Make the most of your Sunday

It's amazing how much you can pack into a Sunday! In Northern Ireland, there’s no shortage of things to do and places to dine on any given Sunday. Here’s a few places that will have you up and out making the most of your day.

Belfast Bike Tours

Belfast is a small city with a big heart. So what better way to get around it than by bike? If you’re new to the city, it’s a great way to get to know it. Join Belfast City Bike Tours on their terrific guided three-hour bicycle tour of the city. Along the way, you’ll take in the historic Cathedral Quarter, the Titanic Quarter, the University, St. George’s Market and more. Saddle up!

Cave Hill

With stunning panoramic views across Belfast on a clear day, Cave Hill is the perfect spot to catch a Sunday morning sunrise. You can climb to the top from various roads, but just be sure you leave via Belfast Castle so you can explore this beautiful estate and its gorgeous gardens.

Chocolate Manor Castlerock Chocolate Manor’s building has been part of Castlerock's main street for 120 years. Now transformed into an inviting artisan food emporium and chocolate experience space, walking through the door is like discovering your very own magical ‘olde chocolate shoppe’. This is a delicious hands-on experience where you get to temper chocolate, see how a salted caramel ganache is made and have a go at making your own batch of this tantalisingly tasty truffle mix. After a luxury hot chocolate (what else!), it’s time to handroll and decorate your truffles. Pure chocolate heaven!

Peace Bridge and lunch at Jack’s Bar

When in Derry~Londonderry, start your day sunny side up with a dander across the iconic Peace Bridge on your way to Jack’s Bar. As late morning sunshine flickers across the River Foyle, their Sunday lunch along with their live music will have you feeling the full Northern Ireland experience. With freshly cooked local ingredients, you’re all set for the afternoon ahead.

Banana Block

Inspired by the surprising solid connection between Belfast and bananas, a new living museum and events space set in a historic linen mill is ready to wow you in a way you could never imagine. Discover the history of Belfast-born bananas and get excited about what the future holds for this fascinating space. Visit their website, bananablock.org, for a full list of upcoming events.

Bodega Bagels pop-up at Banana Block on Sundays from 12-3.

Shopping in Belfast

Belfast is home to tons of great shops, restaurants and more indoors and out. St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest traditions where shoppers have been discovering

Chocolate Manor, Castlerock, Maritime Mile, Belfast Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Co. Armagh

incredible fresh produce, and regularly coming back for it, since 1604. This weekend market is one of the best in the UK and Ireland and well worth a visit. If you’re after high-street fashion, and panoramic views over Belfast, then pay a visit to Victoria Square, a leading shopping destination with over 70 shops and food spots for you to check out.

Daft Eddy’s, Killlinchy

Well, it’s not on the menu but the recommended appetiser here is a Sunday drive around the spectacularly beautiful Strangford Lough. It’ll probably be time for lunch after that. Or dinner. It’s definitely time for a helping of Daft Eddy's daily fresh seafood and a host of other dishes, all using local produce – and right next door to Strangford Lough Yacht Club.

X-Hale Forest Bathing

Get out into nature and practice mindfulness as you take in your surroundings with X-Hale Forest Bathing, in breathtaking Slieve Gullion. Bathe in the relaxing forest environment through your senses, without ever having to take your clothes off!

World of Owls

For a real hoot of a day, visit World of Owls, a delightful owl sanctuary at Randalstown Forest. Get to meet lots of owls from all over the world – and some of their furry bird-of-prey buddies like eagles, falcons, hawks and vultures! Meet the birds up-close, enjoy a guided tour; or witness the conservation work that this charityfunded sanctuary is involved in. Who-hoo are you going to bring along with you?

Theatre, music and

entertainment It’s showtime! So, whether it’s rising stars or established artists you’re after, you’ll find them all across this creative little corner of the world. The

Lyric, Grand Opera House, Ulster

Hall, The MAC, SSE Arena and Belfast Waterfront Hall are just some of the world-class venues putting on a show for you this spring.

Sundays on the Maritime Mile

Every Sunday experience the best local musical talent popping up at SoundYard and other locations along the Maritime Mile, including SS Nomadic, RiverBox and Titanic Hotel's Drawing Room 1. From opera and singer-songwriters to jazz, trad, folk, indie and electronic, the best of Northern Ireland will blow you away. And if you needed any extra incentive to come along, all events are free! The self-guided Maritime Mile trail is a fun, refreshing way to spend an afternoon taking in Belfast at your own pace.

Ulster Transport Museum

Ulster Folk Museum, Ulster Museum

and the Ulster Transport Museum are open every Sunday. Take a trip into our past at the Ulster Transport Museum in Cultra, just a short drive from Belfast. If you’re a railway enthusiast, you’ve a treat in store too. There’s an impressive collection of steam locomotives, passenger carriages and goods wagons to explore. While in the Museum of Innovation you can take a trip back to the future and check out Northern Ireland's famous DeLorean car with its iconic gull wing doors and infamous reputation.

Sea Swimming

For a unique perspective on Northern Ireland’s stunning coastline and aquatic wonders, why not try an exhilarating Sunday swim in the sea? From Bangor to Ballintoy there’s a host of great spots to take a dip in Northern Ireland. Scan the QR code to check out our wild swimming guide.

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There's never a dull moment in Northern Ireland and the weekends are no exception! So weherever you want the weekend to take you, plan it in Northern Ireland.