Belfast

Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste, meaning "the mouth of the river Farset") is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills and has a population of 267,500. This figure refers only to the Belfast City Council area whose borders date back to the 1950s. Since then the city has expanded and the population of the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area which incorporates the surrounding suburbs and towns is 483,000.

Belfast gained notoriety around the world during The Troubles (1969-1997) due to the frequency of gun and bomb attacks in the city. Parts of Belfast were effectively no-go areas for security forces and therefore took on a lawless quality. Today, the scars of Belfast's troubled past make it an intriguing destination for travellers from around the world.

Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, most of the politically-motivated violence has evaporated. Belfast has since been awarded the accolade of being the safest city in the UK, based on a comparison of nation-wide crime figures, and, as part of its commitment to maintain peace, now seeks tourism from around the world, especially from countries other than the Irish Republic and the rest of the UK.

Those who live in Belfast tend to either absolutely love the city or loathe it, although the outsider's perspective tends to be more forgiving, as Belfast was voted the fourth best city in the UK for a city break in the Guardian/Observer travel awards. Needless to say, a visit to Belfast will be rewarded by a glimpse of a unique city that has finally begun to celebrate, rather than fight over, its place as a cultural meeting-point of Britain and Ireland. Belfast is certainly exhibiting an air of determined optimism, with new hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and shops opening at an incredible rate. It is a city that is proud of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage and efforts to restore historic buildings are proving successful. Tourism is on the increase in Northern Ireland, especially among those seeking a weekend away or short break in Ireland as Belfast can offer a significantly cheaper and more rewarding alternative to the busier, more expensive and more tourist-driven Dublin.

Belfast remains a great place to explore, as it is still relatively undiscovered compared with its neighbour in Dublin and is ideal for the tourist who enjoys a city with character, yet still has a raw, unspoilt energy. A visit to the capital of Northern Ireland will provide a more stimulating trip as, once you scratch the surface, it is easy to see beyond the ethno-political conflict of past years. It is a city which has changed dramatically in a decade due to this peace and prosperity and you will be greeted with warmth from locals who feel a new-found sense of pride in their city. Indeed, the old cliche that you will be welcomed like an old friend by the patrons of Belfast's many pubs and bars is actually true, as the locals love to find out what draws you to their little part of the world and, of course, they like the chance to share a little bit of their history with you! Ask any local and they will tell you that a trip to Belfast will mean that you learn far more about the Irish and British psyche than a trip to a cheesy Irish pub in Dublin or on a tourist-orientated tour in London.

Some recent events, mostly the flag protests, may have put people off going to Belfast but violence is minimal and more or less peaceful.

In recent times, Belfast has also gained some degree of international fame for being the production centre of the famous television series Game of Thrones.

• Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Square North, BT1 5GB (just north of City Hall, +44 28 9024 6609. To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located tourist information. The first floor centre is accessible by elevator and escalator just to the left of the Boots Pharmacy. The staff can provide maps, book accommodation and tours, recommend itineraries and places of interest and sell you overpriced and tacky souvenirs. There is also a useful left luggage facility.
• Fáilte Feirste Thiar, 217 Falls Rd, +44 28 9024-1100. Tourist Information office and welcome centre in the heart of the Falls. The office distributes free maps, offers tours and general information about this part of the city.

Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Square North, BT1 5GB (just north of City Hall, +44 28 9024 6609. To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located tourist information. The first floor centre is accessible by elevator and escalator just to the left of the Boots Pharmacy. The staff can provide maps, book accommodation and tours, recommend itineraries and places of interest and sell you overpriced and tacky souvenirs. There is also a useful left luggage facility.

Fáilte Feirste Thiar, 217 Falls Rd, +44 28 9024-1100. Tourist Information office and welcome centre in the heart of the Falls. The office distributes free maps, offers tours and general information about this part of the city.

Belfast city centre is focused on Donegall Square and Belfast City Hall in its centre. All major city bus routes converge here and, on sunny days, this is where shoppers and office workers can be found enjoying their breaks. The City Hall is the grand centerpiece of the city and the orientation point for your exploration of Belfast. Running north from the centre of Donegall Square is Donegall Place, a broad and bustling shopping street, which will lead you towards the Cathedral Quarter and the Arts School. The city centre is bordered to the east by the River Lagan, and to the south by the area around Donegall Pass. Where Belfast city centre meets the River Lagan, windswept pavements prove that meaningless sculptures and grandiose attempts at urban planning do not necessarily make for a popular urban space. The horrendous dual carriageway known as the Westlink separated the centre of Belfast from the western suburbs of the city in the 1970s; this borders the city centre to the west. On the plus side, the network of dual carriageways and motorways mean that one can get from the city centre to all the surrounding suburbs and satellite towns in less than fifteen minutes, even during the rush hour, something which is impossible in many other cities, for example Dublin.

In between these rough boundaries, you'll find Belfast's heart. Parts of it are blighted by dereliction, others are blighted by narrow-minded money-grabbing redevelopment. While largely safe at all times, years of city centre curfews during the troubles means that the centre of Belfast can be startlingly empty of pedestrians after 8PM. City centre living has yet to become as popular here as in other parts of Britain and Ireland.

• City Hall, Donegall Sq, +44 28 9032-0202. Tours daily 2PM, 3PM (and 4PM in summer) & M-F 11AM, Sa Su noon. Opened in 1906, the City Hall will possibly seem familiar to South African visitors, who may notice a resemblance to the city hall in Durban. This is a fine example of turn of the century architecture from the heart of the British Empire's drafting office. The City Hall houses Belfast's Council chambers and administrative offices. Excellently presented free guided tours are available every day; ring ahead for details of times. Also of note are the grounds, containing a memorial to victims of the Titanic and a statue of Queen Victoria. The spacious grassy square and broad pavements that surround the City Hall are also where local youths gather to perform complex mating rituals. free.
• PLACE Built Environment Centre, 40 Fountain St, +44 28 9023-2524. PLACE is the Northern Ireland Built Environment Centre based in Fountain Street, Belfast. PLACE was established in 2004 and is now an independent charity running a public programme of exhibitions, debates and discussions, architecture tours, site visits and design workshops on various local and international built environment topics relevant to Northern Ireland. For information on upcoming walking tours, exhibitions or events visit the website or give the Centre a call.
• Saint Anne's Cathedral, Donegall St., +44 28 9043-4006. The stunning cathedral building is situated at the opposite end of Royal Avenue, the main shopping street, from the City Hall. It is a fascinating building, and is at the centre of the "Cathedral Quarter", which is reluctantly being redesigned and cleaned up by various investment agencies to become Belfast's 'cultural' district. Thankfully, a lot of work remains to be done, and the area contains many fine cafés, bars and interesting buildings that recall the city's commercial and industrial heritage. Rent prices have yet to jump significantly, so keep an eye out for the small galleries and studio workspaces that remain in this area.
• Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall St, +44 28 9023-0965. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM. Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland's only dedicated photography gallery, and as well as operating a fine exhibition space in a refurbished warehouse building, also provides local photographers with dark room and processing facilities and a well maintained library. Exhibitions are usually free and always worth seeing.
• Belfast Print Workshop and Gallery, 30-42 Waring St, +44 28 9023-1323. This gallery is combined with an active workshop, where local artists are able to use the facilities to print their work. Usually a good selection of local work.
• Belfast Central Library, Royal Ave. (opposite the road from the Cathedral, +44 28 9050-9150. The Victorian library building houses an excellent Irish section and a newspaper library, containing archives of all Northern Irish newspapers.

• The Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Pl, +44 28 9033-4455. Standing on the northern side of Donegall Square, Belfast's imposing concert and conference venue is visible to the east where Chichester St meets the riverside. Built in 1997, it has been credited with generating £10 for the Belfast economy for every £1 spent on its construction. The main auditorium offers some of the best performance hall acoustics anywhere in Europe, and it is worth checking with the box office for upcoming shows.
• The Bar Council & Bar Library of Northern Ireland, 414 Chichester St. Not open to the public, but notable for its striking architectural design. The northern half of the building is the opulent home of Belfast's (privately employed) barristers; meanwhile the southern end of the building (visible from May St) is occupied by the more modest Royal Courts of Justice Stamp Office (a tax-payer-funded government agency). Presented with two clients with two wildly different budgets, local architects Robinson McIlwaine successfully designed one building which seamlessly merge a more modest design and cheaper materials for the southern half of the building and a more elaborate and expensive design at the northern end.
• Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queens Road, Titanic Quarter, BT3 9EP. Exhibition about the Titanic. Adults £18, students/unemployed £14.50.
• Samson & Goliath Cranes. Twin cranes for shipbuilding completed in 1969 (Goliath) and 1974 (Samson).
• Victoria Square Dome. From the glass dome in the Victoria Square shopping centre you get decent views from the city. Free.

City Hall, Donegall Sq, +44 28 9032-0202. Tours daily 2PM, 3PM (and 4PM in summer) & M-F 11AM, Sa Su noon. Opened in 1906, the City Hall will possibly seem familiar to South African visitors, who may notice a resemblance to the city hall in Durban. This is a fine example of turn of the century architecture from the heart of the British Empire's drafting office. The City Hall houses Belfast's Council chambers and administrative offices. Excellently presented free guided tours are available every day; ring ahead for details of times. Also of note are the grounds, containing a memorial to victims of the Titanic and a statue of Queen Victoria. The spacious grassy square and broad pavements that surround the City Hall are also where local youths gather to perform complex mating rituals. free.

PLACE Built Environment Centre, 40 Fountain St, +44 28 9023-2524. PLACE is the Northern Ireland Built Environment Centre based in Fountain Street, Belfast. PLACE was established in 2004 and is now an independent charity running a public programme of exhibitions, debates and discussions, architecture tours, site visits and design workshops on various local and international built environment topics relevant to Northern Ireland. For information on upcoming walking tours, exhibitions or events visit the website or give the Centre a call.

