Titanic Belfast is a rich multimedia spectacle standing on the site where the eponymous ill-fated luxury liner was built and first launched. Opened in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s infamous maiden—and only—voyage, Titanic Belfast swiftly became one of Northern Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits chronicle the rise of Belfast as an industrial superpower, re-create the city’s shipyard experience circa the early 1900s, and chart every detail of the construction of the Titanic, from bridge to passenger quarters.
The Basics
Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest RMS Titanic visitor attraction, comprising nine interpretive and interactive galleries focused on the short history of the famous ship. Its exhibits fill six floors and include interactive discovery zones, full-scale reconstructions with special effects, and real-life accounts from survivors of the tragic wreck. Highlights include the Ocean Exploration Centre, with live links to modern underwater explorations, and the luxurious Titanic Banqueting Hall. All is visitable as a self-guided tour or with an audio guide (extra free), though staff are on hand throughout the exhibition to give extra information and guidance. Many travelers Belfast visit this site as part of a hop-on hop-off bus tour or with stand-alone tickets. It’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Dublin that also includes time at Giant’s Causeway.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Avoid entry lines by booking tickets in advance.
- The average Titanic Belfast visitor experience takes one to three hours hours.
- The site fully wheelchair accessible, with wheelchairs available for use if necessary.
- Euros are accepted as payment within the complex; however, change will be given in pound sterling.
- The galley café serves Sunday afternoon tea, and there’s a gift shop on site.
- Standard admission includes access to the SS Nomadic, a tender to the Titanic.
How to Get There
Titanic Belfast is located in the Titanic Quarter, about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from Belfast’s city center. With a hop-on hop-off bus tour, you can get transportation there and back from Belfast city, and see the famous ship on your own time.
When to Get There
The site is open daily with varying seasonal hours: 10am to 5pm October through March; 9am to 6pm in April, May, and September; and 9am to 7pm June through August. Last admission is allowed one hour and 45 minutes before closing time. The site is busiest on weekend afternoons.
Wreckage Artifacts
The Titanic Belfast has decided not to include artifacts salvaged from the Titanic wreck site and debris field for ethical reasons. Yet the nine Titanic Experience galleries showcase many other fascinating original items, including the lunch menu that first-class passengers received on the fateful day, original launch-day tickets, and the gold pocket watch worn by Lord Pirrie, who oversaw all elements of the Titanic’s construction. Yet the pièce de résistance is the ship’s 33-foot (10-meter) longitudinal plan, the most expensive Titanic artifact ever sold at auction.
