City in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Belfast for solo travelers
Is Belfast good for solo travel?
Compact, friendly capital of Northern Ireland with Titanic history, political murals, great pubs and quick access to the Causeway Coast. Cheap for the UK; some areas still carry sectarian tension.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in the center and Queen's Quarter. Use taxis late and avoid unlit parks at night. |
How to meet people in Belfast
Pub quizzes and trad sessions in Cathedral Quarter, walking tours, hostels near Botanic, and mural and Troubles tours with locals.
Good things to do alone
- Take a political mural tour in a black cab
- Visit Titanic Belfast and the slipways
- Day trip to the Giant's Causeway by train and bus
- Hear live trad music at a pub session
- Walk Cave Hill for views over the lough
Where to stay in Belfast
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cathedral Quarter | Pubs, live music, restaurants; central and lively |
| Queen's Quarter (Botanic and University) | Students, cafés, the Botanic Gardens, easy walking |
| City Centre (Donegall Square) | First-timers: City Hall, shops, transport hub |
| Titanic Quarter | Waterfront apartments, Titanic Belfast, quieter nights |
| Ormeau Road | Local pubs, cafés, cheaper rents south of the center |
Solo travel across United Kingdom
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| London | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edinburgh | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bristol | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manchester | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Liverpool | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Glasgow | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brighton | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottish Highlands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| York | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake District | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cornwall | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Belfast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cardiff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Birmingham | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Leeds | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Snowdonia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Oxford | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bath | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cambridge | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Isle of Skye | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cotswolds | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Belfast good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Compact, friendly capital of Northern Ireland with Titanic history, political murals, great pubs and quick access to the Causeway Coast.
How do you meet people in Belfast?
Pub quizzes and trad sessions in Cathedral Quarter, walking tours, hostels near Botanic, and mural and Troubles tours with locals. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Belfast?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Belfast safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in the center and Queen's Quarter. Use taxis late and avoid unlit parks at night.
More about Belfast
Going to Belfast solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Belfast meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.