Belfast
Overview of Belfast
The fortunes of Belfast have risen and fallen dramatically over time. It began as a Bronze Age settlement; grew hugely in power as well as size during the Industrial Revolution; suffered extensive World War II bombings; and has famously been a hotspot in the massive civil conflict that has split Ireland. Today, the capital of Northern Ireland is a thriving city that has regained some of its old charm and industry, and has begun to lure a stream of curious travellers. City breaks in Belfast are becoming increasingly popular, with a variety of low-cost European carriers offering cheap flights to Northern Ireland’s capital.
Belfast is situated near the mouth of the River Lagan, and blossomed in the 17th century with an influx of English and Scottish settlers. The port city grew in prominence during the Industrial Revolution, with booming linen, rope-making, and shipbuilding industries. The ill-fated Titanic was built here in the Harland and Wolff shipyards, and today Belfast still boasts the world’s biggest dry dock, as well as a restored Waterfront Complex that houses chic restaurants, shops, and ubiquitous Irish pubs.
Much of the city’s architectural heritage was destroyed during repeated bombings in World War II, as well as during The Troubles: a period of civil conflict between Roman Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists that raged from 1969 until the late 1990s. Several exquisite Victorian and Edwardian buildings still remain and have been filled with trendy bars, boutiques, galleries, museums, and restaurants in an attempt to regenerate the city’s image. Evidence of The Troubles can still be seen in the many murals that line Falls Road and Shankill Road, and the Europa Hotel has become famous as one of the most-bombed buildings in Europe, having being targeted no less than 33 times.
Belfast is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but its fascinating history, ongoing struggles, numerous attractions, and, above all, the warmth and acerbic wit of its inhabitants, make it an interesting stop on any tour of the United Kingdom. It also serves as an excellent base from which to explore the many natural wonders of Northern Ireland.
Key Facts
- Language:
- English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.
- Passport/Visa:
If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
- Currency:
The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
- Electricity:
- The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.
Travel to Belfast
Climate for Belfast
Typical of Ireland as a whole, Belfast has a temperate climate, with a narrow range of fairly mild temperatures and plenty of rainfall all year. In summer, between June and August, average temperatures range between 49F (9C) and 66F (19C). Although rain is possible at any time of year, the summer months are slightly less rainy than the rest of the year. June is the driest and the sunniest month and July is generally the warmest. In winter, between December and February, average temperatures range between 37F (3C) and 46F (8C). November, December and January are the wettest months. The city seldom gets snow, with an average of less than 10 snowy days a year.
The best time to visit Belfast is between April and August, when the city is least wet and overcast. October is a good month to visit for culture vultures, as this is when the Belfast Festival (the second biggest arts festival in the UK behind Edinburgh) is held. Around the 12 July every year some Protestant marches and parades are held in Belfast; the marches are usually peaceful nowadays, but it is still a tense and potentially violent period in the city and travellers tend to avoid it.
7 day forecast for Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| Friday Dec. 19, 2024 | Saturday Dec. 20, 2024 | Sunday Dec. 21, 2024 | Monday Dec. 22, 2024 | Tuesday Dec. 23, 2024 | Wednesday Dec. 24, 2024 | Thursday Dec. 25, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi: 49°F Lo: 40°F  Cloudy | Hi: 50°F Lo: 36°F Overcast | Hi: 41°F Lo: 36°F  Morning clouds | Hi: 49°F Lo: 34°F Overcast | Hi: 54°F Lo: 47°F Overcast | Hi: 52°F Lo: 47°F Cloudy | Hi: 52°F Lo: 45°F Overcast |
Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom
It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK.
Customs in United Kingdom
Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.
Duty Free in United Kingdom
Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume. The EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) continues to apply to travel between Northern Ireland, EU Member States and third countries.
Doing Business in United Kingdom
The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to ‘read between the lines’ and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person’s ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.
Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it’s worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.
Communication in United Kingdom
The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.
Tipping in United Kingdom
Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn’t been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn’t expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.
Passport/Visa Note
If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 6 months.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.
