A city once plagued by conflict, this historic Irish city is becoming a vibrant hub of culture, tourism, and progression.
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting European city break that won’t have you battling the crowds of tourists, we might have just the place for you.
Renowned international travel publication Condé Nast Traveller has ranked one ‘underrated’ Irish city among Europe’s coolest spots.
With history and culture in abundance, a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, and friendly local hospitality, this Irish city needs to be on your 2024 bucket list.
Transforming into a vibrant modern city – leaving the past behind
Believe it or not, Belfast is the ‘underrated’ Irish city that has been named as one of Europe’s coolest spots by experts at Condé Nast Traveller.
Revealing the fabric of the city, they wrote, “Belfast: city of riveters, inventors, linen mill girls, boxers, pamphleteers, revolutionaries, Lambeg drummers, uilleann pipers, mission hall preachers, and moustachioed burghers with fob watches.
“Now you are more likely to find cocktail creators, urban farmers, NGO officials, tech specialists, muralists, political tour guides, ravers, and Irish-language teachers.”
‘Underrated’ Irish city – an up-and-coming tourist destination
With so much to offer and prices that sit below neighbouring capitals Dublin and London, Belfast is becoming an attractive option for those looking for an enlightening and entertaining city break.
Giving a bit of history, Condé Nast writers reveal how “Belfast boomed spectacularly in the 19th century”. This was thanks to industries such as linen, printing, shipbuilding, and distilling.
Author Holly Farrier reveals that she has visited the capital of Northern Ireland several times. First in 1982, at which time, she describes the city as a “monochrome scene”.
She writes of that time: “The centre was caged and checkpointed. Shops were bombsites, and pods of soldiers moved along the Falls Road with rifles.”
Returning to a changed city – one of Europe’s coolest spots
Things have changed significantly in the city – and across Northern Ireland – since 1982, as residents will know.
Farrier writes of her return to Belfast in 2022, “I’ve been to Belfast many times, but always fleetingly. I came back for the [Good Friday] Agreement’s 25th anniversary.”
She reveals, “It surprised me. Many presuppositions were upended. I hadn’t expected the abundance of music, the sumptuousness and originality of the hotels, the cross-community meetings of minds.”
Farrier compares the relaxed vibrancy of the Cathedral Quarter to London’s Shoreditch, Edinburgh’s West End, and Dublin’s Temple Bar. She writes, “Metre by metre, the city is reclaiming itself from dereliction.”
So, if you’re wondering where to book your next flight, why not check out Belfast? After all, it’s the perfect time to visit this underrated Irish city. Nothing better than checking out one of Europe’s coolest spots before everyone catches on!
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Publish date : 2024-07-01 05:57:52
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