The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a large industrial city that was formed only in the 19th century. It has a tumultuous industrial and political past and, contrary to popular belief, a completely calm and hospitable present. (But, of course, it won't hurt to follow certain precautions there, as in any big city.) Belfast is convenient in terms of movement and very interesting in terms of tourism.
HOW TO GET
Belfast International Airport receives flights from North America, continental Europe and major cities of Great Britain. The airport is located 20 km northwest of the center. Another runway - George Best Belfast City Airport 6 km from Belfast - receives planes from Ireland (Cork and Galway) and Great Britain.
On the bus
There are two bus stations in Belfast: the main one is called Europa (Europa BusCentre) and is located in the city centre, next to the Europa Hotel and next to Great Victoria St station. There are buses to Londonderry, Dublin, as well as to the west and south of Northern Ireland. A second bus station, Laganside BusCentre, is on Oxford Street, close to the river. All flights to Country Entre, east to County Down and the Cookstown area depart from here. There are information offices at each bus station (7:45-18:30 Monday to Friday, 8:00-18:00 on Saturdays) where you can get the regional timetable.
Eurolines operates daily services between Belfast and London (from £32, 14 hour journey, ferry fare included) via Dumfries, Carlisle, Preston, Manchester and Birmingham.
On the train
Trains to Dublin and all Northern Ireland depart from Belfast Central Bus Station on East Bridge St, east of the centre. Trains to Portadown, Lisburn, Learn Harbor and Derry depart from Great Victoria St.
The train ticket to the central station also includes a free bus ride to the city centre.
A Sunday Day Tracker ticket (£7.50) is valid throughout Northern Ireland for unlimited journeys throughout the region on Sundays.
On the ferry
The terminal of the Stena Line company, which is engaged in the transportation of tourists and cars from Belfast to Stranraer (Scotland), is located 2 km north of the center on Dock St. The rest of the companies transporting cars are based in the port of Larne, 30 km north of Belfast.
Norfolkline operates services between Belfast and Liverpool from Victoria Terminal, 5km north of the centre. The Steam Packet Company takes tourists and their cars to the Isle of Man two or three times a week from April to September from Donegall Quay.
TRANSPORT
Most city buses depart from Donegall Sq. There are local trains in Belfast that leave every half hour, connecting Great Victoria Street and Central Stations, following through City Hospital and Botanic Stations. Taxis, as in most cities in the UK, are of two types: "black cabs" and mini cabs. The others are significantly cheaper, but they can only be ordered by phone.
There are cycling routes around the city, perhaps the most spectacular, number 9, runs through the center of Belfast, following the west bank of the River Lagan and the north bank of Belfast Bay.
HOTELS
In Belfast there are hostels (Lagan Backpackers, Belfast International), and expensive hotels "with a name" (Radisson SAS, Hilton Belfast), and even Madison's boutique hotel.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
The main attraction of the city (perhaps not for its beauty, but for its history for sure) is the City Hall in Donegal Square. The view of this town hall, opened in 1906, will definitely look familiar to the residents of the sunny country of South Africa, as it is almost like two drops of water similar to the building where the government in Durban sits. A vivid example of colonization and planting of English culture and traditions of the great Empire. Every day, free tours are held at the Town Hall, including stories about the victims of the Titanic and showing the monument to Queen Victoria.
St Anne's Cathedral on Donegall St is opposite Royal Avenue, the city's main shopping thoroughfare. The architecture of the cathedral is truly impressive, as well as a large number of cozy cafes, miniature galleries and cute shops around.
Belfast is also famous for the Ulster Museum and the City Hall. An interesting and central square of Donegal, surrounded by impressive monuments of the Victorian era. The Liny Hall library is also located there, which houses the main treasures of Irish literature.
The building of the Grand Opera House is also a landmark of Belfast. It was bombed several times, but was beautifully restored. The history and culture of the city is presented in the Ulster Museum next to the university. In the suburbs of Belfast there is a zoo, Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle (formally it dates back to the 12th century, but the current building was built in 1870) and Stormont, the former parliament of the region and now the residence of the Minister of Northern Ireland.
Another attraction of Belfast, the city, which, by the way, is also known for the fact that the infamous "Titanic" was built there, is the sculptural composition "The Searcher", erected for the centenary of the "discoverer" of the magical Narnia K. Lewis
The struggle of the United Kingdom and Ireland for Belfast is a thing of the past, but it still left its mark. Walking around the city, tourists are bound to come across a building or two with military-themed graffiti all over the wall. And the expression "Whatever you say - say nothing", which was widespread here in the 70s, has not been forgotten by the residents of Belfast to this day.
Belfast Mural Tour
Belfast Mural Tour - a tour of the unique urban graffiti of Belfast - is definitely worth the time spent on it. Peculiar frescoes were inherited by the city from two warring parties - Republicans and Liberals (Catholics and Protestants), who fought for power in Northern Ireland: some - for joining England, others - for independence. We know how it all ended (Northern Ireland still does not belong to the Republic of Ireland), but it is still possible to change the mood and take "your side" at least mentally - to this day. If you start your walk from The Falls Road or the Shankill, you'll get better views of the houses whose walls still bear the "agite character".
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
Talking about pubs in Belfast is an empty exercise, you have to visit them. The unique atmosphere of an explosive mixture of Irish with British conservatism make these drinking establishments perhaps the most authentic in the entire Kingdom. The Golden Mile deserves special mention. The area starts at the Europa Hotel or Great Victoria Street train station, takes a slight left down Dublin Road, takes in a host of fun pubs near Bradbury Place, and ends in the laid-back student neighborhoods of Botanic Avenue and University Road. It is worth bearing in mind that this is not the safest area in the city, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Chatty taxi drivers can tell a lot of stories about the Golden Mile. You shouldn't believe everything, but it won't hurt to keep an ear. It is here that young people from all over Europe flock in search of Guinness, whiskey and adventure, so the bad reputation is fully justified.
