Advantages: Compact, easy to get around on foot, friendly locals Disadvantages: Frustrating opening hours of some shops, bars and restaurants
...literature on visitor attractions in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. It also sells an enormous range of some tacky and other not so tacky gifts with an Irish/Belfast theme.
Belfast is pretty small compared to other major British cities but this means that it is ideal for a short break because it can be covered easily on foot. The impressive City Hall (you can take a free guided tour of the City Hall on weekdays) on Donegall Square is a useful ... ...cities, the waterside area of Belfast has been extensively redeveloped in recent years and now boasts various restaurants and bars as well as new residential developments. Nearby there is the new Odyssey Centre which houses more restaurants and bars, cinemas, a bowling alley and a concert venue which hosts concerts by major stars - Cher will be performing later in the year as part of her farewell tour. Belfast is fast becoming a centre of culture ...
fizzytom 18.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast in general
Being from Belfast myself this might be slighty biased but because no one has wrote a review on Belfast in a long time, I thought I had better tell everyone all about it.
HOW TO GET THERE...
Belfast is very easy to get to. The first option is to fly to Belfast, there are two airports: Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport. If you are coming from the mainland UK it is easier to get a flight to the City Airport as it is only 10minutes ... ...Glasgow.
If you fly into Belfast International Airport it will take around 25minutes by car to get to the centre of Belfast.
Alternatively you can sail to Belfast. Belfast is well served by ferries from both England and Scotland. There are three companies, Stena Line sail from Stranraer, Seacat from the Isle of Man and Troon and Norse Merchant Ferries from Liverpool.
TRANSPORT WITHIN BELFAST
Belfast is has a variety of different transport. For ...
x_helix_x 11.01.2005
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Advantages: Irish hospitality, architecture, Guinness and pubs with character Disadvantages: Brrrr! It's darn cold there in Oct and it rains more than even in London
...GETTING THERE
I flew into Belfast City Airport, which is only 8 pounds taxi ride and 5 or so miles -- it takes a bit longer because of the 'one way system' that many UK cities have, for 'traffic calming', so that you are SOOOO confused you cannot speed! The runway on this airport is a wee bit short, so there is much applying of brakes, dont be alarmed, it is still better than the old Hong Kong airport, which was my scariest landing experience. Northern ... ...BELFAST
I stayed at Jury's Belfast Inn, which is in the center of town, but although the staff was professional and helpful, the rooms and breakfast were not. I went out for supper to the Red Panda for chinese food, across the road and a block to the right of the hotel. The portions were good and the food tasty - I had beef and broccolli which I dont get to have much in my part of the UK, as I would like to (West midlands chineses restaurants dont ...
Reynarda 23.11.2002 (22.12.2002)
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A-Z of Belfast A - Airports Aldergrove is the International Airport for N.Ireland it is situated near Antrim within 10 miles of Belfast. Belfast also has it's own airport nearer the city centre called Sydenham. B - Boats Belfast and in particular Harland and Wolff made the Titanic. As you all probably know, this was the ship that sunk on its maiden voyage. Belfast is still a shipbuilding capital, although this is getting less and less, year by year. ... ...Odyssey arena, home to the Belfast Giants, Bottom, 'French and Sauders' and of course Steps. A few years before the Odyssey was built, the Waterfront Hall had been built. It is a dome like structure and a wonderful concert hall for orchestras, Willie Nelson and Swan Lake to name but a few. There are of course others around including Stormount Caste, the government buildings. There's also the Grand Opera House that has been renovated recently (again) ...
christopherj84 17.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast in general
Advantages: Up and coming city with loads to do, see, eat and drink Disadvantages: The bad press Belfast suffers from
I moved to Belfast in 1993 as a student. I was a wee country girl from outside Londonderry/Derry excited to get to the bright lights of the big city. In the 8 years (Oh my God is it really 8 years!!) l have lived in the Northern Irish capital l have never regretted the move. In fact, after graduation in 1996 l spent two months back at home – but l could not handle it and moved back to the big smoke!