Saint Anne's Cathedral, Donegall St., +44 28 9043-4006. The stunning cathedral building is situated at the opposite end of Royal Avenue, the main shopping street, from the City Hall. It is a fascinating building, and is at the centre of the "Cathedral Quarter", which is reluctantly being redesigned and cleaned up by various investment agencies to become Belfast's 'cultural' district. Thankfully, a lot of work remains to be done, and the area contains many fine cafés, bars and interesting buildings that recall the city's commercial and industrial heritage. Rent prices have yet to jump significantly, so keep an eye out for the small galleries and studio workspaces that remain in this area.

Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall St, +44 28 9023-0965. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM. Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland's only dedicated photography gallery, and as well as operating a fine exhibition space in a refurbished warehouse building, also provides local photographers with dark room and processing facilities and a well maintained library. Exhibitions are usually free and always worth seeing.

Belfast Print Workshop and Gallery, 30-42 Waring St, +44 28 9023-1323. This gallery is combined with an active workshop, where local artists are able to use the facilities to print their work. Usually a good selection of local work.

Belfast Central Library, Royal Ave. (opposite the road from the Cathedral, +44 28 9050-9150. The Victorian library building houses an excellent Irish section and a newspaper library, containing archives of all Northern Irish newspapers.

The Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Pl, +44 28 9033-4455. Standing on the northern side of Donegall Square, Belfast's imposing concert and conference venue is visible to the east where Chichester St meets the riverside. Built in 1997, it has been credited with generating £10 for the Belfast economy for every £1 spent on its construction. The main auditorium offers some of the best performance hall acoustics anywhere in Europe, and it is worth checking with the box office for upcoming shows.

The Bar Council & Bar Library of Northern Ireland, 414 Chichester St. Not open to the public, but notable for its striking architectural design. The northern half of the building is the opulent home of Belfast's (privately employed) barristers; meanwhile the southern end of the building (visible from May St) is occupied by the more modest Royal Courts of Justice Stamp Office (a tax-payer-funded government agency). Presented with two clients with two wildly different budgets, local architects Robinson McIlwaine successfully designed one building which seamlessly merge a more modest design and cheaper materials for the southern half of the building and a more elaborate and expensive design at the northern end.

Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queens Road, Titanic Quarter, BT3 9EP. Exhibition about the Titanic. Adults £18, students/unemployed £14.50.

Samson & Goliath Cranes. Twin cranes for shipbuilding completed in 1969 (Goliath) and 1974 (Samson).

Victoria Square Dome. From the glass dome in the Victoria Square shopping centre you get decent views from the city. Free.

Belfast's leafiest and most accessible suburbs are found south of the city centre along Botanic Ave, and University Rd around the Queen's University. Apart from the small loyalist community around Donegall Pass, the areas between University Rd and Lisburn Rd are mostly mixed, and there is a dense student population living in rented accommodation. It's a 20 min walk from Donegall Place to Botanic Avenue. The commercial core of Belfast is apparent on Bedford St, and the lively bars, takeaways of Dublin Rd are busy most nights of the week. Botanic Ave is somewhat quieter with less traffic and is lined with cafés, restaurants and small shops. Farther south, beyond the University, is the Lisburn Rd, recently christened "Belfast's Bond Street", with its eclectic mix of boutiques, chic bars and restaurants, and lively coffee shops. This part of town is the most affluent of the city, and is regularly referred to by its postcode: BT9.

• Queen's University, University Rd. (Take any number 8 bus (8A - 8C) from the city center., +44 28 9024-5133. At the southernmost end of the Golden Mile, the university is a fine Victorian building with extensive grounds. It contains a visitors' centre in the main central building.
• Queens Film Theatre, 20 University Sq., +44 28 9097-1097. Belfast's art house and repertory cinema, and is the central location for the annual Belfast Film Festival.
• Botanical Gardens. Very popular with locals and visitors alike. The Palm House contains local and interesting plants, such as carnivorous plants. Beside it is the Tropical Ravine, unique to the British Isles, where visitors walk around a raised balcony observing tropical flora and fauna. With large lawns and well maintained planting, the park is a popular destination in the summer. Fans of the BBC TV hidden camera comedy show Just for Laughs will recognise the park from many hidden stunts. During the summer months be on the lookout for cameras pointing at you from parked vans and badly disguised tents. Free.
• Ulster Museum, +44 28 9038-3000. This excellent museum has much to see, including a large section on the history of Irish conflict, Northern Ireland's marine life and a significant collection of art. While many locals dislike the 1970s extension, it is one of the finest examples of a Brutalist modern extension being added and integrated to an older classically designed museum. Free.

Queen's University, University Rd. (Take any number 8 bus (8A - 8C) from the city center., +44 28 9024-5133. At the southernmost end of the Golden Mile, the university is a fine Victorian building with extensive grounds. It contains a visitors' centre in the main central building.

Queens Film Theatre, 20 University Sq., +44 28 9097-1097. Belfast's art house and repertory cinema, and is the central location for the annual Belfast Film Festival.

Botanical Gardens. Very popular with locals and visitors alike. The Palm House contains local and interesting plants, such as carnivorous plants. Beside it is the Tropical Ravine, unique to the British Isles, where visitors walk around a raised balcony observing tropical flora and fauna. With large lawns and well maintained planting, the park is a popular destination in the summer. Fans of the BBC TV hidden camera comedy show Just for Laughs will recognise the park from many hidden stunts. During the summer months be on the lookout for cameras pointing at you from parked vans and badly disguised tents. Free.

Ulster Museum, +44 28 9038-3000. This excellent museum has much to see, including a large section on the history of Irish conflict, Northern Ireland's marine life and a significant collection of art. While many locals dislike the 1970s extension, it is one of the finest examples of a Brutalist modern extension being added and integrated to an older classically designed museum. Free.

• Belfast Zoo, Antrim Rd (Take any number 1 bus (1A - 1G) from the city centre., +44 28 9077-6277. Daily 10AM-5:30PM. A substantial modernisation programme has recently been finished, and the zoo has a very good variety of animals. The prairie dogs are of particular interest, as their tunnels extend throughout the park, rendering any open space looking like a giant game of 'whack-a-rat'. Much merriment was caused when the zoo was praised for letting the prairie dogs run wild and free, an accident that was caused after much effort was spent preventing them from digging out of their enclosure but no one checked on their ability to climb and they simply scampered over their small enclosing wall. The Zoo is home to Lily, the first Barbary lion cub to be born in Ireland. admission £6.70.
• Belfast Castle, Antrim Rd (Take any number 1 bus (1A - 1G) from the city centre., +44 28 9077-6925. Daily 9AM-6PM. The castle (more accurately a large stately home) dates from 1870 and was restored in 1988. It is situated on Cave Hill and has good views of the city and coast. Cave Hill Country Park has marked walking routes and is an excellent viewpoint from which to get a view of Belfast. Free.

Belfast Zoo, Antrim Rd (Take any number 1 bus (1A - 1G) from the city centre., +44 28 9077-6277. Daily 10AM-5:30PM. A substantial modernisation programme has recently been finished, and the zoo has a very good variety of animals. The prairie dogs are of particular interest, as their tunnels extend throughout the park, rendering any open space looking like a giant game of 'whack-a-rat'. Much merriment was caused when the zoo was praised for letting the prairie dogs run wild and free, an accident that was caused after much effort was spent preventing them from digging out of their enclosure but no one checked on their ability to climb and they simply scampered over their small enclosing wall. The Zoo is home to Lily, the first Barbary lion cub to be born in Ireland. admission £6.70.

Belfast Castle, Antrim Rd (Take any number 1 bus (1A - 1G) from the city centre., +44 28 9077-6925. Daily 9AM-6PM. The castle (more accurately a large stately home) dates from 1870 and was restored in 1988. It is situated on Cave Hill and has good views of the city and coast. Cave Hill Country Park has marked walking routes and is an excellent viewpoint from which to get a view of Belfast. Free.

• An Chultúrlann, 216 Falls Road, BT12 6AH, +44 28 9096-4180. The hub of Irish language activities in Belfast. Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, at the heart of the Gaeltacht Quarter on the Falls Road is the Belfast Irish Experience, a friendly drop-in space where you can engage with the locals and experience Irish culture, but depending on your interests, it is also a dynamic arts centre, a centre for traditional music, a tourist information point, a café, a place to buy crafts or books, a place to learn the Irish language or take up new hobbies, to meet friends or book a tour, a place to feel proud of your heritage or to explore Irish culture.
• Political Murals. Throughout Falls Rd and Shankill Rd. Visit the world renowned murals in the nationalist Falls and unionist Shankill portions of West Belfast. The main murals are on gable walls of buildings on both the Falls and Shankill roads, but others are in the lower Shankill estate (off the lower Shankill Rd onto North Boundary St) and Bombay St (off the Falls Rd onto Clonard Gardens).

• Milltown Cemetery, 546 Falls Rd. One of the two massive cemeteries of West Belfast. Milltown is dripping with history, being the final resting place for many Republican paramilitary members (mostly buried at the Republican plot, beneath the tricolour flag). There is also a memorial garden for IRA members killed during the Troubles, including those who took part in the 1981 Hunger Strike. Milltown cemetery is also the site of the notorious killings in 1988 of three mourners at an IRA funeral by Loyalist Michael Stone. The attack took place near the Republican plot.
• Falls Park, Falls Rd, BT12 6AN (Metro No. 10 A-F, +44 79 1754 3626. A large open space populated by a huge cemetery, gardens, Gaelic Football and Hurling pitches. Falls Park is a pleasant place to visit on a sunny day and provides a welcome respite from the city.
• Casement Park. The principal stadium of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in the province of Ulster. The sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling are played here, both of which provide a unique experience for visitors to the city. Tickets are extremely well priced (admittance to a major game would not be more than £20) and are, in most cases, available on the gate. For match dates and times check the Irish News newspaper or online.
• Eileen Hickey Republican History Museum, Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, BT13 2DE, +44 28 9024-0504. Museum exploring the history of Republicanism in Belfast. The museum is not affiliated with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and could be seen as fairly biased. Tourists should make up their own minds whether or not to visit. Free admission.

