Northern Ireland Travelers Recommend

From the unabashed grandeur of King’s Landing to the icy wilderness North of the Wall, the fantasy landscapes of HBO’s hit drama Game of Thrones have been as captivating as its multifarious storylines. Thankfully, it’s not all CGI – dragons and witchcraft aside, most of the Game of Thrones sets are based around real-life locations, shining the spotlight on destinations like Croatia, Iceland and Northern Ireland. As the principal filming base for the last two seasons, Belfast is a popular spot for fans looking to discover the locations seen on screen and Northern Ireland’s tourist board has embraced Game of Thrones tourism wholeheartedly, encouraging GoT tours and even showcasing temporary exhibitions of props and costumes in the capital.

To some, Belfast still lingers in the minds as a destination to avoid, rife with images of militants toting rifles and touting tube bombs. But the days of the IRA and what they call the Troubles are long behind them. Upon securing your arrival and departure transfers, get settled into your new surroundings and get ready to explore the city. Consider starting the day walking around Belfast’s old-town streets, and soaking in some of the local architecture and culture. Be sure to appreciate the skyline, because at the rate this city is renovating, the next time you visit, it will undoubtedly have changed. One of the best time-honoured traditions of travel is to eat and drink your way through the town. If this is your idea of travel, then you’re in luck, because Belfast offers both in extravagance.