When I went to Belfast, I practically didn't know anything about him, it was just interesting to look at the capital of Northern Ireland. I've already been in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and for the full picture I was only a Belfast.

About the city I was known only to the fact that this port in the dock was built by Titanic. Therefore, I expected such a harsh sea city, but by no means. The opinion was changed immediately :).

Of course, in Belfast there are enough industrial places, shipyards, docks and ships, but, among this, there are enough beautiful buildings, memorable streets, the city has its own special, northern seaside atmosphere

How to get

Do not forget that Belfast is located on the island, the tunnel under the water did not break there, so the plane is the only way to get to the city from Russia.

Plane

There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Belfast, you will have to fly with a transfer. The most convenient, in my opinion, options for British Airways with a transfer in London, they cost from Domodedovo and Pulkovo approximately equally -360-410 USD (23-26 thousand rubles). With a short transplant (about one and a half hours) time on the way is about 7 hours.

Another option is to fly from Moscow to Paris by the Air France flight, and from Paris to Belfast Lourogenant Flybe. You can also search for flights from Iberia, Finn Air, Klm and Brussels Airlines, but they are usually more expensive than British Airways (about 550 USD), unless you find interesting offers. Time on the way is approximately the same as you fly British Airways. Compare prices for tickets to the dates you can.

How to get from the airport to the city center

In addition to a taxi to get from the airport to the city center, by bus Airport Express 300. It leaves every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday and once a hour on Sunday and follows Belfast Europa Bus Center Bus Station. The cost of a one-way ticket is 9.4 USD (£ 7.5) and 13.10 USD (£ 10.5) back. A ticket can be bought from the driver, which is very convenient. The time on the way is about 30-40 minutes, but it depends on the plugs.

Just look around the map, as far as the bus station is close to the center!

By train

On a train, you can get to Belfast only from Dublin, but do not forget that when crossing the border with the United Kingdom, you need to have a British visa (about how to get it, I tell B).

A train ticket is available from 6 to 24 EUR depending on the type of train and the time of its departure (Off-Peak hours will cost cheaper). Usually trains are sent every 2 hours and travel time is about two hours. Details with prices and schedule can be found on the website of Irish Rail. And, again, my advice: buy a ticket in advance, it will cost cheaper.

The station is located in the very center of the city, to the attractions you can easily walk.

Bus

By bus to Belfast, it is possible to reach again from Dublin, he is a little longer than the train: 2 hours 25 minutes, ticket price - 17 EUR one way and 25 EUR there.

If you buy a ticket in advance and on off-peak tariff, it turns out more profitable (and also more comfortable) go by train.

How to get from the railway station to the city center

The bus arrives at the main bus station of Belfast - Europa Bus Center, which is located in the central part of the city.

All major places can be easily walking.

Ferry

This earlier before Belfast could only be reached by sea, now in the presence of such a number of loupes, steam - far from the most popular type of transport.

But if you want to try, at your disposal a ferry Liverpool-Belfast, be prepared that the road will take 8 hours. The cost of the ticket depends on the specific day and time of departure, night ferries are usually cheaper than the daily. On average, the price varies from 113 to 190 USD (£ 89-149). Transportation is carried out by the transport company Stena Line, with a schedule and price for the day you are interested in on the site.

Arrives steam, naturally, not to the center :). But you can get in 20-30 minutes to it, by bus number 96, which departs from the port, where and arrives the ferry. A ticket for him, as well as any other bus in Belfast, can be purchased from the driver.

Prompt:

Belfast - time now

The difference in the clock:

Moscow 2.

Kazan 2.

Samara 3.

Ekaterinburg 4.

Novosibirsk 6.

Vladivostok 9.

When the season. When it is better to go

Do not forget that Belfast is on the island, and, like in the whole of the UK, there is a very strong wind and often wait. Therefore, consider these factors at any time of the year. From May to October, rubber boots and the waterproof jacket will be useful to you to a lesser extent than from November to April, but I would still advise them to take them with you :). And also grab the scarf and sweater.

I would advise tourists to go to Belfast in the interval from April to September (first of all because of the weather), as well as in December, when everything is beautifully decorated to Christmas. But at prices for rest and the number of tourists there is no difference with seasonality.

Belfast in summer

Still, Belfast is a city that is better to visit in the warm season (let's call Irish summer warm, the temperature usually ranges in the area + 15-20 ° C). There is, where to walk and what to see, and it is better to do it when there is no fog, rain and wind in the city.

