Belfast Political Tour-Conflicting Stories Walking Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Belfast, Northern Ireland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore Belfast with local guides during this half-day walking tour. Join ex-political prisoners, who served time in jail for standing up for their beliefs, to learn about the political history of Belfast. Hear stories about the two opposing views of The Troubles and visit city landmarks including the Peace Wall and the murals along Shankill Road.
- Learn about the political history of Belfast
- Explore the city on foot with local guides
- See the political murals along Shankill Road
- Meet ex-political prisoners who share their personal stories
What's Included
- Two Tours Guides one each side of the Peace Wall
- Two local tour guides — one from each side of the conflict
- Personal stories and historical commentary
- Free admission to the sites visited along the route
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup/drop-off (you meet at Divis Tower)
- Gratuities/tips
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Divis TowerBelfast BT12 4QA, UK
Meet the guide outside Divis Tower (tall red and white apartment building)
End point
- 154 Shankill Rd, Belfast BT13 2BE, UK
Tour ends at the Lower Shankill Road which is a 8 minute walk back to the start and 15 minutes back to city centre. Guide will assist in directions or obtaining a taxi for the guest.
Itinerary
Peace Wall (Pass By)
1
Bobby Sands Mural
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Shankill Road
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 531 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
harriet_c, Aug 2026
Extremely informative presentation about the Troubles by activists on both sides. Walked through the neighborhoods where the battles took place. The dramatic and huge amount of visual displays from each side show that there still exists strong emotions and separation of the 2 sides.
Terry_L, Jul 2026
It was great to hear both sides of a very complex story. Both told by people that have been through experiences growing up in their respected areas. Highly recommended and a great end to the tour was a couple of pints in Rex bar on the Shankill rd.
Christine_G, Jul 2026
This was a sensitive and informative tour to learn more about the political situation in Northern Ireland and its impact upon the communities and individuals most affected.
In choosing this tour, I wanted to learn more about the troubles but was concerned that a bus or other tour might be disrespectful and voyeuristic. I ended up choosing this one and was so glad I did. The two tour guides, one from each community, shared their experiences of growing up during the troubles with huge generosity and grace. There was also respect for the existence of alternative points of view. They were also very knowledgeable and explained the history and context, leading up to the start of the “troubles”. They shared their hopes for the future of peace and for healing the individuals and communities that have been so impacted. Three days on and I am still thinking about all that I saw and heard.
Although, deeply moving and uncomfortable at times (bad things happened to good people) my overall takeaway was a message of resilience and hope. And that humour and lightness and small acts of kindness can prevail even in the darkest of times.
Overall, I thought it was great. And good value.
In a practical note. Finding the start point was easy. Finding the guide was easy. Communication prior to the tour was good. I felt very safe, accompanied by the tour guides. There is the opportunity for a quick “tea and wee” half way around. It takes about 2 hours. Processing all that I saw and heard may take a bit longer!
Mary_H, Jul 2026
This had to have been one of the most fascinating tours we did this trip. The 2 unique perspectives blew my mind. We had no idea that the walls were still very much in place and the gates still used. If you only have one time for a Troubles tour then it should be this one. Thank you very much to both guides. So interesting and educational.
Carole_F, Jul 2026
As we live in the UK & remember very well the troubles of N.I. it was good seeing the areas that we saw consistently in the news. It was extremely interesting to hear about this era from both sides of the preach wall.
marian_f, Jul 2026
If you want to know about the history do this tour. We had 2 guides both were excellent. Very passionate about their country.
Mandy_G, Jul 2026
We really enjoyed this political tour of West Belfast. It provided valuable insight into the history and perspectives of both the nationalist/republican and loyalist communities, and our guides were knowledgeable and engaging throughout. It was fascinating to hear from guides who had lived through the conflict and were willing to share their personal experiences and stories with us.
I especially enjoyed the part of the tour in the nationalist/Irish area and could easily have spent more time there, simply because I found it so interesting and our guide Paul did such a great job. This is simply a reflection of my personal interest rather than a criticism of the loyalist section, which was also informative and important for understanding the broader context. Overall, it was valuable to hear both perspectives, and to me the tour provided a mostly balanced introduction to Belfast's complex history. Both guides were respectful about the other guide and their stories.
The guide also warned us that an Orange Order march would be taking place after the tour. Seeing it in person, immediately after everything we'd learned, was quite a surreal experience. It wasn't part of the tour itself, but it really highlighted how the area's history continues to be part of daily life. I found it a bit unsettling to be honest.
Overall, I'd still highly recommend this tour to anyone!
Michelle_S, Jun 2026
Using their personal stories was an interesting way to learn about the history of the Troubles. Both tour guides were knowledgeable. It was a solid three hours with a break halfway through for about 10 minutes. if you can’t walk for three hours, pick a different tour. At times, it was a little hard to hear because you’re on the streets of Belfast and there is a lot of traffic and noise. Both tour guides were open to questions.
rob_s, Jun 2026
A great 3 and a bit hours.
