Just a few things you should try when you come to Belfast

1) In 2008 Belfast saw the erection of its very own Big Wheel – The city with its spires, domes and cranes, welcomes a lofty new feature to the skyline. The Big Wheel stands 200 feet high in the grounds of the Beautiful Belfast City Hall. It is a great way to see the city and the rolling hills beyond. For more information, go to Belfast Wheel

2) Discover the story of Historic Belfast. A short distance from the City Centre is the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Once there you will find a carefully recreated ‘Old Town’, which tells the story of life in Ulster in the early 1900’s. Click here for more information on museums and galleries in Belfast.

3) Take a Walk and stroll through the Victorian streets of Belfast. There are many Walking Tours available or better still, go explore yourself. The city Centre is small and can be easily explored by foot. Guided tours include The Old Town, Titanic Trail, Blackstaff Way tours and the City Centre Walk. For more details on the tours including email and contact details, check out our “Belfast Walking Tours” post

4) There’s so much for children to enjoy in Belfast from fabulous attractions and entertainment of all kinds plus fun places to eat and shop. The Odyssey Complex is great for kids and is home to W5 Interactive Discovery Centre and the Odyssey Arena – home of the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey Team. Experience exotic animals at close range in Belfast Zoo, built into towering Cave Hill, or get a more ‘hands-on’ experience at Streamvale Open Farm.

5) Take a motorized Tour of Belfast if our tip on walking is too much for you. You can see the city by boat or black taxi, open top bus or mini-coach, chauffeur driven or by bicycle – to discover the best of Belfast, old and new, take a tour. And if you want to explore further, tours to the beautiful Northern Irish countryside depart from Belfast daily.

6) Go on Historical Pub Walking Tour or if you get really into it, a crawling tour. No visit to Belfast would be complete without a trip around its famous and historic pubs. The hospitality of Belfast city and its people is legendary and there’s no better way to enjoy the ‘craic’ and the banter with the locals than over a few Guinness.

7) I can’t believe I am even saying this but you really can Shop ’til you drop!  Belfast offers a wonderful array of products ranging from the traditional to the more contemporary. A must for all shoppers is the central shopping area which runs from Donegall Place to Royal Avenue, and is easily explored on foot. St George’s Market (the oldest covered market in Ireland) runs a Variety Market every Friday morning which boasts the largest indoor fish market in Ireland with 23 seafood stalls! The Saturday morning Farm & Speciality Food Market offers a wide range of local high quality specialist food products. The Lisburn Road in the south of the city boasts a trail of chic designer boutiques, with plenty of al fresco cafes to offer a rest stop along the way. There are also many fine shopping centres throughout the city and suburbs. Plus as if that is not enough, you can easily waste a day and a few pounds (sterling that is) in the magnificant Victoria Square, host to some of the finest shops and restaurants in the city
Go out and get stuffed, have a meal that is. Since local celebrity chef Paul Rankin first put Belfast on the culinary map, the landscape of restaurants and cafes here has changed beyond our wildest dreams. From Michelin Star excellence, cosy neighbourhood brasseries, authentic Asian cuisine to traditional Irish pub grub – you’ll find something to suit all tastes in Belfast. I love going out for a meal in Belfast as it really has come on in leaps and bounds. A favourite which you may have stubled upon during the Pub Crawl is the Cathedral Quarter. A great place to eat and drink.

9) “If you haven’t had a night out in Belfast, you haven’t lived” Sara Cox, BBC Radio One DJ. Sara’s right, this is a great city to party, we love you Sara. All you need is a lot of energy and a little inside information! Sample a local brew in one of Belfast’s historic hostelries, visit one of the traditional pubs for a live Irish music sessions, or check out the hip and trendy bar and club scene, you’ll find it all in Belfast!
You’ll also find a fantastic programme of top name concerts at the Odyssey Arena, a variety for all tastes at Belfast Waterfront Hall, top West End productions and performing arts at the Grand Opera House. Belfast also offers an array of Festivals throughout the year.

10) Last but not least book your flight to come back again. I think a few items on this list alone will take over a weekend if not a week, so jump on another flight and come finish the list. We hope to see you soon.

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