1. Safety

The word Belfast comes from the Irish Béal Feirst which means mouth of the sandy ford of the River Farset. Despite the recent Troubles, the city is now known for being one of the safest cities in the United Kingdom. This year Belfast has been nominated by the Lonely Planet guidebook as the best place to visit in Northern Ireland along with spectacular Giant’s Causeway.

2. Northern Irish people

People make places! Northern Irish people, like those in the Republic of Ireland, are famous for their hospitality and friendliness. Let’s be honest – who doesn’t like to feel welcome in a foreign country!

3. Accent

Regarding the Northern Irish accent, I’m challenging you to mimic it! It’s not easy! Experienced actors have struggled with it. Even Brad Pitt in The Devil’s Own (1997) found it tricky!

4.Game of Thrones

For the last few years, Northern Ireland has been in the spotlight. It is one of the main filming locations for the HBO television series Game of Thrones which has been a worldwide hit. Many people visit Northern Ireland to experience the Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour. 

5. Titanic

Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction with nine interpretative and interactive galleries. This amazing building was inspired by the design of RMS Titanic and offers visitors the opportunity to find out more about the building and the sinking of the ship as well as what life was like on board for passengers and crew.

6. Music

The range of music concerts on offer contributes to the brilliant nightlife in Belfast where visitors and locals alike can enjoy the craic! The city has a great live music scene and this birthplace of world-famous artists like Van Morrison who performed in The City of Derry Jazz Festival at the beginning of May.

George Best, the idol of Northern Ireland, is a football legend in this country. He’s left a mark on Belfast. The George Best Hotel, which is currently being built, and the George Best Belfast City Airport, where your flight may well arrive, have been named in his honour.

If you have the opportunity to visit east Belfast, you should go to C.S.Lewis Square which has seven bronze sculptures from the Chronicles of Narnia which written by this world-famous author who was born in Belfast.

And don’t forget about The Troubles. Both east and west Belfast have numerous murals representing the political tension between the two communities in Northern Ireland. While on our Belfast City Sightseeing open top bus tour, hop-off at stop 9 in east Belfast and stop 19 in west Belfast to see them.