Once considered one of the four “B’s”, alongside
Bosnia,
Beirut and
Baghdad, as a place to avoid,
Belfast has transformed itself beyond recognition. Today
Belfast is a prosperous, thriving and successful city. The economy
of the city is once again blossoming; new industries are being created and it
proudly boasts one of the largest, brightest and most-educated workforces in
the world. Investment into regeneration projects in recent years has seen the
city of
Belfast really come to life. The administrative capital and
largest city of
Northern Ireland is now one of the most visited cities in the
U.K. and second most visited city on the isle of
Ireland.
Tourism in the city has seen a huge boost in recent years
with attractions such as the Titanic Quarter,
Ulster Museum,
Belfast City Hall and the
Victoria Square shopping centre enticing tourists in their droves.
For anyone visiting the city, Titanic Belfast is a
“must-see”. Located in the Titanic Quarter, alongside the historic site of the
iconic ship’s construction, Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic
visitor centre. Visitors journey through an interactive exhibition of nine
galleries in the exemplary six-floor building and can relive the full story of
this world renowned ship; from her conception in
Belfast, through her construction, launch, voyage and ultimate
fateful end. Tickets are reasonably priced ranging from £7.25 per child and
£15.50 per adult. Children under five go free and there are also special
discounts available for students, senior citizens and families.
As well as housing Titanic Belfast, the Titanic
Quarter also boasts one of the sets of Game of Thrones, where production for
seasons one, two and three were filmed. So if you are a Game of Thrones fan and
happen to be holidaying in
Belfast you are in luck. This summer the Game of Thrones
exhibition will take place at the Belfast Waterfront from 11
th-15
th
June. The exhibit, which is free of charge, is designed specifically for fans
of the acclaimed TV series, and aims to bring the captivating and magical world
of the show to its viewers. This is the second year the exhibit will run in
Belfast and, if reviews of last summer are anything to go by, fans
are in for an unforgettable experience.
As well as enjoying the sightseeing and cultural
attractions Belfast has to offer, if you’re looking to fit in some retail
therapy, look no further than the Victoria Square shopping centre. Located in
the heart of the city centre, this state-of-the-art shopping complex is home to
over 70 stores including Hollister, House of Fraser, River Island and Tommy
Hilfiger to name but a few. Opened in March 2008, this is a partly enclosed,
partly open air shopping centre, offering customers a vast array of eateries
such as an oyster bar, Spanish Tapas bar, McDonalds and O’Briens as well as
many coffee shops, cafes and grill bars. If it’s not shopping you crave
Victoria Square also has an impressive Odeon cinema, with eight screens,
located on the second floor of the shopping centre.
If none of these eateries tickle your fancy then the Golden Mile will sort
you out. Starting at
Great Victoria Street,
it offers a vast array of restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs to suit
everyone.
For those interested in the history of
Belfast
and
Northern Ireland,
the
Ulster Museum
is the perfect place for you. Like the Titanic experience, this is an
interactive museum, designed to showcase the history, art and natural sciences
of the North. Entry is free so if you can visit it is definitely worth it.
Another historical attraction worth seeing is Queen’s University. Located in
the city, Queen’s University Belfast, was founded by Queen
Victoria
in 1845 and is the ninth oldest university in the
U.K.
The Welcome Centre, based at the university, is an ideal spot for tourists as
its offers a regular programme of exhibitions and serves as an important
information stand for visitors unfamiliar with the area.
If you are holidaying in Belfast
for a little bit longer and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city
for a day then a trip to the Giant’s Causeway is the
solution. Although it is situated in quite a remote area on the Antrim
coastline, it draws in almost three quarters of a million visitors every year
to admire its breathtaking landscape.
Belfast has
something to offer everyone and, if you are thinking of making your summer
holiday a little more local, then a trip to the North is the perfect answer.
Today Belfast,
and Northern Ireland
as a whole, is a far cry from the troubled and conflict-ridden area it once was.
Today the people of Belfast are
discovering pride in their country. They have found a new cultural vitality and
optimism and are eager to share it with the rest of the world. Today they are
confidently looking forward to building a future together.
