A Tourist’s Guide to Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. It has gained a bad name across the world due to issues that took place during The Troubles, when Belfast was the scene of many bombings and gunnings. During this time, many areas of Belfast were closed off to visitors and British visitors were encouraged to stay away as they were often made to feel unwelcome, which still persists in some older areas of the city today. However, Belfast is now politically stable once again and not yet as popular with tourist as Dublin, meaning you could spend a great amount of time truly exploring and discovering.

Best Time to Travel to Belfast

Ireland as a whole is known as a country extremely suitable for growing potatoes, due to its abundance of rain. Surprisingly, however, Belfast enjoys quite hot summers due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream, as well as being known for its clear blue skies. A visit to Belfast can be pleasant at any time of year but unfortunately you cannot be guaranteed a certain type of weather.

Attractions to See in Belfast

There are so many attractions and things to do in Belfast that you could spend weeks if not months visiting all the different attractions. If you enjoy family attractions, you should certainly see Whowhatwhenwherewhy or the W5, a hands-on and interactive experience for all to enjoy. Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory should also not be missed, of course. Exploris Aquarium is also worth a visit, being the only public aquarium in Northern Island, as well as being a seal sanctuary.

Restaurants and Bars in Belfast

There is a wealth of restaurants that you could choose from in Belfast, some offering traditional local food, others offering a la carte international cuisine. Restaurants are available that cater to all budgets, ranging from a corner sandwich shop to a formal restaurant.

Some of the better known restaurants in Belfast are:

• Made in Belfast
• Bourbon Restaurant
• Deanes Restaurant
• James Street South Restaurant
• Mou
e Seafood Bar
• Nicks Warehouse

Nightlife is vibrant and there is a large variety of both traditional Irish pubs and contemporary nightclubs available. In true Irish fashion, many pubs will have live music and a very jolly atmosphere.

Transport in Belfast

If you are planning a visit to Belfast, you may find it a comfortable idea to hire a car. This will give the opportunity to visit not just Belfast but other areas of Northern Ireland. Hiring a car gives you the opportunity to come and go as you please, without having to rely on public transport or organised tours. Some of the main car hire companies operating in Belfast are Car Hire 3000, Avis, Budget Belfast, Enterprise, Logan Car Hire, National Car and Holmes Motors.

A visit to Belfast will always be an enjoyable experience in which you can bask in the friendliness of Belfast’s inhabitants, whilst enjoying a drink in one of the many pubs across the city. For a true mesmerising experience, a visit on St Patrick’s Day should certainly not be missed, Belfast at its finest (and greenest!).