The capital of Northern Ireland is lively, fun loving, and often skipped over by tourists in the United Kingdom. It has a reputation for civil unrest and political conflicts, but the days when those defined Belfast are long gone. It’s easy to have a quiet, relaxing vacation in the capital city by sipping coffee and reading the newspaper in tiny cafes, strolling along the waterfront, and downing some good Irish food like the Ulster fry (a hearty breakfast of eggs, black pudding, bacon, tomatoes, bread, and coffee).

Belfast was at the center of political conflict referred to as The Troubles for nearly thirty years ending in 1997. Although Belfast is now one of the safest cities in the United Kingdom, the conflict-torn past is still present. Take a guided tour of the Belfast Murals to learn why they were painted and to hear the stories depicted in them for a better understanding of this chapter in Belfast’s recent past.

The Titanic, the famous unsinkable ship that tragically sank, was built in Belfast and visitors can even tour the place where the ship was built. Boat tours leave several times a day to guide guests through the port, which is still working and quite busy, to glimpse the slipways that once held the Titanic and several other Titanic sights. The surrounding neighborhood, now known as the Titanic quarter, is seeing a resurgence of liveliness with many new restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings opening up and giving the neighborhood a facelift.

With a good mix of old, traditional pubs and chic new bars and clubs, Belfast’s nightlife offers a little something for everyone. Sip a Guinness or a whiskey on the rocks while listening to poetry or chatting as a handful of musicians play traditional music in the corner at one of the oldest pubs in Belfast. Make an evening of it and get dinner there, too (pub food is far more than fish and chips these days).

If you’re more the barhopping and dancing ‘til dawn type, then you’ll prefer heading over to Botanic Avenue. The bars there are filled with young people, mainly university students letting off some steam after a long week in the library. You’ll be partying among the locals in these places. There are a handful of traditional pubs, a number of stylish places where you’re more likely to get a wine spritzer than a Guinness, and several nightclubs are open late for dancing.

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