Ireland is known for its rolling green hills, stunning coastlines, and epic castles. But also some of the best cities in the world. There is a variety of things to see and do in Ireland. The major cities are just as fun to explore! Here are the best cities in Northern Ireland!
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If you plan on exploring any cities in Ireland, I recommended bringing a comfortable walking shoe.
Belfast
Belfast is one of the best cities located in the country of Northern Ireland. (Dublin is located in the Republic of Ireland). At this time there is no border control or any need to bring your passport as you cross the border. Credit cards a usually accepted, but it is always a good idea to pack cash. You will need to run by the bank as pounds are used as currency, rather than the euro.
The first thing you might notice in Belfast is the Peace wall. The Peace Walls are a series of barriers that separate predominantly republican and nationalist Catholic neighborhoods from predominantly loyalist and unionist Protestant neighborhoods. They were erected across the course of “The Troubles” in 1969 which are still visible throughout Northern Ireland today. In recent years, they have even become locations for tourism.
Black taxis now take groups of tourists around Belfast’s peace lines, trouble spots, and famous murals.
Another site in Belfast to visit is the Titanic Museum. The self-guided tour extends over nine interactive galleries where you discover the sights, sounds, smells, and stories of the ship. On our Discovery Tour, you’ll hear why and how the ship was built and what happened in its final hours. You’ll find out facts and fables as you walk in the footsteps of the designers and shipbuilders who brought the dream to life, right here, back then. (Open 9-10 am depending on what time of year you visit. 21.50 Euros for an adult ticket). The facility also has a cafe and panty for snacks and lunch. It also has a parking garage as well as lockers and free wifi!
Derry / Londonderry
One of the best cities to visit in Northern Ireland is Derry. The top attraction in Londonderry (or Derry as it is known in the Republic of Ireland) is The Derry Walls. These 17th-century enclosure circles the city. It has a total of 24 restored cannons and 7 gates. One most famously featured on Derry Girls. The best way to experience the walls is to walk above the city! The Derry Walls are approximately a mile in circumference and take in both the highest and lowest points on what used to be the Island of Derry. The usual arrival point for the Derry Walls is in Guildhall Square ascending the Walls at the steps or ramp through Magazine Gate. An equally pleasant arrival point is in Bishop Street Without, ascending the steps at Bishop’s Gate or using Stable Lane.
As you walk along these Walls, stop at the Guildhall (townhall). The original town hall was built in the 1600s in the Diamond area of the City and was destroyed during the Siege in 1689. The Guildhall was built in 1887 by ‘The Honourable The Irish Society’. The building was named in honor of its connection to the City of London and its guilds. It was officially opened in 1890 as the administrative center for Londonderry Corporation. It is the only surviving guildhall still in civic use in Ireland. Over its 120-year history, the Guildhall has been destroyed twice – by fire in 1908 and through bomb attacks in 1972.
Continue on to the river and walk over the Peace Bridge.
It is a visual treat and a vital stop on any Derry/Londonderry travel itinerary. Since its launch in 2011, the Peace Bridge has become an integral part of the City’s infrastructure and is held in high regard by locals and visitors alike for its stunning physical beauty and in equal measures for the symbolic story it represents.
Galway
Famous for being the festival capital of Ireland, hosting on average 122 festivals and events per year. In the words of our Irish guide, it is always buzzing! It is filled with brightly colored pubs, a variety of shops, as well as beautiful scenery! Galway is the third-largest city in Ireland and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Head southwest of the city center and you’ll soon come to the Salthill Promenade, stunning views with a beautiful perspective from the north side of the bay. If you’re fortunate enough to walk the promenade when the skies are clear you’ll see the outline of The Burren down in County Clare, while up in the northwest are the peaks of Connemara. The land behind the promenade was set aside for farming until the Great Famine in the middle of the 19th century and was then set up for early tourism in 1860 with the arrival of the Eglinton Hotel, which is still here today.
The Galway Cathedral is a renaissance style, Roman Catholic cathedral.
It may be unassuming on the outside, but the interior is stunning. With its mosaics, stained glass, and marble flooring, it’s much more picturesque than its grey exterior. Unlike most cathedrals in Europe, this one was completed in 1965, making it much more modern. Plus, you’ll find a mosaic dedicated to US president, John F. Kennedy, who personally visited during the building of the cathedral. Unless you would like to participate in mass, visitors are only allowed outside of those times. While it’s technically free to enter, they request a €2 donation.
If you have room in your suitcase for a bit of shopping. You will find many Claddagh jewelry stores throughout Galway. The story goes that jeweler, Richard Joyce was kidnapped by pirates on his way to the West Indies and his master taught him jewelry craft. When he was released, he returned to Galway and set up his trade. The design of the ring symbolizes love, friendship, and loyalty and is of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart and is a popular souvenir for visitors to the city.
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