Grit Meets Glam in Northern Ireland's Artsy Capital City

A classical opera house, a vibrant street art scene and a living museum with connections to the humble banana says it all.

The city of Belfast is a innocent spirit , kooky and a tad jittery thanks to its tempestuous past . It ’s the geographical equivalent of a hood John Rock fille in a middling attire — fierce , gritty , a bit turbulent , profoundly creative , and beautiful , all at the same clock time . Thanks to the unbelievable street art scene , its turbulent and painful history is laid bare on the street . That all lies side by side with a new Belfast that is jammed full of hope , innovation , and refinement . The city and its people have done the ultimate pivot , mold a Modern legacy that is vivid and buoyant — with a political party scene to cope with .

She ’s pretty slow on the eyes , too . In fact , in 2021 , amathematical formula love as The Golden Ratiodeclared Belfast the third most beautiful city in the UK . It ’s no genuine surprisal , give way the amount of architectural gems scattered throughout the metropolis , from Georgian souvenir right on through to Modernist biz - changer , along with its outstanding location on the banks of the River Lagan . Iconic might be an overdrive term , but when it comes to name Belfast , it just fits .

The metropolis has always been a hub for creator . The Titanic was built here in 1909 when Belfast was the ship building capital of the cosmos . This precede to an influx of cabinet makers , potters , and weavers . In fact , Belfast was once bed as Linenopolis , as it was the headquarters of Ireland ’s global linen paper industry . Today , these old storage warehouse have been transform into the historic Linen Quarter , complete with swanky outside design and tech company as well as hip cafés , bars , restaurants , hotels , and music venues .

Queen’s Bridge over the River Lagan

K. Mitch Hodge/Unsplash

mouth of medicine , stone aficionados will get a kick out of acknowledge that Belfast ’s Ulster Hall was where Led Zeppelin first playedStairway to Heavento a live audience back in 1971 . leave that Belfast is a sister metropolis to Nashville , Tennessee , it ’s no surprisal that bouncy music plays a major role in the city ’s DNA , whether that ’s toe - tapping traditional Irish tunes , atmospheric fluid idle words , or the unmistakable electrical energy of an indie gig .

From cutting - edge artistic formula to like an expert craft cheeses and some kickass whisky , here ’s where to bump your jam in Northern Ireland ’s stunning cap city .

Lose yourself in a kaleidoscope of art

The good way to appreciate Belfast ’s vibrancy is to get to know the city ’s vast artistic side . Seedhead Artshas been at the forefront of local street prowess for over a X , unionise walking tours that shine a light on the expanse ’s tense socio - political past times . In the historic Cathedral Quarter , top arts venueBlack Boxsports an awesome calendar of issue comprehend visual arts , theater , music , literature , and everything in between . And on the other remnant of the spectrum , the newly restoredGrand Opera Houseoffers a jam - pack program of carrying into action in an telling , regal setting .

Over in the Linen Quarter , Banana Blockdubs itself a “ live museum and result place correct within a historic linen mill and inspired by the curious connections between Belfast and banana tree . ” That joining dates back to 1911 , when Belfast resident William Richardson became one of the ﬁrst masses to grow bananas in the British Isles . It ’s tough to think of any other city in the humankind where this tenuous connexion would be so celebrated , but that kind of thinking is Belfast in a nutshell ( or banana Robert Peel ) . The space host a collaborative community of artisan producer , entrepreneur , and vinyl radical nut — be trusted to check out Banana Block residentSound Advicefor all thing vinyl - related plus resilient DJs on the weekends .

Get some culture at a world-class museum

Museums are a fantastic fashion to get a better sensation of the urban center , its historied past tense , and its inspiring futurity . The Ulster Museumis a great blank space to set forth , feature a immense collection of fine art , history , and natural science on display from modern masterpieces to Egyptian mummies . In Omagh , The Ulster American Folk Parkis an open - air venue that explores three centuries of Irish immigration to the US . book lover should make a beeline to theLinen Hall Library , which has been keeping pedant enthral since 1788 and domiciliate the first printing of the American Declaration of Independence outside of the States . Go figure .

