Belfast
Renting a car in Belfast is the most independent way to enjoy all that Northern Ireland has to offer. From day trips to motoring around the city, travelers who rent a car in Belfast will be able to discover all the sights and cultural attractions Belfast has to offer.
Some orientation will be needed for those who do hire an auto. The A55 Motorway circles the lower 2/3 of the city, connecting with the A2 which leads east to Bangor, and the A52, leading west to Ballysillan. The M1 Motorway is the main way to exit the city to the south for places such as Dunmurry, Ballyskeagh, and Lisburn. The M2 runs north out of Belfast, along the Belfast Lough to Whiteabbey and Newtonabbey. Driving in Belfast, visitors should take care as many streets are one way, and others have been converted to pedestrian only. Also to note, it is quite common for Irish drivers to speed up, rather than slow down, when a light turns yellow. It is wise to adopt local driving customs here to avoid causing a mishap.
Belfast has turned the corner and, like much of Ireland, is in the process of getting a facelift. Times are changing in the capital of Northern Ireland, and the future has never been brighter. Even with all of the contemporary changes underway, Belfast still retains its old Victorian and Edwardian charm, and boasts numerous historical sights, gardens, museums, and buildings to keep any visitor occupied.
Visitors to Belfast will certainly want to see the Botanic Gardens in the Palm House, a beautiful structure of glass and iron built in the 1830s. Located at Botanic Avenue and Stranmillis Road, the gardens have on-site parking available to guests.
Music aficionados will enjoy taking in a show at the Grand Opera House. If not so musically inclined, the theatre is a majestic attraction in its own right, featuring Victorian architecture, and plenty of history. During WWII, the theatre hosted performances for General Eisenhower and Field Marshall Montgomery.
After a long day of seeing the sights and visiting all the cultural institutions that Belfast has to offer, stopping in at the Crown Liquor Saloon is a great way to top off the day. Having a drink is as Irish a ritual as you will find, and that’s one reason that many people say that the Crown Bar is the most important landmark in all of Belfast. Street parking is available, as are car parks that are available in the vicinity.
Renting a car in Belfast is a convenient and easy way to see all of the sights that the city has to offer. Having a car also provides visitors with the opportunity to take some day trips to some of the beautiful parks, villages, and historical places that are outside of the city.