Flight & airport info

World / Europe / Northern-Ireland / Belfast

The port city of Belfast is one of Europe's most up and coming destinations with a vibrant new fashion, design and restaurant scene, as well as a wealth of cultural attractions.

Currency

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Visa Requirements

No visa required for EU nationals, Canadians, Americans or Australians

Language

English

Timezone

English

Weather

Temperate, warm summers and mild winters

Dialling Code

00 44

Electricity

220V (UK-style 3 pin plugs)

Health and Safety

Free National Health Service. EU citizens should obtain a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in England.

Useful Links

Free National Health Service. EU citizens should obtain a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in England.

Flights to Belfast arrive at Belfast International Airport. The Airport Express 300 bus service (£6) runs 24 hours a day, departing around every ten minutes, with a 30-40 minute journey time into Belfast city centre. Taxis (£25) are available outside the arrivals hall.

The Belfast Wheel

Belfast Wheel (Located on the east side of Belfast City Hall, 0044 028 9031 0607): Belfast's answer to the London Eye is located in the City Hall grounds and offers the best panoramic views of the city from a height of 200 feet. Rides last approximately 13 minutes and there's a commentary pointing out the landmarks.

Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle: This magnificent sandstone building overlooks the city, 400 feet above sea level on the very peak of Cave Hill. The first castle on the site was built in the 12th-century, but most of the current structure dates back to 1870. It now houses an impressive collection of Victorian antiques, and the grounds also host Cave Hill Adventure Playground for younger children.

St George's Market

St George's Market (Opposite Belfast Waterfront Hall and the Hilton Hotel in Oxford Street): This elegant building, dating back to 1896, looks better than ever after its recent restoration. Get up early on the market days of Friday and Saturday. Friday is the Variety Market with antiques, books and clothes as well as fruit and vegetables up for grabs while Saturday is the Food and Garden Market, where you'll find the best local produce and speciality foods.

Quick Lunch - Mourne Seafood Bar

Mourne Seafood Bar: This well-placed eatery serves locally sourced seafood. Choose from the informal menu downstairs or an upstairs menu ranging from beer-battered fish to lobster.

Top Table - Deane's Restaurant

Deane's Restaurant: This Michelin-starred restaurant is the product of local legend Michael Deane. Elegant, minimalist and with the accent on simple food expertly prepared, this is fine dining at its very best.

Cheap Eat - La Boca

La Boca: The all-day bistro menu in this vibrant restaurant includes South American and Argentine classics, which in the main means great steaks. There's also good coffee and a wide selection of New World wines.

On Business - Europa Hotel

Europa Hotel : A cosmopolitan, four-star hotel, situated in the heart of Belfast, ideally located for business travellers, and within walking distance of the entertainment areas.
Book now

Lap Of Luxury - The Merchant Hotel

The Merchant Hotel : A Grade A-listed building in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, this hotel has been beautifully restored with 26 exceptionally elegant bedrooms and suites, with custom-made furniture and antiques.
Book now

Cheap Sleep - Madison's

Madison's : Centrally located, this hotel boasts a spacious café bar, restaurant and nightclub, and has won awards for excellent service.
Book now

Coffee And Chat - Café Paul Rankin

Café Paul Rankin (Fountain Street, 00 44 028 90 315090): Another local culinary hero brings his magic touch to this great casual dining pit-stop, which always has a buzz about it.

Formal Presentation - Malmaison

Malmaison (34-38 Victoria St, 00 44 028 9022 0200): This fashionable boutique hotel always leaves a good impression, and has stylish, modern meetings rooms for up to 30 people.

Evening Drinks - The Crown Bar

The Crown Bar (46 Great Victoria Street, 00 44 028 9024 3187): Northern Ireland's best-known pub is one of the National Trust's greatest treasures. Possibly the only bar in the world where an internet web cam operates in a gas-lit bar.

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

Annually proving itself an event of which to take note, the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival celebrates its tenth year at the forefront of the Belfast scene this April. With visual art, music, performance, theatre and a whole host of special events on offer – including a ‘Black Market’ vintage sale, and a one-off ‘Pecha Kucha’ creative seminar - the Festival has helped assert Belfast’s relatively newfound position on the cultural map.

29 avr. 2010 - 09 mai 2010
Cathedral Quarter, BT1 2DY

Belfast Film Festival

Despite being relatively young on the wider festival scale, the Belfast Film Festival has grown in size over the years, and annually attracts cinephiles from across the region, throughout its two week tenure. With a series of as yet unannounced premiers, on both ends of the budget scale, this year will no doubt play host to a wide array of talent.

15 avr. 2010 - 30 avr. 2010
3rd floor, 23 Donegall Street

Féile an Phobail

A cultural menagerie featuring concerts, debates, tours, exhibitions and street theatre with world-class and international acts playing alongside Irish talent, Féile an Phobail is a grown-up festival. Bringing together big names from across Northern Ireland, the annual event is a chance to celebrate the best of Irish creativity.

30 juin 2010 - 08 août 2010
west Belfast

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