Getting Around

Belfast is not a ‘must have a car’ type of city. We have a great public transport system and the centre of ‘town’ is like most old cities; it’s full of eccentric little alleyways with quaint old names and the streets are walkable and redolent with history. Begin exploring with the old quarters, the oldest city area the Cathedral Quarter is a great place to start; it is closest to the centre of ‘town’ and has some of the most attractive buildings but also some of its quirkiest and you will discover these as you wander down narrow twisting streets many of which are still cobbled. It is the ‘left bank’ part of town, arty and somewhat bohemian.

Amble over then to the Queen’s Quarter, just a little south of the city centre; named after the Queen’s University which reigns over this easygoing part of the city. Across the River Lagan to the east you will find the Titanic Quarter, newly named though as old as any part of Belfast and it is here that the shipbuilding heritage of Belfast grew from small beginnings to become the greatest ship yards in the world and the birth place of the ill fated Titanic of which we are justly proud.

To the west of the city at the base of Cavehill you will find the Gaeltacht Quarter where the ancient culture of the Celts is nurtured and cherished as a living heritage. And almost parallel to this quarter you will find the Shankill, an area that is rich in the history of the linen mills. This whole area west of the city centre dates back to ancient Celtic times.