Attractions in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast is a great place for travellers to enjoy sightseeing, as the layout of the city and its public transport make it easy for visitors to get from the centre of Belfast to the surrounding suburbs within 20 minutes, even during rush-hour. Moreover, many of Northern Ireland’s most famous and worthwhile sightseeing attractions are just a short drive outside of the city.
Visitors can take a trip to City Hall and admire the turn-of-the-century British architecture and the memorial to the victims of the ill-fated Titanic (which was built in Belfast), and a statue of Queen Victoria. They can also head to the trendy Cathedral Quarter, where the beautiful St Anne’s Cathedral provides a wonderful backdrop for the small shops, boutiques, galleries and eateries lining the streets around it, and take in the magnificent architecture in the area that is marketed as Belfast’s ‘cultural’ district.
For a more relaxing day of sightseeing, travellers can visit the Botanic Gardens with a book and a packed lunch, and then head to Falls Road or Shankill to see some of the world’s finest political murals. Animal lovers should visit the Belfast Zoo to meet the famous prairie dogs that run free around the zoo’s grounds as well as many other exotic and endangered animals; and opera lovers will be thrilled at the opportunity to visit the Grand Opera House for a tour or a performance.
Cathedral Quarter
Once the city’s centre for trade and its warehouse district, the Cathedral Quarter is now the heart of Belfast’s cultural and tourist hub. The district is named for St Anne’s Cathedral. The cathedral itself is a beautiful Romanesque place of worship, more than a century old, which houses many art works and historical artefacts, and welcomes tourists as well as worshippers of all faiths. Four services are held every day in the cathedral. There are some lovely examples of Victorian and Art Deco architecture in the Cathedral Quarter, as well as several galleries, dedicated performing arts venues, and good restaurants and bars. The area plays host to the Belfast Film Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival annually, as well as a number of other entertaining events and festivals. Popular performance art venues and general gathering spaces in the Cathedral Quarter include Custom House Square (Belfast’s largest outdoor venue), Writer’s Square, Cotton Court, the Cathedral Gardens, and the recently opened Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC). Given some time, the Quarter could rival Dublin’s Temple Bar district for a good time in Ireland. Many tourists choose to find accommodation in the district, particularly those interested nightlife. Another must-see in the trendy Cathedral Quarter is the Crown Liquor Saloon, which is one of the most famous bars in Northern Ireland. A classic example of a Victorian ‘gin palace’, the Crown has undergone several restorations and refurbishments in its 130-year history, and today stands as beautifully finished as ever before, having lost none of its old-world charm.
Belfast Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum
The Belfast Botanic Gardens date back to 1828, but were only opened to the public in 1895. The gardens boast the Palm House, a cast iron and glass house built in 1852, rose gardens, green walkways, and the Tropical Ravine greenhouse, which was built in 1889. The gardens are popular with office workers, students, locals, and tourists alike, and are a delightful venue for a picnic. Concerts and music festivals are frequently held at the Stranmillis Embankment end of the gardens, with past performances by international stars such as Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Snow Patrol, and U2. Alcohol is technically banned in the park, but it remains a popular meeting place for young people. At the main entrance to the gardens is the fascinating Ulster Museum, which is one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the city. Founded in 1821, the Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits on a range of subjects, with dinosaur exhibitions rubbing shoulders with Egyptian mummies and Irish politics. The museum also houses an excellent art collection. The Ulster Museum has recently been renovated and greatly improved and is a wonderful attraction for people of all ages. There is also a good cafe at the museum.
