Uh-oh! I can smell the controversy brewing already.
One city typically flying under the radar is being hyped up as a must-visit destination.
Is it Ireland? Is it the UK? Or something else entirely? Well, it depends on who you ask…
The kids might say we have ourselves a ‘situationship’.
One thing is for sure – it’s Europe’s coolest new destination, according to Conde Nast Traveller.
Belfast is ready for primetime, emerging from the shadows of Dublin and London with a brand new identity seeded from a complicated past.
Northern Ireland’s trendy capital city has reinvented itself after years of turmoil.
Like GamGam always says at Thanksgiving dinner, it’s best to avoid religion and politics, so we’ll stick to the fun stuff Belfast has to offer.
Forget The History Books! Belfast Is Where It’s At
Remember Brexit? Ay yi yi! My how the world has changed since then.
Of course, Brexit was a big deal at the time and it’s still seeing trickle-down effects, where Northern Ireland in particular is somewhat of a question mark on U.K.’s map.
While not technically “Ireland”, as, say, Dublin or Cork is, Northern Ireland is recognized as one of the four constituent countries within the United Kingdom.
Going back even further, Belfast was not a welcoming tourist destination in decades past, but again, my how things change…
Belfast is looking forward, not backward, and taking advantage of a rare opportunity to forge its own path with new beginnings.
Politics aside, visitors with Belfast in their scope should feel completely safe here, unlike the city’s darker days where riots and violent hostility were commonplace.
But now Belfast is alive and well, and business is quite literally booming as entrepreneurs pour money back into the community.
Between some of Europe’s friendliest locals, a booming arts scene, underrated food, and buzzing nightlife, how bad could it be?
Old School Charm + Modern Flair = Europe’s Coolest New City
Travel and Leisure is one of the major publications recently hyping up Belfast’s ‘cool’ factor.
Many of us travel to Europe for timeless streets, but Belfast is a mix of old-school charm and modern flair.
The best of both worlds, really.
One of the most popular attractions is unmissable, shining bright like a neon diamond at night and fun to visit during the day, the Titanic Museum is an immersion into the famous sunken ship’s past form conception to its ultimate demise.
Walking through the city is an adventure on its own, as you never know what you’ll stumble upon.
Of course, every European city has to have delightful cobbled streets, right? Belfast is no different.
Whether or not Northern Ireland wants to embrace their inner ‘Ireland’, in typical Irish fashion, drinking and churches go hand in hand.
Go figure that the best bars in town are in the popular ‘Cathedral Quarter’.
This is the best place to absorb the city buzz: stroll through narrow cobbled alleyways, enjoy a fresh brew, and mingle with the locals.
Best of all, most people in Belfast speak English, although some have embraced their roots reverting back to speaking Irish.
Of course, this also applies to food. Don’t skip out on a pint of Guinness and a basket of fish and chips.
And for a city that has stood the test of time, there’s no better place than White’s Tavern, a centuries-old pub still beloved as a local favorite today.
A Surprising Solo Traveler Haven
Between Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast, Belfast finds itself in a love triangle this year.
Earlier this year, Conde Nast named Belfast as one of the best European destinations for solo travelers.
English-speaking, a fascinating culture, welcoming locals, and buzzing bars…what else needs to be said?
Oh, that’s right. It’s safe and far cheaper than its U.K./Irish counterparts.
London and Dublin are not for budget-savvy travelers, but Belfast offers top-rated hostels and affordable boutique hotels.
Not to mention, Northern Ireland, in general, is quite underrated for nature getaways from Glenariff Forest Park to Giant’s Causeway, one of the most Instagramable sites in the region.
There is a reason Game of Thrones chose Northern Ireland as film location after all.
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