Visit Belfast: home of the Titanic

One of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Located in County Antrim on the north-east coast of the island of Ireland at the head of Belfast Lough, the city is easily accessed by air, sea and by train from Dublin, and is a gateway to the iconic Causeway Coastal Route.

Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland. It covers an area of around 132 km2, and the city centre is very compact and walkable, with most major attractions, including Titanic Belfast and Crumlin Road Gaol, within a short walk of one another. Belfast city boasts a population of around 348,005, with the wider Belfast region around 1.13 million. The city is also home to a young population, with 40% of the population aged 30 or younger.

British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but it is always important to check with your air or sea carrier, as rules may vary and some form of ID is usually required. Non-British nationals must have a valid passport to enter Northern Ireland and Ireland.

With two airports serving the city and its surroundings, getting to Belfast is easy. Belfast International Airport is a 30-minute journey from the city while George Best Belfast City Airport is around 5km from the centre of Belfast. Different airlines service each, and both are linked to the city centre by a Translink Airport Express bus.

The currency used in Belfast and Northern Ireland is the British Pound Sterling. The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro.

There are loads of great places to stay in Belfast, from super-luxurious hotels such as Regency House, The Europa and The Merchant, to mid-range hotspots such as the Titanic Hotel and the Malone Hotel. Budget options include The Bullitt and Room2 Hometel.

Belfast is famous for many things, from its warm welcome to fine-dining at Michelin-starred restaurants like Ox and The Muddlers Club. Most notably, it is the birthplace of the Titanic as the ship was built and launched here. It’s also famed as a music hotspot and is a UNESCO City of Music, as well as the birthplace of world-renowned figures in sport, literature, music and film, including CS Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, Van Morrison and Sir Kenneth Branagh.

From Belfast International Airport, the Translink Airport Express 300 bus serves Belfast city centre. If you're flying into George Best Belfast City Airport, the Translink Airport Express 600 bus will take you to the centre of the city.

Belfast city centre is around 160km from Dublin city centre. It takes around 2 hours to drive, depending on traffic or around 2 hours 15 minutes on a direct train from Dublin’s Connolly Station.

There are so many top attractions to enjoy in Belfast, including Titanic Belfast, the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens. But as well as that, you can enjoy great little neighbourhoods such as the Cathedral Quarter, which is packed with cafés, bars and restaurants, and gorgeous outdoor attractions such as Cave Hill.

The motto of Belfast, as it appears on the city’s coat of arms, is “Pro tanto quid retribuamus”, which can be translated as “What shall we give back in return for so much”.

Most famously, Game of Thrones® was filmed in Belfast at Titanic Studios, but the city has also hosted other well-known series, including The Fall and Line of Duty.