10 Reasons to Visit Belfast!
It may not be on many people’s travel lists, but after a solo trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland, I thought that it was worth a visit. It has an interesting history, nice sights and pop culture relevance. And, if you easily get lost like me, it is easy to get around.
Here are ten things that might grab your attention.
1. History
There is a rich history in Ireland spanning thousands of years. The twentieth century events that led to the divides in the region were featured on popular shows, such as the Derry Girls and Downton Abbey. For a distant observer, the Irish history looks ambiguous. So, is there a better way to learn about the region’s history than actually visiting the sites?
You will see how the events left their mark to this day and how the people in Ireland have overcome the history and live together.
2. Belfast’s City Hall
Completed in 1906, after Queen Victoria granted Belfast a city stature, the City Hall is an iconic building with amazing architecture and fancy interiors. If you want to have a break, especially if you are there on a sunny day, you can grab a cup of coffee or a soft drink and chill in the City Hall’s grounds that include a number of memorials and monuments. At night, illuminations show off the building’s architectural features.
The City Hall is free to enter. I would recommend going inside as the interiors are stunning; you will be immediately met with the Grand Staircase, Banquet Hall and Reception Room. If you want to learn more about the history, just pop in inside and learn more about the events and the people who left their mark on Belfast and the rest of the world. There are also free guided tours offered on a first come first served basis.
3. Ulster Museum
Located inside the botanic gardens, Ulster Museum offers an enriching experience that gives you a look into the past, present and future through five floors housing vast collections of art, history and nature.
You can spend hours exploring the collections, especially on a rainy day. The bottom floor of the museum has a nice café that overlooks the charming Belfast Botanic Gardens, so you can have a cup of coffee while taking in some nice views.
4. Street art
Belfast is home of an ever expanding street art scene, with most streets having murals that tell different stories. Of course, the political atmosphere of Ireland gets a fair share of the murals, most notably the Peace Walls that stretch to 800 metres. Another highlight is the Bobby Sands mural.
Belfast attracts international artists who add to the canvas of the city’s streets. You are bound to stumble upon a lot of murals while casually walking around Belfast. If you want to make sure you are not missing any of the most impressive ones, you can take a Political Taxi tour or get on the Hop-on-Hop-off buses. A map of the murals is also available so you can take yourself on a tour.
5. Irish coastal line
Belfast is very close to very impressive nature sites and one of the top five coastal routes in the world. Taking a coach trip can show all the lovely seaside villages, hills, caves and castles; some were used as filming locations for popular TV shows. The most northern part of Ireland is where you will find the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage site, which contains 40,000 basalt columns that were formed by volcanic eruptions; this resulted in unique patterns of rocks by the shore.
Other stops along the way include Cushendun Caves, Carnlough Harbour, the Dark Hedges, Carrickfergus Castle and Dunluce Castle. The names feel strange, so you better get on a coastal trip to find out if they are real places!
6. Bangor
Bangor, a seaside resort in Northern Ireland, is located within easy access from Belfast. if you want to escape the busy city you can take a short train journey from central Belfast and get to this quaint city that is still maintaining its charm. Bangor Marina, Eisenhower Pier, The North Down Coastal Path, Bangor Castle and The Walled Garden are some of the attractions that will make your visit worthwhile.
When visiting this seaside town, do not forget to tuck into traditional Fish and Chips at the end of the day!
7. Game of Thrones
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, then a visit to Belfast is a must. A coach tour from Belfast can take you to impressive filming locations, such as caves, castles and seashores. Game of Thrones is another reason to visit the popular Giant’s Causeway. Walking by the River Lagan in Belfast, you will find Game of Thrones stained glass art installations that form a trail for you to follow.
The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is just a short trip away from Belfast; you can see the sets, props and weapons, costumes, prosthetics and of course the Iron Throne. The special effects and interactive part of the tour also add to the entertainment.
8. Titanic
Most of us have been touched by the story of the Titanic. Since Belfast is where the infamous ship was built, the Titanic experience is without a doubt one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and is just a short walk from the centre. The museum takes visitors on a journey of how the idea of the Titanic came to life to the sinking of the ship. The museum also contains original items that were found on the ship, making it all real.
On a lighter note, the museum has not forgotten about fans of the film as you can also get your Jack and Rose moment with your loved one before leaving.
Stepping out of the museum building, you will find the SS Nomadic ship, the last Star Line ship in the world; entry to the ship is included in the museum’s tickets. There, one can find a small demo of the Titanic interiors and the workings of the ship.
9. Literature inspiration
Well, this may not be for everyone.
The stunning landscape of Ireland might get your creative juices going, just like what happened with Jonathan Swift when he got the idea to write the famous Gulliver’s Travels. The writer was inspired by Cave Hill, just on the outskirts of Belfast, which looks like a giant person looking over the city.
10. Food and drink
Finally, winding down at the end of a day of sightseeing calls for a pint of beer, and who does that better than the Irish?
Irish Pubs are all heard of around the world. Northern Ireland will tempt you to get a drink at the end of the day. And if you are a non-drinker like me, you can have the non-alcoholic Guinness which I was told tastes exactly the same as the regular one (however, you might risk getting some weird looks from the locals!).
Belfast hosts a wide range of cuisines all within an easy reach. One of the popular tourist spots is St. George’s Market, which was built in 1890–1896 and hosts over 250 retailers with an excellent range of foods. The market was named the UK’s best large indoor market and is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
With all that above, I hope I convinced you to include Belfast in your future travel plans!
