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E-mailThe beauty of Belfast
What to do and where to go while visiting Northern Ireland's capital
Belfast, Northern Ireland’s most populous city, offers the buzz and vibrancy of a capital city while being a gateway to the rural retreat of Northern Ireland.
At the head of Belfast Lough, the city is compact and easy to get around, whether by car or on foot. Like all capital cities, Belfast offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all pockets, from cozy B&Bs around the Queen’s University, to well appointed riverside self-catering establishments, to city center boutique hotels.
Belfast is teeming with a multitude of stylish bars, gourmet restaurants, trendy clubs and some of the best shopping in the U.K. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music in a local pub or dance the night away to the latest vibes – the choice is theirs!
The birthplace of the Titanic, Belfast's industrial heritage has shaped a city steeped in culture, shown at the City Hall, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the city's many preserved historic buildings. Also, the city's many parks, gardens and galleries offer a perfect haven to relax.
Within a couple of hours of Belfast, visitors can marvel at the Giant's Causeway, walk the Mountains of Mourne, fish in Fermanagh or visit the many picturesque villages that abound -- all perfect locations form which to discover the rest of Northern Ireland.
When planning a trip to Belfast, here are some highlights that you won’t want to miss:
Ulster Museum: In the Botanic Gardens, its collections include contemporary international art, Irish art, Irish furniture, glass, silver, ceramics and costume, and a display of life in Ireland over 9,000 years. Perhaps the best-known collection is the gold and silver jewelry recovered by divers in 1968 from the Spanish Armada treasure ship Girona, wrecked off the Giant's Causeway in 1588.
Linen Hall Library: Located near City Hall, this facility was established in 1788 to improve the mind and excite a spirit of general inquiry. Includes an important Irish collection of over 20,000 volumes, with a Robert Burns collection. Archive material can be viewed by appointment.
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