Belfast: Murals & Peace Wall Walking Tour with Local Guide

The murals tell stories Belfast stopped hiding

You walk 2.5 to 3 hours through Belfast's street art scene with a local guide, moving from the Cathedral Quarter's international murals to Shankill's political art and the Peace Wall itself. You'll see the Bobby Sands mural, learn how the re-imaging project works with communities, and understand how the city is moving past conflict. The tour ends back in the city centre, and you'll need moderate fitness and weather-appropriate clothing for the walk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cathedral Quarter Belfast30m
2. Shankill15m
3. Belfast Peace Wall10m

Belfast street art and murals walk

• Discover modern street art
• View Loyalist murals in Shankill
• See murals for global causes
• View the Belfast Peace Wall
• See Bobby Sands mural
• Return to city centre passing murals

The experience

You round a corner in the Cathedral Quarter and suddenly there's a wall covered in color, not tourist art, but the work of international street artists who've made Belfast their canvas over the last decade. The shift catches you off guard. This isn't what you expected when you booked a tour about the Troubles. The city's moved on, or at least it's trying to, and the newer murals are proof of it. Your guide walks you through the difference between what's here now and what came before, pointing out how the re-imaging project works with local communities to decide which art goes up and what story it tells.

Then you head west into Shankill, where the murals change tone entirely. These are older, more direct: Loyalist murals that speak to a different history, a different side of the conflict. Your guide doesn't gloss over it. You see the Bobby Sands mural, probably the most photographed one in the Republican areas, and you understand why it matters. The walk moves between these two worlds, and the guide explains how Northern Ireland is actually working toward peace, what that looks like on the ground, not in a textbook. It's a 2.5 to 3 hour walk, so you're moving the whole time, but not rushed.

The Peace Wall itself is the moment that lands hardest. It's still there, still separating communities, and seeing it in person, not in a photo, makes the whole tour click into place. You pass more street art on the way back to the city centre, and by then you're reading the walls differently. Your guide's local knowledge means you're not just seeing murals. You're understanding what they mean to the people who live here.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a local guide who leads the 2.5 to 3 hour walk through Belfast's street art, political murals, and the Peace Wall.
• You'll visit the Cathedral Quarter, Shankill, see the Bobby Sands mural, view the Peace Wall that separates communities, and pass additional street art on the return to the city centre.
• Public transportation is available nearby to reach the starting point.

Options for this experience

2 options

Political MuralGuide in English · 10:30, 14:00 and 14:30Lasts 3 hours. Into the West: starts in the Cathedral Quarter, winds into west Belfast up Divis Street, and returns via the Shankill.

Private TourGuide in English · 10:30, 14:00 and 14:30Private Troubles tour, operated by the operator

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30, 14:00 and 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 75 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by belfastology walking tours

Is this one for you?This tour works well if you want to understand Belfast's recent history and current culture through its street art without arranging a guide yourself. The local knowledge is what makes the political and social context of the murals actually make sense, rather than just looking at painted walls.

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Top questions

How long is the Belfast murals walking tour?

The tour runs 2.5 to 3 hours, covering the Cathedral Quarter, Shankill, and the Peace Wall with stops at key murals including the Bobby Sands mural.

What areas of Belfast does the tour cover?

The tour includes the Cathedral Quarter, Shankill, and the Peace Wall area in West Belfast, finishing back in the city centre.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, and you'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the 2.5 to 3 hour walk.

What should I wear on the Belfast murals tour?

Dress for variable weather. It can rain and be colder than expected. Sunglasses and sun cream are optional depending on the day, but weather-appropriate clothing is essential.

What is the re-imaging project mentioned on the tour?

Re-imaging is a project that works with local communities to decide which street art and murals are displayed, allowing neighborhoods to share the stories they want to tell.

Will I see political murals on this tour?

Yes, the tour includes both Loyalist and Republican political murals, as well as modern street art by international artists. Your guide explains the context and history behind them.

Is public transport available near the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby, making it easy to reach the starting point.

What is the Bobby Sands mural?

The Bobby Sands mural is the most photographed mural in the Republican area of West Belfast and is a key stop on the tour.