- The town's name, Holywood, is derived from the Latin 'Sanctum Boscum', meaning 'Holy Wood', referencing an ancient woodland that once surrounded a 13th-century priory.
- Holywood is widely known for hosting the annual Holywood Jazz and Blues Festival, which has become a significant event in the regional music calendar.
- The town features a notable landmark known as the 'Maypole', which is situated in the middle of the High Street and is believed to have originated from a ship's mast salvaged from a Dutch vessel in the 18th century.
- Holywood Golf Club gained global fame as the childhood home course of professional golfer Rory McIlroy, who learned the game there as a youth.
About Holywood
Holywood is a coastal town in County Down situated on the southern shores of Belfast Lough, serving as a historic suburb of the nearby Northern Irish capital. While the town itself maintains a distinct identity with a famous annual Jazz and Blues Festival, its proximity to Belfast provides easy access to major regional sites. Visitors often stay in Holywood to enjoy its maritime atmosphere before heading into the city to explore [31141] Titanic Belfast or the sprawling [3907] Botanic Gardens. The area is defined by its mix of Victorian architecture and its position along the North Down coastal path.
Highlights of Holywood
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Explore the world's largest Titanic-themed exhibition located on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard.
Parks
Wander through the Victorian-era Palm House to see exotic plants and extensive floral displays.
Historical places
Walk the grounds of this 19th-century castle set within a public park that offers elevated views of Belfast Lough.
Museums
Examine a diverse collection of Irish art, natural history, and archaeology housed within this historic museum.
Historical places
Observe the extensive murals and messages of peace located on the historic walls that once divided local communities.
Zoos
Visit a conservation-focused zoo situated on the slopes of Cave Hill, featuring a wide variety of global wildlife.
Places of interest
Step aboard the former tender ship that served the Titanic during its final journey from Cherbourg.
Parks
Enjoy large green spaces and Victorian-era landscaping in one of the city's most significant public parks.
Top things to do in Holywood
The 296 highest-rated places in Holywood, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
Titanic Belfast is a six-floor museum located on the exact site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Tit...
2
Parks
Belfast Botanic Gardens is a 28-acre public park established in 1828, featuring the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine....
3
Historical places
Belfast Castle is a Scottish Baronial style mansion situated on the slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, 400 feet above sea...
4
Venues
The SSE Arena Belfast is Northern Ireland's premier indoor venue for major concerts, sporting events, and family enterta...
5
Museums
Crumlin Road Gaol is a Grade A listed Victorian-era prison that operated from 1845 until 1996. The facility, known as 'T...
6
Museums
The Ulster Museum is the largest museum in Northern Ireland, located within the Botanic Gardens in south Belfast. Its co...
7
Venues
The Grand Opera House is a restored Victorian theatre in Belfast designed by architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1895....
8
Parks
Ormeau Park is Belfast's oldest municipal park, officially opened to the public in 1871. Located along the eastern bank...
9
Zoos
Belfast Zoo is situated on the slopes of Cave Hill in North Belfast, overlooking Belfast Lough. It houses over 150 speci...
10
Places of interest
The SS Nomadic is the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world, serving as the tender vessel for the RMS Titanic...
11
Places of interest
Streamvale Farm is a family-run, open farm located on the edge of East Belfast, focusing on direct animal interaction an...
12
Historical places
The Peace Wall on Cupar Way is the most prominent of Belfast's 'peace lines,' a series of physical barriers designed to...
13
Parks
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is an award-winning 128-acre public park in Belfast, renowned for its extensive Internati...
14
Historical places
Stormont Estate serves as the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, housing Parliament Buildings, a Grade A listed stru...
15
Venues
Affidea Stadium serves as the primary home ground for Ulster Rugby in Belfast. The facility underwent extensive renovati...
16
Museums
The Ulster Folk Museum is an expansive open-air site in Cultra that reconstructs rural and urban life in Ireland from th...
17
Museums
W5 is an award-winning interactive science and discovery center located within Belfast’s Odyssey complex. The facility h...
18
Parks
Wallace Park is a 15-hectare public green space located in the city of Lisburn, Northern Ireland. It features an active...
19
Parks
Hazelbank Park is a significant coastal public space located on the northern shore of Belfast Lough in Newtownabbey. The...
20
Places of interest
The Salmon of Knowledge, locally known as The Big Fish, is a 10-meter-long sculpture created by artist John Kindness in...
21
Venues
The Clearer Water Stadium at Windsor Park serves as the primary home ground for the Northern Ireland national football t...
22
Parks
Victoria Park is a large municipal park situated in East Belfast, featuring a prominent lake that acts as a focal point...
23
Venues
The Lyric Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only full-producing theatre, known for commissioning and staging new works along...
24
Places of interest
The Bobby Sands Mural is a prominent piece of political street art located on the side of the Sinn Féin office on the Fa...
25
Temples
Belfast Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a Romanesque Revival landmark located in the Cathedral Quarter...
26
Places of interest
C.S. Lewis Square is a public plaza in East Belfast featuring seven bronze sculptures inspired by the characters of 'The...
27
Parks
Holywood Sea Park is a coastal recreation area situated along the southern shore of Belfast Lough in County Down. The si...
28
Museums
The Ulster Transport Museum houses one of the most comprehensive transport collections in Europe, spanning land, sea, an...
29
Parks
Belvoir Park Forest is a 75-hectare woodland site located along the southern bank of the River Lagan in Belfast. The par...
30
Natural attractions
Colin Glen is a 200-acre forest park situated at the edge of the Belfast Hills, acting as a gateway to natural woodland...
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Holywood on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Holywood
May to September, as this period offers the mildest weather and the longest daylight hours for exploring the coastal paths and regional outdoor sites.
2-3 days, allowing enough time to explore the town’s local history and take short trips to nearby major museums and parks in the Belfast area.
The town is highly walkable, with a railway station providing frequent, quick connections to central Belfast and other coastal towns.
Stay near the High Street for easy access to local shops, cafes, and the Holywood railway station for convenient transit links.
Mid-range, with costs for accommodation and dining generally aligning with broader regional pricing in Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 296 curated attractions in and around Holywood, ranked by traveller ratings.
Titanic Belfast is the highest-rated place to visit in Holywood right now.
The largest category is temples, with 144 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