An Chultúrlann, 216 Falls Road, BT12 6AH, +44 28 9096-4180. The hub of Irish language activities in Belfast. Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, at the heart of the Gaeltacht Quarter on the Falls Road is the Belfast Irish Experience, a friendly drop-in space where you can engage with the locals and experience Irish culture, but depending on your interests, it is also a dynamic arts centre, a centre for traditional music, a tourist information point, a café, a place to buy crafts or books, a place to learn the Irish language or take up new hobbies, to meet friends or book a tour, a place to feel proud of your heritage or to explore Irish culture.

Political Murals. Throughout Falls Rd and Shankill Rd. Visit the world renowned murals in the nationalist Falls and unionist Shankill portions of West Belfast. The main murals are on gable walls of buildings on both the Falls and Shankill roads, but others are in the lower Shankill estate (off the lower Shankill Rd onto North Boundary St) and Bombay St (off the Falls Rd onto Clonard Gardens).

Milltown Cemetery, 546 Falls Rd. One of the two massive cemeteries of West Belfast. Milltown is dripping with history, being the final resting place for many Republican paramilitary members (mostly buried at the Republican plot, beneath the tricolour flag). There is also a memorial garden for IRA members killed during the Troubles, including those who took part in the 1981 Hunger Strike. Milltown cemetery is also the site of the notorious killings in 1988 of three mourners at an IRA funeral by Loyalist Michael Stone. The attack took place near the Republican plot.

Falls Park, Falls Rd, BT12 6AN (Metro No. 10 A-F, +44 79 1754 3626. A large open space populated by a huge cemetery, gardens, Gaelic Football and Hurling pitches. Falls Park is a pleasant place to visit on a sunny day and provides a welcome respite from the city.

Casement Park. The principal stadium of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in the province of Ulster. The sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling are played here, both of which provide a unique experience for visitors to the city. Tickets are extremely well priced (admittance to a major game would not be more than £20) and are, in most cases, available on the gate. For match dates and times check the Irish News newspaper or online.

Eileen Hickey Republican History Museum, Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, BT13 2DE, +44 28 9024-0504. Museum exploring the history of Republicanism in Belfast. The museum is not affiliated with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and could be seen as fairly biased. Tourists should make up their own minds whether or not to visit. Free admission.

East Belfast is the largest of the city's 4 electoral wards and is serviced by a number of large arterial roads (Cregagh Road, Castlereagh Road, Newtownards Road and Holywood Road), which all start in or close to the city centre.

East Belfast is a mainly residential and largely Protestant area encompassing a wide range of housing from the working class terraced streets along the Beersbridge road, to wide tree lined avenues of Belmont, and all areas in between. Despite its largely Protestant nature East Belfast is generally the area of the city where newcomers to Belfast of all religious and political persuasions from within Northern Ireland will look to purchase houses in when they arrive in the city. The rationale for this may be that although South Belfast is often thought of as a desirable locale it is in many cases prohibitively expensive. North and West Belfast are even cheaper than the East but whilst both contain many pleasant neighbourhoods they still have a lot of echoes from the troubles that can put newcomers off. North Belfast especially has a large number of "interface areas" (regions where working class loyalist and republican areas meet) that can occasionally flare up into trouble. East Belfast, possibly because it has only one interface area and is relatively homogeneously Protestant, was less on the "coalface" of the troubles than both the North and the West.

• Stormont Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, BT4 3XX, +44 28 9025-0000. The parliament buildings are the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The buildings are massive and have marble interiors. The grounds are interesting in themselves, and a walk down the mile-long road to the main parliament buildings is well recommended. Guided tours may be possible, telephone in advance.to get there take the Glider service from the City centre the G1 service and get off at Stormont halt
• Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, BT18 0EU (north-east from Belfast City Centre and most easily reached by train from Cultra station., +44 28 9042-8428. Daily 10AM-6PM. It is one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions. It has a vast collection, and you could spend days exploring all of it. Highlights of the transport museum include a DeLorean (great scott!, etc.) and two train sheds full full of old steam locomotives and buses from Northern Ireland's past. The Folk Museum, on the other side of the railway line features a re-creation of an old Irish town. On Saturdays, there is a miniature railway operating, which is great fun. The folk museum is outdoors, so come prepared for the changeable Irish climate. admission £6.50.
• Lorne Guide Headquarters, 30 Station Rd, Holywood (about a mile away from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, +44 28 9042 5212. It is the guide headquarters for Northern Ireland but to access you must be part of the guiding community, e.g. Brownie, Guide.

Stormont Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, BT4 3XX, +44 28 9025-0000. The parliament buildings are the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The buildings are massive and have marble interiors. The grounds are interesting in themselves, and a walk down the mile-long road to the main parliament buildings is well recommended. Guided tours may be possible, telephone in advance.to get there take the Glider service from the City centre the G1 service and get off at Stormont halt

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, BT18 0EU (north-east from Belfast City Centre and most easily reached by train from Cultra station., +44 28 9042-8428. Daily 10AM-6PM. It is one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions. It has a vast collection, and you could spend days exploring all of it. Highlights of the transport museum include a DeLorean (great scott!, etc.) and two train sheds full full of old steam locomotives and buses from Northern Ireland's past. The Folk Museum, on the other side of the railway line features a re-creation of an old Irish town. On Saturdays, there is a miniature railway operating, which is great fun. The folk museum is outdoors, so come prepared for the changeable Irish climate. admission £6.50.

Lorne Guide Headquarters, 30 Station Rd, Holywood (about a mile away from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, +44 28 9042 5212. It is the guide headquarters for Northern Ireland but to access you must be part of the guiding community, e.g. Brownie, Guide.

Whilst the urban area of Belfast itself has a population of just over 480,000 people, the larger Belfast Metropolitan Area encompasses neighbouring councils of Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, North Down and Castlereagh with a total population of just over 640,000.

A lot of the City's daily commuters come from these areas and the areas themselves have certain sights worth visiting.

Rail links go to all Belfast Metropolitan areas via Belfast Central Station and Great Victoria Street Station. Bus links are also an option from Great Victoria Street Station. Prices vary, where buses are typically cheaper but take slightly longer, usually not more than around 30–40 minutes in total.

• Belfast Murals. The two political groupings in the Northern Ireland (Republican and Loyalist, the former predominantly being Catholic and the latter predominantly Protestant) have a strong tradition of large wall mural painting in their communities, particularly the poorer ones. If you head to The Falls Road or Shankill you will get a good look at what are some of the world's finest house-sized political murals. They change frequently depending on the political climate but they are definitely something to see. The areas they are in are very safe, however do be aware that politics and religion can be tense topics. Ask around and somebody will be able to point you to the murals.
• The Golden Mile. The name given to the mile or so between Belfast City Hall and Queen's University. It sometimes disappoints tourists because it's less immediately evident and less densely packed together than the name suggests. It's also not the safest part of Belfast at night, especially at weekends and a large police presence is usually in evidence. Be careful using cash machines, and if you're having trouble getting a taxi it's probably better to start walking than to stick around for too long on street corners. Exploring the area in the day time will help you if you come back later for a night out. You'll find the lion's share of the City Centre's best bars and some good places to eat here. The Golden Mile starts around the Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street, takes a skip to the left to continue down Dublin Road, reaches a buzzing climax around Bradbury Place (just south of the big screen overlooking the junction) and graduates to student friendly but welcoming bars along Botanic Avenue and University Road. See the Drink section for specific recommendations.
• Odyssey Pavillion, 2 Queen's Quay (Bus metro route 26 goes by the arena., +44 28 9045 1055. Across the bridge from the Lagan Weir is the Odyssey centre. This complex contains a 12-screen cinema, the SSE (formerly Odyssey) Arena (home of ice hockey team Belfast Giants), a bowling alley, W5 (an interactive science discovery centre) and a range of restaurants and bars. It can be very quiet on weeknights, but on weekend when ice hockey games are on, blockbusters are released in the cinema and the nightclubs and bars open, you can easily expect to see 12,000 people in the building.
• Parks and open spaces. Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The main parks include Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Ormeau Park and Botanic Gardens (in the south of the city), Waterworks, Belfast Castle estate, Cave Hill Country Park and Alexandra Park (north Belfast), Dunville and Falls Park (west Belfast) and Orangefield and Victoria Park (in the east of the city). There are a host of walking routes through these parks and many include play facilities for children. Slightly further out from the City Centre, the Lagan Towpath is a delightful, peaceful and safe walk particularly during the summer months.

Belfast has a great thriving night life with many Show and Gig venues throughout the city Belfast Shows.

• Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street, +44 28 9024-1919 (Booking). Possibly the finest remaining example of Georgian theatre architecture in the UK, this century-old building is a must-see for theatre and art lovers alike. Plays tend to show every evening except Sundays, with matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays. Discount is often available for students and senior citizens. The theatre also features an art gallery, displaying local artwork: viewing the pictures is free. If you ask nicely staff are usually pleased to give you a short tour of the theatre so you can take photos and learn a little bit about the theatre's history. The theatre also has a contemporary bar and cafe for people to relax during the day or have lunch. The staff are very friendly and helpful, with a good knowledge of the area. The theatre is next to Great Victoria Street Station, making it an easy place to visit when you arrive. Showcases large local and touring productions.
• Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway St, +44 28 9038-1081. The diminutive Lyric remains the only full-time producing theatre in Northern Ireland. A busy schedule of productions can be found online.
• Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC), 10 Exchange Street West, BT1 2NJ, +44 28 9023 5053 (Box Office). Daily 10:00-19:00 (or later for performances). The MAC opened in 2012 and is a cultural center for art, theatre, and dance.

Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street, +44 28 9024-1919 (Booking). Possibly the finest remaining example of Georgian theatre architecture in the UK, this century-old building is a must-see for theatre and art lovers alike. Plays tend to show every evening except Sundays, with matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays. Discount is often available for students and senior citizens. The theatre also features an art gallery, displaying local artwork: viewing the pictures is free. If you ask nicely staff are usually pleased to give you a short tour of the theatre so you can take photos and learn a little bit about the theatre's history. The theatre also has a contemporary bar and cafe for people to relax during the day or have lunch. The staff are very friendly and helpful, with a good knowledge of the area. The theatre is next to Great Victoria Street Station, making it an easy place to visit when you arrive. Showcases large local and touring productions.

Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway St, +44 28 9038-1081. The diminutive Lyric remains the only full-time producing theatre in Northern Ireland. A busy schedule of productions can be found online.

Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC), 10 Exchange Street West, BT1 2NJ, +44 28 9023 5053 (Box Office). Daily 10:00-19:00 (or later for performances). The MAC opened in 2012 and is a cultural center for art, theatre, and dance.

• Titanic Boat Tour. Belfast takes a bizarre pride in that the ill-fated Titanic was built here (not caring to promote the many hundreds of other ships that were built here which did not sink) and you can now take a boat tour around the area that the ship was built. The former boat yards of Belfast have been ambitiously redeveloped into a residential and commercial neighbourhood that is called (you guessed it) the Titanic Quarter. Check sailing times on their website. 70-min tour £10.
• Belfast taxi tours, 35A King St, +44 7892 716660. 2 hours. Taxi Trax of West Belfast have seen the history of the troubles over the past 40 years. They even have a mural that can be seen on the International Wall. £35.
• Black Taxi Tours, King St, +44 28 9031-5777. 2 Hours. Provide a fascinating insight into West Belfast. These can be booked through all hostels, hotels and the Belfast Welcome Centre, and cost around £7.50-10 per person. Free pick-up from any Belfast City location. Large group discounts available on request. £30.
• Belfast Mural Tours, city centre, +44 7846 687085. 2 hours. Take a personal tour of the famous Belfast Murals, hear the stories behind them, tour the streets that show the scars of decades of conflict. £30 min.

Titanic Boat Tour. Belfast takes a bizarre pride in that the ill-fated Titanic was built here (not caring to promote the many hundreds of other ships that were built here which did not sink) and you can now take a boat tour around the area that the ship was built. The former boat yards of Belfast have been ambitiously redeveloped into a residential and commercial neighbourhood that is called (you guessed it) the Titanic Quarter. Check sailing times on their website. 70-min tour £10.

Belfast taxi tours, 35A King St, +44 7892 716660. 2 hours. Taxi Trax of West Belfast have seen the history of the troubles over the past 40 years. They even have a mural that can be seen on the International Wall. £35.

Black Taxi Tours, King St, +44 28 9031-5777. 2 Hours. Provide a fascinating insight into West Belfast. These can be booked through all hostels, hotels and the Belfast Welcome Centre, and cost around £7.50-10 per person. Free pick-up from any Belfast City location. Large group discounts available on request. £30.

Belfast Mural Tours, city centre, +44 7846 687085. 2 hours. Take a personal tour of the famous Belfast Murals, hear the stories behind them, tour the streets that show the scars of decades of conflict. £30 min.

• Watch Rugby Union ie 15-a-side. Ulster Rugby are one of the four Irish professional teams playing in Pro14, the top European (predominantly Celtic) league. Their home ground is Ravenhill, capacity 18,000, south of Ormeau Park.

Watch Rugby Union ie 15-a-side. Ulster Rugby are one of the four Irish professional teams playing in Pro14, the top European (predominantly Celtic) league. Their home ground is Ravenhill, capacity 18,000, south of Ormeau Park.

Belfast Murals. The two political groupings in the Northern Ireland (Republican and Loyalist, the former predominantly being Catholic and the latter predominantly Protestant) have a strong tradition of large wall mural painting in their communities, particularly the poorer ones. If you head to The Falls Road or Shankill you will get a good look at what are some of the world's finest house-sized political murals. They change frequently depending on the political climate but they are definitely something to see. The areas they are in are very safe, however do be aware that politics and religion can be tense topics. Ask around and somebody will be able to point you to the murals.

The Golden Mile. The name given to the mile or so between Belfast City Hall and Queen's University. It sometimes disappoints tourists because it's less immediately evident and less densely packed together than the name suggests. It's also not the safest part of Belfast at night, especially at weekends and a large police presence is usually in evidence. Be careful using cash machines, and if you're having trouble getting a taxi it's probably better to start walking than to stick around for too long on street corners. Exploring the area in the day time will help you if you come back later for a night out. You'll find the lion's share of the City Centre's best bars and some good places to eat here. The Golden Mile starts around the Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street, takes a skip to the left to continue down Dublin Road, reaches a buzzing climax around Bradbury Place (just south of the big screen overlooking the junction) and graduates to student friendly but welcoming bars along Botanic Avenue and University Road. See the Drink section for specific recommendations.

Odyssey Pavillion, 2 Queen's Quay (Bus metro route 26 goes by the arena., +44 28 9045 1055. Across the bridge from the Lagan Weir is the Odyssey centre. This complex contains a 12-screen cinema, the SSE (formerly Odyssey) Arena (home of ice hockey team Belfast Giants), a bowling alley, W5 (an interactive science discovery centre) and a range of restaurants and bars. It can be very quiet on weeknights, but on weekend when ice hockey games are on, blockbusters are released in the cinema and the nightclubs and bars open, you can easily expect to see 12,000 people in the building.

Parks and open spaces. Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The main parks include Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Ormeau Park and Botanic Gardens (in the south of the city), Waterworks, Belfast Castle estate, Cave Hill Country Park and Alexandra Park (north Belfast), Dunville and Falls Park (west Belfast) and Orangefield and Victoria Park (in the east of the city). There are a host of walking routes through these parks and many include play facilities for children. Slightly further out from the City Centre, the Lagan Towpath is a delightful, peaceful and safe walk particularly during the summer months.

Belfast has the full complement of high street chain stores that can be found in any other UK and Irish city. It does however have a variety of more interesting places to browse and shop, and a visit to Belfast would not be complete without experiencing them. Cornmarket, at the centre of Belfast's retail area. Visitors from Britain and Ireland will feel immediately at home with the bland selection of high street chains.

You will also find a number of interesting shops on and around College Street, and on Dublin Road.

• St George's Market, 12-20 East Bridge Street, BT1 3NQ (On May Street, situated near Belfast Central Station.. It is Northern Ireland's largest indoor market and one of Belfast's major attractions for visitors and locals. Farmers markets are held on Saturdays 9AM-3PM, and variety markets are held on Fridays 6AM-1PM. It sells a fascinating range of foods, clothing and crafts. You can pick up some real bargains here, and the market itself provides a charming glimpse into Belfast life past and present.
• Smithfield Market, Winetavern Street, BT1 1JE (behind the Castle Court shopping centre. M-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su closed. A treasure trove of independent retail outlets, and provides a much more authentic experience than the afore mentioned Castle Court centre in Royal Avenue.
• No Alibis, 83 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9020-1261. One of the finest independent bookstores anywhere in Northern Ireland or the Republic, this is a must for fans of British, Irish and American crime fiction, with a wide selection of books imported from the USA. No Alibis reassures book-lovers that there is more to life than Borders or Waterstones.
• O'Neills Sportswear, Unit 45-46 Kennendy Centre, 564-568 Falls Road, BT11 9AE, +44 28 9062-9879. O'Neills is the largest manufacturer and retailer of Gaelic Sports equipment and memorabilia, ideal for a more individual souvenir. Merchandise such as team or county jerseys are well priced, with a clearance department in-store where factory seconds and older stock are on sale at very low prices.

St George's Market, 12-20 East Bridge Street, BT1 3NQ (On May Street, situated near Belfast Central Station.. It is Northern Ireland's largest indoor market and one of Belfast's major attractions for visitors and locals. Farmers markets are held on Saturdays 9AM-3PM, and variety markets are held on Fridays 6AM-1PM. It sells a fascinating range of foods, clothing and crafts. You can pick up some real bargains here, and the market itself provides a charming glimpse into Belfast life past and present.

Smithfield Market, Winetavern Street, BT1 1JE (behind the Castle Court shopping centre. M-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su closed. A treasure trove of independent retail outlets, and provides a much more authentic experience than the afore mentioned Castle Court centre in Royal Avenue.

No Alibis, 83 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9020-1261. One of the finest independent bookstores anywhere in Northern Ireland or the Republic, this is a must for fans of British, Irish and American crime fiction, with a wide selection of books imported from the USA. No Alibis reassures book-lovers that there is more to life than Borders or Waterstones.

O'Neills Sportswear, Unit 45-46 Kennendy Centre, 564-568 Falls Road, BT11 9AE, +44 28 9062-9879. O'Neills is the largest manufacturer and retailer of Gaelic Sports equipment and memorabilia, ideal for a more individual souvenir. Merchandise such as team or county jerseys are well priced, with a clearance department in-store where factory seconds and older stock are on sale at very low prices.

Belfast has everything to quench any appetite, and best of all, eating meat on a Friday during Lent is no longer regarded as an expression of anti-Nationalism.

