Content
From the city’s airport at Aldergrove, 13 miles (21 km) northwest, services are maintained with some principal international cities. Educational institutions in Belfast include Queen’s University at Belfast (founded in 1845 as the Queen’s College), the University of Ulster at Belfast (1849), and Union Theological College (1853). The city is the shopping, retail, educational, commercial, entertainment, and service centre for Northern Ireland and the seat of many of its largest businesses and hospitals. By the 17th century, the town was a busy port with small shipbuilding interests, which became firmly established after William Ritchie founded a shipyard (1791) and a graving (dry) dock (1796). By the late 1730s the castle had been destroyed, but Belfast was beginning to acquire economic importance, superseding both Lisburn as the chief bridge town and Carrickfergus as a port. He did much to encourage the growth of the town, which received a charter of incorporation in 1613.
Belfast’s modern history began in 1611 when Baron Arthur Chichester built a new castle there. The city’s name is derived from the Gaelic belfast cabs Béal Feirste (Mouth of the Sandbank or Crossing of the River). A castle, probably built there about 1177 by John de Courci, the Norman conqueror of Ulster, seems to have survived until the beginning of the 17th century. Though the site of Belfast has been occupied since the Stone Age, its modern history began in 1611 when Baron Arthur Chichester built a new castle there. Harland and Wolff, the chief shipbuilding firm in the city, built the luxury liner.
Book flights and accommodation for Belfast
While some local feeder and return marches have a history of sectarian disturbance, in recent years, events have generally passed off without serious incident. The greater part of Belfast’s music scene is accommodated in the city’s pubs and clubs. It has grown from its original August Féile on the Falls Road, to a year-round programme with a broad range of arts events, talks and discussions. The city has a number of community arts, and arts education, centres, among them the Crescent Arts Centre in south Belfast, the Irish-language Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in west Belfast, The Duncairn in north Belfast and, in the east of the city, EastSide Arts.
A Journey Through the City’s Living History”
Discover the top things to do in Belfast this spring, from wandering through blooming parks and discovering nature to enjoying a packed calendar of events and outdoor activities. All four extend beyond the city boundaries to include parts of Antrim and Newtownabbey and Lisburn and Castlereagh districts. In practice, "Inst" provided a grammar education to the town’s Presbyterian families while Anglicans favoured the older Royal Belfast Academy (1785); Catholics, St Malachy’s diocesan college (1833) and Wesleyans, Methodist College Belfast (1865).
Get out in the fresh air and enjoy a relaxing walk with the family in Belfast, and beyond this… Whether you’re looking for quirky bars, traditional shops or delicious food, Belfast has an… Find something for all the family to enjoy with our picks for family fun attractions in both Ards… Belfast effortlessly combines vibrant city life with outdoor excitement, catering to every type of… Discover how you can enjoy your visit to Belfast and the surrounding area in an eco-friendly way…
Check out the art at CS Lewis Square in East Belfast
- A thriving culture scene, rich history and great restaurants – fall in love with Belfast.
- Your Belfast Visitor Pass will also let you enjoy a whole world of fantastic offers and discounts, from…
- Belfast is a great city to visit, offering a blend of historical significance, cultural attractions, and natural beauty.
- These can accommodate up to 5 passengers plus 5 standard suitcases (23kg max), or 6 passengers plus hand luggage.
- If hills aren’t really your thing, you can still enjoy Cave Hill Country Park which surrounds the castle and is a popular place for Belfast folk to take a walk.
- The journey culminates with a deep dive into the RMS Titanic, whose ill-fated Atlantic voyage in 1912 eventually crippled the city’s top industry.
You can book up to an 8-seater taxi to and from the city, making it the perfect choice of transport if you’re travelling as a larger group. 24 Bruce Avenue, Comber, Newtownards, Northern Ireland, BT23 5BW 9.09 mi 15a, Woodford Rd, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, BT36 6TS 5.33 mi
Chronicling the complex history of The TroublesPeace Walls that still divide communities todayMemorials and cultural artwork reflecting hope, resilience, and reconciliation This Black Cab Mural Tour of Belfast takes you through the iconic neighborhoods of West Belfast, including the Falls Road and the Shankill Road. Belfast Airport Taxis is located to the right of the exit doors at Belfast International Airport. You can pick up some real bargains here, and the market itself provides a fascinating glimpse into Belfast life both past and present. The museum is only a few years old but it’s still popular enough that it sells out. To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located Belfast Welcome center (Tourist Office) at 9 Donegall Sq North, opposite of City Hall.
A visit to Northern Ireland wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the iconic Causeway Coastline. Belfast has rolled out the red carpet for a host of screen stars – and now it’s your turn. Whether you’re a culture vulture, party-goer or an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find an array of memorable things to do in Belfast.
These tours provide an insightful and balanced exploration of the city’s history, culture, and communities, guided by locals who have lived through and understand Belfast’s story. Their friendly approach, reliability, and engaging conversation add a personal touch that transforms simple transportation into an enjoyable and memorable experience. You can get help from a Pension Wise guider if you’re aged 50 or over and have a personal or workplace pension.
Choose by booking route, features, and confidence
In this write-up you’ll find a top 10 list of things to do in Belfast (index below); it’s the list we recommended to our visiting friends and family and it seems to go down well. In those days Belfast’s shipyards dominated global shipbuilding, and it is no surprise therefore that Titanic, ‘the biggest ship in the world’, was built here. The city has a beautiful setting, located on the river Lagan at the foot of the beautiful Belfast Lough, and sheltered on its western side by the Belfast Hills. Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and while it is famous for the Belfast Titanic museum and ‘Troubles Tours’ around The Falls Road and Shankill areas, there is quite a bit more to enjoy about the city. Belfast is a compact city with an amazing array of activities and attractions for you to enjoy.
Belfast International Airport, not to be confused with the smaller George Best City Airport, is located near the village of Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. Fares can vary depending on routes, taxi firm rates and time of journey. We would never do anything to endanger the life of ourselves or our passengers. Our chauffeurs are all experienced drivers who would never speed because it’s breaking the law.
Visit the Green Tourism or sustainability accredited restaurants throughout the city and eat green! Other sportspeople celebrated in the city include double world snooker champion Alex "Hurricane" Higgins and world champion boxers Wayne McCullough, Rinty Monaghan and Carl Frampton. On the day he was buried in the city, 100,000 people lined the route from his home on the Cregagh Road to Roselawn cemetery. Belfast was the home town of former Manchester United player George Best, the 1968 European Footballer of the Year, who died in November 2005. The 9,500 capacity SSE Arena accommodates the Belfast Giants, one of the biggest ice hockey clubs in the UK. The Belfast Marathon is run annually on May Day, The 41st Marathon in 2023, with related events (Wheelchair Race, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk) attracted 15,000 participants.