With ongoing confusion in the UK about whether amber means go, stop or ‘’go but expect a knock on the door’’, that chance to hop on a plane and fly somewhere exciting this summer feels increasingly fleeting.
How does taking a flight or ferry somewhere a little closer to home sound? On the 24th May, travel between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland (as part of the Common Travel Area of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) will once again be permitted without the requirement of an essential reason.
So, why not take the opportunity to visit Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, and explore this exciting, historic city?
It should be noted that some restrictions will remain in place after the 24th May, with a negative COVID test and a period of self isolation required to visit. That said, it looks likely that these will soon be lifted within the Common Travel Area, making a trip from London to Belfast one of the most effortless trips currently going. Keep an eye on the official Northern Ireland Direct Government Services website for the latest updates on rules and guidance.
With all of those caveats dispensed with, we just can’t wait to explore this amazing city, virtually at first, and then physically when restrictions allow. Let’s take care of the former today; here is our Belfast bucket list of 7 IDEAL things to do in Northern Ireland’s capital.
THE SHIP OF DREAMS
There is a saying in Belfast that ‘the Titanic was fine when she left’, and located on Belfast’s Maritime Mile is the iconic Titanic Quarter, the site of the former Harland and Wolff Shipyard that once employed over 40,000 workers.
If you’re flying into Belfast City Airport, you might have got a birds-eye view of the Titanic Museum, shaped like a star to represent the White Star Line (the famous transatlantic British shipping company) and located right by the slipways where the legendary ship was built.
Once inside, your self-guided tour takes you through nine interactive galleries, giving you a fully immersive experience and making you feel like you are on the Titanic. Without the sinking part, of course.
After your tour, why not jump aboard the SS Nomadic, which was the last White Star Line Ship left in the world and used to ferry first and second-class passengers off the coast of France onto the Titanic in April 1912. A few famous faces that have walked the decks of Nomadic include Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and Marie Curie.
This is one of the most popular sightseeing stops on the local hop-on hop-off Belfast tour, and as an added bonus, your ticket stub will get you a discount off an adult entry ticket.
FINN MCCOOL – GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
The Irish are regarded as some of the world’s best storytellers, and wherever you might end up, there’s bound to be a legendary story that’s been passed down the generations being told. One famous character is Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool), who is the lead protagonist in many Irish legends.
One of the most famous of these legends is the Salmon of Knowledge, the story of a mythical fish that, if caught, grants the lucky fishermen all the knowledge in the world. All they have to do is eat its flesh.
Myth and mystique aside, most people know Finn McCool as being the engineer behind the Giant’s Causeway, which was built as a pathway between Ireland and Scotland so two feuding giants could partake in a battle royale to decide who was stronger. Nestled at the very tip of County Antrim, the UNESCO World Heritage Site saw just under 1 million people visit in 2019, meaning it is an unmissable destination during your time in Northern Ireland.
Tours to the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast run daily throughout the year, guided by entertaining and informative guides who will take you to quaint little villages and breathtaking landscapes before reaching the Giant’s Causeway. The drive between the city and causeway takes just over an hour, but due to the stunning scenery on display, you might wish it were even longer!
WINTER IS COMING
“It is a big and beautiful world. Most of us live and die in the same corner where we were born and never get to see any of it. I don’t want to be most of us.”
Due to the massive success of Game of Thrones, Northern Ireland attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year who want to experience the mythical world of Westeros. You can leave Belfast in almost any direction and at some point on your journey, you’re bound to run into a filming location or two.
Head south of Belfast and you hit Tollymore Forest, used in various episodes in the series including Season One – Episode One where Ned Stark comes across the dead stag and each of the Stark children receive their own direwolf puppy. Head east and you’ll eventually reach County Fermanagh, home of the Marble Arch Caves, and also home to the Brotherhood without Banners.
Decide to go north? Well, this is where you’ll hit the jackpot on Game of Thrones filming locations, with several iconic episodes shot here.
Why not join a Game of Thrones tour from Belfast to guarantee that you don’t miss an iconic Westeros kingdom? Along your journey up the stunning North Antrim coast you’ll pass through areas of outstanding natural beauty that were transformed into the backdrop for kingdoms such as Dragonstone, the Stormlands, Braavos and the Iron Islands.