• Archana, 53 Dublin Rd (Just opposite Pizza Hut, +44 28 9032-3713. M-Sa 12:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00, Su 17:00-23:00. A great Indian restaurant with even better deals at lunchtime.
• Boojum, 67-69 Botanic Avenue, +44 28 9031 5334. Daily 11:30-22:00. Opened in 2008, this Mexican grill offers superb burritos, fajitas and tacos. Similar in style, and layout to the U.S. chain Chipotle. All ingredients are sourced direct from Mexico. A delicious, reasonable and very satisfying alternative. £4.50-5.50.
• Bright's Restaurant, 41-43 Castle St and 23-25 High St, +44 28 9024-5688. Two locations in the city centre known for serving the best traditional breakfast in town for only £3.95 before 12:00. Large portions and good service. Can be very busy at times.
• Delaney's, 19 Lombard St, +44 28 9023-1572. A diner with a cosy, old fashioned interior Cooked breakfast from £1.50 and lunches from £2.95. A local favourite.
• Doorsteps Sandwiches, 455 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9068-1645. A good place for sandwiches, which are large enough to justify the name of the café, and which are exceptionally good value.
• Feeley's Fish & Chip Shop, 86 Shaws Rd, +44 28 9030 1112.
• The John Hewitt, 51 Donegall St, +44 28 9023-3768. Decently priced meals are available during the day and until 9PM in this popular Cathedral Quarter pub. Big plates with well sourced local ingredients and traditional meals. One of the best pubs for lunch in the city. Gay friendly pub. Lunch between £7-9.
• Little Italy Pizza, 13 Amelia St, +44 28 9031-4914. If you're out on the town, this is the perfect place for something to soak up the booze. Just around the corner from the Crown Bar, this place does the very best (and the cheapest) pizza in Belfast.
• Loaf Cafe, Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert St (Just around the corner from the International mural wall on the Falls Rd and across from St. Peter's Cathedral, +44 28 9090-0071. M-F 8:30AM-3PM. This lovely little cafe which serves a great range of breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea options. Check out their lovely lunch specials and pizza meal deal for 2 on a Wednesday! Profits from Loaf are used to support local people with learning disabilities. Lunch £3.50.
• Maggie Mays, 50 Botanic Ave; the other branch is on 2 Malone Rd, +44 28 9032-2662. M-Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 09:00-23:00. Anyone who has had a hangover in Belfast has had Maggie Mays' Ulster fry. Serves a hefty, but far from the best, traditional Ulster breakfast (bacon, sausage, egg, fried bread, soda bread, etc.) The cosy interior is decorated with paintings and street signs from around Belfast. Service can be patchy, but the main reason to come here is the food. Often difficult to get a table, but well worth it if you can! Avoid more than weekly visits, your heart will thank you.
• Moghul Restaurant, 62a, Botanic Ave, +44 28 9032-6677. This fine Indian restaurant has good value lunch deals, and is a handy starting point for a night out on the Golden Mile. Try for the special Friday lunch buffet.
• SPUDS, 37 Bradbury Pl. Long established (since 1971) and very popular traditional diner and take-away serving an array of local specialities. Known for its baked potatoes, served with pretty much anything you can imagine. Serves the best 'champ' in the city (a local dish consisting of creamed potatoes, butter and spring onion).
• The Bridge House (J.D. Wetherspoon), 35-43 Bedford St. Ubiquitous chain pub found in almost every UK town. Serves undeniably good value food, though quality is sometimes sacrificed for price. Many meals served with free pint.

Archana, 53 Dublin Rd (Just opposite Pizza Hut, +44 28 9032-3713. M-Sa 12:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00, Su 17:00-23:00. A great Indian restaurant with even better deals at lunchtime.

Boojum, 67-69 Botanic Avenue, +44 28 9031 5334. Daily 11:30-22:00. Opened in 2008, this Mexican grill offers superb burritos, fajitas and tacos. Similar in style, and layout to the U.S. chain Chipotle. All ingredients are sourced direct from Mexico. A delicious, reasonable and very satisfying alternative. £4.50-5.50.

Bright's Restaurant, 41-43 Castle St and 23-25 High St, +44 28 9024-5688. Two locations in the city centre known for serving the best traditional breakfast in town for only £3.95 before 12:00. Large portions and good service. Can be very busy at times.

Delaney's, 19 Lombard St, +44 28 9023-1572. A diner with a cosy, old fashioned interior Cooked breakfast from £1.50 and lunches from £2.95. A local favourite.

Doorsteps Sandwiches, 455 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9068-1645. A good place for sandwiches, which are large enough to justify the name of the café, and which are exceptionally good value.

Feeley's Fish & Chip Shop, 86 Shaws Rd, +44 28 9030 1112.

The John Hewitt, 51 Donegall St, +44 28 9023-3768. Decently priced meals are available during the day and until 9PM in this popular Cathedral Quarter pub. Big plates with well sourced local ingredients and traditional meals. One of the best pubs for lunch in the city. Gay friendly pub. Lunch between £7-9.

Little Italy Pizza, 13 Amelia St, +44 28 9031-4914. If you're out on the town, this is the perfect place for something to soak up the booze. Just around the corner from the Crown Bar, this place does the very best (and the cheapest) pizza in Belfast.

Loaf Cafe, Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert St (Just around the corner from the International mural wall on the Falls Rd and across from St. Peter's Cathedral, +44 28 9090-0071. M-F 8:30AM-3PM. This lovely little cafe which serves a great range of breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea options. Check out their lovely lunch specials and pizza meal deal for 2 on a Wednesday! Profits from Loaf are used to support local people with learning disabilities. Lunch £3.50.

Maggie Mays, 50 Botanic Ave; the other branch is on 2 Malone Rd, +44 28 9032-2662. M-Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 09:00-23:00. Anyone who has had a hangover in Belfast has had Maggie Mays' Ulster fry. Serves a hefty, but far from the best, traditional Ulster breakfast (bacon, sausage, egg, fried bread, soda bread, etc.) The cosy interior is decorated with paintings and street signs from around Belfast. Service can be patchy, but the main reason to come here is the food. Often difficult to get a table, but well worth it if you can! Avoid more than weekly visits, your heart will thank you.

Moghul Restaurant, 62a, Botanic Ave, +44 28 9032-6677. This fine Indian restaurant has good value lunch deals, and is a handy starting point for a night out on the Golden Mile. Try for the special Friday lunch buffet.

SPUDS, 37 Bradbury Pl. Long established (since 1971) and very popular traditional diner and take-away serving an array of local specialities. Known for its baked potatoes, served with pretty much anything you can imagine. Serves the best 'champ' in the city (a local dish consisting of creamed potatoes, butter and spring onion).

The Bridge House (J.D. Wetherspoon), 35-43 Bedford St. Ubiquitous chain pub found in almost every UK town. Serves undeniably good value food, though quality is sometimes sacrificed for price. Many meals served with free pint.

• Apartment, 2 Donegall Square West, +44 28 9050-9777. Belfast's most stylish venue with amazing views over City Hall. Raised above Belfast's bustling streets this cosmopolitan bar & restaurant has it all to offer - whether its coffee & croissants, lunch & cocktails or wine & dinner. At night Apartment transforms from a modern eatery to a busy lounge bar with cool urban beats from some of Belfast's top DJs. Apartment's ever evolving cocktail list is the most extensive in Belfast with some of the city's finest & most original blends. Gay friendly bar.
• Lee Garden, 14-18 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9027-8882. Daily 12:00-24:00. Popular during the day, mainly due to its £6.95 lunch specials. Evening meals are of average quality and are quite expensive.
• Little Wing Pizzeria, 10 Ann St, +44 28 9024-7000. Belfast's trendiest pizzeria serves some fantastic quality food in comfortable surroundings near Victoria Square. Bookings sometimes necessary at peak times.
• Scalini, 85 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9032-0303. A very good Italian restaurant in the trendy Botanic area of the city and close to Queen's University. Food and drink is very well priced and the portions are generous. Reservations not always required apart from on peak nights.

Apartment, 2 Donegall Square West, +44 28 9050-9777. Belfast's most stylish venue with amazing views over City Hall. Raised above Belfast's bustling streets this cosmopolitan bar & restaurant has it all to offer - whether its coffee & croissants, lunch & cocktails or wine & dinner. At night Apartment transforms from a modern eatery to a busy lounge bar with cool urban beats from some of Belfast's top DJs. Apartment's ever evolving cocktail list is the most extensive in Belfast with some of the city's finest & most original blends. Gay friendly bar.

Lee Garden, 14-18 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9027-8882. Daily 12:00-24:00. Popular during the day, mainly due to its £6.95 lunch specials. Evening meals are of average quality and are quite expensive.

Little Wing Pizzeria, 10 Ann St, +44 28 9024-7000. Belfast's trendiest pizzeria serves some fantastic quality food in comfortable surroundings near Victoria Square. Bookings sometimes necessary at peak times.

Scalini, 85 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9032-0303. A very good Italian restaurant in the trendy Botanic area of the city and close to Queen's University. Food and drink is very well priced and the portions are generous. Reservations not always required apart from on peak nights.

• Aldens Restaurant, 229 Upper Newtownards Rd, +44 28 9065-0079. This restaurant is further out of town but serves excellent food with great service.
• Cayenne Restaurant, 7 Ascot House, Shaftsbury Sq, +44 28 9033-1532. Famous chefs Paul & Jeanne Rankin's Cayenne is a well established place for quality and funky food. Pre-theater menus cost £12.
• The King's Head, 829 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9050-9950. After a major refurbishment, The King's Head re-opened . It combines fresh food and local character. A 120-seat restaurant, dedicated live lounge, gastro pub & beer garden.
• The Merchant Hotel. Belfast's most opulent hotel. A sumptuous, intimate and welcoming hotel in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, in Belfast’s city centre.
• Restaurant Michael Deane, 1F 36-40 Howard St (Brasserie on ground floor), +44 28 9033-1134. Belfast's only Michelin Star restaurant, ideal for all the frills dining but despite the accolades it is not overly stuffy.
• Shu. On the lower Lisburn Road, this is a perennially popular restaurant in a modern and stylish dining room.
• RBG Belfast, 4 Clarence Street West, Off Bedford Street, BT2 7GP, +44 28 9067-7707. All day dining. All day dining in a relaxing atmosphere at the heart of the city. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Aldens Restaurant, 229 Upper Newtownards Rd, +44 28 9065-0079. This restaurant is further out of town but serves excellent food with great service.

Cayenne Restaurant, 7 Ascot House, Shaftsbury Sq, +44 28 9033-1532. Famous chefs Paul & Jeanne Rankin's Cayenne is a well established place for quality and funky food. Pre-theater menus cost £12.

The King's Head, 829 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9050-9950. After a major refurbishment, The King's Head re-opened . It combines fresh food and local character. A 120-seat restaurant, dedicated live lounge, gastro pub & beer garden.

The Merchant Hotel. Belfast's most opulent hotel. A sumptuous, intimate and welcoming hotel in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, in Belfast’s city centre.

Restaurant Michael Deane, 1F 36-40 Howard St (Brasserie on ground floor), +44 28 9033-1134. Belfast's only Michelin Star restaurant, ideal for all the frills dining but despite the accolades it is not overly stuffy.

Shu. On the lower Lisburn Road, this is a perennially popular restaurant in a modern and stylish dining room.

