Belfast: Black Cab Political Murals Tour & Peace Wall

Summary

Ride through Belfast’s murals, stories & the Peace Wall

You’ll ride through Belfast’s neighborhoods in an iconic black taxi with pickup included, see famous murals along Shankill and Falls Road, and hear personal stories from your local guide. Sign your name on the Peace Wall if you want—these moments stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We climbed into the black cab right near our hotel — I’d seen them before but never expected to be sitting inside one, chatting with our driver (Tommy, who grew up just a few streets over). The first thing I noticed was how he slowed down at Divis Tower, pointing out details I’d have missed: faded graffiti, a kid kicking a ball against a wall that looked like it had seen everything. The air felt damp, but not cold — just that Belfast drizzle that never really soaks you. Tommy asked if we’d heard about the tower during “the Troubles.” I admitted I hadn’t, and he just nodded like he’d heard that a thousand times.

Driving along Falls Road and then Shankill, we stopped more than once for Tommy to tell us stories behind the political murals. Some were bright and almost cheerful from a distance; up close you could see layers of paint covering older slogans. He explained what each symbol meant — honestly, half of it went over my head but his pride was obvious. At one point he laughed when I tried to pronounce “Tiocfaidh ár lá” (I definitely butchered it). We met an older woman sweeping her steps who waved at Tommy — they exchanged a few words in that fast Northern Irish accent and she winked at us. It felt weirdly intimate for such a public place.

The Peace Wall was taller than I expected. People had signed it in dozens of languages. Tommy handed me a marker and said go on then — so I did, next to someone’s scrawled “hope” from Barcelona. There was this faint smell of spray paint mixed with rain on concrete. He told us about growing up with the wall as part of daily life; I could hear something heavy in his voice even though he kept things light most of the time. We passed Sinn Fein’s building too — there’s a Hunger Strike memorial right outside that made me pause longer than I thought I would.

I still think about that drive sometimes — how ordinary everything seemed until you started listening properly. If you want to understand Belfast even just a little bit (and not just snap photos), this black cab tour is probably where you should start. Not sure my marker signature will last long on the Peace Wall but maybe that’s sort of the point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Belfast political murals and landmarks

• Visit west Belfast and Divis Tower
• See international and local murals
• Stop at Belfast Interface and sign wall
• View Sinn Fein Building and Hunger Strike Memorial
• Explore iconic political and cultural murals

Top questions

How long does the Belfast Black Cab tour take?

The tour covers key sites in west Belfast and typically lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is pickup included for this black taxi tour?

Yes, inner city pickup is included for your convenience.

Are children or infants allowed on the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join and may ride in a pram or stroller.

Is this Belfast political murals tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and all areas can accommodate wheelchairs.

Can I sign my name on the Belfast Peace Wall during the tour?

Yes, there is an opportunity to stop along the Peace Wall and sign your name if you wish.

Will we have a local guide for this black cab experience?

Your driver is an experienced and accredited local guide who shares personal stories throughout the tour.

What are some main stops on this day trip?

Main stops include Divis Tower, International and Local Murals on Falls Road and Shankill Road, Sinn Fein Building with Hunger Strike Memorial, and the Belfast Peace Wall.

Are service animals allowed on this black cab tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted during the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup within central Belfast by an iconic black taxi driven by an accredited local guide; stops at Divis Tower, Shankill Road murals, Falls Road murals including Sinn Fein’s building with its Hunger Strike Memorial; time to sign your name at the Peace Wall; plus full accessibility for wheelchairs or strollers if needed.