Belfast Zoo
The Belfast Zoo is packed with animals from all over the world housed in a range of habitats, and offers a fun-filled day out for the whole family to enjoy. The zoo is home to more than a thousand animals covering something like 150 different species. Animals in the zoo include bears, lions, a variety of monkeys, seals, cheetahs, lemurs, snakes, ferrets, kangaroos, wolves, tortoises, tigers, and gorillas. There is a separate bird park, containing many exotic and rare birds. The African animals, including elephants, zebras, meerkats, porcupines, and a large herd of giraffes are very popular with visitors. Another highlight is Rainforest House, a walk-through exhibition containing fruit bats, among other things, in a tropical landscape. The zoo also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year, such as reptile displays, birds of prey exhibitions, and more, and has active breeding and conservation projects. There is a cafe and gift shop at the zoo, as well as picnic tables, a play park for young children, and a farm. There are good walking trails and the Belfast Zoo, located on the side of Cave Hill, even offers some great views over the city. The location on the hill does mean that some areas can be quite steep and perhaps difficult for those with mobility issues.
St George’s Market
Built between 1890 and 1896, St George’s Market is one of the city’s oldest attractions, and the last remaining Victorian covered market in the region. After painstaking (and expensive) restoration, the market has reopened. It is considered one of the best markets in the UK, having won many awards locally and nationally. On Fridays, the Variety Market, as the name suggests, offers a range of different items from antiques to clothes, and is also famous for its fish market. The Variety Market hosts about 250 stalls and visitors can find books, crafts, food and pretty much anything else. The City Food and Craft Market is on Saturdays, and offers the freshest local, international and speciality foods, as well as crafts, flowers, plants, art, pottery and glass and metal work. There is usually live music at the market, so that visitors can shop to the jolly strains of local musicians. The Sunday Market is a mixture of the other two markets, also offering a staggering array of goods. St George’s Market also hosts a special Christmas craft market every year during the festive season. The market may also be the best place in Northern Ireland to shop for souvenirs!
Giant’s Ring
The fascinating and mysterious Giant’s Ring, in Ballynahatty, near Shaw’s Bridge, is made up of a circular enclosure nearly 656 feet (200m) in diameter, with five entrances, and an older Neolithic passage tomb dating back to roughly 2,700 BC (meaning that it predates the Egyptian pyramids!). Although the exact purpose of the henge is not known, some say that it served as a meeting point and ritual area, and several packages and urns full of bones have been excavated in the surroundings. There are beautiful views across the Lagan Valley, and the Ring is a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike to relax, picnic, cycle, or walk. Similar ancient monuments can be found in Britain and Ireland, but Giant’s Ring is one of the finest of its kind, evoking a powerful sense of mystery. There are some glorious walking trails in the area, including the Giant’s Ring Path, which takes walkers through the beautiful countryside of Minnowburn and Ballynahatty, beginning in the car park by Minnowburn Beeches. This trail takes about two hours and is a circular route, which will loop back to where visitors left their cars. Giant’s Ring is a very short drive from Belfast, and should not be confused with the famous Giant’s Causeway.
Ulster American Folk Park
The Ulster American Folk Park is an open-air museum that focuses on the large-scale emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Displays illustrate the everyday life of the emigrants through reconstructed original and replica buildings, a full-size replica of a sailing ship, and daily demonstrations of printing, cooking, spinning, and blacksmithing practices. There is also a fascinating indoor museum and a dockside gallery. The park hosts regular temporary exhibitions, some of which are fascinating and so popular that they stay up for years, such as the Titanic exhibition, which looks at the Irish immigrants who sailed on the famous ship. The park also hosts a number of events, including popular music festivals such as the Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival. Admission costs increase on days when the park is hosting major events and travellers should check the official website to see what’s on during their visit. The park gives visitors a taste of what life was really like for the Irish at home and after making the journey to America over the past three centuries, allowing travellers to stroll through history at their own pace and see the buildings, clothes, and crafts that sustained daily life. As it is an open-air museum weather is a factor and visitors should come prepared when it is raining.
