Belfast is not, like so many other big cities are, an amalgamation of villages, but has more or less expanded to fill the natural hilly barriers which surround it. The city is still, despite various initiatives over the years, segregated by walls or ‘peace lines’, put up by the British Army in 1969 – which make up the 14 inner city districts. Since 2001 in recognition of the growing number of tourists the council tends to introduce Belfast in terms of its newly assigned cultural quarters.

To the north of the city of Belfast there are a series of hills - Black Mountain, Divis Mountain and Cavehill – and these were allegedly the inspiration behind Jonathan Swift’s decision to write Gulliver’s Travels. Swift lived at Lilliput Cottage at the base of the Limestone Road, Belfast when his imagination was sparked by the sight of Cavehill - he thought it looked like a huge sleeping giant guarding the city perimeter. What looks like the giant’s nose is called Napoleon’s Nose by locals – but is actually officially called McArt’s Fort.

Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, formerly known as Queen’s Island, is home to many historic buildings. Visitors can see the RMS ‘Titanic’ and ‘Olympic’ Slipways – the twin slipways of the Titanic and Olympic White Star passenger lines – from where the two liners were launched. Also located here is the Thompson Dock Pump House as well as HMS Caroline, still in floating berth, at Alexandra Dock. She is the second oldest commissioned warship in the Royal Navy, built and launched in 1914 and sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland. Harland and Wolff’s former offices are also found here, the Titanic’s main shipbuilders.

Where London has Covent Garden, and Dublin Temple Bar the Cathedral Quarter - the area around St Anne’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland) and has taken on the mantle of cultural quarter for Belfast. The Cathedral Quarter is located between Royal Avenue – where Belfast Central Library is situated, and the Dunbar link in the centre of the city with ‘Little Italy’ also located in this zone. Custom’s House Square is where free family entertainments and open air concerts take place on a regular basis.

The Gaeltacht Quarter is the area around the Falls Road to the west of Belfast – an area which is known for its promotion of the Irish language. Many Irish institutions are found here including the An Chulturlnn Arts Centre, Conway Mill and the Feile an Phobail.

The Queen’s Quarter of Belfast is to the south of the city and gets its name from Queen’s University Belfast. The Queen’s Quarter is home to the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum. The Golden Mile is the name given to the mile between Belfast City Hall and Queen’s. This area takes in Dublin Road, Shaftesbury Square and Great Victoria Street and is home to some of Belfast’s best restaurants, shops and bars. Lisburn Road, located nearby, is where Belfast’s most exclusive shops can be found.

Laganside is a 4.8km stretch of the River Lagan from Lagan Weir to Stanmillis Wear. The river is used for a wealth of water based activities including jet skiing, dragon boat races and many rowing events including the first race between Queens University and Trinity College - the annual Head of the River race. Visitors have easy access from Laganside to the Lagan Valley Regional Park, with pathways which form a part of the Sustrans National Millennium Cycle Network.

For a city the size of Belfast you will be surprised at how many restaurants there are – from fine dining Michelin starred eateries, to Fish and Chips, Gastro Pubs, Bistros, cafes, coffee shops and bars. Fresh and local are the local chef’s mantras, with a range of cuisine as diverse as the number of cultures.

Belfast’s Festival of Colours lights up the city at this multicultural event in March where you are welcome to come dressed up in the most colourful outfit you can find.

The Great Belfast Food Weekend is all about fresh and local produce, cookery demonstrations and top chefs in attendance.

Belfast’s Black Market isn’t a world of dodgy underhand dealing but a popular Sunday gathering in the Cathedral Quarter, with bargains galore.

Belfast Fashion Week takes place in March. Go and find out what the coming season is to bring, fashion-wise.

Music in the Parks is a summertime festival of concerts which take place right through from May to September at venues across Belfast.

Garden Show Ireland is Belfast’s premier horticultural event, held at Hillsborough Castle during May. Get inspired by the show gardens.

Rose Week is when the city of Belfast pays homage to these beautiful flowers. Check out the new varieties and admire the classics at this July event.

The Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival is a nautical Belfast highlight and takes place during June at Belfast Harbour.

The Belfast City Carnival takes over town in June. A colourful and entertaining parade through the city streets.

Belfast’s Christmas Continental Market heralds the start of the festive season. Belfast City Hall welcomes its arrival at the end of November/beginning of December.

When To Go

Belfast has a temperate climate, with no great differentials in temperatures throughout the year. There is the occasional day or two of snow during a cold winter, as well as the occasional long hot summer.

Temperatures during the summer months average out at around 18°C – but can get as high as 30°C during a particularly hot spell. The winter months of November to February see average temperatures of 6°C or so, with ground frosts common at night.

Belfast is rainy – even rainier than Dublin in fact, which is saying something, so it would be madness to arrive here without packing your umbrella plus waterproof clothing.

What To Miss

Avoid talking politics anywhere in Belfast. Belfast people are extremely friendly, but are not keen to be drawn into political discussions at all.

Northern Ireland is now generally a safe and secure destination however if you’re travelling during ‘marching season’ - June 11^th – 14^th, just stick to the city centre which is well away from flashpoint areas, and the 11^th night bonfires. Travel disruption is likely to be more of a problem to visitors at this time, because of the public holidays - so make sure to check out public transport sites beforehand.

· Belfast has an excellent public transport system – buses run every 10 minutes a day until 11pm, when night buses are available. The’ Metro’ is the local bus system and it has official bus stops right across the city – day tickets can be bought on the bus, at Donegall Square or the Belfast Welcome Centre.

· Taxis can be hailed on the street or picked up from various taxi ranks - they are usually metered – if not ask beforehand for the fare to your destination.

· Belfast is a great city for cyclists – places such as Ormeau Park provide child-friendly biking trails and Belfast city centre is eminently walkable on foot with its myriad of narrow pedestrianised streets.