As January rolls into its third month, and an empty bank balance means our free time is usually spent at home eating whatever is still left in the cupboards after the holidays, we’re looking forward to a little bit of TLC when payday hits.
Yes, while we might have a little time to wait before the summer holidays, there’s nothing to say a getaway in the meantime shouldn’t be on the cards.
And you don’t have to leave the country to enjoy some rest and recuperation, there are plenty of great destinations all over Ireland that should be explored.
One such place is the city of Belfast which in recent years has seen a huge increase in tourism figures thanks to the opening of many new attractions and hotels.
From the incredible nightlife to the impressive attractions, Belfast is the ultimate choice for that weekend staycation.
We headed to the famous city for 48 hours recently to see what it has to offer those wanting to escape for a couple of days.
You can always hit the road and make the journey north by car. The M1 motorway is well signposted for those heading to Belfast. The drive will take roughly two and a half hours and remember, there is a toll.
Where to stay
While Belfast boasts a lot of great accommodation options, we stayed in what is arguably becoming the best know — The Titanic Hotel.
Belfast offers all sorts of accommodation options from five-star hotels to bed and breakfasts, hostels to camping grounds.
The Titanic Hotel is situated in the heart of the Titanic Quarter on Queens Road, in the same place the legendary Harland & Wolff Headquarters and Drawing Offices were.
The hotel houses over 500 artworks and photographs throughout the building including passenger portraits and authentic White Star Line memorabilia.
Their Art & Heritage Trail map encourages visitors to explore the hotel and the artifacts on display.
The hotel is naturally well located for those interested in visiting the Titanic Museum which stands impressively across the courtyard from the front entrance — and while more expensive than many other good options around the city, it is very convenient while still being totally luxurious.
Other accommodation options include the Hastings Culloden Hotel, the boutique House Belfast hotel, or the incredibly cool and central Bullitt Hotel, of which we’ve heard great reports.
There are also plenty of apartments available to rent around the city that would make a great base for a weekend trip and provide lodgers the chance to save some money and enjoy a meal in.
Where to eat
However, for those looking to make the best of their visit and enjoy some of the many great restaurants the city boasts, you’ve plenty of choice.
Luckily for us, we enjoyed dinner in The Wolfe Grill in the Titanic Hotel on our first night and an after-dinner tipple in the bar afterward.
The restaurant is home to a team of award-winning chefs who have crafted a unique menu to be enjoyed in their dining space which looks directly out at the Titanic Belfast building. The restaurant is certainly not what we would call budget but is definitely a good option for those looking for a treat.
We also ate at the Deanes at Queens restaurant which is just one of many they have around the city.
The restaurant is based right in the heart of the University Quarter which we might not have explored if it weren’t for the dinner recommendation.
Nu Delhi also came highly recommended and is reportedly incredible when it comes to good quality Indian cuisine.
For brunch, many will recommend Harlem Cafe. The quirky cafe offers all the classics you’d be craving at 1pm of a Saturday — and has a stunning interior that will make for the perfect Instagram post.
However, as with most popular brunch locations, we’d be making a booking to ensure you’re not told of a painfully long wait for your eggs Benny. We waited for half an hour before being seated and the wait for our food took just as long.
Looking for a cuppa and a light snack? The Lamppost Cafe is the perfect option thanks to its good coffee and an even better interior — and with a dog-friendly policy, there are plenty of pooches to stare at over a cuppa.
The cafe is inspired by the works of CS Lewis and is walking distance from CS Lewis Square.
The interior features a Narnia twist and ragtime soundtrack which will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time — more bonus points for the Instagram.
Where to drink
The Cathedral Quarter will be a recommended destination from the moment you arrive in Belfast and it’s one you should pay attention to.
The area is jam-packed with great bars that even the locals would enjoy a pint in. The Duke of York is an old-fashioned pub and the perfect place to go enjoy a pint after a day of exploring.
From there, you have plenty of options.
Muriel’s, The Harp Bar, The Spaniard, and Bootleggers are all a stone’s throw from The Duke of York and well worth checking out if you’re making a night of it.
Elsewhere, The Crown Liqueur Salon, Lavery’s and the Bullitt Hotel’s bar are good spots to order a round.
Things to do
So we’ve got you fed and watered, but what about the rest of the day? Well, there is no shortage of things to do in Northern Ireland’s capital city.
One of the first things many visitors to the area will want to do is a Black Cab Tour. These legendary tours take visitors between the north and west of the city, explaining the years of conflict and the stories behind some of the most prominent murals around the city.
While the tour was a great way to get our bearings, we were also lucky enough to catch an Uber from fully qualified tour guide, Paul Moyna, who showed some of the secret gems of the city while sharing his experience of growing up in Belfast during the Troubles.
It felt like a more authentic experience and consisted of less of the cut and paste stories.
St George’s Market is definitely worth a visit and has, over the years, become one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The market is home to some of the finest fresh produce, and plenty of unique sellers.
The market is open on Friday, Saturday and Sundays and provides music from local musicians making it near impossible to leave.
Want to explore what the Belfast high street has to offer? The Victoria Square Shopping Centre has every shop you could want to peruse in one handy location.
It is home to over 50 stores including the likes of House of Fraser, Topshop, and Reiss, and boasts a viewing gallery from the top that will give you a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline.
From there, visitors can see as far as the famous Harland & Wolff cranes that helped build the Titanic.
Belfast has become synonymous with Game of Thrones every since the show began filming there almost 10 years ago.
Well, in honour of the iconic show and for those interested in exploring the city where so much of it was based, the Glass of Thrones Trail was born.
Six giant stained glassed windows depicting some of the most iconic scenes from the HBO show have been erected throughout the city.
Each house or legacy is depicted from the Starks to the Lannisters, White walkers to the iconic Iron Throne.
Visitors are encouraged to walk between each of the six windows to see a new part of the city which goes from Belfast City Hall over to the Titanic Slipways.
The Titanic Museum is a must-see for those going to the city.
The iconic six-floor building features nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, and stories of the Titanic.
It gives visitors a deeper understanding of what the city of Belfast was like before work on the legendary ship began and what it was like for the locals who eventually worked on it.
The exhibition also features some heartbreaking moments where visitors get to read the final messages sent from the crew to nearby boats as they pleaded for help as the ship began to sink.
The museum was voted the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2016 and for very good reason.
Anyone wondering whether it’s worth the near £20 entry fee, rest assured, it is.
This was my first trip to Belfast and it certainly won’t be my last — despite the pretty bleak weather conditions.
A charming city with plenty to do no matter what the purpose of your trip and all within two-and-a-half hours of Dublin city centre — what’s not to love?