Just one hour’s flight away from mainland Great Britain, Northern Ireland may feel familiar, yet it’s full of surprises.
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With zero special travel requirements, Northern Ireland is easily one of the most hassle-free — while also exciting — holiday destinations in the United Kingdom. Its capital was also named a UNESCO City of Music at the end of 2021, celebrating Belfast’s rich musical heritage and recognising the importance of music to its future. Tune in and discover the best secret spots in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry for your next short break or romantic getaway!
9 hidden gems in Belfast
1. Spend a night at The Merchant Hotel
Belfast’s most luxurious 5-star hotel has many enticing stories to tell. Housed in a former 1860 Italianate bank building close to Cathedral Quarter’s nightlife, this grand art deco-style hotel features sophisticated rooms with stunning Victorian interiors. Treat yourself to a couple of nights in a top-notch suite with a fireplace, a four-poster bed and panoramic views. It’ll be a memory to last a lifetime.
2. Don’t miss out on Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny
If you’re looking for a scenic walk from a wooded glen to a hilltop rath, make sure to add the Lisnabreeny path to your Belfast bucket list. This often-overlooked route hugs the sides of Cregagh Glen as it climbs along a tumbling stream to the summit of the Castlereagh Hills. As you walk through these enchanted woods, you’ll hear the waterfall rumbling nearby and be rewarded with the breathtaking views across Belfast Lough, Lagan Valley, Strangford Lough, and the Ards Peninsula. In spring, keep an eye out for bluebells and wood anemones as well.
3. Find out why the Botanic Gardens’ Palm House is white for part of the year
The Palm House at Belfast’s Botanic Gardens is among the oldest examples of a curvilinear cast-iron glasshouse. At the time of its construction, it was also one of the world’s most innovative greenhouses.
Because of the exotic plants’ peculiar needs, the unusual design of the Palm House has resulted in unexpected consequences. Visit Belfast Botanic Gardens to find out what scorching is and why local staff had to learn how to work with whitewash, scaffolding, telescopic lance sprayers, and pressure pumps.
The Palm House is free to visit and open 10:00-16:45 (April to September) or 10:00-15:45 (October to March).
4. Munch your way through the Cuban Sandwich Factory
This little gem is tucked away at the back of a local shop, so it often goes unnoticed. Meanwhile, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled. The Cuban Sandwich Factory at Queen’s Arcade specialises in delicious sandwiches you’ve got to try before you leave Belfast. The signature one features roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on a panini-style roll, but they have a lot more Cuban-inspired flavours.
5. Become a birdwatcher or palaeontologist at Colin Glen
Tucked away between Colin Hill and Black Colin Glen Forest Park, there’s a tranquil, wooded river glen on the western edge of the city. Colin Glen boasts 200 acres of scenic forest, open grassland, waterfalls, and wildflower meadows. Watch out for woodland birds like jays, spotted flycatchers, chiff-chaffs, and even buzzards.
The Colin River flows right past a fossil bed. Winter floods bring down lots of ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, and more bizarre fossils such as shark teeth or ichthyosaur vertebrae. There’s also a thrill-filled adventure park in the area.
6. Marvel at the Crown Liquor Saloon
This striking drinking establishment was originally known as the Railway Tavern when it first opened in 1826 as a stop along the newly constructed line between Belfast and Lisburn.
After a few ownership changes, the tavern got a complete makeover in 1885. Under the name “Gin Palace”, it has set the bar for pub-style ornate elegance for over a hundred years. That’s when the pub got its cosy carved-mahogany snugs, a bar counter with heated footrests, ingenious tile mosaics, stained glass features, and many other eye-catching decor details.
Come and see for yourself that The Crown hasn’t lost any of its impressive Victorian splendour.
7. Discover The Great Light
The Great Light, one of the largest lenses of its kind ever made, shines like a beacon over Belfast’s lough at night and changes its colours on notable days. In its centre is a hyper-radial Fresnel lighthouse lens, which was originally installed in the Tory Island Lighthouse in 1887.
This impressive optic is now free to visit and accessible all-year-round right from the breezy Maritime Mile walk. Head to the Great Light to explore the history of Irish lighthouses and learn the stories of their keepers.
8. Step into Narnia at C.S. Lewis Square
Located right beside the EastSide Visitor Centre, C.S. Lewis Square is a must-see for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia or anything else by Clive Staples Lewis. The fairy trail takes you through the life of this famous British writer from birth to death. Along the way, you’ll see sculptures of characters from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, including Mr Tumnus, Maugrim, the White Witch, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Stone Table, the Robin, and, above them all, Aslan the Lion.
9. Go treasure hunting at Keats and Chapman Bookshop
With over 30,000 secondhand volumes, prices starting at just £1, and new stock added every week, Keats & Chapman is the Aladdin’s cave of books. The bookshop is a bit tricky to find, but it’s near the Brennan’s Chippie place where Rihanna’s We Found Love music video was shot, so switching from spiritual to material food won’t be a problem.
5 hidden gems in Derry~Londonderry
1. Let the Hidden City Café melt your heart
Founded by Justyn McNicholl and his wife Bronagh, this warm, friendly and ethical independent licensed family eatery is tucked away within the historic Derry City Walls, near the famous Bishops Gate and neo-gothic St Columb’s Cathedral. The Hidden City Café supports quite a few of the many LegenDerry local producers and food artisans in the North West. Locals love this place for its delicious fair-trade organic coffee, teas, and wines along with a wholesome, creative menu offering GF, shellfish, chicken, vegan and vegetarian choices. Come check out all these goodies to the soundtrack of some stonkingly heart-warming music.
2. Indulge in one of the Benone Getaways glamping pods
Staying at Benone Getaways’ Luxury Glamping Pods is a proven way to relax and unwind without sacrificing all the home comforts. Each variant offers its own perks. The “Binevenagh Hideaway” one, for example, features a private hot tub, free private parking, and is located within 750 metres of Benone Beach. What a dream!
3. Experience horse-powered adventures at the City Of Derry Equestrian Centre
The City of Derry Equestrian Centre is conveniently located off the A6 and is just five miles from the historic city of Derry. Nestled in 30 acres of stunning countryside in the Faughan Valley at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, it’s a perfect place for many horse-powered activities, from pony rides to trail exploring.
4. Buy local souvenirs from the Cottage Craft Gallery
With its classic thatched roof and outdoor seating, the Cottage Craft Gallery and Coffee Shop expresses the very spirit of the Craft Village and invites you to explore more of the independent shops in this distinctive area. Come enjoy freshly baked goods, hot food (including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options), and browse a whole bunch of handmade, local crafts.
5. Admire the beauty of St. Augustine’s Church
The neo-gothic St. Augustine’s Church on the site of 6th-century St. Columba’s/Colmcille monastery is a key to Derry~Londonderry history. In 1164, the ancient church was surrounded by a cashel, and the new cathedral of Temple Mor was built outside the walls at what is now Long Tower Chapel. From then on, the tiny abbey on the site of St. Augustine’s Church was known as Dubh Regles (Black Church).
Historians say that in 1613, first settlers from England, Wales, and Scotland worshipped at the Church, then called the Church of God in the Cittie of Derry. Then the cannonball containing the terms for surrender during the Siege 1688/1689 fell in its graveyard. The present building, made of whinstone with sandstone dressings, dates back to 1872 and has that special majesty to it.
In Northern Ireland, you get the best of both worlds. You can be at a cosy pub listening to live music in the city centre and then hike the Cliff path at The Gobbins or ride the Kingsroad in less than an hour. Get your tickets now!
