Belfast Essentials

Belfast Essentials & Tourist Information

Tourist Attractions

History, unique culture and fun await visitors, with attractions such as St. George's Market, the Titanic Quarter and Giants Causeway, or the Belfast Zoo and the Botanical Gardens.

Opening Hours

Banking hours are from 9.30am - 4.30pm on weekdays, with some city centre branches open on Saturday mornings. Like most of mainland UK, normal shopping hours are from 9.30am until 5.30pm between Monday and Saturday, and Sundays will see almost all shops closed except for a few notable exceptions, such as the larger chain stores.

Tipping & Etiquette

Most restaurants will include a service charge on all bills, which varies from 10 - 15%, and no further tipping is required. A visit to a hair salon or a taxi ride should be rewarded for satisfactory service, and is entirely up to your own discretion. It is normal practice to tip one or two pounds for hotel or airport porterage.

Food & Drink

The standard and variety of food available in Belfast has improved dramatically in recent years, and the city rates highly as a short break destination for foodies. Every type of international cuisine can be sampled in the city's eclectic mix of restaurants, cafe bars and pubs. A visit should also include some tempting local cuisine such as glazed corned beef with spiced soda bread or a delicious herring and smoked salmon casserole.

Useful Numbers

• Police – 999
 • Ambulance – 999
 • Fire – 999

Disabled Access

As Belfast continues its rapid program of regeneration, so disabled access has improved almost beyond all recognition. All buses and trains can comfortably accommodate wheelchair users, and popular attractions such as Belfast Zoo provide full assistance to ensure a fulfilling day out. Pedestrianised shopping and charming riverside walks can be enjoyed without restriction.

Weather

Belfast experiences a temperate climate, and due to its proximity to the Atlantic, can be cloudier than England. The average summer temperature is 18C, with May and June being the sunniest months, and July being the hottest. The city does see significant rainfall, with 213 wet days each year. Winters are cold, with an average temperature of 6C in January, however snowfall is fairly limited.