| Nestled in a valley and bordered to the east | | | | demonstrations to expand and intrigue minds |
| by the Irish Sea, the capital of Northern | | | | of all ages. |
| Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and lively | | | | |
| Celtic city that lives up to its nickname of | | | | Food & Drink: |
| "The Hibernian Rio." Situated on the River | | | | |
| Lagan, the pedestrian-friendly city enjoys a | | | | If it is excellent food the tourist seeks, |
| focal point in Donegal Square where the | | | | they won't have to look far in Belfast. |
| architecturally stunning City Hall dominates | | | | |
| the skyline, and elsewhere Victorian and | | | | Traditional pub fare in a historical |
| Edwardian architecture can be enjoyed by | | | | atmosphere is to be found at Belfast's most |
| visitors on foot. | | | | famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon in the |
| | | | heart of the historical district. |
| Places of interest: | | | | |
| | | | Altos was rated number one by Yahoo travel |
| Belfast's glorious seafaring history and | | | | for stylish and contemporary cuisine, serving |
| place at the forefront of the industrial | | | | cutting-edge Mediterranean food and featuring |
| revolution is evident in the greatest | | | | an extensive wine list and speciality coffee |
| shipyard in Great Britain, where the Titanic | | | | choices. |
| was built. The city's name is derived from | | | | |
| the Irish "beal feirste" which means "at the | | | | The Gypsy Queen Vegetarian Restaurant is on |
| mouth of the sandpit" and nightlife, arts, | | | | of Europe's premier vegetarian dining |
| festivals, dining and shopping are all in | | | | destinations. All dishes are GMO approved, |
| abundance in the city. The sea front in | | | | and organic wherever possible. |
| particular is now pedestrianised and visitors | | | | |
| can enjoy the best of Irish culture in street | | | | For the cuisine enthusiast, Deane's |
| musicians and theatre against the backdrop of | | | | Restaurant is a high end, luxurious dining |
| the Irish Sea. | | | | experience, featuring dishes created by one |
| | | | of Ireland's top chefs. |
| Standing 120 metres above sea level, Belfast | | | | |
| Castle offers breathtaking and panoramic | | | | Live music pubs are a staple of Belfast |
| views of the city, bay and surrounding areas. | | | | nightlife, including the Duke of York, |
| Belfast Castle was the ancestral home of the | | | | Morrisons and at the docks, Pat's Bar |
| Chichester, later Donegall, family who were | | | | Princes. |
| descendants of Arthur Chichester who planted | | | | |
| the land that was to become the city in the | | | | Belfast Hotels & Accommodation: |
| 1600s. The history of the castle, and city, | | | | |
| are celebrated in the Cave Hill Visitor | | | | As befitting a major European destination, a |
| Centre in the castle grounds. | | | | full range of accommodation options are |
| | | | available in Belfast. Visitors can chose from |
| Ulster Museum, set over 8000 square metres of | | | | cosy, family run bed and breakfast |
| grounds, is likely to take up a full day, so | | | | establishments, a variety of self catering |
| extensive and fascinating are its | | | | options and luxury five star hotels to suit |
| archaeology, ethnography, art, history and | | | | every taste, set of requirements and budget. |
| natural sciences exhibits. The collections | | | | |
| portray and celebrate the history, culture, | | | | Ravenhill Guest House |
| artistic, scientific and industrial | | | | |
| achievements: in short, the story of the | | | | The Crescent Townhouse |
| Irish people from their ancient roots up | | | | |
| until modern day. The museum houses both | | | | Europa Hotel |
| permanent and temporary collections, and | | | | |
| regular, creatively planned tours are offered | | | | The Malone Lodge Hotel |
| to distil some of the wonders of the museum | | | | |
| into palatable chunks. | | | | Tara Lodge |
| | | | |
| For stunning hiberno-romanesque architecture, | | | | The Park Avenue Hotel |
| the Belfast Cathedral is worth a visit, and | | | | |
| the exciting, interactive and interpretive | | | | The Stormont Hotel |
| St. Patrick Centre tells the story of | | | | |
| Ireland's patron saint, in his own words. | | | | The Chimney Corner Hotel |
| | | | |
| The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City | | | | Culloden Hotel |
| of Belfast International Rose Garden, in the | | | | |
| southern outskirts of Belfast features an | | | | Days Hotel |
| International Rose Exhibition, as well as | | | | |
| gardens, walks, a children's playground and | | | | Jurys Inn Belfast |
| live music concerts. | | | | |
| | | | Ramada Belfast |
| The Linen Hall Library was established in | | | | |
| 1788 and boasts a collection of over 20,000 | | | | Parkview Lodge |
| volumes of Irish literature and an enviable | | | | |
| Robert Burns collection. | | | | Ten Square |
| | | | |
| Things to do: | | | | Entertainment |
| | | | |
| Belfast will never leave tourists wondering | | | | Nightlife is one of Belfast's main |
| how to entertain themselves! Plenty of things | | | | attractions, with revellers enjoying |
| to do and see exist in Belfast. | | | | everything from world class dance clubs to |
| | | | traditional pubs. The Potthouse, opened in |
| The world class Belfast Zoo features plenty | | | | November 2004 was built on the site of |
| of don't-miss attractions, including the | | | | Belfast's first pottery factory and comprises |
| monkey park, reptile house and children's | | | | The Potthouse Bar & Grill, Sugar |
| playground. | | | | Nighclub, which plays Top 40, House and |
| | | | classic Disco, and the Soap Bar guestroom. |
| Walking Tours of Belfast include The Old | | | | The Fly and The Grill Room and Bar are also |
| Town, Titanic Trail and the City Centre Walk. | | | | notable Belfast nightspots. The Movie House |
| | | | Cinema on the Golden Mile offers the latest |
| The oldest covered market in Ireland, St | | | | cinema releases, as well as arthouse and |
| George's Market offers a range of fish and | | | | independent films, and Ireland's only 3D and |
| speciality foods that are unrivalled in | | | | 2D large format cinema, the SheridanIMAX is |
| Europe. | | | | located on Queen's Quay. Fantastic shopping |
| | | | is available in the city centre Donegall |
| The world's largest dry dock, Haarland and | | | | Place and the Waterfront Concert Hall hosts |
| Wolfe, is where the Titanic was built and its | | | | concerts and music tours from all over the |
| famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, can be | | | | world. |
| seen from all over the city. | | | | |
| | | | Belfast enjoys an enviable position at the |
| At the The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum a | | | | forefront of Hibernian culture, scenery and |
| fascinating insight into the history and the | | | | history. With an ideal and unique combination |
| daily lives of Ulster people can be found. | | | | of Celtic culture and British industrial |
| | | | influence, Belfast is an ideal seaside |
| The Home Front Heritage Centre features | | | | destination for family friendly events, |
| collections that portray the Belfast | | | | educational and historical attractions and a |
| experience of the Second World War, and is | | | | nightlife that is second to none throughout |
| also home to the museum of the Royal Ulster | | | | Europe. In common with much of the British |
| Rifles. | | | | Isles, Belfast experiences a temperate and |
| | | | often wet climate, but is protected by the |
| W5 is a world renowned innovative and | | | | surrounding mountains of Divis Mountain, |
| interactive centre of science and technology | | | | Black Mountain and Cave Hill. |
| exploration, with activities, exhibits and | | | | |