Finally, we can’t forget the crown and jewel of picturesque photos; The Dark Hedges, famously known as The King’s Road. Guests on the tour will have the opportunity to dress up in cloaks and helmets while armed with swords and shields for the ultimate photo souvenir.
BELFAST STREET ART AND MURALS
When you think of Belfast street art, the city’s political murals probably first come to mind. But in recent years, the street art on display has diversified, and Belfast has become a hub for extremely talented artists from all over the world to showcase their talents throughout the city; some even say it rivals Glasgow to its claim of being the UK’s capital of culture (an unofficial title, mind).
Some of the most famous pieces of art are located in and around the Cathedral Quarter on large gable walls of popular bars and restaurants. If you are looking for an ever-changing, al-fresco gallery of art, then the International Wall of Murals is the place for you. The wall is divided by the Peace Line that separates the Republican Falls Road and the Loyalist Shankill Road areas, meaning the wall features various pieces of art that represents the views, opinions and causes of either community.
A GOOD ‘OLE PUB CRAWL
If you didn’t pub crawl through the Cathedral Quarter, did you really experience Belfast? If you did, can you remember it?
Now, you may have already passed by some of the city’s most popular bars during daylight if you were taking in some of the street art, but you will get to enjoy an entirely different atmosphere in the evening. In fact, an after hours Belfast knees up is as much part of the city’s culture as any of the other sites we mention…as if we needed an excuse!
Don’t fret if you’re a little fussy about where you choose to enjoy a drink; the Cathedral Quarter caters to everyone’s social scene, noise tolerance and preferred level of boisterousness. If you’re looking for some live music, The Harp Bar never fails at showcasing local talent. Across from The Harp Bar, down a cobbled umbrella street, is The Duke of York, featuring a mirrored whiskey bar and a picturesque courtyard should you be keen on capturing some social media worthy snaps on your trip.
EAT ALL OF BELFAST
After a night on the pints (Guinness, natch), it’s time to indulge in some of Northern Ireland’s famous cuisine. If you are feeling a little bit worse for wear, an Ulster Fry is highly recommended to perk you up. An Ulster Fry includes an egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding and both potato and soda bread. Some fry-ups may also include baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms – wahey!
If you have more of a sweet tooth, you can always make your way down to St. George’s Market in the city centre and try a slab of Fifteens, a traybake that includes fifteen(!) of each ingredient, generally composed of digestive biscuits, marshmallows, condensed milk and desiccated coconut. Indulgent as hell, sure, but that’s what being on holiday is all about, right?
You can find an array of local delicacies at the market to suit everyone, from the pickiest of eaters to the more eclectic palate. Pick up a loaf of soda bread, some smoked Lough Neagh eel, a pouch of dried dulse (a type of wild seaweed native to Northern Ireland packed full of saline, smoky notes), some Kearney blue cheese, or even a bag of Yellowman candy, akin to honeycomb toffee and just as delicious as that sounds.
Should you be looking for fine dining, Belfast has a thriving, celebrated restaurant scene, and boasts three Michelin starred restaurants. Our favourite is EIPIC, headed up by chef Alex Greene, who you might recognise from BBC’s Great British Menu.
CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL
We sentence you to a guided tour of Crumlin Road Gaol; time to turn yourself in. The prison was built in 1843 and since its closure in 1996, is the only remaining Victorian-era prison in Northern Ireland. Throughout its 150 years, the walls of the gaol have experienced hunger strikes, escapes, and executions, and has housed murderers, suffragettes and both Republican and Loyalist Prisoners.
Across the road from the gaol is the derelict Crumlin Road Courthouse, which held some of the most notorious trials of The Troubles. There is a tunnel that runs underneath the courthouse over to the gaol as the guards did not want to risk prisoners escaping while crossing the street. Sometimes, the prisoners had to wade through waist deep water between the two; there were no lights so they were in complete darkness. Cruel, shocking, and thankfully, a thing of the past.
You can walk the tunnel for yourself if you join in on a guided tour of the jail. Be sure to use your ticket from the sightseeing tour to receive a discount off an adult entry ticket.
And with that, we wish you a fantastic trip!
Belfast is featured in our 5 IDEAL destinations in Europe for a romantic winter getaway. Sure, it’s a long way off and we haven’t even enjoyed summer yet, but winter is coming, right? Check it out!