Back in June 2008, I decided to travel to Belfast for the day on RyanAir. At the time, the cost to fly there was less than a train ticket from Cambridge to London. I left early in the morning and came back the same night. Therefore, I only had a chance to get a brief introduction to the city. I had always been curious to see the city that built Titanic. Also, I had heard a lot about it when there were IRA terrorist bombings during the Troubles. It was surprising to see that there were still a lot of opposing political murals, and walls between Nationalist and Unionist areas.
I would like to go back to Belfast, especially to see the Titanic Museum and also some more of the other museums. This is a very brief guide based on my travel to Belfast.
Highlights
- Belfast City Hall
- Northern Ireland Parliament
- Interesting political street art
- Titanic Museum
- Albert Memorial Clock
- Titanic Mural
- Crumlin Road Gaol
- Irish Republican History Museum
- Peace Walls, which separate Nationalist and Unionist areas
- War Memorial, Queen’s University Belfast
Before you go
- Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom
- The official currency is British Pound Sterling
- The Troubles (Irish: Na Trioblóidí) were conflicts between Nationalists and Unionists in Northern Ireland that lasted about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998
- Sadly there were a lot of terrorist bombings during the troubles and memorial plaques can be seen on some buildings
Transport
- The main airport is called the George Best Belfast City Airport. It is served by many airlines including the Irish RyanAir
- The Hop-On Hop-Off bus was a great way to see more of the city
- The city centre can be explored on foot, but some of the sights such as Parliament are further out
Accommodation
- Since I was only there for a day trip, I did not stay in any accommodation. However, I recommend checking a site such as Booking.com
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, it is easy to get around the city without a guide. However, to hear more about the history and experiences during the Troubles, it would be interesting to have a guide.
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, everyone speaks English
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: Yes, in the main city centre is is walkable. However, I recommend the bus to see more of the sights around the city
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