St Anne’s Cathedral
The focal point of Belfast’s trendy Cathedral Quarter district, St Anne’s Cathedral is a gorgeous monument, and a proud symbol of all the best that Northern Ireland has to offer. With its foundation stone laid at the turn of the 20th century, the cathedral was constructed around an old parish church, of which only the Good Samaritan window still remains, viewable in the sanctuary of St Anne’s. In 1924, the west front of St Anne’s Cathedral was built in memoriam of the Ulster men and women who lost their lives in World War I, and in 1932, mosaics of St Patrick were inlaid to celebrate the 1,500-year anniversary of the Saint’s arrival in Ireland. However, the most intriguing sight for present-day visitors to Belfast is the 130-foot (40m) stainless steel spire that was added to the cathedral in 2007. Known as the ‘Spire of Hope’, the structure is illuminated at night, and stands as a symbol for the rejuvenation of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, and for the new hope and optimism that is beginning to flourish in Northern Ireland’s historically troubled capital. Although St Anne’s is an Anglican cathedral, the church welcomes people of all faiths as well as tourists. There are many historic treasures and works of art housed in the church.
Giant’s Causeway
The pride of Northern Ireland’s tourist attractions, the Giant’s Causeway is a must-see sight for visitors to the northern half of the Emerald Isle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway is a series of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, a wondrous geological feature caused by ancient volcanic eruptions along the Antrim coastline. The hexagonal columns, the tallest of which are about 39 feet (12m) high, were formed over 60 million years ago, and today present visitors with a terrain that truly does look like the handiwork of giants. As visitors walk along the one mile (1.6km) causeway, they will notice a few famous formations among the columns, that have been given names such as The Chimney Stacks, The Harp, The Organ, and The Camel’s Hump. Despite looking like a work of art, the Giant’s Causeway is a completely natural landscape. An on-site Visitors’ Centre is open every day of the year, and provides some interesting information about the origins and myths surrounding the unique landscape. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Experience includes a multi-lingual audio guide and greatly enriches the visit to the Causeway, particularly for those travelling with children.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Situated in an area of significant natural beauty, with views of Rathlin Island and Scotland stretching out in the distance, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of Northern Ireland’s newest and most popular tourist attractions. The rope bridge, which connects tiny Carrick Island with the mainland on the Antrim Coast, is the latest in a 350-year series of bridges between the two points, and offers a thrilling walk along the 66-foot (20m) divide, with visitors suspended 100 feet (30m) above the rocks below. Carrick-a-Rede boasts about a quarter of a million annual visitors and, despite being quite scary, especially in high winds, has an impeccable safety record. The extreme beauty of the rugged coastline on which it is built makes for a highly worthwhile day trip for visitors to Northern Ireland. Although there is no real danger, a number of tourists have chickened out and refused to cross the bridge again after reaching the far side! If this happens, the only alternative is getting back to the mainland by boat. Although opening times vary, the bridge is almost always open to visitors for at least a few hours every day.
Airports in Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Belfast International Airport
http://www.belfastairport.com
Location: Belfast The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) northwest of Belfast.
Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9448 4848.
Getting to the city: The Airport Express operates between the airport and the city centre every 15 minutes from outside the terminal building, 24 hours a day. The International Airport Taxi Company offer taxis outside the right hand door of the airport exit lobby with a list of fares displayed in the exit hall of the terminal.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National and can be found in the Arrivals hall.
Airport Taxis: International Airport Taxi Company offer taxis outside the right hand door of the airport exit lobby with a list of fares displayed in the exit hall of the terminal. The journey takes around 25 minutes.
Facilities: Facilities at the airport include bureaux de changes, ATMs, WiFi, duty-free shopping, a travel agent, a business lounge, an information desk, and a variety of shops and restaurants. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for.
Parking: There are four parking options at Belfast International Airport: short-stay parking, the main car park, long-stay parking, and park and fly.
Departure Tax: None. 2762.7
Belfast City Airport (BHD)
George Best Belfast City Airport
http://www.belfastcityairport.com
Location: Belfast The airport is situated five miles (8km) east of Belfast.
Time: Local time is GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +44 28 9093 9093.
Getting to the city: Approved taxis are available outside the terminal building. The Airport Express 600 bus service departs every 30 minutes from the airport terminal to the Belfast Europa Bus Centre in the heart of the city.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt.
Airport Taxis:
Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, bureau de change, wireless Internet, restaurants, and shops. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for.
Parking: Short-term and long-term parking is available at the airport.
Departure Tax: None.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
