Dublin vs Belfast – two remarkable cities as different as night and day, so which is better to see?
The island of Ireland is unlike anywhere else in the world, with its rich heritage, rugged scenery, warm hospitality and vibrant culture, so of course, many people want to visit and experience it first-hand.
When considering a trip to the Emerald Isle, it is common to wonder which city is better to visit – Dublin or Belfast.
While each city has its unique charm, history and pivotal landmarks, it may turn out that one city suits your interests more, and that is what we will delve into in this article.
Dublin effortlessly combines its medieval roots with a cosmopolitan atmosphere; on the other hand, Belfast has undergone a significant transformation under the watchful eye of the world, making it a very intriguing place to visit.
It is clear that Dublin and Belfast both have a lot to offer visitors, but let’s explore further with some interesting facts and a deeper understanding of what makes these cities worth a visit.
Ireland Before You Die’s interesting facts about Dublin and Belfast:
Dublin:
- Dublin is the centre of business, culture and politics for the Republic of Ireland and has a population of 1.4 million.
- Dublin has been voted Europe’s friendliest city multiple times, making it alluring to potential visitors.
- Dublin is one of the continent’s most expensive cities, far outweighing the prices of Belfast City.
- Ireland’s capital city is known for the Guinness Storehouse, Ha’penny Bridge, the homeplace of the Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, stunning architecture, and more.
Belfast:
- Belfast is where the famous Titanic was built, and today, there is now the Titanic Museum and shipyard to be explored.
- Highlights of the city include Belfast City Hall, St. George’s Market, the Peace Walls, the history, Black Taxi Tours, Belfast Castle, the Ulster Museum, Titanic Belfast, and much more.
- Belfast went through a period of tragedies and hardship known as the Troubles, which divided nationalists and loyalists.
- The population of Belfast City is just 293,298, much less than Dublin City’s 544,107. Belfast city centre is also much smaller than Dublin, making it very easy to navigate.
Dublin vs Belfast – an overview of two fascinating Irish cities
To determine which city is best to visit, it is imperative to get an overview of each city and what visitors can expect.
Dublin is famous for landmarks such as Temple Bar, Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Storehouse, plus it is home to one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe – The Phoenix Park.
While the city is one of the most expensive in Europe, there are plenty of ways to visit on a budget.
Many attractions are free to visit, and the city centre is walkable, allowing you to see and do a lot quickly.
Public transport is excellent, with the DART, LUAS tram, and Dublin Bus all operating across the city.
READ MORE: Dublin Bucket List: 25+ best things to do in Dublin
Belfast is a smaller, cheaper city to visit, and one of its main draws is its close proximity to The Giants Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and countless Game of Thrones filming locations.
The city is cleverly divided into seven quarters, and visitors can enjoy exploring the Titanic Quarter, Cathedral Quarter or Market Quarter.
Public transport in Belfast is affordable and readily available, but not necessary to explore the city centre as it is small enough to walk.
When comparing the costs, Dublin is generally 30% more expensive than Belfast for rent, groceries, taxis, nightlife and hotels.
You can expect to pay around €6.50 for a pint of Guinness or standard lager in Dublin, while a pint in Belfast will set you back around £5 (€5.83).
However, these prices are constantly changing. It is worth noting that Belfast uses sterling, while Dublin deals in euros.
MORE: 20 best things to do in Belfast for 2024 (we’ve tried them all)
The ultimate question – which city is worth visiting more?
Dublin vs Belfast, which one suits you? Dublin is a fantastic option if you venture further towards Cork, Kerry or the west of Ireland.
It is also an excellent choice for history buffs, culinary enthusiasts and nature lovers since the city was home to many literary greats, offers excellent coastal and mountain hiking and features some of Europe’s best eateries.
Dublin may not be a good option if you are on a tight budget and want to see places like the Causeway Coast and other attractions on the island’s north.
Belfast is an excellent option for budget travellers since you can expect to pay significantly less for food, drink, accommodation and transport – since you can explore much of this city on foot.
The city offers some fascinating tours, such as the Black Cab Tours, to showcase the city’s turbulent history and how it has transformed into a progressive and safe area.
Conversely, Belfast may not be ideal if you want to enjoy a more extended city break since Dublin is much bigger and has many more aspects to discover over time.
RELATED READING: Is Belfast safe? Stay out of trouble with our guide
Dublin vs Belfast – a subjective decision
So, Dublin vs Belfast? The decision is, of course, a subjective one. While both cities are very different and have unique things to offer, Belfast may be an ideal choice for an action-packed, budget-friendly city break.
At the same time, Dublin is perfect for food lovers and those looking for a cosmopolitan city escape.
While some say Dublin is the more welcoming, sophisticated city with so much to offer, we can’t help but advise those looking for a unique city venture to consider visiting the often-overlooked city of Belfast, with its fascinating history, natural attractions and affordable nightlife.
The final verdict – which city we would choose
When it comes to getting great value for money out of your trip, we would have to say that Belfast is an excellent choice.
The city has some fascinating heritage attractions, a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, a great variety of bars and restaurants and lots of shopping opportunities to take advantage of, all of which are cheaper than Dublin.
Let’s not forget about the great attractions that can be visited as a day trip from Belfast, which is certainly another highlight in my opinion.
In terms of crime, I would also say that Dublin’s crime rate has been on the rise in recent years, so Belfast is certainly the safer option; that’s not to say that Dublin is necessarily ‘dangerous’.
Lastly, you will get a better bang for your buck in Belfast if you are visiting the popular nightlife scene, which is always good to hear, compared to the rising prices in Dublin. So, which will it be, Belfast vs Dublin?
Notable mentions
The Peace Walls: Belfast is known for its peace walls, which are still in place today, initially to separate Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods.
Crime in NI: Despite its history of civil unrest, Northern Ireland now has the second-lowest crime rate in Europe.
Day trip opportunities: Plenty of day trips from Dublin, such as Glendalough, Cliffs of Moher and Kilkenny Castle, make it an excellent base for exploring.
Northside vs Southside: Dublin is home to two regions colloquially known as the northside (traditionally working class) and southside (an affluent area), separated by the river Liffey and has had a long-standing friendly rivalry.
Your questions answered about this topic
If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and popular questions that have been asked online about this topic.
Is Dublin or Belfast better for nightlife?
While Dublin is more extensive and offers many more events and options, Belfast is cheaper.
Is Belfast more developed than Dublin?
Dublin is considered more developed than Belfast regarding infrastructure and international recognition.
Where is it cheaper, Dublin or Belfast?
Belfast is cheaper than Dublin in many ways, and you can get more bang for your buck when visiting this city. However, prices in Belfast are on the rise.