In the summer, Belfast is very beautiful (definitely, it is rained and then, yet it is Britain), the city is green, and you can walk on all the sights, although some are far away from each other. Tourists are not very much (but there is never a crowd in Belfast).

Belfast in autumn

In September and even early October, the weather is still good, the trip will be fun. I like the most walking in the parks, put on the gold foliage. But starting from the second half of October, in my opinion, not best time For a trip: it darkens very early, about 16 hours, it's cold, rainy and windy on the street.

Belfast in spring

It's mine favorite time of the year in Belfast. In the botanical garden, everything blooms (from mid-March). Pay attention to Magnolia and Rhododendron!
In general, the weather is solar and already warm (a few years ago there was more +20 ° C in the last numbers of March). Tourists may be a little more than in other periods, but insignificantly.

Belfast in winter

In my opinion, the Christmas atmosphere and decorations are a sufficient argument for visiting Belfast in December, even there is cold and wet. In addition, every year the Christmas market works there, hot cider and mulled wine are served in the pubs. All this is no longer in January and February, so instead of these winter months, I would advise you to postpone the trip until March.

Belfast - weather by months

Prompt:

Belfast - weather by months

Areas. Where better live

Belfast in size is incomparable, of course, with. He, rather, closer to Edinburgh.

1. The city center (1) is quite small, the main attractions associated with the Titanic are beyond, in the port part of Belfast. Therefore, I would advise you to live in the center: there is more beautiful, more shops and restaurants, and always lively.
2. Also on the embankment of the river there are good hotels, where you can also stop, you have a beautiful view of the city. In general, this is a pleasant area, but more quiet, compared with the center.
3. At number (2), there is a part of Embankment, there you can see the apartment, as it is a relatively new area and there, respectively, modern houses. Compare prices for apartments.

In Belfast, you can find as an expensive network hotel, such as Hilton, in which you can stay in 118 USD (£ 95) per night (by traveling, there are special offers and discounts, check on the site, the price can be reduced to a third) and hostel, Where night will cost the price of 18.6 USD (£ 15). In addition, you can book an apartment or room: it is easy to find both inexpensive small and luxurious views of the city center.

In the dark, I would not advise tourists to be in the port parts of the city. I can not say that there is dangerous, but there are almost no people and just unpleasantly being.

What are the prices for rest

In general, Belfast is not the most tourist city of Great Britain, so the prices for rest are approximately the same at any time of the year. But at the same time there is everything for tourists with a different budget: ranging from classroom inexpensive hostels, ending with good hotels.

It is also possible to eat in pub: this option is convenient for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very many museums are free, then the tourist also does not have to spend much.

Almost sure that a taxi you hardly need, but I tell more about them below in a special section. In general, it is possible to gain both a taxi and public transport (and to many places and on foot). In general, after all, Belfast, again, not, and here you can completely relax, looking at all.

Prompt:

The cost of food, accommodation, transport and other things

Currency: euro, € Dollar USA, $ Russian ruble, rub pound sterling, £

Main attractions. What to see

As I mentioned above, Belfast is not the most expensive city for tourists, and this is confirmed by the fact that many attractions can be explored for free. So learn the information below and go, book a trip!

Top 5.

Beaches. What better

Directly in the city there are no beaches, but there are several not far from the city that deserve attention. The sea is always cold, there are not bought there, but on a warm sunny day I like it just to walk and dine overlooking the sea is still very nice. Below will write a few beaches that you should visit if you think to come to Belfast not on the weekend, but staying a little longer:

• Helen's Bay. It is closest to the city, the road from the center will take about an hour and a half. You can get by bus, they depart from Europa Buscentre station, which is located in the center. It seemed to me that the most convenient to get on bus number 1. Since the North Sea is still cold, this is wild beach. If you are going to Ireland in the warm season and the weather allows you to achieve everything, take everything you need with you.

• The rest of the beaches are noticeably further, I will list them just in case you are planning a trip along the coast:
  • WhitePark Bay;
  • PortStewart Strand;
  • Tyrella;
  • Murlough National Nature Reserve;
  • Benone.

Churches and temples. What are you worth a visit

Since in the UK, the main religion is English, and in Ireland - Catholicism, in Northern Ireland there are both. I will allocate, in my opinion, the most beautiful cathedrals of each of them:

Museums. What are you worth a visit

***

Information about exhibitions and events in Belfast for the time of your visit can be found on the site, the information is regularly updated there, and you can always find something interesting.

