Belfast

Overview

Vivid colors, festivity and folklore are what describe Belfast the best. A rural retreat away from the busy city life, Belfast is a pleasing mix of modern amenities with historical fantasies. Right from the onset at Belfast Lough, is a city where both people and travelling come easy and enjoyable. The city is a compact one and a two hour walk itself can leave you enthralled with experiences of historical landmarks and an impressive glimpse of what the entire Northern Ireland stores for you. Monuments like Giant Causeaway or a fishing experience at the Fermanagh or for that matter a simple walk through the Mountains of Mourne, each one has its aura leaving visitors amazed and coming back over and over again for more.

Belfast has become a popular tourist destination for the foreigners as well as a weekend escape for the local residents. The buzz and flow of energy within the city is astounding! Convenience of tourism with transportation is defined at its best with Belfast where there is no dearth of taxis, tourist buses, boat or even pedestrian tours.

Local tourist attractions include Belfast Cathedral, the Ulster Folk Museum, restaurants that have earned accolades for their food, Lounges to Pubs, Clubs and Shoppers Delights Theatres and almost everything which one could ask for

Heritage and Culture

A land of castles and stories, Belfast is better known as the land where Titanic originated. The growth story of the industries have shaped the history of the land and also aligned its culture. The city has had a rough history of religious clashes but the city that we see now is quite a surprising contrast. Warmth and hospitality flows within the people of Belfast.

The galleries and museums speak what Belfast had been but when one enters the food destinations, the nightclubs and the pubs, one really experiences the Belfast way of life in the modern times which is vibrant and full of the adrenalin rush. If one is lucky, in summers he can enjoy the Loyalists Parade which involves a band of 300 people playing the flute portraying their very own orange order parade!

Attractions across Belfast

The list of attractions is never ending, but if we were asked what would be the best ones one shouldn’t miss, then the recommendations would include the Belfast Castle, a must, the Cave Hill, which stands 400 feet above the sea level and sitting on its steep slope is quite an experience, the W5, an interactive museum that would suit people of all ages and has all kinds of exhibitions up every now and then, and lastly, places to chill back, like Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park or the Cave Hill Country Park. What should be topmost on this list is a boat trip to the place where Titanic was built, the Shipyards of Harland and Wolff and for those who take interest in the history of places, a visit to the Queens University shall be quite enriching.

Nights at Belfast can be made enjoyable with a show by the west end productions at the Grand Opera House or entert5aining oneself to a movie at the Odyssey Arena. If you have the taste buds for something unusual, then a small performance at the Crescent Arts Centre is a must see.

Fooding in Belfast

The choice of places to eat is never ending in a city since the times when the local chef, Paul Rankin first to popularized Belfast as the city of culinary extravaganza. To name a few top class restaurants, we have La Boca Restaurant, very Bohemian and very Argentinian ambience and cuisine or the Zen Japanese Restaurantwhere one gets to experience the modern times, Italian food is a sinful at the Villa Italia Restaurantbut the one that is among the finest in the city is the Deane’s Restaurant and Bar. We therefore see that there is something exquisite for all tastes in Belfast. However, the best place to experience Belfast is Belfast Castle’s Cellar Restaurant.

Shopping in Belfast

Belfast is as rich in in its shopping experience as its history. The array of shops at the Central Shopping Area is a shopper’s delight for all kinds of knick knacks. The central shopping area starts at the Donegall Place and runs right up to the Royal Avenue. Those looking for Haute Couture can find their choices at the Lisburn Road which is filled with designer boutiques. The suburbs of the city also boast a huge variety of shopping places which can be tried out as well.

Sporting in Belfast

The experience of the countryside, something that all city dwellers yearn for, should be stolen at Belfast. A relaxing bike ride through the Lagan Valley Regional Park along the Lagan River should be just what a tired traveller might be looking for. A not-so-sporty person can enjoy the very European ice hockey match or even catch up on a local rugby at the Ravenhills in Belfast. Soccer is not what is recommended if you are in Northern Ireland!

Belfast at a Glance:

Population: 267,500

Airports : Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport,

Prime Places: River Lagan, Botanic Gardens

Languages Spoken: English & Irish