When in Belfast
Belfast is an ideal weekend getaway, especially for Brits deciding to head off on a whim, with flights fast and frequent. However, due to its troubled past, it's often overlooked in favour of its southern counterpart Dublin.
This is unfortunate as Belfast offers much for the short break traveller, from vibrant nightlife, idiosyncratic charm and, of course, its fascinating history. The Good Friday agreement has heralded massive redevelopment in the city, with Belfast's Victorian and Edwardian facades now freshened up and jostling for space with modern developments.
Although the largest city in Northern Ireland, Belfast's central area is still remarkably compact, with most sites and attractions accessible within a 15 minute walk. The centre has been pedestrianised, making sightseeing within the capital cheap and easy.
Visitors should start exploring at City Hall, an easy landmark to spot with its iconic 53-metre dome. Queens' University, the Ulster Bank and Northern Bank buildings also provide an impressive backdrop while wandering around Belfast's streets. Past and present fuse with the Odyssey, an imposing entertainment complex built close to where the Titanic originally launched. Full of restaurants, a cinema and other attractions, the Odyssey is a popular night time destination for locals and tourists alike.
Much like Berlin, a visit to Belfast cannot avoid the city's history and nor should it try. Past visitors claim that one of the best and most interesting ways to explore the city is with a Black Taxi Tour, which takes tourists through the streets to explore Belfast's history. It gives visitors the chance to see some of the city's decidedly un-touristy areas, with the tour taking in both Catholic and Protestant council estates. Murals are common throughout the city and continue to attract visitors, although many of the more sectarian images are now being replaced with less controversial motifs, such as George Best.
Belfast is a small city and one which also offers easy access to more rural areas, making it an ideal choice for those trying to choose between a city break and more rural retreat. Nestled above the Belfast Lough inlet, the city is flanked by hills to the north and south, with hiking and climbing popular activities. The National Trust has recently acquired Divis and the Black Mountain, previously owned by the Ministry of Defence, and is now opening them up to tourists keen to get a bird's eye view of the city.
The weather in Belfast threatens to make the city feel like a home from home for many British travellers, with significant rainfall recorded on an average of 200 days a year. The climate is generally temperate, with a maximum average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius in July and eight degrees in January.
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Introduction