Parks

• The most important park to visit in Belfast is Botanic GardenI wrote about him above.
• Worthy of attention I. Titanic Memorial Gardens.I also mentioned, they are located near the city administration building.
• In addition to them, not far from the center there is a big and beautiful Ormeau Park., suitable for long unhurried walks, including with children. It is located on the waterfront, you can combine with a walk along the river.

Tourist streets

• Street ROYAL AVE It goes from the Belfast City Hall building to almost the Cathedral of the city of St. Anne, be sure to walk through it, this is the old part of the city. There are many shops on the street, look at the Castle Court Shopping Center :).

• May Street.it goes almost from the embankment and connects the Hilton Hotel with a opera building by passing by the Belfast City Hall building. This is one of the oldest streets of the city.

What to look for 1 day

So, if you have only 1 day in Belfast, I advise the following program:

1. Titanic Belfast. - You need to visit this museum 2-2.5 hours (in my opinion, this is the most important part of the program, even if there are only a few hours in Belfast, I advise you to go there).
2. By bus or taxi return to the city center for walking along the old part of Belfast. You can go to the Cathedral and the Opera Building, walk along the embankment and look at a large fish monument, which is called Big Fish.
3. Depending on the duration of the walk, we go on a tour in Belfast City Hallwhich begins at 14 or 15 hours and lasts about an hour.
4. Further walking goes to Botanic Gardens.where it can be spent about 2 hours.
5. It remains time only to dine, and in Belfast it is necessary to do in the present Irish pub (this is my favorite part of the day :)!

What to see in the vicinity

My favorite landmark near Belfast is a natural monument Giant "S Causeway. Indeed, I have not seen such a place.

The entrance is 10.5 USD (£ 8,5) for an adult and 525 USD (£ 4.25) for a child. If you travel your family, saving a family ticket for all for 26 USD (£ 21).

Get out of Belfast on public transport for a long time and inconvenient, you need to do several transplants. But in the center of Belfast you will see ads of different transport companies that offer a trip to Giants Causeway. I traveled with this company, the cost of the daytime tour from 29 EUR.

Food. What to try

I advise you to explore the pubs men's menu in Britain, then in the case of Northern Ireland, I advise you to make it even more strongly. What to try in pubs I tell in about the UK. But in the case of Northern Ireland, all these dishes can and even need to drink Guinness beer. Even the breakfast is possible, if I really want :).

So, top 3 dishes in pubs:

• English breakfast;
• Fish
• Sunday Roast.

But in Belfast, you can try traditional Irish cuisine (warning, these dishes are not lungs and high-calorie), for example:

• Coddle - pork sausages, bacon, onions and potatoes, stewed together in in meat broth;

• Champ. - Potato puree with green onions and butter. Or try COLCANNON, This is the same, but also with cabbage;

• Irish Stew. - Meat stew with potatoes and vegetables.

As I already wrote, go to Irish pubs. Remember the scene from the movie "Titanic", where did the heroes danced on the lower deck under living music? This is the probability of visiting a similar event is very large. Often, the Irish themselves come in pubs with their musical instruments, the company is going to the company who play and sing. Instead of walking on an expensive concert, there is a chance to listen to him for free, paying only for dinner.

Budget

• Howard Street;
• Mourne Seafood Bar;
• Molly "S Yard;
• KITCH BELFAST;
• The Barking Dog Restaurant Belfast;
• The Muddlers Club.

Medium level

• Tedfords;
• CAFE FISH;
• Kurrito;
• Kelly "S Cellars;
• CLEMSONS CAFE BELFAST.

Expensive

Such in Belfast, honestly, not so much. But here are some of them:

• James Street South;
• The Great Room Restaurant Merchant Hotel;
• SAPHYRE;
• EIPIC;
• Shu Restaurants.

Holidays

In addition to the national holidays of Great Britain, which I tell, in Belfast, there are still interesting things :).

Namely St.Patrick 's Daywhich runs on March 17th. All dressed in green, arrange parades and parties, drink Irish beer. In general, fun at least debugs. But at this time there are quite a few tourists, as people from all over the world go to see this sight.

Safety. What to beware is worth

Overall, Belfast is a fairly safe city. Observe enough ordinary safety rules: hold the bag in tourist sites, do not walk at night in the park and far from the center. But I advise it as a preventive measure rather.

