GoToBelfast.com - Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau1

Explore Belfast
There is an old adage in travel lore: get to know, before you go.

It’s the people who are the city. Initially just a hamlet with a crossing on a river mouth, with a fertile hinterland it didn’t take marauders and pirates long to realise that here was a deep lough and safe haven from the north Atlantic storms where repairs could be made.

From these small beginnings the industrious locals developed a boat building trade and the rest is our history. Take that step with us, the first step that leads to a thousand journeys; welcome to our Belfast!

History
Belfast Lough has always been a safe haven for shipping and this plus the fact that a fresh water river flowed into the Lough at its neck gave rise to an ancient settlement where the river crossing was easiest. This became known as ‘the crossing of the mouth of the Farset’, Beal Feirste in Irish, which eventually gave the town the name by which we know it today, Belfast. Four hundred years ago the town was a bustling seaport with trade passing both in and out. In 1613 a Royal Charter was granted to Sir Arthur Chichester to expand the waterfront to facilitate docking and mooring and this area has since become Donegall Quay. As trade increased and boat building developed from a craft to an industry through the 18th and 19th centuries the town grew in size and stature until 1888 when it was granted city status, one year before Birmingham’s successful petition.

Drawing the heart of the city west from the waterfront when it was opened in 1906, City Hall was built to celebrate Belfast’s award of city status in 1888 and its great dome, superb Portlandstone façade and lavish marble halls were designed to impart a message – we have arrived! The twentieth century was a turbulent period for the city as shipbuilding and other industries declined. Belfast lost over 1,000 citizens during the Belfast Blitz of the Second World War and the late 60s saw the onset of the Troubles, which blighted the city for over 30 years. But, today, in one of Europe’s most dramatic transformations, hundreds of millions of pounds have been invested in stylish bars and fine restaurants, world-class hotels and stunning visitor attractions and shopping centres.
But Belfast’s greatest, and most unique, attraction is its people, whose enduring warmth and friendliness remain a welcoming truth, their distinct character and culture evolving with the new city as it merges with the old. So wonderful Victorian celebrations of culture and entertainment, such as the Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall, both recently refurbished, join with the more contemporary Belfast Waterfront Hall and Odyssey Arena. They present the best in local and international arts as Belfast’s artists, performers, musicians, crafts people and entertainers are now regularly joined by the finest of their global peers. In acclaimed festivals, and through a packed calendar of cultural events, the city is lit up through the year with a fantastic variety of arts and entertainment, while weekends in Belfast are always a blur of socialising and clubbing, accompanied by live music and DJs.

General

Belfast Welcome Centre
Make the Belfast Welcome Centre your first stop on coming to Belfast or contact us for information in advance of your stay. Located in the city centre with information on accommodation, visitor attractions, tours, events and transport within Belfast and Northern Ireland our staff are here to assist you in planning your visit.
For the perfect gift to take home to a friend or keep as a souvenir of your stay here visit the Belfast Welcome Centre Gift Shop. A range of locally made products is available and includes Belfast Crystal, Belleek Pottery, Hand Crafted Celtic Jewellery, Guinness Products, Tyrone Crystal, Souvenir Tee Shirts, Belfast China, Irish Linen, Irish Music, Local Maps, Posters, Postcards and a range of Irish Chocolates and Confectionery.

Services

Opening Times

1st June to 30th September:
Monday to Saturday: 9.00am to 7.00pm
and Sunday: 11am – 4pm
1st October to 31st May:
Monday to Saturday: 9.00 to 17.30
and Sundays 11am to 4pm
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Menu

The city of Belfast is constantly abuzz with happenings, there is never a shortage of things to do. As a people, the residents of Belfast are also renowned for being one of the most hospitable in the world.

We have some of the coolest night clubs, shopping to die for and eateries that will spoil you for choice without burning a hole in your purse.

We have a constant stream of exciting concerts, plays and exhibitions in venues such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena that are world class and attractions that will inspire even the most jaded explorer, from the historical to the cultural to the scientific and literary; after all this is the city that inspired Narnia!