RBG Belfast, 4 Clarence Street West, Off Bedford Street, BT2 7GP, +44 28 9067-7707. All day dining. All day dining in a relaxing atmosphere at the heart of the city. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Belfast has a vibrant and bustling nightlife even though it is a relatively small city. Pubs around the city centre are generally open until 1AM several days a week, though some may close around 11:30PM. Clubs generally run from around 9PM through until 2AM, though a small number do stay open much later.

• The Northern Whig, 2-10 Bridge St, +44 28 9050-9880. The Northern Whig oozes sultry European style! What is most striking about The Northern Whig is the set of huge granite statues depicting Communist workers, which were acquired by the owners after the fall of Communism in Prague. At night this smart & cosmopolitan venue comes to life with a varied mix of people & live music by some of Belfast's finest DJs. The Northern Whig has an extensive choice of original & house cocktails.

The Northern Whig, 2-10 Bridge St, +44 28 9050-9880. The Northern Whig oozes sultry European style! What is most striking about The Northern Whig is the set of huge granite statues depicting Communist workers, which were acquired by the owners after the fall of Communism in Prague. At night this smart & cosmopolitan venue comes to life with a varied mix of people & live music by some of Belfast's finest DJs. The Northern Whig has an extensive choice of original & house cocktails.

• The Botanic Inn, 23-27 Malone Rd, +44 28 9050-9740. Affectionately known as 'The Bot', this bar is very popular, especially with students during the university term. It has a reputation for great atmosphere and craic, though can get very crowded at weekends. Downstairs is a large, attractive bar that regularly shows live sport, while upstairs has a highly regarded club. Good food is offered and drinks are reasonably priced.
• Scratch Nightclub, +44 28 9050-9750. 5-6 Lower Cresent. Centrally located just off Botanic Avenue, Scratch has been recently refurbished and regularly hosts popular club nights. The bar/club stretches over three floors and has a great reputation as the place to dance the night away. Open six nights a week, Scratch caters for all tastes. Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular.
• The Globe, 36 University Rd, +44 28 9050-9840. Another popular university area bar, the Globe is open 7 days a week, serving fantastic food at a reasonable price. Like most of the university area bars, The Globe hosts regular club nights, but is also popular for big screen sports.
• Brickies Bar. Brickies is in Queen's University Student Union and is usually a good starting point for a night out. Don't hesitate to ask the students about the best place to go on any particular night.
• Thompsons. Seems to be the place to be. This club plays music too loud and too late, with good DJs and a foggy somewhat underground atmosphere. Next to the City Hall, look for the narrow entry across the street from the Titanic Memorial Garden.
• Kremlin, Donegall Street, +44 28 9031-9061. Gay-owned dance club for men and women. Voted best Gay Venue in Ireland on numerous occasions.

The Botanic Inn, 23-27 Malone Rd, +44 28 9050-9740. Affectionately known as 'The Bot', this bar is very popular, especially with students during the university term. It has a reputation for great atmosphere and craic, though can get very crowded at weekends. Downstairs is a large, attractive bar that regularly shows live sport, while upstairs has a highly regarded club. Good food is offered and drinks are reasonably priced.

Scratch Nightclub, +44 28 9050-9750. 5-6 Lower Cresent. Centrally located just off Botanic Avenue, Scratch has been recently refurbished and regularly hosts popular club nights. The bar/club stretches over three floors and has a great reputation as the place to dance the night away. Open six nights a week, Scratch caters for all tastes. Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular.

The Globe, 36 University Rd, +44 28 9050-9840. Another popular university area bar, the Globe is open 7 days a week, serving fantastic food at a reasonable price. Like most of the university area bars, The Globe hosts regular club nights, but is also popular for big screen sports.

Brickies Bar. Brickies is in Queen's University Student Union and is usually a good starting point for a night out. Don't hesitate to ask the students about the best place to go on any particular night.

Thompsons. Seems to be the place to be. This club plays music too loud and too late, with good DJs and a foggy somewhat underground atmosphere. Next to the City Hall, look for the narrow entry across the street from the Titanic Memorial Garden.

Kremlin, Donegall Street, +44 28 9031-9061. Gay-owned dance club for men and women. Voted best Gay Venue in Ireland on numerous occasions.

• Crown Liquor Saloon, 46 Great Victoria St (Situated on the Golden Mile opposite the Europa Hotel, +44 28 9024 3187. It is by some visitors rated to be the most beautiful pub existing in Northern Ireland today, and even if you don't drink, it's worth a visit. Apart from the stained glass windows (lovingly restored and replaced after several car bombs) it is largely unchanged since Victorian times, and the dark interior is still gas-lit. Inside, you'll find the famous booths which can seat about a dozen people, and be closed off from the bar with the attracted wood panneled doors. These are hot property after work on a Friday afternoon, so move quickly if you have the chance to occupy one. Note the button inside which was once used to summon a barman to take your order (sorry, these no longer work). Run by the Nicholson's pubs chain. They also serve food.
• The Kitchen Bar, 36-40 Victoria Sq., +44 28 9032-4901. One of the most historic bars in Belfast, the original Kitchen Bar dates back to 1859 and was one of the favourite watering holes of the star performers of Belfast's famous Empire Music Hall. Relocated just round the corner from its original site to an old converted warehouse, it retains all the charm and charisma that visitors experienced at the original venue. Real Ale, real food and real craic are the keywords, and it certainly delivers. Traditional fresh food is served daily including the soda bread-based 'Paddy Pizza'.
• McHugh's Bar & Restaurant, 29-31 Queens Sq., +44 28 9050-9999. In Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1711. Has a 100-seat restaurant, a basement bar offering live entertainment and the main gallery, providing enough space and atmosphere for a great night out. The Basement & main bar hosts live traditional music sessions at various times of the week and weekend.
• Ryan's Bar & Restaurant, 116-118 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9050-9850. The ground floor provides an informal & comfortable venue for craic & conversation where you can partake of great all day bar food. A rather intriguing & tasty choice are the 'Boxty' selections - a type of Irish potato pancake.
• The Parador, 116-118 Ormeau Rd, +44 28 9050-9850. Has been given a new lease of life with a complete facelift and a packed schedule of nightly entertainment. There is a mix of live traditional music on a Tuesday, Pub Quiz on a Wednesday and live Jazz every Thursday. Offers budget accommodation starting at £25 per night for a single room and £38 for a twin or double. Has a good menu of homemade food.

Crown Liquor Saloon, 46 Great Victoria St (Situated on the Golden Mile opposite the Europa Hotel, +44 28 9024 3187. It is by some visitors rated to be the most beautiful pub existing in Northern Ireland today, and even if you don't drink, it's worth a visit. Apart from the stained glass windows (lovingly restored and replaced after several car bombs) it is largely unchanged since Victorian times, and the dark interior is still gas-lit. Inside, you'll find the famous booths which can seat about a dozen people, and be closed off from the bar with the attracted wood panneled doors. These are hot property after work on a Friday afternoon, so move quickly if you have the chance to occupy one. Note the button inside which was once used to summon a barman to take your order (sorry, these no longer work). Run by the Nicholson's pubs chain. They also serve food.

The Kitchen Bar, 36-40 Victoria Sq., +44 28 9032-4901. One of the most historic bars in Belfast, the original Kitchen Bar dates back to 1859 and was one of the favourite watering holes of the star performers of Belfast's famous Empire Music Hall. Relocated just round the corner from its original site to an old converted warehouse, it retains all the charm and charisma that visitors experienced at the original venue. Real Ale, real food and real craic are the keywords, and it certainly delivers. Traditional fresh food is served daily including the soda bread-based 'Paddy Pizza'.

McHugh's Bar & Restaurant, 29-31 Queens Sq., +44 28 9050-9999. In Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1711. Has a 100-seat restaurant, a basement bar offering live entertainment and the main gallery, providing enough space and atmosphere for a great night out. The Basement & main bar hosts live traditional music sessions at various times of the week and weekend.

Ryan's Bar & Restaurant, 116-118 Lisburn Rd, +44 28 9050-9850. The ground floor provides an informal & comfortable venue for craic & conversation where you can partake of great all day bar food. A rather intriguing & tasty choice are the 'Boxty' selections - a type of Irish potato pancake.

The Parador, 116-118 Ormeau Rd, +44 28 9050-9850. Has been given a new lease of life with a complete facelift and a packed schedule of nightly entertainment. There is a mix of live traditional music on a Tuesday, Pub Quiz on a Wednesday and live Jazz every Thursday. Offers budget accommodation starting at £25 per night for a single room and £38 for a twin or double. Has a good menu of homemade food.

• Limelight/Katy Dalys/Spring and Airbrake, 17 Ormeau Ave. A great trio of adjacent venues that open up into each other for live music and alternative club nights. Tuesday nights are the most popular and can be very crowded; be sure to come before 10PM to make sure you get in. Famous bands can regularly be found gigging here, and there are always a at least a couple of live gigs a week.
• The Menagerie Bar, 130 University St, +44 28 9023-5678. This hidden away place near the Holiday Inn Express is a fun, atmospheric place. Dilapidated, but nice. Its popularity has declined a lot, not as funky as it used to be.

The following bars are beside each other in the Cathedral quarter. These all get a friendly, alternative crowd:

• The Spaniard, 3 Skipper St, +44 28 9023-2448. A fantastic small friendly bar and "Tapas Bar". The "Belfast/Basque" style bar is worth a visit for its tapas and cocktails. Great fun. Lesbian friendly.
• Duke of York, 7-11 Commercial Court, +44 28 9024-1062. A very popular bar, check it out on Thursday where they have traditional music. They have a lot of benches for outside seating. There are also interesting murals in the court accessed from Commercial Court.
• Whites Tavern, 2-4 Wincellar Entry, +44 28 9031 2582. Founded in 1630, one of the many bars to claim to be Belfasts oldest. Cosy downstairs bar with live music on Friday nights, upstairs has a jumping alternative disco on Friday and Saturday nights that is usually crammed to the roof.

Limelight/Katy Dalys/Spring and Airbrake, 17 Ormeau Ave. A great trio of adjacent venues that open up into each other for live music and alternative club nights. Tuesday nights are the most popular and can be very crowded; be sure to come before 10PM to make sure you get in. Famous bands can regularly be found gigging here, and there are always a at least a couple of live gigs a week.