Things to do

You can buy a tour and ride on the ship in Belfast, looking at the city from the water. Companies that offer similar services, quite a lot. Here is one of the examples, the tour costs 14.7 USD (£ 11.9) and lasts about 60-70 minutes.

Shopping and shops

Belfast is not the best, honestly, the city for shopping. For these purposes it is better suited. But if you really need to buy something, I can advise the following shopping centers:

• Victoria Square Shopping Center. How to get: Victoria St, Belfast BT1 4QG, UK;
• Castlecourt Shopping Center. How to get: Royal Ave, Belfast BT1 1DD, UK

Bars. Where to go

In general, the role of bars in our understanding in UK is performed by pubs. They usually work until midnight, and I have already written about music above (there is no thematic in the city center). Prices are approximately the same and sufficiently low. Just in case I will write you some interesting places where it is worth going:

• Rockies Sports Bar;
• Eglatine Bar;
• The Berlin Pub;
• Fourwinds Pub.

Clubs and nightlife

The British love to have fun and should be danced. Usually everything works on weekends, but sometimes parties are and on weekdays, but these are either thematic or student. Faceclotro eat, but unstrupping, most importantly, do not come in dies or sneakers :). For the entrance, it is not necessary to pay, if it is not again theme partyBut it all depends on a particular institution.

Here are a few that can be visited:

• Kremlin;
• Culture Club;
• Ollie "S NightClub;
• Shine.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In addition to standard souvenirs from Britain, which I told in, the Guinness can be attributed to Irish souvenirs. Its a lot in different gift packaging in souvenir shops, but you can search in conventional supermarkets, where such a set will cost cheaper: Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, SainSbury "s.

How to move around the city

The most convenient way to move through Belfast, in my opinion, is on foot. But I love to walk very much :). If you love it a little less, or the weather does not allow you to go through a couple of kilometers on foot, I advise bus. Their network is well developed, they will usually come on time and cost much cheaper taxis.

Taxi. What features exist

UBER is very developed in the UK. This is the fastest, convenient and inexpensive way to get around the city by taxi. Depending on the time of day and traffic jams, the airport trip to the center of Belfast will cost approximately 28-40 USD (£ 24-32).

Download the application in advance, your hotel is very likely to be Wi-Fi to order a car. The same applies to restaurants, if you in the evening you want to get to Uber back to the hotel. It is not necessary to catch a car on the street, it's not accepted in Britain, no one will stop.

If for some reason you want to use another service, I advise you to ask the hotel at the receptionist, they will be prompted.

Buses

As I already wrote above, for me it is the most convenient way to move in Belfast. Although not, I still prefer to do it on foot, but if you need to use the transport, the bus will be the most convenient mode of transport, in my opinion.

One bus ride will cost 1.9 USD (£ 1.5) for an adult and 1 USD (£ 0.75) for a child. If you are planning to make more than 2 trips per day, it is more profitable to buy Metro Day Ticket, it costs 4.8 USD (£ 3.9) and the number of trips is unlimited.

All tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver, but try not to give them large bills, they often do not have delivery (in my experience).

Transport rental

Rent a car in Belfast is easy, this is an excellent option if you want to ride along Northern Ireland and see her nature. Most offices have offices at the airport, the car can be easily book online. Rent prices begin from 25 USD (£ 20) for a small machine with a manual transmission. Please note that for drivers under 30 (in the case of some companies 25 years old) and over 65, there may be higher rental rates.

In Belfast, there is a local economical car rental service, which is called Budget Belfast. Or use the aggregates for tourists in which suggestions of different suppliers are collected. For example, the well-known Skyscanner. But in Belfast, of course, there are offices and major international car rental companies: Hertz, Avis, Europcare.

Also for the selection of the car you can use.

Briefly formulate the main important driving moments in the UK:

• It is important when leaseing to have international rights, ordinary Russians will not fit, although the name and surname of the driver are written on broadit.
• The most inconvenient is left-hand movement. A couple of days will have to get used to :). Especially to the fact that in circular motion you need to go clockwise, and not against, as in Russia;
• Almost at every crossroads hang cameras. It is impossible to exceed the speed even 2 miles per hour, or at night on a blank street to drive on the red light, you will definitely come fine. And the fines are rather big there.
• Beware of buses, their drivers are not always distinguished by neat driving.
• Pedestrian is always right. This is a strict rule of road traffic in the country, take into account.

Belfast; Vacation with children

I always noticed that the British and Irish children are always very attentive, there are usually children's menu in restaurants and even tables, in large stores - children's rooms. In parks and squares many playgrounds.

