Hotels in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland combines Britain at its best on one island. Endless greenery and amazing coastal views are what awaits you in whatever quaint town you choose to visit. It also has majestic castles and monasteries that you can enjoy during the day and simply just relax and kick it in local pubs with live music. Although, apart from this, tourism has been boosted because of Game of Thrones fans because a lot of the scenes were shot across the region.

How to Get There

North Ireland has a lot of airports that easily links you to various cities in the region. The main airport is the Belfast International Airport, located 30 kilometres from the capital of the region. This is the main thoroughfare to get to the region since it connects a number of cities in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.

The George Best Belfast City Airport is located closer to the city at a distance of six kilometres. This is a smaller airport and it is not as busy as the former. Going here via land is also available because it is connected by road and rail. Bus services are available and daily coaches are available. Car ferries are also another option that would get you to England and Scotland.

Getting Around

To get around the region, boats are an option to get around different parts. Bus services operated by Ulsterbus is the best way to go around since it connects various cities and rural areas. The train is also available and it has five lines you can choose from. Tickets are at fixed prices.

Top Things to Do

If you wish to go around Northern Ireland, one of the most interesting spots is the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh. This is an outdoor history park that tells the story of the migration of about two million people to the Americas. Special events are also held throughout the year. Titanic Belfast in the capital city is also a must-see. A gleaming edifice, it is definitely hard to miss. You will find projections, images, and music that would tell you the store of the ship and in some parts, the city.

If you are up for an adventure, the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is a great visit. It features a tour that shows underground rivers and looping chambers. North Ireland is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage site called Giant’s Causeway. It is an impressive landscape that has stone columns next to the sea.

Devenish Island in Lough Erne is one of the ‘holy islands’ of Northern Ireland. You will find an Augustinian monastery that was founded by St. Molaise during the 6th century. You will also find a 12th-century tower and the ruins of the St. Molaise Church and St. Mary’s Abbey. You will be able to get to the island via Trory Jetty. If you find yourself in the capital of Belfast, go to the Renaissance-style City Hall that was built in 1906. The tour inside would take you to a hall with portraits of the lord mayors, a chance to sit in the mayor’s throne, and a tour of the stained-glass windows.

Shopping is also popular in Northern Ireland because of all the crafts it is known for. Going around different city streets, you are bound to run into people selling Belleek pottery, handmade tweed, Carrickmacross lace, and silver jewelry. Lisburn Road in Belfast is also a good stop for local boutiques and high-end shopping. If you want some produce, St. George’s Market should be your first stop. It has been around since the early 1600s and you will find the freshest items in the area.

What to Eat

It also goes without saying that the culinary experience in Northern Ireland would also be different. Much like other coastal regions, North Ireland will fill you up with the freshness of its seafood. From oysters, prawns, and crab you will find it here. It is highly recommended to go to Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy.

A bonus for the Game of Thrones fans would be a replica of the Iron Throne in the same place. For the best oysters, go to the westside and try DK Oysters in Ballinakill Bay in Connemara. They have been around since 1893 and you can go around their oyster farm and see how they are grown. For some meat, a warm bowl of Irish stew would be perfect, especially during the winter months. You can get this in Kelly’s Cellars in Belfast. Soda bread is also good if you want a light meal. Thyme & Co in Ballycastle is an award-winning restaurant that is known for this.

Where to Stay

Finding a place to stay in Northern Ireland is an adventure in itself. Visitors have a lot of options to stay in apart from hotels and hostels. As an example, they have historic homes like the Ardtara Country House in County Londonderry. This was the former family home of Harry Jackson Clark, a famous linen entrepreneur.

Belle Isle Castle in County Fermanagh was home to the MacManus and Maguire families. It was also the home of many nobles since the 12th century. It has been recently refurbished to accommodate guests visiting the area. Come here if you want some modern touches along with its antique decor. The Merchant Hotel in Ulster Bank is an elegant hotel that is located near the Four Corners of Belfast. It takes you straight to the historical part of the city.

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