SHIP AHOY: TITANIC BELFAST
This is the city that built the Titanic – and today Belfast offers the complete experience. Add in a complex and absorbing civic history and a colourful, flavourful present, and you have a rich city break.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
With its industrial past, monumental Edwardian architecture, and splendid situation between the sea and the green hills, Belfast is a city with a difference. Titanic was born here, and set sail proudly from its great slipways to meet her fate – and the wonderful experience provided by Titanic Belfast’s museums and galleries (titanicbelfast.com) will absorb, impress, and chill in equal measure.
As for politics: well, you can’t get away from it in this city – and there’s no reason to try; Black Taxi Tour (belfasttours.com) provides excellent insights into Northern Ireland’s troubled past. Make tracks for the Victorian-era St George’s Market (visitbelfast.com) to explore the city’s strong foodie culture, effervescent right now; and walk off your lunch with a hike up looming Cave Hill, with its wonderful views of city and sea.
At night, the city’s restaurant and bar scene sparkles (or will again hopefully soon): you’ll be spoilt for choice; but you can’t go wrong with the John Hewitt (thejohnhewitt.com) in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast’s finest bar (drop in for a glass of the city’s own Jawbox
gin) and Ox (oxbelfast.com), which serves up excellent modern cuisine.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET…
The glittering walls of the Titanic museum, designed to recall the iceberg which sank the ship, are an impressive and chilling sight. There are nine interactive galleries here: do book ahead, and allow several hours – there’s so much to see.
INSIDER TIP
Don’t miss the Ulster Museum (nmni. com), Northern Ireland’s national museum and gallery: the range of Irish art here is impressive and inspiring – and a stroll in the adjacent Botanic Gardens is delightful.
HOW TO DO IT
Fly to Belfast City Airport (belfastcityairport.com) or Belfast International Airport (belfastairport.com), with their wide range of flights from British and European cities. Or take the ferry: Stena (stenaline.co.uk) sails to Belfast from Liverpool and Cairnryan.
No need to hire a car: the city is compact and accessible – and it’s great for walking: try a walking tour with Goss Tours (facebook.com/GossTours/) which offers historical-, Titanic-, and political-themed walks – and pub tours, too. The Fitzwilliam hotel (fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com) offers stylish accommodation in the heart of the city.