From the above seats described above, children may be interested in Ulster Museum. In Opera and The Metropolitan Art Center, there are often children's settings (especially before Christmas), study their repertoire in advance.

In addition, children can like the following places:

Which is placed in a magnificent place near the coast in Belfast, human communities were concentrated. After themselves, they left a lot of mysteries and majestic facilities. For a long time, Belfast was considered the raw crust of Scotland and England, until the official status of the city did not gain in the 19th century.

To date, the capital of Northern Ireland is a small cozy city, which has the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and history of the whole country. Locals prefer to move on their own cars, although the city is driving comfortable, large buses.

If you stopped in the center of the town - Belfast, attractions can be started to inspect from the town hall, which is located on the square of Donegall. Near the city library nearby. It keeps the historical monuments of Irish culture, ancient manuscript and scrolls.

To the north of this place is the oldest street of Belfast. In the period of the 2nd World War I was completely broken and rebuilt again. That is why, completely imbued with the Spirit of Old Ireland, it is possible only in several bars, which it turned out to be disturbed during the bombing period.

The one who is interested in cultural recreation is the road to the Opera Theater, which has also been reconstructed more than once. You can get acquainted with the history of Belfast in more detail in the Olste Museum. This museum is dedicated to the history of the province of Olster and Irish culture. It is also worth visiting the Museum-monument Belfast Titanic, who was built at the shipyard of shipyard, where the "Titanic" was laid on the water. Be sure to walk around the royal bridge in the evening, when lights and surroundings light up on it. Very beautiful illumination.

Through the surroundings of the city, it is possible to visit the Belfast Fortress, with which, according to legend, and began construction of a small town. The capital of Northern Ireland is also famous for its own unique natural monument - the so-called "dear giants", which is included in the Historical Heritage Foundation.

Many years ago, near the coast of Antrim were a volcano, who left me a memory in the form of a large number of basalt columns. Scientific figures calculate their age - this is about 10 million years.

The royal alcoholic salon is considered leading among the extraordinary architectural memorials of Belfast, which is distinguished by the Great Share of Extravagance. The alcoholic salon is decorated with tiles, glass mosaic, furnished with expensive rocks and is considered an eclectic style representative.

The capital of Northern Ireland is rich in numerous markets. One of the largest markets, George Market is the largest bazaar of Northern Ireland. It can be purchased in it anything: both souvenirs and clothing, and products. Schedule adherents I can visit College Street and Dublin Road shopping centers, can also go to the Smithfield bazaar - you can buy something in the memory of Belfast and about such a beautiful country as Northern Ireland. The capital of Belfast is an excellent developing town, which every year attracts more and more tourists.

The main distinguishing feature of the center is the area of \u200b\u200bDonegall, surrounded by impressive monuments of the Victorian era. The town hall is a real sample of mixed architectural styles in the Donelegal Square. There is also a library Linen Hall, in which the main treasures of Irish literature are stored.

The High Saint area in the north of Belfast, known as enthritis, is its oldest part. It was practically destroyed by bombing during World War II, and now only a handful of pubs, reflecting the spirit of the past, remained here. The building of the big opera is also the attraction of Belfast. It was subjected to bombing several times, but it was renovated and now shook with wealth. The history and culture of the city are represented in the Olste Museum next to the university. In the suburbs of Belfast there is a zoo, Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle, which is theoretically refers to the XII century, but the current structure was built in 1870, and Stormont is the place of meetings of Northern Ireland Assembly.

Best time to visit

Now the popular holiday destination looks best in summer.

What to see

• Sir Thomas's extensive park and Lady Dickson south of the city, with a stunning rosary, where up to 20 thousand roses flourish in the season.
• Unexpected frescoes on house facades.
• Samson and Goliath are double shipbuilding cranes on the island of Queens.
• A true reminder of Old Ireland - Crowner Likor-Saloun on Great Victoria Street Street.
• Belfast Castle Castle in Kaywill Country Park Park, offering magnificent views of Belfast Loch and the city.
• Lagan Weir - a major engineering structure near the old building of the customs, completed in 1994

The oldest daily newspaper emerging in the world is published in Belfast - this is the newspaper The News Letter, the first number of which was released in 1737.

: 54 ° 35'48 "p. sh. 5 ° 56'18 "s. d. /  54.59667 ° C. sh. 5.93833 ° C. d./ 54.59667; -5.93833 (G) (I)

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