A Mini City Guide to Belfast

by - August 20, 2019



Welcome to my first Mini City Guide series! I will be sharing you A Mini City Guide including 5 Things to do in a City. I've got so many backlogs and I couldn't really pick where I should start. Then i realised, why not Belfast?

Belfast is the capital and largest City of Northern Ireland and is part of The United Kingdom. The currency is sterling pounds, and like the rest of the UK, the weather is crazily unpredictable! One tip, always bring a waterproof coat and a good pair of boots. When you get here you'll know what i mean.

I love this City. It's laid back, life is slow and offers a chance to take it easy without missing out on any of the good times you’d hope to have on an international adventure. It is a perfect combination of City and countryside.

It's not as busy as London, people are friendly and nice. I bet if you take a walk in the park, people will greet and smile at you. It is a small charming city. It's so small that people seem to know each other. I used to take cabs/uber to work before i move to my new flat. I had a couple of uber/cab drivers who recognise me every time i book them (or maybe its just the hair?). My everyday bus commute has the same people in it (we actually have our own seat in the bus. Lol.) its crazy isn't it?

Sometimes the best thing about visiting a destination is that it gives you the chance to chill out and leave your cares behind. But don’t be fooled, just because a city is laid back, that doesn’t mean it’s boring.


Here are 5 Things To Do in Belfast


1. Breakfast at St. George Market

photo grabbed from Belfastlive

You may want to grab a breakfast at St. George Market to start off your day. Try the famous Ulster fry or grab a bap with a freshly brewed local coffee. A perfect way to start your day in Belfast! St. George Market has everything from fresh food to live music.

There are market stalls which are packed with handmade crafts, fresh food and antiques.

Enjoy the best food tastes and smells brought by local producers, as well as a fusion of tempting continental and speciality foods from around the world. You can sample the produce, relax with a coffee and a newspaper against a backdrop of live music from top local bands and solo artists.

The Market is open on weekends from 9am to 3pm. This will surely awaken the culinary and cultural soul inside you!

2. Queens University, Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum



Hit 3 birds in 1 stone! If you are in following a strict itinerary and only staying for a few days. I suggest visiting these 3 altogether. Located at the University Quarter, start off by visiting Queens University. It is one of the oldest Universities in Belfast. I personally admire the buildings' façade.




From Queens you can access Botanic Park to right side towards the back. Spring could be the best season to visit! You can chill by the benches, have a wee picnic surrounded by flowerbeds filled with tulips.
The gardens' most notable feature is the glasshouse - Palm House Conservatory and Tropical Ravine House.



Just right at the Park Entrance you will see the Ulster Museum - Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and the present, the Ulster Museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences. The museum tells the story of the people of the north of Ireland from earliest times to the present day. Impressive galleries and interactive discovery zones bring history, science and art collections to life for visitors of all ages. When I went here there is an impressive tapestry of Game of Thrones!

The best part is....Admission is free!

3. Shopping

Everyone loves shopping! At least for us, girls! There are 2 major shopping malls Belfast City Center. Castle Court and Victoria Square.

Victoria Square is Belfast’s premier shopping centre, where you’ll find four fabulous floors of gorgeous glamour and stunning styles, topped by an iconic dome with panoramic views across the city.

If you're not a shopping mall fan, there are plenty of shops around City Centre. Zara, H&M, River Island, Marks and Spencers to name a few. 

4. Stroll around Cathedral Quarter



Whether your going for brunch, catching up friends for late lunch or pub-crawling. Cathedral quarter is always a good idea! There are so many excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs around the area, that the biggest problem might be choosing between them. Head over to Duke of York, grab a pint of Guinness for a taste of an Irish tradition!





The cobbled streets and outdoor seating makes it a perfect travel instagram photo.

5. Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Tour


It's all of the above! The greatest way to experience Belfast. The Belfast City Sightseeing Hop-on / Hop-off Open-top bus tour provides you with a comprehensive look at Belfast city and allows you to explore every area and district of this unique place.

Tours depart from Castle Place in Belfast city centre but you can join the tour from any stop along the route. The tour offers a multi-lingual service available in six languages including, English, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Mandarin.

The tour operates seven days per week and tickets are valid for 24 hours for one day pass holders or 48 hours if you purchase the two day ticket option. If you do not Hop-on / Hop-off the tour lasts approx 1 hour 30 minutes.

You can easily spot the lads on red jacket selling tickets, they are often located in front of the City Hall.


What else?


Money

Belfast is known as one of the cheapest City within the UK so you wouldn't worry much on your spending.
Just remember currency in Belfast Northern Ireland is Sterling Pound not Euro.

Getting Around 

Getting around the City is pretty easy. Public transportation is great! There are buses, trains and the newly introduced Glider around the City. Which i heard has free WiFi.

Take Metro Bus (pink bus) particularly if your going around Belfast.
Take Ulsterbus (blue one) or National Rail Services particularly if youre going outside Belfast.

I suggest to download the Translink App. You can buy your one way/return ticket in the app and just flash it to the driver when getting on. So convenient, plus it's cheaper.


£3 - for all day ticket, valid for all metro buses. Regular is £2 one way.
There are also option such as weekly and monthly pass if youre planning to stay longer.

Weather

Never underestimate the weather in Northern Ireland! Always be ready with a waterproof coat and a good pair of boots. Even if you wake up one day and you're blinded by the sun. Trust me on this. I know what I'm taking about.


There you have it! I hope this mini guide to Belfast help you on your next adventure! Drop me a comment for any other questions you may have.





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