To ask for your hints and tips re: Belfast

[HildaZelda]

So, DH has holidays which he's now been told he has to take before Xmas or lose them. I work part time so can juggle days a bit.

Anyway, DH was talking about going away somewhere for 3 or 4 days, Because it's only a few days, it can't be that far so we looked at short flights and can do Belfast pretty cheaply for a few days next month.
Neither of us have ever been there before, so before we book anything can I ask if anyone has been, what's it like, is it worth going, hints/tips for what to see and do please?

[Amaaboutthis]

I went to Belfast for work a couple of years ago. I had no expectations, I was going simply for a meeting but I was totally blown away by it. I thought it was the most lovely city. The architecture is beautiful, there were loads of lovely bars and coffee shops and the people were so friendly. I would love to go back

[Toomuchadoaboutnothing]

Lots of good suggestions offered already including the hop on hop off bus tour (check out groupon). An easy, relaxing way to see our beautiful city (but then being a local I’m biased 😁). Making stops at Queens University, Titanic Quarter and travelling through both sides of our communities. The Titanic museum, pick up a show in The Opera House, Waterfront Hall or Ulster Hall. The night life/pubs restaurants in the Cathedral Quarter are fab. Venturing further a field to our beautiful north coast taking in The Giants Causeway with stunning scenery whatever the weather. You’ll receive a warm welcome and a bit of craic and you may even pick up a wee bit of our Norn Iron lingo along the way 😂

[Bimgy85]

Sorry, yes it was botanic Avenue. By the university. I agree the majority of the area was lovely but from botanic Avenue all the way the walk into the centre was very very run down. There are many lovely places to go though, highly recommend the Jazz bar in the (I can't remember the name) of a nice hotel in the centre. Many lovely Japanese restaurants around too. I guess I just walked in the wrong areas like anywhere!

[frecklemcspeckles]

@hildazelda it's a lovely wee city and great to see in a few days!!

I'd recommend as others have Titanic museum, the bus tours of the city or a walking tour (there's a lovely foodie walking tour). Also the Folk and Transport museum the Ulster Museum (free entry) and St George's Market.

I actually would highly recommend the black cab tours as to say you need a "neutral" in Belfast, given its history, is crazy. That doesn't mean that you can't have an amazing tour whilst getting to understand the perspectives of an individual who has lived through it. Doesn't matter which "side" you come from, the whole point of tour is to get a perspective from someone who lived through it.

HMS Caroline, and Nomadic also speak to the city's ship building past.

I'd recommend a walk across Divis/Black Mountain (National Trust) or along the top of Cavehill to see the view from "Napoleon's nose" to see the views of the city and lough in all their glory. So beautiful. The Ridge walk is beautiful (we met visitors from Chester there just yesterday!)

So many restaurants and bar options I can't even keep up! We are a foodie city, we overfeed everyone😂.

Belfast Castle is a great spot and the walks around it beautiful. Queen's University well worth seeing.

For wet weather a great day out is W5, the science museum in the Odyssey centre. You can do a full day here easily with in and out exit for lunch possible.

Further afield from Belfast there is of course the Giants Causeway. Or in the other direction Slieve Gullion and its fairy ring and playpark is pretty special. Our kids adore it!!!! All of the National Trust properties are great if you have longer time to spend.

The Grand Central Hotel has just opened as one of our tallest spots and I'm told their cocktails in their top floor bar are great, if incredibly expensive!!! View from "the dome" in Victoria Square shopping centre is fabulous and free!

Check out "what's on NI" for details of what's going on.

St Anne's cathedral is beautiful. You can tour the City Hall also. There are plenty of great hotels around the place.

Lisburn Road is nice for a wander and some shopping as is Newtownards road. As well as our great city centre, that has just had a rough time with a fire in a major listed building.


We are a beautiful city of friendly people and well worth a weekend. As Lonely Planet agrees. To those who say we're dirty, grey and drab.... Huh????!!!!! You need to open your eyes!!! Every city has a back end. Most aren't blessed to have a mountain, a city and a lough with stunning views and great people. You'll have a lovely weekend. X

[FellSwoop]

Also, Maggie May's on Botanic Ave for the hangover cure!
And don't forget to eat loads of Tayto cheese and onion crisps!

[FellSwoop]

This thread is making me miss Belfast so much! I get home a few times a year.
The night life is brilliant, as it's a smallish city you can take in a few different bars in a night. I recommend checking out The Spaniard, Muriel's, The Merchant Hotel and The Duke of York. There are also fabulous restaurants all over the city. The last few times I've been home it's been pretty much Game of Thrones actor's bingo...they were everywhere!

St Georges Market is a must on a Saturday/Sunday Morning. As are the many lovely places to eat on the Ormeau Road; General Merchants and Kaffé O to name but two.
The Ulster Museum is wonderful, as are the Botanic Gardens and grounds of Queen's University (which are all beside each other)

Agree with PP though, that at this time of the year 4 days is probably too long, unless you're going to venture up the north coast.

