Overview
** BELFAST , NORTHERN IRELAND TOURS **
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I visited Belfast earlier this year whilst visiting a friend in Dublin. It was quite easy to get there as it is only about a 2h drive from Dublin and there is no formal border control which makes the journey a breeze.
In all honesty , apart from the GoT filming locations and the Titanic museum it doesn’t feel as if there is much to do in this city as a tourist.
The titanic museum is quite informative and it is great that you can still see the cranes, Samson and Goliath that were used when building the ship.
The city itself has much history as you can still clearly see the effects of the divide between the Catholics and the Protestants. There are peace murals on walls scattered across the city and they are quite a sight to see if you are into history. We visited Canmore street where I was able to actually see one of the walls put up dividing the two areas. On Albert street there is Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden which pays tribute to the people who lost their life at the time.
Overall, Belfast is quite a lovely city, with great buildings, but it isn’t a place which much to do and thus I would advise including it as a pit stop on your journey rather than a focal point.
Belfast is a true hidden gem in England; it had never been on my radar until last year and of course it’s on everyone’s radar because of Game of Thrones and the Titanic. It has had it’s fair lot of troubles in the past (with fighting and division between the Catholics and Protestants) and the city tells the story of this well. There are so many murals on different houses showing people who died in the troubles etc. Depressing story aside; it’s a great old place.
The titanic museum is a must see as the ship was built here and they have put so much into making the story come alive (it’s a cheap fee – but worth the visit). If you like museums also check out the MAC centre and my fave the Ulster museum (floor 4 and 5 have great art pieces) and you could spend half a day soaking up all the paintings and sculptures and exhibitions in that space – it’s free entry but they like you to contribute to help maintain the space (so something like £5 is adequate). The museum shop is also pretty cool and if you are looking for great gifts – you find a few unique things to pick up.
If its sunny you have to visit the botanic gardens and the tropical ravine house – such an amazing space (and it’s all free to explore and enjoy). Huge palm trees and tulips and other flowers (can’t think of their names currently).; get an ice-cream and just chill in the park and people watch. It’s close to the University which is also a great building as well and there’s a huge public art piece to admire as well.
Botanic avenue is like my favourite street because it’s close to the university – so a lot of the cool restaurants and shops are literally on this stretch of road. Try out some food from tribal and across the road is a famous book store everyone goes to.
I recommend doing the open top bus tour (it’s like £10) and you see the greatest hits of Belfast and get more familiar with spaces and you can hop on and off at different points. You must go to the castle – amazing gardens and you have to see if you can find the cat hidden in 8 different areas in the garden (it’s a fun puzzle to occupy your time with as you explore and enjoy the space). Shopping is also great – the usual high street stuff and some designer spaces as well.
Make sure you go to Mr Pretzel for the best pretzel in belfast and if you arrive early – order the ‘Ulster breakfast’ from any of the local cafes and try the soda bread and wheaten bread with your egg and sausage meal.
The crown liquor pub is cool to check out -it’s like old school (from the 20s or so) and you seat in these little private boxes – i think people wanted to drink in private in the past and you won’t see anything like it anywhere else.
When you are tired of walking about – stop over Jack’s Bootleggers for a cheap and cherry lunch – the toilets are cool as well – so make sure you check them out. For fancy and posh dining James St South has got you covered,
Other places outside Belfast are a must see as well – I need to write a completely different review about it (the beaches; the rocks and mountains, – so much to cover; so little time ): )
The city of Belfast has a lot of history. I was only there for a day but I enjoyed the beauty of the city while walking through the streets. As far as history, there is a cool Titantic Museum that gives an in depth history of the story behind the sinking. I also took a city tour with a friendly local. I learned about a recent dark period of turmoil called the Troubles. It’s inspiring to see the town move forward from this dark time in which Catholics and Protestants were at odds. Also, Northern Ireland is a great place for anyone that’s a Game of Thrones fan, since a huge amount of filming is done there. I would definitely go back and I encourage people to visit this pleasant surprise of a city.