A Belfast guide for new arrivals.
After arriving on one of the flights to Belfast take note that the city is served by two airports
Belfast George Best City Airport (named after the world famous footballer who died in 2005),10 mins from city centre by bus, taxi or train (station 10mins walk) and Belfast International Airport,1/2 hour north west of city centre by regular bus or taxi service.
The main train station “Belfast Central Station”, for trains arriving from Dublin is 10 mins on foot from the city centre.
The city centre itself can be easily covered on foot with much of it pedestranized for easy access be careful however, as buses still travel through these pedestrian areas.
Popular districts to explore in Belfast are the city centre shopping areas of Royal Avenue, Castlecourt and the newly opened Victoria Square.
There is a popular Saturday Morning market close to the city centre with local and ethnic (including Mexican) food delicacies and great music.
Other areas worth a visit are:
The Queens Quarter – latte, books and the beautiful Queens University building.
The Gaeltacht Quarter – political/mural tours, irish speaking and Guinness.
Cathedral Quarter – wine and tapas.
Lisburn Road – Belfast’s answer to the Kings Road in London with an electic mix of designer boutiques, niche restaurants and a cool cappuccino,(where did I park my Bentley?)
There is an excellent bus service for travel outside the city centre and taxis are readily available. Further afield for travelling to other parts of the Northern Ireland countryside, Translink runs a reliable and punctual bus and train service.
Weather is usually mild with the best times to visit the ity between the months of April and October, just remember to bring an umbrella. The countryside around Belfast is green for a reason,(think clouds, wet stuff).
The Belfast people are friendly, funny and lively as the city itself,….except maybe on Sunday mornings when the city can seem like a bit of a “Ghost Town”, maybe its all the partying from the previous nite(s). A good time to recharge batteries!