish, Donegall Quay, and ends at the City Hall.

You can book this tour here.

Tour price  – £20 pp

Tour Duration – Approximately 1.45 Hrs

Lagan Legends Walking Tour

Go on a walking tour along the River Lagan from the Lagan Weir to the Thomson Dry Dock and discover the heritage and history of one of the world’s most historic maritime areas.

Highlights include the Titanic’s Slipways, see the last surviving White Star Ship the beautiful SS Nomadic, the last surviving ship from the WW1 Battle of Jutland the historic HMS Caroline, and see some of the surviving buildings and infrastructure.

Play a game of ‘Pitch & Toss’ (a popular game of chance using coins played by the shipyard workers) on Titanic’s iconic slipway using authentic Edwardian pennies. Afterward, you can enjoy a reviving tea/coffee in the Café 1404 at the finish point (Thomson Dry Dock).

The tour ensures social distancing and also makes use of a state-of-the-art radio receiver and earpiece so every story and fact can be heard.

You can book this tour here.

Tour price  – £20 pp

Rory’s Tours

Do not miss out on the opportunity to really discover Belfast with a guided tour of the city.  Step back in time with Rory’s stories and learn about the rich history, the politics, and the architecture as you take in the vibrant streets, the sights and sounds, and what makes Belfast unique.

The tour guide will bring the city to life in an entertaining and informative journey from the troubled times of the past to its exciting future. Some of the tour highlights include;

• Belfast City Hall – The jewel at the heart of Belfast, this magnificent Grade A listed building dates from 1906.
• Belfast’s Entries – A series of historical laneways at the heart of the commercial sector.
• Blitz Square – Outside of London, the site of the greatest number of lives lost during the blitz of 1941.
• The Albert Clock – Our leaning Tower, erected in 1865 as a memorial to Queen Victoria’s late husband.
• The Cathedral Quarter – A very attractive area of the city packed with busy pubs and home to thriving nightlife.
• St. Anne’s Cathedral – A stately building and site of the largest free-standing Celtic Cross in Ireland.
• Writer’s Square – A celebration of Northern Ireland’s rich literary heritage.
• The Crown Bar – A truly unique place steeped in history and a must-see for the thirsty traveler.

Employing a state-of-the-art tour guide system, the tour experience is provided in a relaxing and COVID-compliant manner.

You can book Rory’s tour here.

Tour price  – £15 per adult / £8 per child

Tour Duration – Approximately 2 Hrs

Sustainable Journeys Ireland

These tours are guided by Brigid Watson is a qualified tour guide, a local expert, and an environmentalist who specializes in doing tours around Strangford Lough, the Ards Peninsula, and Lecale Peninsula.

Highlights of the walking tours include:

• 2-hour tour of Portaferry coastal picturesque town
• 2-hour tour of Strangford village and including a woodland walk
• 2-hour tour on the shores of Strangford Lough
• 2-hour tour of Kearney NT historic village
• 2-hour tour of Cloughey maritime village.

With Sustainable Journeys Ireland, it is possible to combine 2 walking tours for a full half-day experience.

You can book a tour here.

 

Clayton Hotel Belfast

After a day exploring the amazing Belfast and its environs. Spend the evening over a delicious meal in Avenue 22 Restaurant and Bar before enjoying a comfortable night’s sleep in our spacious rooms.