Planning A Trip To Belfast

Straight Talker

Hello im in the early stages of planning a trip to Belfast.Will i need to change mobile phone operators in Northern Ireland seeing that Meteor don't serve that part of Ireland.Do i need to use the international access code when phoning the republic?Those questions probably sound silly but i have never been north of the border before.Im also wondering how much is the cost of a return bus ticket from Dublin to Europa Bus Station because the information is not on Bus Eireanns website.If anyone has any restaurant and pub recommendations it would be appreciated and i would prefer to avoid places like the Crown Liquer Saloon where all the tourists frequent!Im looking for a more authentic Belfast experience.Is the Golden Mile still the main place for restaurants in the evenings?I was a bit put off visiting the city over that carry on in the city centre over the flag protests a while ago but that was probably just a once off.From what i hear from friends that have moved and visited there they find Belfast to be a very safe city in general.A lot of them actually find it to be nicer than Dublin Cork Limerick etc and other cities in mainland Britain.Im looking forward to finding out for myself.:)

afro man

Straight Talker wrote: »

Hello im in the early stages of planning a trip to Belfast.Will i need to change mobile phone operators in Northern Ireland seeing that Meteor don't serve that part of Ireland.Do i need to use the international access code when phoning the republic?Those questions probably sound silly but i have never been north of the border before.Im also wondering how much is the cost of a return bus ticket from Dublin to Europa Bus Station because the information is not on Bus Eireanns website.If anyone has any restaurant and pub recommendations it would be appreciated and i would prefer to avoid places like the Crown Liquer Saloon where all the tourists frequent!Im looking for a more authentic Belfast experience.Is the Golden Mile still the main place for restaurants in the evenings?I was a bit put off visiting the city over that carry on in the city centre over the flag protests a while ago but that was probably just a once off.From what i hear from friends that have moved and visited there they find Belfast to be a very safe city in general.A lot of them actually find it to be nicer than Dublin Cork Limerick etc and other cities in mainland Britain.Im looking forward to finding out for myself.:)

bus fares
17.00 : Adult Single
25.00 : Adult Return
10.20 : Child Single
15.00 : Child Return
13.50 : Student Single
22.00 : Student Return
66.00 : Family Return
15.00 : Child Day Return
25.00 : Adult Day Return

plenty to see and do in city centre do a quick google search for a few pubs / resturants etc, on mobile not sure on meteor but I think you get messages from other mobile providers giving you rates to use their service .
nothing wrong with the odd touristy place to visit.. take the red bus tour available from city centre gives a good trip round all parts of the city with commentary .
just be a bit careful were you end up especially if you plan to do a bit of touring or wandering in city or outskirts

heavytraffic

I've just moved back to Belfast from the sticks and even I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the changes. I'm not much of a restaurant guy but there are plenty of new ones springing up all the time, try Botanic Avenue or Stranmillis, look up Molly's Yard on Facebook if you want to push the boat out, it's great and they are always advertising their menu specialities. The Cathedral Quarter is a good place for pubs, the best and most popular of which are probably the Duke of York and the John Hewitt. Ten Square, which is across the road from the rear of City Hall, is a busy and friendly pub and a good place to unwind in after a day of shopping or whatever. Try to avoid the far end of what used to be known as the Golden Mile, especially late at night, because it's full of young ones being rowdy, obnoxious, violent or physically sick. For lunch, try something different such as the cafe in the MAC, Belfast's newest theatre space, recommended.

dwayned

as ht said Botanic and Stranmillis is coming down with decent places to eat, also try the cathedral quarter, plenty of restaurants/bars popping up around there and a good lively vibe about the place

http://www.thecathedralquarter.com/guide.aspx?title=Eating%20Out&id=3048

rubberdungeon

Went up for a day trip this week and went Ice Skating, really enjoyed it.

http://www.theicebowl.com/template1.asp?pid=195&area=1