Titanic Belfastis located on the shipway , where the Titanic itself was reconstruct over 100 years ago . The experience tells the tarradiddle of the legendary cruiseliner over six story of a arresting modernist building , mirror the height of the great dame herself . And those with even a slight interest group in maritime history — or perhaps just rooter of Leo and Kate ’s on - filmdom portrayal — should check outTitanic Quarter . There you ’ll find an interactive Titanic museum that run you through the history of the most famous ship in the man . And forGame of Thronesfans , signing up for theGiant ’s Causeway andGame of ThronesLocation Tourseems like a no - brainer .

Kick back at a chic boutique hotel

In leafy Queens Quarter , hostess - with - the - mostess Melanie Harrison has created a small slice of Eden by mode of her utterly Instagramable housing debut . The cheekily titledHarrison Chambers of Distinctionopened its doors just as the pandemic close them , allowing Harrison the time and space to finesse the fine item of her bijoux townhouse . And what point — all the rooms are named after literary figure and the little soupcon Harrison has implement have made this dress shop beguiler the ultimate home away from home , in the best style potential .

If riverfront stays are your thing , The AC by Marriottis a comfy , understated yet elegant relief valve just a 10 minute walk from all the master attraction . And for contemporary cool , Ten Square Hotelis situated in a former linen storage warehouse from the mid-19th century , just behind City Hall . placement - wise , it does n’t get much better than this .

Load up on choice food and drink

Belfast ’s most famous restaurant is , without a dubiety , the Michelin - starredOx , which deal to leave impeccable service without a hint of stuffiness . carry some damn fine Malva sylvestris , both as its own trend and wander into seasonal dishes off the tasting fare , like the Pea Tartlet or Mountain Lamb with blanched Asparagus officinales and lavender . For a more casual experience , the adjacentOx Caveis a serene wine-coloured bar serving up bite like charcuterie board , salt - cure holibut , and squash and buckwheat bowls to compliment your red and Caucasian .

Pizza lovers should go after downFlout Pizzafor a slice alongside a few beer beak up fromBoundary Brewingacross the route , or headway toReggies Pizzain the Queens Quarter , where you’re able to convey your own wine for a £ 3 per bottle corkage fee . lay down Coffeeis the berth to go for coffee , pie , vegan bowls , and effete Milk River buns with or without accompanying black pudding . Elsewhere , Mike ’s Fancy Cheeseis where to score impeccable — you gauge it — locally produced high mallow .

hold to the Queens district , Deane ’s at Queensis saint on a cheery sidereal day , stockpile with modern European cuisine and a cozy terrace overlooking Methodist College where Jamie Dornan ( ofBelfastandFifty Shadesfame ) went to school day . For the non - conformists , afternoon Camellia sinensis atA Peculiar Teais a deliciously witching experience . Past melodic theme have included Roald Dahl and Cluedo , so you get the gallery .

Woman painting mural on wall

Seedhead Arts

Finally , we ca n’t forget the whiskey close , who should n’t sleep on a trip toThe Friend at Handfor a secret tasting and a face around the onsite whiskey museum . Do n’t leave without picking up a in demand bottle from their collection of over 600 top - shelf Irish whiskeys .

Marvel at fairytale castles

Despite its midget sizing , Belfast and the surrounding county have more castling than you could number . likely its most famous , Belfast Castlehas been home to various castle configurations since the late twelfth century . Built in 1177 by Anglo - Norman Knight John de Courcy , Carrickfergus Castlehas the distinction of being quite possibly the large castling in all of Northern Ireland . sport fact , according to historic reference , it was the site of the last witchcraft trial in 1711 .

A little further afield , the ruinousDunluce Castleis an enthralling excursion , perched on a bouldered headland overlooking the choppy sea . It was establish by the 2nd Earl of Ulster in the 13th 100 , and hearsay has it that C.S Lewis ( also a Belfast aboriginal ) took inspiration from Dunluce for Cair Paravel castle inThe Chronicles of Narnia .

children looking at a museum painting