So what’s so great about Belfast? ... ...Getting here:
ROADS
Belfast is linked to the Northern Irish cities of Londonderry and Armagh (we only have two!!) and towns such as Coleraine, Ballymena, Portadown and Enniskillen, by the two main motorways here – M1 and M2. The M1 is also the main linking motorway route between Belfast and Dublin. Traffic dependent the journey between the two cities should not take any longer than 2.5 hours. Within the North, nowhere is further that 1 to ...
purdy 15.08.2001 (17.08.2001)
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Advantages: Lots to do. Loads of pubs Disadvantages: Bad reputation.
...*** Getting to Belfast / Arriving into the city. *** You can fly into Belfast from the UK mainland from a number of airports. The main carriers into Northern Ireland fly into one of two airports. Belfast International Airport (or Aldergrove to the locals) is about 20 miles out of the city. If you are not hiring a car, a bus can take you to the centre of the city and this runs every thirty minutes from around 0630 to 2300 approximately, or you could ... ...EasyJet or Go. Belfast City Airport (also called The Harbour Airport or Belfast Harbour Airport) is practically in the city on the loughside. It’s about 5 minutes from the centre of the city by taxi, or you could use the train service. The airlines flying into the Harbour are: British Regional, British European and soon, British Midland (who currently operate out of Aldergrove). If you are bringing your own car across from the mainland, you’ll be ...
TheDuke 29.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast in general
Advantages: Lots to see & do Disadvantages: Some people
I divide my time between Belfast and North Antrim, although for shopping, nightlife etc, Belfast is always preferable.
Belfast has received a lot of bad press in the past, although thankfully cease fires have made people want to visit this city, and the city itself has evolved a lot over the past few years. There are even 'trouble tours' if you have the desire to see some of the trouble areas.
The main development within the city in recent times ... ...within the city centre.
Belfast is also known for its pubs, including the crown liquor saloon, which is a restored old pub which has to be seen to be believed. Belfast’s golden mile, which the Crown is part of, consists of lots of different pubs and bars, catering for all age ranges, and even includes Wetherspoons, for a cheap drink. Robinson's is another pub well worth a visit, although it can get very crowded.
There are also various nightspots, ...
fuzzibear 10.08.2004
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Advantages: Variety of shops and 'high street' brand Disadvantages: Pretty small
Belfast city center has undergone growth in recent years leading to a more commercialized shopping area. It wasn't that long ago that many big name companies simply wouldn't bring their businesses to Belfast, what with the troubles and all. More stable times have brought a huge variety of shops, supermarkets and malls back to the streets of Belfast.
As far as city centers go Belfast's is not that big, it is centralized in a number of key streets ... ...Before the onslaught of commercialization Belfast achieved most of its trade in shops on the high street and in small indoor markets. Today you can still find indoor markets such as Smithfield, St George's Market and The In-Shops.
Situated in West Street / Winetavern Street, Smithfield Market is located in the heart of Belfast's retail district. The Market is opposite the CastleCourt shopping complex which links into the Royal Avenue and Donegall ...
gummblefish 15.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast in general
Advantages: Belfast has a lot to offer Disadvantages: The weather can sometimes be a bit miserable.
...the many interesting features of Belfast in Northern Ireland, Hopefully within my review
I provide some useful information for anyone interested in visiting belfast so that they can derive maximum enjoyment from their visit.
Belfast has many places to visit such as the City hall, where the belfast wheel can be found, the charge to get on the wheel is around £6.00 and you are on it for about 15 minutes, as the wheel slowly turns , the view of Belfast ... ...places of interest are the Belfast castle and the Cavehill where the views are beautiful on a clear sunny day and there is an excellent park for the kiddies, however if it`s landmarks you like then there`s always The Albert clock, The Langanside area, The Crumlin road prison and the Courthouse, where many stories could be told.