The Menagerie Bar, 130 University St, +44 28 9023-5678. This hidden away place near the Holiday Inn Express is a fun, atmospheric place. Dilapidated, but nice. Its popularity has declined a lot, not as funky as it used to be.

The Spaniard, 3 Skipper St, +44 28 9023-2448. A fantastic small friendly bar and "Tapas Bar". The "Belfast/Basque" style bar is worth a visit for its tapas and cocktails. Great fun. Lesbian friendly.

Duke of York, 7-11 Commercial Court, +44 28 9024-1062. A very popular bar, check it out on Thursday where they have traditional music. They have a lot of benches for outside seating. There are also interesting murals in the court accessed from Commercial Court.

Whites Tavern, 2-4 Wincellar Entry, +44 28 9031 2582. Founded in 1630, one of the many bars to claim to be Belfasts oldest. Cosy downstairs bar with live music on Friday nights, upstairs has a jumping alternative disco on Friday and Saturday nights that is usually crammed to the roof.

• Europa Piano Bar, Great Victoria St (Europa Hotel, +44 28 9027-1066. For the more mature drinker, this place is relaxed and offers great views of the Golden Mile below.
• Empire Bar, 40 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9024-9276. This place, a former church, is a cosy bar downstairs, featuring traditional Irish music some nights. The upstairs section features live music and comedy.
• Errigle Inn, 320 Ormeau Rd, +44 28 9064-1410. Unchanged since the 1930s, this bar is a popular authentic Belfast boozer. A great local bar, but a bit out of the way if you are only in Belfast for a short space of time.
• Odyssey Complex. Depending on your point of view its either a souless hole of a place populated with underage kiddies, or Belfast's entertainment mecca. It features about 3 bars, 6 restaurants, cinema, IMAX and a bowling alley. Not the safest place to go clubbing although there is always a heavy police presence.
• The Cloth Ear and The Bar, 35-39 Waring St, +44 28 9023-4888. The Cloth Ear is the Merchant Hotel’s comfortable public bar. The warm and welcoming interior provides the ideal environment to relax and enjoy oneself in style. Combining both modern and traditional elements with a healthy dose of the eccentric. For example, the many unique items of vintage and antique clothing, the wooden moose and deer heads and the classic 1930s – 1950s sheet music that adorn the walls. Alternatively, go next door to the Merchant Hotel's own classic cocktail bar, simply named “The Bar”. The Victorian grandeur of the building is abundantly evident, with its ornate ceilings, silk damask walls, antique Baccarat chandeliers and a cocktail list to which all the superlatives apply. Also home to possibly the world's most expensive cocktail, at £750 each.

Europa Piano Bar, Great Victoria St (Europa Hotel, +44 28 9027-1066. For the more mature drinker, this place is relaxed and offers great views of the Golden Mile below.

Empire Bar, 40 Botanic Ave, +44 28 9024-9276. This place, a former church, is a cosy bar downstairs, featuring traditional Irish music some nights. The upstairs section features live music and comedy.

Errigle Inn, 320 Ormeau Rd, +44 28 9064-1410. Unchanged since the 1930s, this bar is a popular authentic Belfast boozer. A great local bar, but a bit out of the way if you are only in Belfast for a short space of time.

Odyssey Complex. Depending on your point of view its either a souless hole of a place populated with underage kiddies, or Belfast's entertainment mecca. It features about 3 bars, 6 restaurants, cinema, IMAX and a bowling alley. Not the safest place to go clubbing although there is always a heavy police presence.

The Cloth Ear and The Bar, 35-39 Waring St, +44 28 9023-4888. The Cloth Ear is the Merchant Hotel’s comfortable public bar. The warm and welcoming interior provides the ideal environment to relax and enjoy oneself in style. Combining both modern and traditional elements with a healthy dose of the eccentric. For example, the many unique items of vintage and antique clothing, the wooden moose and deer heads and the classic 1930s – 1950s sheet music that adorn the walls. Alternatively, go next door to the Merchant Hotel's own classic cocktail bar, simply named “The Bar”. The Victorian grandeur of the building is abundantly evident, with its ornate ceilings, silk damask walls, antique Baccarat chandeliers and a cocktail list to which all the superlatives apply. Also home to possibly the world's most expensive cocktail, at £750 each.

• Robinsons Bar, 38-42 Great Victoria Street (right next to the Crown Bar, and opposite the Europa Hotel, +44 28 9024 7447. Has traditional music every day in the back bar (Fibber Magees).
• The Hatfield House, 130 Ormeau Rd (Within walking distance from Botanic Avenue. About as far from a tourist trap as one could possibly get. Go to the Hatfield for an undiluted local experience - this is a real Irish pub, but be forewarned, it is very likely you will be the only tourist in the place. Very popular with a young crowd on weeknights and always busy on match days when Gaelic sports are shown on the big screen. Live music most nights.
• Kellys Cellars, 30-32 Bank St (Just off Castle Street, +44 28 9024 6058. Has traditional music at weekends. Another place with a claim to the title of "Belfast's Oldest Bar".
• Maddens Bar. Has traditional music at the weekends, gets an intellectual political crowd. You may have to press the buzzer for entry although it is quite safe.

Robinsons Bar, 38-42 Great Victoria Street (right next to the Crown Bar, and opposite the Europa Hotel, +44 28 9024 7447. Has traditional music every day in the back bar (Fibber Magees).

The Hatfield House, 130 Ormeau Rd (Within walking distance from Botanic Avenue. About as far from a tourist trap as one could possibly get. Go to the Hatfield for an undiluted local experience - this is a real Irish pub, but be forewarned, it is very likely you will be the only tourist in the place. Very popular with a young crowd on weeknights and always busy on match days when Gaelic sports are shown on the big screen. Live music most nights.

Kellys Cellars, 30-32 Bank St (Just off Castle Street, +44 28 9024 6058. Has traditional music at weekends. Another place with a claim to the title of "Belfast's Oldest Bar".

Maddens Bar. Has traditional music at the weekends, gets an intellectual political crowd. You may have to press the buzzer for entry although it is quite safe.

If you're gay and looking for fun in Belfast you'll not leave disappointed.

• Union Street Bar. A trendy gay bar. Union Street, has an excellent late club night on Saturday - Event Horizon.
• Forbidden Fruit. is the only place to be on a Monday nite. Taking place at the Rain Nightclub in Tomb Street, it's the best gay venue on a Monday nite, followed by Bang which is almost as good, taking place in the Shoe Factory beside the Union Street Bar.
• The Nest, Skipper Street, +44 28 9024-5558. Gay-owned pub that attracts an older mixed crowd. Serves food. .
• Kitty Killers. 9:30PM, 3rd Friday of month. A place for women to come, relax and have a boogie in any of their three nights of every month in Belfast and Derry. Men are welcome as guests. Always check the website for updates on acts etc. 1st Friday of month. The venue changes check the website- Alternative, pop, chart and dance. £5.
• Sirens @Ten Square, +44 28 9024-1001. Open third Friday in every month. 21:30-01:00.. A friendly and welcoming women-only crowd gets together on an ad hoc basis at the super-chic Ten Square Hotel. The perfect laid-back intro to the local lesbian scene.
• Queens Bar, +44 28 9032-1347. Gay-friendly city centre pub at Queens Arcade.
• Also try Muriels and the Roost two lovely gay-friendly bars just off the top of High St in Church Lane, very popular with lesbians.

Union Street Bar. A trendy gay bar. Union Street, has an excellent late club night on Saturday - Event Horizon.

Forbidden Fruit. is the only place to be on a Monday nite. Taking place at the Rain Nightclub in Tomb Street, it's the best gay venue on a Monday nite, followed by Bang which is almost as good, taking place in the Shoe Factory beside the Union Street Bar.

The Nest, Skipper Street, +44 28 9024-5558. Gay-owned pub that attracts an older mixed crowd. Serves food. .

Kitty Killers. 9:30PM, 3rd Friday of month. A place for women to come, relax and have a boogie in any of their three nights of every month in Belfast and Derry. Men are welcome as guests. Always check the website for updates on acts etc. 1st Friday of month. The venue changes check the website- Alternative, pop, chart and dance. £5.

Sirens @Ten Square, +44 28 9024-1001. Open third Friday in every month. 21:30-01:00.. A friendly and welcoming women-only crowd gets together on an ad hoc basis at the super-chic Ten Square Hotel. The perfect laid-back intro to the local lesbian scene.

Queens Bar, +44 28 9032-1347. Gay-friendly city centre pub at Queens Arcade.

• Clements Coffee, 4 Donegall Square W, Castle St, 37-39 Rosemary St, 66 Botanic Ave, 139 Stranmillis Rd, 342 Lisburn Rd. Another reason why Starbucks Coffee have yet to make much progress in Belfast, largely due to the popularity of this Belfast coffee chain, which only sells fair-trade coffee. Bagels, sandwiches, cakes, soups and snacks are all reasonably priced.
• Common Grounds, 12-24 University Ave, +44 28 9032-6589. M-F 10:00-16:00, Sa Su closed. Fresh soups, chunky sandwiches, divine cakes and frequent live music or poetry reading events. This bright yet cosy café underneath a church hall has great food, tea and coffee, and a large room to the rear for events. A portion of each month's profits go to help a community project or charity in the third world.
• Established Coffee, 54 Hill St, BT1 2LB, +44 28 9031-9416. 7AM - 6PM. Choose from 1 of 3 coffee beans and choose how you like it done (Espresso, Latte, Americano, Filter). The staff are great and will explain the process. They are well practiced in knowing what grind each bean should be and how long any brewing should take.

Clements Coffee, 4 Donegall Square W, Castle St, 37-39 Rosemary St, 66 Botanic Ave, 139 Stranmillis Rd, 342 Lisburn Rd. Another reason why Starbucks Coffee have yet to make much progress in Belfast, largely due to the popularity of this Belfast coffee chain, which only sells fair-trade coffee. Bagels, sandwiches, cakes, soups and snacks are all reasonably priced.

