Belfast Travel Guide
Travel guide to Belfast, Northern Ireland with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Belfast sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Belfast Overview
Despite the troubles of the past, and the occasional news stories about a bunch of stupid bigots marching through the streets and scaring children once a year, Belfast is actually a pretty cool place to visit.
With a great nightlife area on the banks of the River Lagan, top class shopping, and a burgeoning cultural reputation, it is not surprising that so many people make the short flight to Belfast in order to enjoy a weekend break in the capital of Northern Ireland.
There is a lot to see and do in Belfast, and with the legendary friendliness of the locals, coupled with the many attractions of the city; it has quickly gained a reputation as a top city break destination from the UK.
Top Belfast Attractions
Massive investment in the Belfast infrastructure over the past few years means that there are tonnes of attractions for visitors to the city to get excited about. The centre of the city is Donegal Square, where the main neo classical cluster of Belfast is located, The Old City Hall, Linen Hall Library, and the Scottish Provident Building are the three graces of Belfast and are well worth seeing.
Also of interest, the Botanical Gardens of Belfast are at their best during the summer when the many flowers make a most colourful display, and the gardens provide a welcome escape from the bustle of the city.
Shopping in Belfast
As the main city in Northern Ireland, Belfast is an important commercial centre and has a great shopping area with many top name shops. You can choose from department stores, high street favourites and plenty of stylish smaller specialist shops where the latest fashions are available quite cheaply.
Prices are roughly equivalent to the rest of the UK, but there are some unique stores in Belfast, and the city is the equal of Glasgow or Manchester when it comes to the variety of places to spend money.
Belfast Sporting Events
The most popular sport in Belfast is football, and although the English Premiership (mainly Liverpool and Everton) is well liked, the most important rivalry is that between Glasgow Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. Matches between the two teams are treated like life or death, and the winners get bragging rights across the city.
