The 11 Best History Tours in Northern Ireland

1.A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,883 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Walk 1.5 miles through central Belfast with guides such as James, Anne, Mylie, and Róisín. Hear balanced accounts of The Troubles, personal memories, political context, and the city’s path toward peace. The flat 2.5-hour route uses headsets and ends near the River Lagan.

“Incredible. To my shame I was originally dissapointed that our guide Mylie was an American but that changed within the first 30 seconds of her speaking. She really really knows her stuff and delivered it in a very engaging way. It’s the best city tour I’ve ever done anywhere. I grew up during the Troubles and quickly realised that being English I have only ever heard one side of the story. It was great getting both sides of it on the tour. I really appreciated hearing the individual stories of people as well as the political history. Belfast is a great city but this just put the icing on the…”

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2.Walking Bogside History Tour in Guildhall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27Best value

Walk from Derry Guildhall into the Bogside, tracing the route of the 1972 march and visiting the Museum of Free Derry, Free Derry Corner, and the Bloody Sunday monument. Guides such as Jimmy Toye, John, Paul, Neil, and McCrea share personal insight into the Troubles.

“We had a personal tour with an educated guide who had experienced the troubles first hand. Mc Craig was informative and passionate. We would recommend the tour to others.”

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3.Private Political History & Murals Tour Belfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 182 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $76

Ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with guides such as Sean, Brian, Brendan, or Thomas, stopping at Belfast’s Peace Wall, Shankill Road, Falls Road, and Crumlin Road Gaol for a clear, personal account of The Troubles.

“Really interesting journey through history. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and took our endless questions in his stride.”

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4.Belfast Political/history/troubles private taxi/cab tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Take a private taxi through Belfast’s Falls Road and Shankill Road with a local guide such as Caolan or Diarmaid. Stop at murals, community gates, and the Peace Wall while learning about the Troubles from both sides. Hotel pickup is available, with extra taxi charges outside central Belfast.

“One of a kind tour with local perspective . I enjoyed meeting my guide and getting to know the history of his community , while seeing the murals and landmarks of the war. I especially appreciated the accounts of the people involved in the fighting, marches, hunger strikes and work for peace . What I learned today was an eye opener and will stay with me . Thank you , Diarmaid!”

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5.Belfast Walking Tour: City Centre History, Troubles & Stories

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $30

Walk central Belfast with local guide Corey, taking in City Hall, the Linen Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, the Big Fish, and peace sculptures. Expect clear stories about industry, politics, the Troubles, and daily life, with audio headsets, a small group of up to 15, and plenty of time for questions.

“Corey walked us around the sights of Belfast. He's an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and approachable. Held our attention for two hours. We saw the Leaning Tower of Belfast. A piece of art nicknamed The onion rings and other sites/sights of historic interest. P.S. He didn't mind us joining the group fifteen minutes late when we caught up with him after our late lunch which I contacted him about.”

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6.1 Hour Express Belfast Taxi/Cab Tour History, Murals, Troubles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $89

Take a one-hour private black taxi tour through Belfast’s Falls Road, Divis, Peace Wall, and Shankill Road. A local driver, possibly Brendan, explains the Troubles through personal experience, political murals, and landmarks such as the Bobby Sands mural and bullet-marked Falls Road Library.

“this is a must do tour when travelling to Belfast. We went with Brendan and what he didn't know about the troubles wasn't worth knowing. He grew up as a child throughout this time, so gave amazing insight to what went on. We learned so much more than we ever knew!”

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7.Belfast political history and mural unique private 90 min tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $272

You’ll tour Belfast in a private black cab with guides such as Tony, Brendan, Mark, Sean, Robert, Paddy, or Barry. Expect a measured look at the Troubles, IRA and UVF/UFF murals, memorial gardens, peace walls, and gates, with time for questions and pickup near City Hall.

“Brendan our guide was a lovely friendly man. He told us the history and significance of places, murals, memorial gardens, the walls, the gates, everything. An amazing insight into what has been going on in Belfast, the history and the recent times. As a resident of England, I have never heard the real stories told by a local. Such a valuable lesson for us.”

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8.Belfast by the Glass: alternative history of Belfast, sip by sip.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $68

At The Spirit Circle on High Street, a host leads you through six chapters of Belfast history, from wolves in Ireland to modern Belfast, with six matched drinks. The 90-minute English-language experience serves full-sized pours, not tiny samples, for groups of up to 18.

“Party of 3 adults - We literally landed in Belfast and came straight to this experience. We were looking for a bit of geeky history and also a good drink! This experience did not disappoint! The venue is absolutely beautiful, centrally located and easy to find. The experience itself is wonderful, it's interesting, the graphics on the walls really embed the story and the drinks... (THE DRINKS!) please don't come here thinking it's a small taster session, there are 6 DECENT sized drinks served. You will leave more drunk than you came in! Just have to add that the customer service and engagement from the vendor through VIATOR was also…”

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9.2 Hour Terror and Mural History Belfast taxi Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $190

This two-hour Belfast taxi tour follows the city’s Troubles-era fault lines, from the Peace Wall and Bobby Sands mural to Clonard, Bombay Street, Crumlin Road Gaol, and Shankill Road. Expect an English-speaking guide, hotel-area pickup, a small-group setting, and direct historical commentary.

“By far the best tour I’ve been on in the UK. Very informative and will help me write an important paper about it. My guide was actually shot during the Troubles, gave an equal and balanced view of both sides of the conflict, and showed me and talked to me about a lot of things the UK government doesn’t want the general international community to know. This is an essential tour for those who respect history or are involved in modern politics.”

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10.History of Belfast conflict and terror 1 hour black taxi tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $103

Spend about an hour touring Belfast’s divided neighborhoods by black taxi. Your English-speaking driver-guide explains Republican and Loyalist viewpoints, visits the Bobby Sands mural, Divis, Clonard Monastery, the Peace Wall, and Shankill Road, and shares personal memories of The Troubles. Pickup is available near Belfast City Hall.

“We had Brian as our driver and he was fantastic. His commentary and knowledge was exemplary, this tour was truly an eye opener. Our only issue was that we had to contact the company to find out why they didn't turn up. There appeared to be an issue with the booking but it was cleared straight away and Brian picked us up.”

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11.This is Belfast Walking Tours. Our history, our culture.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $27

Walk central Belfast in a small group of up to 15, beginning at the Big Fish and ending at City Hall. An English-speaking guide covers the River Lagan, industrial Belfast, the 1798 rebellion, Presbyterian reformers, the Cathedral Quarter, Victorian grandeur, the Troubles, and Titanic remembrance over 2 to 3 hours.

“Great tour for a first time visitor to Belfast- very informative and learnt a lot throughout the tour that I didn’t know before! Thank you- would definitely recommend!”

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