Common Grounds, 12-24 University Ave, +44 28 9032-6589. M-F 10:00-16:00, Sa Su closed. Fresh soups, chunky sandwiches, divine cakes and frequent live music or poetry reading events. This bright yet cosy café underneath a church hall has great food, tea and coffee, and a large room to the rear for events. A portion of each month's profits go to help a community project or charity in the third world.

Established Coffee, 54 Hill St, BT1 2LB, +44 28 9031-9416. 7AM - 6PM. Choose from 1 of 3 coffee beans and choose how you like it done (Espresso, Latte, Americano, Filter). The staff are great and will explain the process. They are well practiced in knowing what grind each bean should be and how long any brewing should take.

Belfast's reputation as a dangerous city is often exaggerated. A recent study by the United Nations International Crime Victimisation Survey (ICVS) shows that Northern Ireland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. The majority of incidents are committed by local people against local people, unsurprisingly following religious, sectarian or political differences. Tourists are outside this culture and should not be very concerned. As with any other city, it pays to be careful and always be aware of your surroundings. Do not flash valuables or money or walk around reading your guidebook or map. If you need directions, ask in any shop or bar.

There are areas in Belfast which have been scarred by trouble in the past. Though these areas are largely safe to visit, it is important to be aware of where you are. In nationalist areas of the city, it would be foolish to wear a Glasgow Rangers, England, or Northern Ireland football jersey. In unionist areas, wearing Glasgow Celtic, Republic of Ireland and Gaelic Football (GAA) jerseys would almost certainly lead to trouble. Though this is unlikely to affect tourists.

• The City Centre is generally a safe area and is also regarded as a neutral zone. Avoid leaving the main streets at night and try not to venture into dimly lit streets.
• North Belfast is not usually on the tourist trail but is becoming increasingly popular with the more adventurous traveller. Tiger's Bay is a unionist enclave which is generally safe during the day but should be avoided at night. The New Lodge, a nationalist area, is similarly patchy. The Antrim Road (including Carlisle Circus) and Shore Road areas are best avoided at night. The Limestone Road is an interface (on one side is a nationalist area, the other a unionist enclave) and should be avoided at night due to occasional violence. It is best to avoid the nationalist Ardoyne area at night, especially the interface area which links it with the Crumlin Road and Shankill areas of the city.
• West Belfast is perfectly safe and generally tourist-friendly during the day as long as you don't venture too far from the main roads. Do not venture off the Falls Road at night. The Shankill Road itself is best avoided at night. The nationalist Turf Lodge estate in Andersonstown is best avoided altogether. Falls Park and the area around it is dimly lit at night and is best avoided. The Crumlin Road is a unionist area and is generally safe during the day but not at night.
• South Belfast is the most affluent part of the city and is generally trouble-free. Student night life can lead to altercations outside the bars and clubs on Bradbury Place at night. Sandy Row is a unionist neighbourhood that would probably be best avoided at night but is perfectly safe during the day and usually very quiet. The unionist Village area which lies further on from Sandy Row between the Lisburn Road and Boucher Road is quiet and residential but best avoided at night. The mixed Holylands and Ormeau Road areas do not deserve their reputations as trouble spots as they are generally both very quiet other than the occasional student party.
• East Belfast is a predominantly unionist, working-class district that suffers from the same social problems as similar areas in other cities in Britain and Ireland. The Newtownards Road is generally safe and well lit at night. One potential flashpoint is the interface with the nationalist Short Strand neighbourhood. Though fairly well kept and safe during the day, it is best to avoid this area at night.

Perhaps more importantly, it is not advisable to make any overtly political statements about Northern Ireland, even if you think that your comments will align with the views of the people to whom you're making them. It is unlikely that anyone will ask your thoughts about the political situation; however, if this does happen, it's best just to say you don't have an opinion. Otherwise, ask locals for advice and enjoy the hospitality of the majority of Belfast people.

The City Centre is generally a safe area and is also regarded as a neutral zone. Avoid leaving the main streets at night and try not to venture into dimly lit streets.

North Belfast is not usually on the tourist trail but is becoming increasingly popular with the more adventurous traveller. Tiger's Bay is a unionist enclave which is generally safe during the day but should be avoided at night. The New Lodge, a nationalist area, is similarly patchy. The Antrim Road (including Carlisle Circus) and Shore Road areas are best avoided at night. The Limestone Road is an interface (on one side is a nationalist area, the other a unionist enclave) and should be avoided at night due to occasional violence. It is best to avoid the nationalist Ardoyne area at night, especially the interface area which links it with the Crumlin Road and Shankill areas of the city.

West Belfast is perfectly safe and generally tourist-friendly during the day as long as you don't venture too far from the main roads. Do not venture off the Falls Road at night. The Shankill Road itself is best avoided at night. The nationalist Turf Lodge estate in Andersonstown is best avoided altogether. Falls Park and the area around it is dimly lit at night and is best avoided. The Crumlin Road is a unionist area and is generally safe during the day but not at night.

South Belfast is the most affluent part of the city and is generally trouble-free. Student night life can lead to altercations outside the bars and clubs on Bradbury Place at night. Sandy Row is a unionist neighbourhood that would probably be best avoided at night but is perfectly safe during the day and usually very quiet. The unionist Village area which lies further on from Sandy Row between the Lisburn Road and Boucher Road is quiet and residential but best avoided at night. The mixed Holylands and Ormeau Road areas do not deserve their reputations as trouble spots as they are generally both very quiet other than the occasional student party.

East Belfast is a predominantly unionist, working-class district that suffers from the same social problems as similar areas in other cities in Britain and Ireland. The Newtownards Road is generally safe and well lit at night. One potential flashpoint is the interface with the nationalist Short Strand neighbourhood. Though fairly well kept and safe during the day, it is best to avoid this area at night.

There are free internet kiosks throughout Belfast which allow anyone to browse the internet. Here you can find up-to-date travel information and timetables.

Northern Ireland receives the same basic package of national television and radio services as the rest of the United Kingdom, with regional variations on the BBC channels and UTV. UTV carries most of ITV-1's national programming, but is branded as UTV. It is the last remaining television channel in Britain to feature a live, on camera announcer introducing the evening's programming; usually the effervescent Julian Simmons. To get an understanding of what is happening, you'll find high quality regional news programming on BBC One at 1:30PM, 6:30PM and 10:30PM and on UTV at 6PM.

• BBC One Northern Ireland
• BBC Two Northern Ireland
• UTV (formerly "Ulster Television")
• Channel 4
• five

Depending on geographic location and the availability of a signal, you may also receive stations from broadcasters in the Republic of Ireland.

• RTÉ One (the main RTÉ national station, broadcast primarily from Dublin)
• RTÉ Two (the secondary RTÉ national station, formerly "Network 2")
• TV3 (independent commercial broadcaster)
• TG4 (National Irish-language station)
• RTÉ offers good coverage on the North side of the Border too.

BBC One Northern Ireland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

UTV (formerly "Ulster Television")

Channel 4

five

RTÉ One (the main RTÉ national station, broadcast primarily from Dublin)

RTÉ Two (the secondary RTÉ national station, formerly "Network 2")

TV3 (independent commercial broadcaster)

TG4 (National Irish-language station)

Local radio stations include:

• Q Radio formerly Belfast Citybeat - City centre music station.
• U105 - Music and talk station operated by UTV.
• BBC Radio Ulster - Music and talk station operated by the BBC.
• Cool FM - City centre music station, available throughout Northern Ireland.
• QueensRadio - Small university station available in South Belfast.

Regional variations of shows on the national BBC Radio One and the excellent Across the Line on BBC Radio Ulster promote local music, and can be listened to online. These are a great way to find out about forthcoming concerts and gigs. Like television from south of the border, there are a number of Irish republic radio broadcasts which tend to spill over into Northern Ireland such as Today FM and RTÉ 2FM.

Q Radio formerly Belfast Citybeat - City centre music station.

U105 - Music and talk station operated by UTV.

BBC Radio Ulster - Music and talk station operated by the BBC.

Cool FM - City centre music station, available throughout Northern Ireland.

QueensRadio - Small university station available in South Belfast.

Locally published newspapers include:

• The Belfast Telegraph
• The Irish News
• The News Letter

The Belfast Telegraph

The Irish News

The News Letter

• United States United States, Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Rd, +44 28 9038-6100, +44 7545-507-738 (after hours emergencies). M-F 8:30AM-5PM.

United States United States, Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Rd, +44 28 9038-6100, +44 7545-507-738 (after hours emergencies). M-F 8:30AM-5PM.

• Translink operate all public transport (Northern Ireland has been spared the process of privatisation that has made Britain's public transport system so confusing to visitors). Most bus and train services operate out of Belfast, so the city is a perfect base to explore the province.
• The Giant's Causeway and the scenic north coast – Easily accessible by public train and bus from Belfast. See Translink's website for fare and schedule information. If you have a car take the M2 to Newtownabbey, then the A8 to Larne. From Larne follow the astonishingly beautiful A2 road right along the coast. Leave yourself enough time for a day to meander up to the Giant's Causeway, stopping en route in Cushendall, Cushendun and Ballycastle. A speedier return to Belfast can be made inland from the coast along the A26.
• Bangor – An attractive seaside town with more than its fair share of good fish and chip shops, and makes for a good day out from the city on a sunny day. Trains from Belfast Great Victoria Street, Botanic and Belfast Central take about twenty minutes.
• Hillsborough – The picturesque village in County Down is easily accessible by car or frequent Ulsterbus services from the Europa Bus Centre.

• Douglas, Isle of Man.
• Holyhead, Wales.
• Liverpool, England.

Douglas, Isle of Man.

Holyhead, Wales.

Liverpool, England.

Translink operate all public transport (Northern Ireland has been spared the process of privatisation that has made Britain's public transport system so confusing to visitors). Most bus and train services operate out of Belfast, so the city is a perfect base to explore the province.

[[Hillsborough (Northern Ireland)|Hillsborough]] – The picturesque village in [[County Down]] is easily accessible by car or frequent Ulsterbus services from the Europa Bus Centre.