Belfast Travel Facts
The Basics
City Name: Belfast
Where is it located?: Belfast is on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland, which sits in the northeastern part of the Irish isle.
Why do people go there?: Fighting and unrest between Protestant and Catholic groups made Belfast a place to avoid in the 1980s. However, as truces continue to hold, visitors are heading back to Northern Ireland’s capital. There are a number of touring opportunities, but not much else compared to some of the other cities in Europe. Give Belfast another 10 years, however, and this will likely change.
How do travelers get there?: A majority either fly into Belfast (usually from London) or head up via train from Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland.
Currency: Pound
City Code: 1232
Population: 300,000
Languages: English, but they’ll curse at you in Irish
Travel Information
Neighborhoods: Donegall Place, High Street, Great Victoria Street, Queen’s University
Attractions: Botanic Gardens, Crown Liquor Saloon, Falls Road
Accommodations: Belfast Hostels, Belfast Hotels
Tourist Office: The Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT1 5AD, Telephone: +44 28 9024 6609, Fax: +44 28 9031 2424, Email: belfastwelcomecentre@nitic.net, Web site: http://www.gotobelfast.com
Off-the-beaten-path: Family Ulster , or The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Divis and the Black Mountain
Health Issues: Drugs and Alcohol misused
Tips for Visiting
When to go: July and August are the busiest months and are best avoided due to staggeringly high prices and numbers of tourists. Shoulder seasons are still enjoyable, although you should bring a rain coat any time of the year.
Common Phrases: Yes = Chodail, No = Nil, Please = Le do thoil
City Specific Events: Festival of Fools every May, Belfast Maritime Festival every June, Belfast Festival at Queen’s every October
How to get around?: Buses all around, for everybody!
Good to know: The city of Belfast has the Latin motto “Pro tanto quid retribuamus” which means “Shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”
Cheapest airport to fly into: There are two main airports serving Belfast namely: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport which is closer to the business district of Belfast. Getting cheaper flights depends onthe place that is nearer to any of the airports.
Need more information?: Check out the Belfast travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
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