BelfastBelfast at a Glance
Costs: Moderate - $70-150/day - seafood dining and midrange hotels make summertime pricier than off-season.
Safety: Generally safe, low violent crime - typical small New England town safety; watch seasonal tourist traffic.
Best Time: June-September, October (foliage) - june-September for boating; October for vivid fall foliage.
Why Visit Belfast?
A classic Maine harbor town, this place draws visitors for its working waterfront, seafood scene and creative small-town culture. The harborfront and pier host lobstermen and seasonal festivals, while downtown galleries and craft shops showcase local artisans. Waterfront dining and opportunities for sailing or lighthouse spotting make it a quintessential coastal New England stop. The relaxed pace and strong culinary emphasis on lobster and shellfish are major appeals.
Belfast Bucket List
Don't Miss
Belfast Harbor and Waterfront Park - Harborfront park with walking paths, seasonal markets, and harbor views.
Belfast Historical Society & Museum - Local museum exploring city history, shipbuilding, and community archives.
Main Street and City Park - Stroll Main Street shops, galleries, cafés, and the leafy city park.
Hidden Gems
Sears Island - Tidal island with coastal trails, birdwatching, and undeveloped shoreline access.
Moose Point State Park - Small seaside park with picnic spots, tide pools, and rocky viewpoints.
Saturday Farmers’ Market - Saturday farmers’ market with local cheeses, breads, and artisan goods.
Day Trips
Camden and Camden Hills State Park - Short drive to Camden for harbor village charm and mountain trails.
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park - Longer day trip to Bar Harbor for rugged coastlines and carriage roads.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Belfast
Best June-September for warm, pleasant coastal weather and festivals. Winters are cold and snowy, ideal only if you like winter sports or quiet off-season charm.
Winter
Cold, snowy, and atmospheric; many attractions slow down-great for cozy stays, snow activities, and fewer tourists.
Spring
Slow thaw with unpredictable weather-gardens and waterfronts revive, but chilly rain and blustery days still occur into May.
Summer
Warm, sunny, and pleasant for boating, clambakes, and coastal walks-peak season brings lively restaurants and summer events.
Belfast's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1190 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -1° | -13° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Poor | -11° - 1° | -12° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 5.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 5° | -5° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 1° - 11° | 3° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.0 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.6h |
| June | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 13° - 25° | 19° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 3° - 14° | 6° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.6 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 8° | -1° | 133 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | -8° - 2° | -9° | 120 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
How to Get to Belfast
Belfast is easiest to reach by car from the nearby regional airports (Bangor or Portland). Public transport options exist but are indirect; rental cars or pre-arranged transfers offer far more flexibility.
Bangor International Airport (BGR): Bangor is the closest commercial airport to Belfast, Maine; driving from BGR to Belfast takes roughly 35-50 minutes depending on route and traffic. Rental cars are available at the airport; a taxi for the trip can be costly (expect roughly US$70-$120) so many visitors prefer to rent a car.
Portland International Jetport (PWM): Portland is a larger regional airport about 1.25-1.75 hours’ drive from Belfast (roughly 60-80 miles depending on route). Trains and buses connect the Portland/Brunswick corridor to points north but driving is generally quicker for door-to-door travel to Belfast.
Train: There is no direct Amtrak service to Belfast. The nearest Amtrak/commuter rail service (the Downeaster) currently terminates at Brunswick; from there you need a car or local shuttle to reach Belfast.
Bus: Intercity bus coverage is limited-Concord Coach Lines and other carriers serve Bangor and Portland; from those hubs you will usually need a local taxi or regional shuttle for the final leg to Belfast. Local public transit is available on a limited schedule.
How to Get Around Belfast
For most visitors a rental car or pre-booked transfer from Bangor or Portland is the simplest way to reach Belfast. Public transport is possible but indirect-plan connections carefully.
- Rental car (US$40-US$100/day) - Renting a car from Bangor or Portland gives the greatest flexibility to reach Belfast and explore the mid-coast. Roads are straightforward and parking in Belfast is typically available. Expect rental rates to vary seasonally.
- Taxi / Airport transfer (US$70-US$120) - Taxis and private transfers from Bangor or Portland are available; a taxi from Bangor to Belfast is commonly in the US$70-$120 range depending on time and provider. Pre-booked shuttles may offer better rates for shared trips.
- Intercity bus + local taxi (US$20-US$60 (coach) + US$20-US$80 (final taxi)) - Use an intercity coach (e.g., Concord Coach) to Bangor or Brunswick, then transfer by local taxi or shuttle to Belfast. This is economical but requires coordination and will add time for connections.
- Local bus / Community transit (US$1-US$5) - Local transit options exist on limited schedules for residents and visitors; check Belfast Area Transit or regional providers for up-to-date timetables. These services are inexpensive but not always convenient for tourists with tight schedules.
- Walking - Belfast’s downtown and waterfront are compact and pleasant to explore on foot. Walking is the best way to visit shops, restaurants and the harbor once you’re in town.
Where to Stay in Belfast
Budget
Downtown Belfast - $80-160/night
Belfast, Maine has several affordable inns and B&Bs. Budget stays are comfortable and locally run, often near the waterfront and downtown.
Hartstone Inn & Hideaway - Cozy B&B with good value in town
Belfast Bay Inn - Comfortable, small-inn alternative
Mid-Range
Harborfront / Downtown - $120-220/night
Mid-range options are mainly historic inns and well-run B&Bs offering comfortable rooms, local breakfasts, and easy access to shops and harbor walking routes.
Belfast Bay Inn - Waterfront rooms and local dining nearby
Hartstone Inn & Hideaway - Charming rooms with good breakfasts
Luxury
Coastal Belfast - $220+/night
Belfast has a handful of upscale inns and a selection of private luxury rentals. These offer high comfort and scenic settings, mainly outside peak lobster festival dates.
The Lilac Inn (luxury suites) - Upscale suites and coastal views
Private luxury rentals - High-end rentals for groups
Where to Eat in Belfast
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Belfast’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.