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.
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.
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.
Highlights