Def a tour of two halves, the first was very factual with lots of important dates and events that shaped the society of NI.
The second half was very much an emotional roller coaster of events told first hand that drew heavily on personal experience whilst growing up through 80s and 90s.
A very informative tour highly recommende
Stacey_K, Jun 2026
Because of the personal experiences of both guides, the tour was not only full of facts but real and authentic
Patricia and the second guide were both great
John_V, Jun 2026
Divided into two different halves, completely different views from each side. A bit of history knowledge before you go would help.
Janice_R, Jun 2026
Very heavy tour with so much information. Hard to see a solution for peace. If you want both sides of the story, this is it.
Linda_S, May 2026
The Nationalist part of the tour was better than the Union side. Not enough information on Union side just moving from one memorial to the dead to another.
Elaine_C, May 2026
Interestingly insights on the divided truths regarding the recent past conflict in Northern Ireland. Recommend entering the tour with an open mind to understand both sides. The first guide, Paul, was fantastic and very well prepared.
Meredith_R, May 2026
I enjoyed this tour, and especially learning about the different sides of the Troubles from guided with ties to the Nationalist and Unionist communities, respectively. The conversations humanized the Troubles, and gave me a lot to think about going forward.
Simon_L, May 2026
Well worth doing this tour you learn so much from both sides, it’s three hours well spent just make sure you can walk a good distance.
Lise_M, Apr 2026
This was a 3 hour walking tour. The group was large. The tour split for Irish interpretation first we found better. The guide spoke loudly, personal stories through the troubles and on way introduced us to important figure in IRA. The second portion unfortunately the man was soft spoken and with a large crowd made it difficult to hear. Thus making us wish it was shorter not taking away the English version he might benefit from a microphone.
We got a lot out of the tour and so much history.
Paul_M, Apr 2026
This is an excellent structure for a tour about the history and current political environment of West Belfast. Both guides were passionate and informative and it made for a very worthwhile walk. I would highly recommend it.
Philip_S, Apr 2026
This tour is an absolute must for all to understand the cultural differences in NI. Our guides were brilliant and presented in a constructive way the impacts on communities. This devastating period was explained and certainly leaves food for thought. Well done.
Sarrasin_L, Apr 2026
To bring an umbrella and a raincoat. Also, that you have to be close to the guide otherwise, it’s difficult to hear what he has to say because of the traffic noise. I suggest that guides wear a microphone to make it easier to hear them.
Sally_A, Apr 2026
Really interesting tour with guides from both sides of the troubles, both of whom had lived through it and had their own personal experiences to share.
Robert_G, Apr 2026
Well worth the walk. Guides were informative and it was great to get the conflict given to you from both sides. Media report only their narrative
Gerardine_C, Mar 2026
The guide who gave us the information regarding The Troubles and the IRA and associated activism was well-informed and interesting, answering questions with concern toward clarity and fairness. The second guide stopped at murals and gardens but did not appear as informed and complained about general Irish propaganda. Was worth the tour for the first half.
gerard_h, Mar 2026
An excellent informative narration of the troubles from both perspectives . It gives you a deeper understanding of why it happened and why oppression of any kind Will ultimately back fire
Lacy_M, Mar 2026
The tour was just as it’s described: a walk along both sides of the Peace Wall, guided by former political prisoners. I expected to hear about the Troubles, and how that was all in the past, but the feeling I got from our guides (one more than the other) was that the wounds remain quite raw in some ways. There is no doubt the situation is better now than in the past, with hope for the future, but I honestly found the whole tour quite sad and sobering. Perhaps I was naive going into it.
Physically, it was three hours of walking, but the walking was strolling, with a stop for restrooms and drinks along the way.
Bruce_H, Mar 2026
Firstly, it is all outdoors so do dress for the weather. It was windy and cold on our tour. This was an excellent experience. Fascinating stories from both sides of Belfast's troubled past. The only room for improvement was the absence of some context-setting at the start where the first guide should really have declared their bias and explained that we would hear the 'other side' too.
Christine_M, Mar 2026
Definitely need to be aware it is 3 hours walking and standing, fortunately it wasn't raining when we went. But both Paul and Mark gave a very interesting , if conflicting, account of the very complicated history and how it still affects them today. Thank you for a great insight.
Gavin_C, Feb 2026
Really great tour and very eye opening, with the same story but from both sides of the fence.
Highly recommended
Cedric_C, Jan 2026
Both guides, for either side of the peace wall, gave very personal information about the history of the place, which illustrate very contrasting perspectives of life on either side.
Shannan_D, Jan 2026
Very detailed and informative walking tour. Having both perspectives from different guides truly showcased how complex the troubles were and the situation continues to be. Paul and Ian were fantastic guides. Dress warmer than you think you need to - it’s a full 3 hours outside in windy areas.
From $35.77
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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