Been to Belfast recently? If not a visit to the buzzing city is a must for 2013. No matter what time of year you visit – you’ll find brilliant pubs & clubs, superb shopping & plenty of entertainment in between. Check out our weekend guide for the Big City!

Getting there

With regular bus services running daily from Dublin to all major towns & cities – you’ll be here in no time and without the cost of petrol or parking! Belfast City centre is very easy to navigate and you will find shops, pubs & restaurants are all withing walking distance. Check out some ways to come and visit us at buseireann.ie, www.irishrail.ie and translink.co.uk

Take the Train

Leave the car behind and have one less thing to worry about on your short break. Irish Rail are offering great discounts on train travel between Belfast & Dublin – with fares starting from €14.99, be sure to book online & in advance of your journey!

See the sights

Belfast Bike Tour

The Belfast City Bike Tour is the ultimate way to see the city. The Belfast Bike tour takes you around the city in style, hop on a California Cruiser and check out the key attractions & sights the city has to offer. The Bike tour is a brilliant way to start your weekend, you’ll find your way around the city and also get to know where some of the hotspots are. The tour is done at a leisurely pace & only costs £15 pp.

Alternatively, give your legs a rest and hop on a Black Taxi Tour where you’ll find out all about the history of Belfast. The tour takes you through the heart of the city, covering the famous murals of Belfast, Queen’s quarter & historic Titanic Quarter.

Alternative Belfast

Belfast is famous for it’s vibrant music scene, and for music fans the Belfast Music Tour will take you through the heart of the city. Visit the Duke of York – where Snow Patrol first started out gigging, the historic Ulster Hall where Led Zeppelin first played Stairway to Heaven and many more key venues across the city.

Gigs

No matter what type of music you’re into – there’s a gig in Belfast for you! Enjoy a trad session in Kelly’s, visit Belfast’s famous Duke of York for a bit of Rock or chill out with some jazz music in the MAC. We have a whole host of live music venues including the Limelight, the Empire & the Oh Yeah Centre where you’ll find plenty of local & international up and coming acts. We’ve also got some big gigs coming up including the Killers, Girls Aloud, Biffy Clyro, 2 Many DJs & Ellie Goulding.

Pop Art @ the MAC

Legendary Pop artist Andy Warhol is currently showing at the MAC, Belfast’s newest world class arts venue. Spend an afternoon taking in one of the world’s most iconic artists. Whilst your there take a wander out to St. Anne’s Square and enjoy a light lunch or coffee in this magnificent plaza setting.

Superb Shopping

No trip to Belfast is complete without a bit of retail therapy and the first stop has got to be Victoria Square – where you’ll find all your favourite brands including Hollister, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Ted Baker, House of Fraser & many more. We’ve got some stylish independent boutiques too, if you’re a fan of vintage clothes try the Rusty Zip or have a rummage through the treasure trove of goodies in Jacob Street – where you’ll find unqiue clothes, jewellery & furniture.

Night Life

A definite highlight to a weekend in Belfast has got to be it’s cool pubs & clubs. Start your night in the eclectic Cathedral Quarter which is bursting with quirky pubs & buzzing music venues. You’ll find plenty of cosy corners in the Cathedral Quarter including the Spainard Bar- a local favourite & a huge choice of great restaurants all within walking distance. Love cocktails? Then pop into Muriel’s for some of their famous Jam Jar Cocktails & if you fancy some live music head on into the Black Box, one Belfast’s alternative music venues.

Great Value Accommodation

Belfast has a huge choice of accommodation and all at great value with many Hotels Deals starting at £49 per room. If you’re travelling in a group you can also find great deals in the city’s hostels.

That’s just a taster of what you can get up to in the city. You’ll find plenty more inspiration here: discovernorthernireland.com