Colin’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Belfast Zoo is just 5 minutes away by car. The zoo itself is located on a mountainside with great views over the city. It’s also home to more than 100 species.
66 locals recommend
Belfast Zoo
Antrim RoadBelfast Zoo is just 5 minutes away by car. The zoo itself is located on a mountainside with great views over the city. It’s also home to more than 100 species.
Built in the 1860s, Belfast Castle is just 5 minutes drive from the apartment. It is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and has great views over Belfast city and Lough.
83 locals recommend
Belfast Castle
Antrim RoadBuilt in the 1860s, Belfast Castle is just 5 minutes drive from the apartment. It is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and has great views over Belfast city and Lough.
The park makes for a great day out. It provides fantastic views over the city and lough. It can be accessed from the apartment just a few minutes away on foot.
57 locals recommend
Cave Hill Country Park
Antrim RoadThe park makes for a great day out. It provides fantastic views over the city and lough. It can be accessed from the apartment just a few minutes away on foot.
The Waterworks is a popular city park with play areas for children, walking and running paths, and nice lakes with swans, geese, and ducks.
11 locals recommend
Waterworks
The Waterworks is a popular city park with play areas for children, walking and running paths, and nice lakes with swans, geese, and ducks.
This is in the heart of Belfast and has the largest outdoor green area in the city centre. Popular for photographs, city hall also has a coffee shop indoors and is close to the main shopping area of the city.
119 locals recommend
Belfast City Hall
Donegall Square NorthThis is in the heart of Belfast and has the largest outdoor green area in the city centre. Popular for photographs, city hall also has a coffee shop indoors and is close to the main shopping area of the city.
Divis and Black mountain offer great views over the entire city. There are walking and cycling paths which would suit a variety of abilities. There is also a coffee shop and hotel near the main entrance.
13 locals recommend
National Trust - Divis and the Black Mountain
Divis and Black mountain offer great views over the entire city. There are walking and cycling paths which would suit a variety of abilities. There is also a coffee shop and hotel near the main entrance.
Home to the iconic Titanic building the location, as the name suggests, was where the Titanic was built. It also is home to movie and television studios. Lots to see and do here. Good for a walk or cycle.
19 locals recommend
Titanic Quarter Limited
6 Queens RdHome to the iconic Titanic building the location, as the name suggests, was where the Titanic was built. It also is home to movie and television studios. Lots to see and do here. Good for a walk or cycle.
Though scarred by decades of civil unrest during the Troubles, this former battleground is one of the most compelling places to visit.
Recent history hangs heavy in the air, but there is a noticeable spirit of optimism and hope for the future.
The main attractions are the powerful murals that chart the history of the conflict, as well as the political passions of the moment.
West Belfast grew up around the linen mills that propelled the city into late-19th-century prosperity.
It was an area of low-cost, working-class housing, and even in the Victorian era was divided along religious lines.
The advent of the Troubles in 1969 solidified the sectarian divide, and since 1970 the ironically named Peace Line has separated the Loyalist and Protestant Shankill district (from the Irish sean chill, meaning 'old church') from the Republican and Catholic Falls district.
Despite its past reputation, the area is safe to visit.
The best way to see West Belfast is on an informative and entertaining black taxi tour, but there's nothing to stop you visiting under your own steam, either walking or using the shared black taxis that travel along the Falls and Shankill Rds.
Alternatively, the G2 bus goes up the Falls Rd; buses 11A to 11D from Wellington Pl go along Shankill Rd.
Gaeltacht Quarter
Though scarred by decades of civil unrest during the Troubles, this former battleground is one of the most compelling places to visit.
Recent history hangs heavy in the air, but there is a noticeable spirit of optimism and hope for the future.
The main attractions are the powerful murals that chart the history of the conflict, as well as the political passions of the moment.
West Belfast grew up around the linen mills that propelled the city into late-19th-century prosperity.
It was an area of low-cost, working-class housing, and even in the Victorian era was divided along religious lines.
The advent of the Troubles in 1969 solidified the sectarian divide, and since 1970 the ironically named Peace Line has separated the Loyalist and Protestant Shankill district (from the Irish sean chill, meaning 'old church') from the Republican and Catholic Falls district.
Despite its past reputation, the area is safe to visit.
The best way to see West Belfast is on an informative and entertaining black taxi tour, but there's nothing to stop you visiting under your own steam, either walking or using the shared black taxis that travel along the Falls and Shankill Rds.
Alternatively, the G2 bus goes up the Falls Rd; buses 11A to 11D from Wellington Pl go along Shankill Rd.
Voted one of Belfast’s top attractions by TripAdvisor, Crumlin Road Gaol is a sight to behold. Closed for business in 1996 after 150 years, today it is host to everything from educational tours to weddings and concerts – not to mention claiming to be one of the most haunted sites in Belfast.
142 locals recommend
Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre
53-55 Crumlin RdVoted one of Belfast’s top attractions by TripAdvisor, Crumlin Road Gaol is a sight to behold. Closed for business in 1996 after 150 years, today it is host to everything from educational tours to weddings and concerts – not to mention claiming to be one of the most haunted sites in Belfast.
Food scene
This popular bar and restaurant is just a 10 minute walk away from the property. It has a great selection of food and drink to cater for everyone.
9 locals recommend
Ben Madigans Bar & Kitchen
169-175 Cavehill RdThis popular bar and restaurant is just a 10 minute walk away from the property. It has a great selection of food and drink to cater for everyone.
The hotel is just a 20 minute walk from the apartment on the popular Antrim Road area. A good selection of food and drink to suit everyone.
11 locals recommend
Lansdowne Court Hotel
657 Antrim RdThe hotel is just a 20 minute walk from the apartment on the popular Antrim Road area. A good selection of food and drink to suit everyone.
This is a popular restaurant providing breakfast and lunch to a high standard. The coffee and tray bakes are great!
CT15 Cafe Bistro
502 Antrim RdThis is a popular restaurant providing breakfast and lunch to a high standard. The coffee and tray bakes are great!
This popular restaurant is a short walk from the apartment, servicing up dishes that would suit most.
20 locals recommend
Sozo Antrim Road
449 Antrim RdThis popular restaurant is a short walk from the apartment, servicing up dishes that would suit most.
For an authentic taste of Belfast life, make your way to the renovated St George’s Market. It’s in full flow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings (with free jazz on the weekends). More than 150 traders set up stalls laden with everything from antiques to metalwork – but what people really visit this market for is the food.
167 locals recommend
St. George's Market
12 East Bridge StFor an authentic taste of Belfast life, make your way to the renovated St George’s Market. It’s in full flow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings (with free jazz on the weekends). More than 150 traders set up stalls laden with everything from antiques to metalwork – but what people really visit this market for is the food.