About Belfast, United Kingdom

The name ‘Belfast’ comes from the Gaelic term of “Beal Feirste”, meaning “mouth of the river”. This port city of Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital and the birthplace of the Titanic. Belfast is the 2nd largest city in Ireland. The city has historically been at the center of tobacco production, the Irish linen industry, shipbuilding and rope making. Today, Belfast is the country’s center for industries, higher education, businesses, law and the arts.

Popular Destinations in Belfast

Belfast is known for its historical and cultural attractions, as well as superb architecture marvels and unique museums. Here are some of the exciting attractions that Belfast has to offer:

Titanic Belfast: One of the places that visitors to Belfast must visit is the Titanic Quarter. The landmark building plays tribute to the well-known story of the Titanic as well as offering glimpses into Belfast’s maritime history. There are interactive exhibitions that show how the city has developed over the years. Apart from visiting the exact spot where the Titanic was built, visitors can enjoy guided tours around the dock and slipways.

Waterfront Hall: The award-winning hall is built for conferences and it is an arts and entertainment center that offers different facilities as well as hosting exhibitions and events. Overlooking the River Lagan, the hall is an important venue that hosts the Belfast Festival at Queen’s and it reflects the city’s regeneration in the best possible way. Waterfront Hall is also a popular venue for both national and international performances.

Belfast City Hall: For architecture lovers, Belfast City Hall is a stunning creation of Portland Stone set on beautiful public lawn. The hall is Belfast City Council’s civic building and it opened its doors decades ago in 1906.The magnificent building is a great example of the Classical Renaissance style. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that will allow them to explore the fine features and learn all about the history of Belfast City Hall.

 

Belfast Castle: The Castle, located on the slopes of Cave Hill County Park, is one of the most popular destinations north of Belfast. Visitors to the castle can enjoy magnificent views of Belfast city at a location that has become a popular venue for weddings. The breathtaking scenery and gorgeous gardens create the perfect backdrop for such ceremonies. The Victorian-era surroundings also make Belfast Castle perfect for a day trip and visitors can even climb the Cave Hill.

Grand Opera House: Music and theater lovers will want to visit the ornate Grand Opera House where they can enjoy dramas, musicals, plays, dances, musicals and operas. The Theatres Trust has called the Grand Opera House a “magnificent auditorium” that is one of the best surviving examples of oriental style theater architecture in the UK.

Luxury Lodging in Belfast

Belfast is home to a handful of enchanting hotels and lodgings suited for the high net worth individual. Some of the most impressive of these include:

• Hilton Belfast Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast
• Rayanne House
• The Culloden Estate and Spa
• The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
• The Merchant Hotel

Airports In or Nearby Belfast

In need of a private aircraft charter to Belfast, United Kingdom? Belfast plays host to a number of airports that make private air travel to and from the city a breeze. The most popular of these include:

• George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD): Located 6 miles away from the city of Belfast, the George Best Belfast City Airport is one of the busiest for the city, handling an average of 2.7 million passengers a year. It has a single 6,000 foot asphalt runway and has 37,000 aircraft movements annually. Though mostly used by commercial air traffic, it is also suitable for private aircraft users. Facilities such as aircraft maintenance and hangar rentals are available.
• Belfast International Airport (BFS): Situated 17 miles away from city center, the Belfast International Airport is the second busiest in Ireland, as it handles an average of 4 million passengers a year. The airport is open 24 hours a day, and can be opened on request during holiday seasons. It has two asphalt runways measuring 2,700 and 1,800 feet in length, and has 50,000 aircraft movements a year.
• City of Derry Airport (LDY): Located 76 miles away from Belfast and 7 miles from the city of Derry, the City of Derry Airport acts as a hub for Ryanair. It has a single asphalt runway measuring 6,400 feet in length, and is located at an elevation of 23 feet above sea level. The airport has an average of 5,700 flight movements a year, making it ideal for private aircraft use on account of the light air traffic to and from the airport.
• Dublin Airport (DUB): Located 100 miles away from Belfast and 6 miles from the Dublin City Center, the Dublin Airport is the busiest state owned airport in the country by passenger numbers. It acts as the hub for the state airline, Aer Lingus. The airport sits at an elevation of 240 feet above sea level and has one concrete and one asphalt runway measuring 8,600 and 2,000 feet respectively. It has an average of 174,000 aircraft movements a year.
• Enniskillen/St Angelo Airport (ENK): The Enniskillen/St Angelo Airport is a local airport 87 miles away from the city of Belfast. It is frequently used by private aircraft users on account of availability of amenities including easy hangar rental and aircraft repair services. The airport is located at an elevation of 155 feet above sea level and has a single asphalt runway measuring 4,300 feet in length.
• Isle of Man Airport (IOM): Isle of Man Airport is the main civilian airport in the region, and is located around 104 miles away from Belfast. It has two asphalt runways measuring 6,900 and 4,100 feet in length, and has an average of 27,000 aircraft movements.
• Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK): Located 117 miles away from Belfast, this is Glasgow’s second airport. It is a public airport that operates 24 hours a day and can handle all types of aircraft including the Antonov 225 and Boeing 747.