Our tips for a great
getaway in... Belfast Northern Ireland
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a city overflowing with history, culture, music and craic, not to mention a great pint of Guinness! Belfast has a temperate climate and is located between the mouth of the River Lagan and the eastern side of Belfast Lough, with Cave Hill, Divis Mountain, and Black Mountains situated to the north and northwest. With a population of more than 300,000, the locals are welcoming and friendly to anyone who takes the time to visit their fair city. They love to be asked for advice from visitors, and will happily point you in the right direction, share a story or two and probably even discover that they are related to a distant relative of yours in some way!
bestlocal experience: St George’s Market Built in 1896, St George’s Market – housed in a Victorian building in the heart of the city – is one of the best markets in the UK and Europe. Open from 6am-2pm on Fridays and 9am-3pm on Saturdays, the Friday Variety Market is our tip, with roughly 250 stalls selling everything from fruit and veg to fish and books (be sure to try some local potato bread for a taste of old Belfast). The craic of the stallholders provides a wonderful soundtrack to this quintessential Belfast experience, and with clothes and antiques on offer, you might even snap up a bargain – but you must get there early! Where >St George’s Market, May Street, Belfast, Tel: +44 (0)28 9032 7888 (Tourist Information). view map Website > www.belfastcity.gov.uk
bestbar: (okay, okay – the three best bars!) This is a difficult one, as there are so many great bars and us locals love a wee drink, but we’ve managed to narrow it down to three. Belfast’s oldest tavern, Whites, has been serving drinks since 1630, and with open fires in the winter and live music almost every night, it’s well worth calling in for one – or two. For great tapas served daily and an eclectic mix of music, The Spaniard is one of the coolest watering holes around – it’s a real experience! Our final pick is The Duke of York, another of Belfast’s oldest bars and located down a cobbled lane in the Cathedral Quarter. Expect a mostly local crowd, a good whiskey selection and a really fun and friendly atmosphere. Where >Whites Tavern, 2-4 Winecellar Entry, Belfast, Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 3080; The Spaniard, 3 Skipper Street, Belfast, Tel: +44 (0)28 90232448; The Duke of York, 7-11 Commercial Court, Belfast, Tel: +44 (0)28 90241062. view map Website > www.whitestavern.co.uk; www.thespaniardbar.com
bestbreakfast: Maggie May’s Café If you’re not staying with a local who can cook you up an “Ulster Fry”, the next best place is Maggie May’s Café. Located in the student area of Belfast, this tiny café serves a cheap and cheerful breakfast that will fill you up and keep you going all day, and will cure any hangover! Where >Maggie May’s Café, 50 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Tel: +44 (0)28 90322662. view map
bestday out: Glenariff Forest Park It has to be the Glens of Antrim, just one hour’s drive from Belfast. There are nine glens that make up this area of outstanding natural beauty, with glacial valleys, vertical cliffs, sandy beaches, wooded glens and picturesque villages. One of the glens is Glenariff, where you’ll find the spectacular Glenariff Forest Park, featuring the unique Waterfall Walkway – a three-mile walk that opened 80 years ago and takes you past three waterfalls. Open all year ’round, Glenariff Forest Park is great for long walks and the kids will love it. Pack a picnic, leave early and spend the day exploring and taking in the truly breathtaking views. Where >Waterfall Walkway, 6 Forest Road, Garvagh County, Londonderry, Tel: +44 (0)28 2955 6000. Website > www.discovernorthernireland.com
bestlocal produce restaurant: Mourne Seafood Bar If you’re a seafood lover, the recently opened Mourne Seafood Bar is a must – if you can get a reservation! Book well in advance as waiting lists for an evening booking can be up to two weeks. Oysters, sourced from the restaurant’s own shellfish bed, are the speciality – you can enjoy them in the Belfast restaurant or, if you feel like a jaunt, head to the restaurant in the picturesque village of Dundrum, about 45 minutes' drive from Belfast. Where >Mourne Seafood Bar, 34-36 Bank Street, Belfast (beside Kelly Cellars), Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 8544; 10 Main Street, Dundrum, Newcastle, County Down, Tel: +44 (0)28 4375 1377. view map Website > www.mourneseafood.com
bestlocal history tour: Titanic Tour Jump on The Lagan Boat Company’s “Titanic Tour” and explore the famous Harland and Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and launched (not from Liverpool, as many people think). The trip lasts about 75 minutes and is funny, informative and will show you just how much Belfast has expanded over the last century. Where >Titanic Tours depart from the No: 2 jetty on Donegall Quay (30 metres to the left of the “Big Fish” sculpture), Tel: +44 (028) 9033 0844. Website > www.laganboatcompany.com
Compiled by Karola O’Rawe
besttrivia
Belfast is the home to The Belfast Newsletter – first produced in 1737, it is the oldest continually published English-language newspaper in the world.
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