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?

[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.

[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 .

[HildaZelda]

Thanks for the tips everyone :)

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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!

[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 😂

[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

[Sowhatifidosnore]

I’mmfrom belfast and it’s a fe king AWESOME city and four days isn’t enough to get around it. Go to The Sunflower for drinks, music and friendly mixed crowd. The Spaniard is a great pub, The John Hewitt too. Walk up Botanic, Go to No Alibis bookshop, hire a car or go on a bus up along the north Antrim coast to giants Causeway, Portrush. Climb the cave Hill above Blefastnfor amazing views and a good walk. Do a Crumlin road Jail tour. Skip that black taxi nonsense, you can see enough murals on your own if you want. Have dinner at the Fitzwilliam hotel.
Go to The Crown bar

• then go to Lavertys. Any interest in rugby? Ravenhill is a great ground to catch a game. Go to Stormont and walk around the grounds. Into Game if Thrones? You’ll be spoilt for choice formseejng the locations like The dark hedges, Winterfell etc. See a film at YhenQueens Film theatre. While you’re there have wander around Queens University and Botanic Gardens. See what’s on at The Mac, arts theatre. And the Black Box - music, art stuff. If you’re at the box go to Dukenof York’s for a drink. Dirty Onion is full of English but lively so you might like it. Food? You’re ruined for choice, so many amazing places to eat Stix and Stones, pop to The Dirty Duck in Hollywood for a great view across the loch and top food - the train goes there quick from Belfast. I like a sneaky Boojums, or brunch at Mollys Yard. Do the Titanic building, it’s really good and you can walk across from town over the river, Titanic Studios arenthere too and always some filming ( a lot of GOT at the mo still) so good for people watching.
  

City centre is easy to walk around - shopping good. Go to Victoria Square then nip to Bittles Bar it the Kitchen Bar for drinks. You’re in for a cracker time, people are open, and friendly.

[TrippingTheVelvet]

It's a brilliant time to go with Christmas coming up. Also, because of Primark being closed there's a massive drive to get people to come in so there loads of free events and stuff on at the minute.

[RachelTeeth]

Bimgy so what’s your excuse for slabbering about our accents? Nob.

[Bimgy85]

@RachelTeeth that's a personal opinion Rachel. Just like if you had asked 'what's the sexiest accent in the world' or , 'what's your favorite/least favorite accent'

[Sowhatifidosnore]

Obviously ignore the stupid comments about accents!

[Blanchedupetitpois]

Taxi tour!!! One of the best things I’ve ever done. The titanic museum is good too - I found it unexpectedly moving.

[Poodles1980]

The bullet hotel is a great new spot to stay. If you are in to game of thrones check out some day trips you can organize to locations used in filming.

[treaclesoda]

There is no train station at either airport, but both have a very regular bus service into the city centre. If convenience is your top priority, both Jury's Hotel and Fitzwilliam Hotel are right next door to the Europa Buscentre where the airport buses take you to.

[Sowhatifidosnore]

Food at Bullit is amazing, if you like meat, and Muriel’s is just beside it.

[Monty27]

Bimgy that was a very weak attempt to redeem yourself.
Belfast is wonderful and the accent is akin to a Newcastle accent imho. swoon
Have a ball OP, honestly you will love it 😃

[implantsandaDyson]

bimgy85 of course liking accents is a matter of opinion. There are loads of accents I don't like. But to be honest you have to be some kind of eejit to come on a thread that is specifically asking about a place and announce that you don't like the accent.