Car Hire Belfast City Airport

From the airport, it’s only around five miles (eight kilometres) into the centre of Belfast via the A2.

In central Belfast, the core streets north of City Hall are pedestrianised, where the high street shops and restaurants are clustered. On the surrounding roads, the maximum speed is 20mph (32km/h), although elsewhere in the city it’s usually 30mph (48km/h).

On dual carriageways and motorways, the standard speed limit is generally 70mph (112km/h), but always check signs in case of any changes.

There are a surprising number of free car parks and zones in Belfast, with more than 1500 spaces in total, which makes a refreshing change from other capital cities. Even in metered spaces and paid car parks, the charges are usually reasonable, starting from as little as 60p per hour.  You can find more information on the Belfast City Council website.

Outside of Belfast, you can embark upon the famously beautiful Causeway Coastal Route. Head north for a front row seat to the swirling waves and jagged cliffs of the coastline.

Within just a few hours, you can be standing at the Giant’s Causeway.

Within a couple of hours’ drive to the west meanwhile you can reach the city of Derry, while in the opposite direction, the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough are half an hour away along the A20.

Protected by the National Trust, the castles, beaches and quiet fishing villages offer a peaceful retreat from the high-energy of Belfast.

Belfast is a great city to explore, with an eclectic mix of things to see and do. Here’s our guide to some of the highlights.

Titanic memories

The ill-fated ‘unsinkable’ Titanic is part of the make-up of Belfast – entwined in local history, and the inspiration for the rejuvenated Titanic Quarter area of the city.

Titanic Belfast is infinitely deserving of a visit, having been named the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2016, beating Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal to the top spot.

See original black and white videos of the vessel, stand on the glass floor over the looming shipwreck, and walk through recreations of the most luxurious cabins.

Behind the museum, step on board the restored SS Nomadic, the ‘mini Titanic’ which ferried luxury passengers out to the boat in 1912. Explore the old docklands, book into the Victorian grandeur of the Titanic Hotel, inspired by images and designs of the ship, and enjoy one of the outdoor summer performances at the nearby Titanic Slipways.

There’s another beautiful tribute to be found in the grounds of the magnificent City Hall, instantly recognisable by its five copper-topped domes. The Titanic Memorial Garden blooms around a stone monument, engraved with the names of the 1512 passengers who perished.

Creative endeavour

The capital of Northern Ireland is brimming with creative pockets, vibrant corners and independent spirit.

St George’s Market is a much-loved institution in the city, a grand Victorian building which celebrates the organic and locally produced, along with the hand-crafted.

West of the river, the Cathedral Quarter is quickly emerging as the artsy neighbourhood, revitalising the old, abandoned warehouses with independent restaurants and boutique hotels. In May, the Festival of Fools takes over, with circus performers leaping, tumbling and spinning through the cobbled streets, while in the summer, Belfast Pride paints the old industrial walls with rainbows.

The importance of creative expression is deep-rooted in the city’s history. Perhaps the most famous manifestation is the Peace Wall on Cupar Way, an inter-community divide constructed in the 1960s and 70s. Today, large stretches are decorated with murals and messages – some sad, some angry, some lamenting, and many extremely thought-provoking.

The Causeway coast

Belfast and Derry are the urban bookends of the Causeway Coast, a jagged stretch of bracing clifftops, foaming waves and larger-than-life formation.

Follow the A2 northbound out of the city to join the official route, passing by 22 stops ranging from temples to rope bridges swaying in the ocean breeze.

Enshrouded in local legend, the Giant’s Causeway is the most famous stop of all, around two and a half hours’ drive away if you take the scenic road. Glistening, black basalt columns emerge out of the sea – the accidentally beautiful remnants of a volcanic eruption.

Whether you’re travelling to Northern Ireland on business or for leisure, embrace the wonders of a great city and the picturesque region beyond with car hire at Belfast City Airport.