Tourism & Day Trips

Plants, Gardens & Nature

Places to go in Northern Ireland
Belfast

As the capital, Belfast is an excellent place to base a tour of Northern Ireland, with many shops (many British & Irish chains), clubs, theatres, venues, pubs, restaurants, ice hockey & skating venues, IMAX & multiplex cinemas and parks. Fast trains to Dublin and Fast ferries to Scotland right from the heart of the city. The City Airport (near city centre) provides UK & ROI flights (some Euro destinations) and Belfast International Airport (30min NW of city) serves UK, ROI, Western Europe and some other international destinations direct.

  • Buildings/Architecture of note are the City Hall (1906), Queen's University of Belfast (1849) with many cafes, shops and bars around it. Crown Liquor Saloon is a Victorian pub with beautiful carvings, glass and tiles (National Trust). Well worth a visit for your favourite drink.
  • Botanic Gardens with Palm House (1839). Grovelands rose & ornamental gardens. Malone House 19th century with beautiful parkland and exhibitions on Belfast Parks.
  • Belfast Zoo sits above the city on Cave Hill (Cave Hill Country Park), with great views over the city and Belfast Lough.
  • The Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum are excellent for Irish history and culture.
  • Harland & Wolff shipyards, home to the ill fated Titanic.
  • Stormont, the original parliament and now the new assembly for a devolved Northern Ireland.

The city along with the rest of Northern Ireland are world famous sadly for the 'Troubles'. Areas like the Shankill (Loyalist/Prodestant/Unionist) and its neighbour the Falls (Republican/Catholic/Nationalist) may be areas of interest to see the communities at the heart of the difficulties. As a foreign visitor you may feel wary of such a place. The people of these parts of Belfast, as well as the whole city and Northern Ireland, are genuine and warm people. No matter your background you should not fear trouble, as often portrayed by the world's media. The media, as is often the case, only focuses on the negative side. Belfast is a city rediscovering itself and an exciting place to be. Come and discover the cultures, landscape and history of Northern Ireland. Enjoy the Craic!