[Moneypenny007]

Belfast is a lovely city. Definitely recommend it.
Atmosphere is miles ahead of Dublin. Christmas markets start mid November also. We are heading up for a night soon too and I can't wait.

[Glasgowbound]

Find an impartial taxi driver (neither Catholic or Protestant)
Who would that be then? A Muslim perhaps? But would they be a Protestant Muslim or a Catholic one?
Bimgy just fuck off to the far side of you-know-where then, what an unpleasant comment.

[Sunnysidegold]

Belfast has loads to offer, we've just entertained a load of visitors who loved it. Bus tour is a handy way to see loads of places. Ulster museum and crumlin rd gaol good too. Definitely take a trip up to the causeway if you can, and you don't actually have to pay in although the signage makes it look like you have to - Although it's free for national trust card holders.

Belfast has had loads of regeneration. Over the past 15-20 years and there are loads of great places to eat and drink. I think it's a bit mean to say the accent is annoying.

I hope you ha e a great visit!

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Oh and if you like Line of Duty they’re currently filming around there .

[HildaZelda]

Thanks for the tips everyone :)

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Eat at Flame , terrific food !
Stay , or at least have a cocktail in the Fitzwilliam hotel.
The Transport Museum and Cultra (folk museum ) are a good trip if you like that kind of thing .
Crown Bar / Robinson’s and Fibber McGees for trad pubs and music . V popular with all including tourists .
We usually go straight to my in laws in Armagh, but just spent a few days in Belfast this time around to show our DD around. Great city .

[HamishsMomma]

Crumlin Road gaol well worth a tour, also Giant's Causeway and tour up Antrim coast. Botanic gardens, Titantic museum, I also walked around Falls Road, Peace Wall, Shanklin Road etc. Was only there last week - had a great few days.

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

@Bimgy85 I don’t know where you were staying, but that description doesn’t ring true to me (a Belfast native) at all.

This city hasn’t been dealt the greatest hand over the last 50 years, and has come full circle over the last decade.

To find someone sneering about our accents and calling the place dirty is bloody sickening.

[TheCraicDealer]

everywhere I looked there was shut down shops/ old houses with no windows,

Jeez woman, you're making a trip up north sound like an episode of Dark Tourist.

DH's (English) mates came over for our wedding and are planning another boys trip back so can't be that bad. Although I don't think they'll be planning any excursions the non-licensed places mentioned on this thread.

[treaclesoda]

I think you were staying in a bad place to be honest. There is no Botanic Road that I've ever heard of, so I'm not sure exactly where you stayed. Botanic Avenue area maybe? Up near the university area is lovely and not run down at all. The other end of it is Donegall Pass which is an area so deprived that it gets specific government funding to try to help it.

The areas that have already been redeveloped, down by the Titanic area etc are very far from dirty and run down.

It's a city and like most cities it has wealthy parts and poor parts. And its only 20 years into recovery after 30 years of widespread destruction. Its a miracle that its as nice as it is these days.

[peachgreen]

@HildaZelda You've has loads of good suggestions on this thread - my faves are the Ulster Museum which has a great history of NI, and the Titanic museum which is really worth the entrance fee. Have a night out in the Cathedral Quarter, you'll have a fab time. Belfast is the friendliest city I've ever been in, I love it.

[peachgreen]

I don't know where you were @Bimgy85 but that's not the Belfast I know. But then I don't find NI accents annoying either.

[Bimgy85]

@PennyMordauntsLadyBrain I am not trying to diss the place itself but how can you not agree? Unless I was staying in a bad area, absolutely everywhere I looked there was shut down shops/ old houses with no windows, the place just needs a bit of an urban refurbishment, a bit of paint is all! Apart from that it's a bustling city. Just seems to have been forgotten about in terms of 'colour'

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

Just seeing this gem as well-

“apart from the accent being annoying it was great fun!”

You do realise that there are people from Belfast on this board? And on this very thread?

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

I’ve heard a lot of things said about Belfast, but “dirty/dull” is a new one...

[MrsWireman]

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/a-food-lovers-guide-to-belfast/?utmsource=facebook&utmmmedium=social&utmcampaign=linkkfood-lovers-belfast

[IKnowThisMuch]

Absolutely echoing Penny re: Black Taxi Tours. I think you'd be hard pressed to find an impartial taxi driver. One of the "Hop On, Hop Off" tour buses covers those areas if you are interested in hearing the history, but want it in a more neutral way.

Like previous posters have mentioned, Titanic Quarter has a lot to see and do - you have Titanic Belfast, the SS Nomadic, HMS Caroline, and the Pump House all within walking distance of each other, if that's your kind of thing.

The Ulster Museum has free entry, and is very close to Queen's University.

Round the Cathedral Quarter is great for pubs and nightlife - the Duke of York is particularly popular. You also have The Crown bar on Great Victoria Street, which is nice to sit in. Especially if you get a booth.

As others have said, coach trips run to other areas of Northern Ireland from Belfast - you can do the Giant's Causeway, for example. Or if you're into Game of Thrones, they do bus tours around the most famous filming sites.