Travel to Belfast

Travel to Belfast

Located in the province of Ulster, Belfast, or Bal Feirste as it is known in Gaelic, is the largest city in Northern Ireland and also its capital. It is a city with plenty of character; a modern metropolis offering all the amenities you would expect of a countrys capital. Visitors will find ample opportunities for sightseeing as well as a plethora of venues in the city for enjoying a night out, whether it is a sedate affair in a restaurant or a wild night at one of the many clubs on hand. Belfast has a good tourist infrastructure and sees a large number of visitors throughout the year and particularly in the summer season.

Transportation to Belfast

Belfast International Airport is the chief gateway into the country of Northern Ireland and is a busy facility with a single terminal, providing space for just seven scheduled airlines. Passenger amenities are good, with facilities for withdrawing and exchanging money, eating and shopping. For ground transportation, some passengers may be collected by a hotel courtesy shuttle, while others can take the bus into Belfast town or to a variety of other destinations within the region. Alternatively, there are taxis available or car hire.

For getting around Belfast, youll find an efficient public transport system in operation that provides bus and train coverage to most parts of the city.

Taxis are also readily available and while obviously more expensive, they are a convenient means of travelling door to door. Cabs can be hailed in the street, hired from stands or booked by telephone. Belfast is served by a number of major roads making driving from other cities or from the Republic of Ireland relatively easy and uncomplicated.

What to see

Belfast offers plenty for those who like to spend a portion of their holiday sightseeing. There are a number of places of historical and cultural interest worth visiting, such as Belfast Castle and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, while those who like a drop of Guinness can take one of the citys pub tours. Open-top buses provide general tours of Belfast, taking in the most popular sights and are a good way to get a feeling for the city.

Daytrips

There are a number of places located within a reasonable driving distance of Belfast that are worth visiting for the day. Drive for just a few hours and you can reach the spectacular Giants Causeway, hailed as one of the worlds most amazing natural sights. Alternatively, the beautiful beaches along the Causeway Coast are well worth a visit and are a good way to while away a lazy day when the weather is fine.

Activities and leisure

If you like to get physically active during your holiday then youre best bet is to head out of the city towards some of the beautiful surrounding countryside, where there are good opportunities for participating in outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing. Those who enjoy fishing will also find plenty of quiet spots to sit down and cast their lines.

Back in the city, meanwhile, you can take advantage of municipal leisure centres that offer opportunities for swimming, keep fit classes and gym workouts. Respectable hotels often have their own fitness centres, where paying guests can make use of the facilities at no extra cost.

Safety issues

In general, Belfast is a safe place to holiday provided visitors act sensibly. Threats from pickpockets are as present here as in any popular holiday resort, but you can dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted by taking some small precautionary measures.

The locals are rarely violent towards tourists and the only chance you have of seeing violent behaviour is from drunken Europeans, who are best kept at a safe distance. Visitors with holiday insurance will not be any less likely to experience unfortunate incidents, but will have greater peace of mind knowing that they will be financially provided for should the worst happen.