If your into history , then the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum would be just perfect, it is just a short distance from ...
jenny967 16.05.2008 (19.05.2008)
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Advantages: Great place.. Disadvantages: none your safe with me
...I was just in Belfast today getting my daughters school uniform and although it was really busy I realised how much it had changed in the last five years. It has become more European and the shops in the City have got so much better. The bloddy people still bump into you though but I still find a swift elbow works every time.. Cast my mind back 25 years or so and Belast was suffering the worst bombing of any town in the UK and I have to say I admire ... ...face!! So does Belfast differ any say from Nottingham or Manchester. I have been to Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow and I would say it is more like Glasgow. Belfast has all the main stores like HMV, Virgin Megastore,Game,Woolworths and all the other big names... Years ago I went to Majorca on holiday and befriended an English couple who took pity on us because we were from that place where the bombs went off and the gunman was in your garden. Belfast ...
art1954 02.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Belfast in general
Advantages: The pubs, the friendly people Disadvantages: The Troubles tend to put people off
...when people hear the name Belfast they automatically think of The Troubles. However those people have obviously never visited the city. Yes, it may have the worlds most bombed hotel - The Europa. But don't let that blinker you. Just across the road from The Europa there are two brilliant pubs. The Crown and Robinsons. If you visit they are an absolute must. Belfast has a great deal going for it - an excellent public transport service, wonderful buildings ...
Timelord 26.07.2000
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Advantages: The friendly locals, heritage, sights Disadvantages: Everything closes on Sunday
...can take the girl outta Belfast BUT you can't take the Belfast outta da girl"
That saying is very true and I'm sure if you ask anyone else in my position (living in England or else where) they would feel the same.
I grew up living in Belfast until the age of 17 where I moved to England to be with my family, although I still have firm roots in Belfast and visit regularly.
Belfast has been broadcast over the years on the news as being a place of ... ...doors and a vistior to Belfast would be shown nothing but hospitality, the locals are exceptionally friendly and very willing to help you experience the best of Belfast, just stop them in the street and they are sure to point you to the most exciting bars/clubs/sights to see and shops.
Getting to Belfast theses days is very simple low cost airlines operate into Belfast City airport which is located 10-15 mins from the city centre and also Aldergrove ...
Allybaba 18.02.2006
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Advantages: Plenty to do if you can take the pace Disadvantages: Can't think of any
...always find it amazing that such a wide variety of venues and shopping can be packed in to such a compact area. If your feet can't take the strain, it's not a problem, get a black cab, there appears to be as many in Belfast as London, only more available. ...
chairam 28.07.2000
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Advantages: Pleasant atmosphere and nice friendly people Disadvantages: Shaky peace agreement
Belfast in Northern Ireland gets all the bad press in the news and it is virtually only ever heard of when bombs go off there. You never hear about Belfast when large concerts are there or when there are parades. Belfast despite its reputation is a lively city, with recent developments it is also a very pleasant British city. There is a lively night life with such nightclubs as Storm or the M Club. Belfast also has its more educational side with ...
adamski 12.07.2000
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Advantages: Soda Bread, Harp lager, Most friendly people I have ever met Disadvantages: Some areas away from centre can be intimidating
Belfast is a very vibrant city. When you first arrive in Belfast (usually the Europa bus/train station) it cam be slightly unnerving. Everybody knows what has gone on over the years in Belfast, however since the ceasefire this is far less common. Belfast has an amazing amount going for it, you can shop until you drop, east until you are busting....ohh and of course drink until you fall down. After a very short time in Belfast (for the 1st time in ... ...yourself relaxing. The people of Belfast are some of the freindliest people I have ever had the privilage of meeting. They help make the atmosphere of Belfast what it is and that is freindly. You arrive expecting the opposite, but are pleasantly shocked. There are numerous pubs, and I highly recommend a pint of Harp Lager. The food in the pubs is cheap , but I have yet to find a poorly served meal! Belfast has a large selection of museums and parks ...
neomagic 13.02.2003 (14.02.2003)
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