We will be in Belfast for a day on a cruise and someone suggested doing a taxi tour that includes murals and politics. There are several companies listed online. Does anyone have a recommendation? Do you have to book the tour in advance, or can you book it when you are in town? It looks like some of them start near the City Hall area. I don't know exactly what time we will make to town, so I didn't want to book a tour in advance if I didn't have to. The cruise ship docks about 35 minutes from town. Thank you.
Posted by
Gainesville, Florida
14 posts
We used Paddy's Black Cab Tour (https://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/ ) and were really pleased with the driver/guide and the tour. We booked online, but if you are not sure of your time window, then all you need to do is call a day or two in advance as your plans firm up. The other thing we liked is that they pick up and drop off for free anywhere within the Belfast city limits. The overall price was very reasonable as the tour was so interesting. You don't stay in the black cab the whole time, you have several stops (Peace Wall, etc.) where the driver will guide you to areas and give you a chance to stretch your legs while learning more about that particular area. Lastly, unless they have changed their policy, they only take cash payments (£); so be prepared for that for the fare plus tip.
I will also recommend if you have a full day in Belfast to take in the Titanic Museum, one of the best museums I have seen.
Posted by
Northern Ireland , United Kingdom
2 posts
I actually hate as a person born in Northern Ireland the black taxi tours, why? well it gives the visitor we all live the way that they show you in the parts of Belfast they take you to, when this is not the case, go to the middle and upper class parts of Belfast (Malone road and Lisburn road and Stormont in East belfast) and you will find people from both back grounds living together in harmony, Most Northern Irish people have friends from both communities and family as well, so i feel theblack taxi tours give Non Northern Irish people a rather blinkered view of Northern Ireland, where NI is like a onion there are many many layers to it, not just the P and C thing, and most places outside of places like Belfast and Derry/Londonderry people get on fine, I am originally from the North Coast of Northern Ireland near the Giants causeway and people mix fine from the part of NI I am from, not saying sectarianism does not exist it does but it depends on your background your social class and your up bringing, I am from a Protestant back ground and have many many dear catholic friends who I am close to just wanted to chip in and bring a Northern Irish view :)