Visiting Belfast: is it safe?

Belfast City Northern Ireland

Many people from different countries have asked me if it is really safe to visit Belfast.

Belfast has changed in an unimaginable way in the last ten years. It has gone from a city that was torn apart by troubles and struggles to a vibrant and changed city. The city is now rich in hotels, bars and restaurants and any visitor is guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome. These, along with Belfast’s rich history, make the city an ideal place to visit. Here’s something for everyone to see and do.

There are literally over a hundred hotels in Belfast to suit all budgets. Prices range from just £ 39 for a room to the best five-star hotels, so again there is something for everyone. For dining, there are small, well-priced cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants, catering to all tastes, including French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and traditional Irish restaurants.

During the day there are many attractions to see and they include:

1. The Ulster Museum (free admission)

2. Queen’s University

3. Botanical Gardens

4. Titanic Quarter

5. Cathedral Quarter

6. Crown bar

7. Belfast City Hall

8. Linen Hall Library

9. Cathedral of Santa Ana

10. The odyssey

These are just a few of the attractions and there are also many tours including a Titanic tour, the main Belfast city tour including a view of the famous Belfast Murals and problem areas, ghost tours, tours of The Lagan, pub crawls and many more.

When you visit Belfast, it won’t be long before you begin to understand the history of its troubled past and I know you will find warm and welcoming people. I have no doubt that you may have seen the bad side of Belfast in the new stations over the years. If that’s all you’ve seen, I can clearly understand why someone would be afraid to come visit our city. It has changed now and thankfully it has changed for the better. These days it is safe to walk around Belfast and then go out at night for a meal and drinks.

I have met many people from England, Scotland, Europe and Canada and they were amazed when they came here and saw what Belfast really is like. They couldn’t believe how small the city was and most importantly, how friendly the people were. You won’t be able to sit in a bar in Belfast without having a conversation about something. That’s how we are! We love to see people visit our city and we like to talk!

It seems that the problems, as they were known, have been left behind. It took us many years to put that past behind us, but once that happened, Belfast quickly changed. He is now alive and the city has undergone a massive regeneration. Many of the old historical sites in the city have been renovated, the Lagan River has been completely cleaned up and it is now a pleasure and now there is a great stir in the city. Cafes, major stores, new shopping centers have developed and grown in the last ten years and now there is a complete city experience.

The city is surrounded by mountains and sits on Belfast Lough, which then reaches the Irish Sea. In two hours you can be in Dublin and in less than an hour you can be on the Giant’s Causeway, making Belfast a great place to base your vacation. Public transport is good and Belfast has two airports and a ferry port offering easy access to Scotland, England and Wales.

The currency used in Belfast is the British pound. In Dublin it is the euro, so you will need to exchange some money when visiting the Republic of Ireland. A typical lunch in Belfast will cost around £ 4-7 depending on what you need. A cup of coffee costs around £ 1.25 and tea is a bit cheaper. A dinner with a bottle of wine costs around £ 40-50, but it depends on what you want. A pint of Guinness costs around £ 3.50 and will be one of the best you’ve ever tasted. I know it from all the practice I get!

There are some golf courses with an average green fee of around £ 30. Courses like Royal Portrush and Royal Belfast will of course be more expensive at around £ 100 per round.

You can also go river and sea fishing, surfing, hiking, horse riding and there are some fabulous beaches. However, I cannot guarantee the weather as it rains a lot. The best times for the weather are usually from May to September, but even then it rains a lot. This is why we have an old saying from Belfast that says, “It doesn’t rain in pubs.”

Other places to visit that are an hour away by car or by train or bus are:

1. The Marble Arch Caves

2. Derry’s famous city walls

3. Carrick-A-Rede Suspension Bridge

4. Giant’s Causeway

5. Green Glens of Antrim

6. Ulster People and Transport Museum

7. American Folk Park

8. Portaferry Aquarium

9. Armagh Planetarium

10. Bushmill Distillery

You will never get stuck with something to do and your schedule can be as relaxed or as busy as you choose. I trust this article has given you a good idea of ​​Belfast as it is today and not as it has been featured in the news for many years.