Belfast: Black Taxi Tour of Murals & Peace Wall with Local Insight

Summary

Stories and murals from both sides of Belfast’s past

You’ll ride through Belfast’s streets in a black taxi with guides who’ve lived both sides of its story. Expect honest conversations at murals and memorial gardens, time to reflect at the Peace Wall, and city centre pickup that makes things easy. This isn’t just sightseeing — you’ll feel the weight and hope of Belfast’s past right beside you.

What’s the experience like?

We squeezed into the back of the black taxi outside Donegall Square East — still a bit groggy from an early breakfast. Our driver, Sean, shook my hand and then nodded to my friend (who nearly tripped getting in). He told us straight away: “I’m Protestant, my mate who runs other cabs is Catholic. That’s how we do it.” I didn’t expect that kind of honesty right off the bat. The engine hummed as we pulled away, rain smudging the windows, and Sean started pointing out the first mural before I’d even found my seatbelt.

The West Belfast murals are bigger than I thought — some angry, some sad, some just… tired. We stopped at one with bright blues and reds; Sean explained what each symbol meant, but honestly I got lost halfway through because a group of kids were playing football nearby and their laughter kind of echoed around the street. There was this moment where he paused at a memorial garden, letting us just stand there in silence for a minute. You could smell wet grass and something faintly sweet — maybe someone had left flowers? It felt heavy but not hopeless.

Driving along the Peace Wall was strange. It’s taller than any photo shows, patched with graffiti and messages in all sorts of languages. Sean handed me a marker and said I could write something if I wanted — I froze up, so my friend wrote “Peace someday?” Li laughed at my handwriting (or lack thereof). The whole time, Sean kept things balanced — never picking sides but sharing stories from both. It wasn’t comfortable exactly, but it felt real. We ended back in the city centre; I still think about that wall sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Belfast murals and peace sites

• See west Belfast wall art
• Visit the peace wall
• Explore memorial gardens

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Belfast black taxi tour?

Yes, pickup is included at 2 Donegall Square East in Belfast City Centre.

Are all taxis used for this tour traditional London black cabs?

No, not all cabs are London black taxis—some may be different models.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

Can infants or small children join the tour?

Yes, infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in a pram or stroller.

What will I see on this black taxi tour?

You’ll see West Belfast murals, the Peace Wall, and several memorial gardens.

How does this tour cover both Catholic & Protestant perspectives?

The company is owned by both a Catholic and Protestant to ensure non-biased storytelling.

Are public transportation options nearby after the tour?

Yes, there are public transportation options available near the pickup/drop-off point.

What Covid-19 measures are taken for these tours?

Cabs are cleaned before and after each tour; hand sanitiser is available inside cabs.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at 2 Donegall Square East in Belfast City Centre with transportation by black taxi (not always traditional London style), guided stops at West Belfast murals, visits to peace walls and memorial gardens—all led by locals who share stories from both sides of Northern Ireland’s history. Wheelchair access is available throughout.