Flights from Wellington to Belfast

Need to know

Buzzing and industrious, Belfast is the cosmopolitan heart of Northern Ireland. Rising from the ashes of ‘the Troubles’ of the early nineties and benefitting from financial investment after the ceasefire, Belfast is now a cultural hub brimming with ornate architecture and intrigue.

Ireland’s rich history is showcased best in its museums and art galleries. The birthplace of the Titanic, visit the Titanic Belfast in the city’s Titanic Quarter to explore the story of the great ship in an immersive, interactive experience. Heading into the city, the beautiful renaissance-style City Hall is located in the heart of Belfast and is filled with portraits dating back to the 1800’s. The Titanic Memorial Gardens, located within City Hall’s grounds are a great spot for a picnic or a quick, relaxing break from sightseeing. The Ulster Museum is roughly a 20 minute stroll from here, filled with great artefacts from Ireland’s past, as well as some European relics dating back to the Iron Age. Those interested in the social struggles and history of the Troubles should visit the walls along Falls Road and Shankill Road. Now covered in colourful, political street art with religious overtones, the peace gates once separated the surrounding Catholic and Protestant communities.

There plenty of eclectic shopping areas in Belfast, including St. George’s Market, a lively, weekend flea market specialising in crafts and vintage wares. The market has been open since 1604 and is a popular place to shop, eat and see live music. Belfast is also well known for its nightlife and traditional pubs. Head to the Crown Liquor Saloon to get a snapshot of the Victorian Belfast drinking culture. Built in 1885, the pub still pours local beer and is protected by the National Trust. For an evening of theatre take a trip to the Grand Opera House to enjoy a live performance and to marvel at the sumptuous decor dating back to 1895.

Getting around

Belfast is a relatively small city so it’s easy to get around the city centre on foot. Many landmarks are in close proximity, so those staying in the city might not need to use public transport. The Metro buses are a cheap and reliable way to get around the city if you want to head a little further afield. Bikes are also available for hire in the city, with over 30 docking stations across Belfast city centre. 

The Irish climate is mainly mild with cold winters and many rainy days throughout the year. On average, it rains for over 200 days of the year in Belfast. The best time to visit Belfast is during the summer months from June to August. Although this is peak time for tourism and hotel rates are higher, the summer temperatures and clearer skies make is easier to enjoy beauty to the city. 

Belfast International Airport

Located around 30 kilometres northwest of Belfast’s city centre, Belfast International Airport is the main international airport in Northern Ireland. The airport was formerly known as Aldergrove Airport and many locals still call it by this name. Flights travel to Belfast International Airport from a number of destinations, including Amsterdam, London, Barcelona and Berlin. There are no direct flights available from Australia.