The seaport and second largest city in Northern Ireland is Londonderry, or simply Derry as it is affectionately called by the locals (Londonderry) can boast of significant historical milestones that once took place here - the Siege of Derry and the Battle of Boside. Here, too, the fortress walls of the 17th century have been perfectly preserved, and its lively pubs and friendly locals are a real find for the inquisitive tourist.
WEATHER
The warmest months are July-August, when the temperature rises to 17 ° C. The coldest is December-January, with a temperature of 7 ° C.
HOW TO GET
Derry Airport is located 12 km east of the city on the A2 via Limavady. The airport has regular flights from Dublin and Glasgow, London, Liverpool and Nottingham. You can get there by bus No. 143A, the next one in Limaveda (travel time 30 minutes). A taxi to the airport will cost 15-20 GBP.
On the bus
Route 212 operated by Maiden City Flyer provides a regular connection between Derry and Belfast (fare 15 EUR, travel time 1 hour 45 minutes), and route 271 operated by Goldline Express connects Derry with Dublin (20 EUR, 4 hours). Derry also has services from Omagh (1hr 15min), Coleraine (1hr) and Portstewart and Portrush.
Lough Swilly offers transport to Buncrana, Carndona, Dungloe, Letterkenny (30-45 mins) and Greencastle in County Donegal (1hr). Bus Éireann operates routes from Derry to Galway (5hr 15min) with stops via Letterkenny and Sligo.
Airporter has routes to Belfast International Airport (1hr 30min) and George Best Belfast City Airport (2hrs). Buses depart every hour on weekdays and once at 2 o'clock on weekends.
The bus station is located northeast of the Old Town.
On ferries
Lough Foyle Ferry operates ferry services between Magilligan in County Derry and Greencastle in County Donegal and between Buncrana and Rathmallan.
TRANSPORT
Local operator Ulsterbus Foyle serves Derry and the surrounding area on 13 different routes. Buses leave from the stop on Foyle St. An unlimited daily pass on these routes will cost you GBP 2.30.
Bikes can be hired from Bee's Cycles on Waterloo Street or from BM Cycles at 159 Clooney Road. Car rental points are at the airport - Avis, Europcar and Hertz, as well as in the city - Desmond Motors Ltd at 173 Strand Road.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
Derry's Guildhall is a notable historic building, hosting various events; Saint Columb's Cathedral (St Columb's), opened for parishioners in 1633; St. Eugene's Cathedral in the neo-Gothic style and St. Augustine's Chapel.
Museums
The Tower Museum with an exposition on the history of the city is located on Union Hall Place, the Railway Museum on Foyle Road, the Maritime Museum Harbor Museum on Harbor Square.
HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
Carnival on Halloween night - Banks of the Foyle Hallowe'en. In March, Derry hosts the Big Tickle Comedy Festival, in April - the City Of Derry Jazz And Big Band Jazz Festival, and in November, the largest film festival in Northern Ireland, Foyle Film.
The annual Instinct Arts Festival, the Celtronic Electronic Music Festival, the Maiden City Festival, and Derry hosts the Tomo-Dachi Anime Festival every summer.
SHOPPING
Most of the shops are concentrated in the city center. The two main shopping centers are Foyleside and Richmond. Smaller shopping centers - Quayside and Lisnagelvin - are located on the outskirts of the city.
Markets are open every afternoon in Guildhall Square and Union Hall Place. Another market - Walled City Market - opens in Guildhall Square every first Saturday of the month.
And Londonderry is home to the world's oldest store, Austins, founded in 1830
On Saturdays, the city center is filled with tourists, but on Sundays the influx subsides, and therefore many shops are closed.
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
A restaurant where you can try traditional Irish cuisine and seafood dishes - The Bayleaf - is located at 2 Clarendon Street. Another Irish restaurant, Halo Pantry & Grill, is located at 5 Market Street.
