Car Hire Belfast City Airport

A quick guide to Belfast

You’ll quickly fall in love with the charm and beauty of Northern Ireland. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a city break to enjoy every sight of Belfast or you simply want to spend days driving through the landscapes of this beautiful country, Northern Ireland has a way of making you feel at home.

Belfast’s bounty

There is so much to see in the city of Belfast, but one of the biggest attractions is simply the atmosphere. It has a friendly energy unique to the city and one of the places you can feel it most is at St George’s Market. It’s the last Victorian market in Belfast and renowned as one of the best in Europe.

Step inside the hall and you’ll be swept away by the atmosphere, with jovial market holders selling an eclectic mix of handmade gifts and other wares. You’ll also find incredibly authentic street food that you can enjoy whilst listening to the music that flows through the market.

Another star on the landscape of the city is Belfast Castle. It was built during the Norman era and has since been handed down through many families throughout many eras. Their differing influence can be seen on the décor and architecture within the castle. The castle also offers amazing views of the city and the grounds are home to many species of wildlife that you might just catch a glimpse of during your trip.

Beyond Belfast

Many charming towns are within easy reach of Belfast City Airport. Just under 30 km away on the M1 lies Hillsborough, a beautiful village that gives you a real sense of life in Northern Ireland. One of the biggest draws to the area is Hillsborough Castle, an imposing structure set in beautiful grounds. It’s actually a country house rather than a castle and is not only a government building but also the residence for the British royal family when they’re in Northern Ireland.

Drive just over an hour away along the M2 for Coleraine, a picturesque town that offers colourful architecture and amazing views, as well as beautiful sandy beaches set against dramatic cliff faces. Downhill Beach is a must-visit location when in the area, as not only does it offer the attractions of the sand and sea, but it’s also home to Mussenden Temple, a former library with an interesting story to tell of ecclesiastical scandal

Down to Dublin

Roughly 180km away from George Best Belfast City Airport is Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Like Belfast, Dublin bursts with energy night and day, and tourists from around the world flock to experience life in the lively city.

Guinness Storehouse is one of the biggest draws to the city and is a fascinating interactive museum where you can enjoy hearing the story of the brewing process in detail before heading to the rooftop bar to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Park up for the night if you’re planning to sample a drop.

With car rental at Belfast City Airport the whole of the Emerald Isle is yours to explore, from beautiful Belfast to the pretty coastline and even south of the border.

Driving in and around Belfast

Located just a few miles outside of the city centre, George Best Belfast City Airport – named after the legendary footballer who was a son of the city – is relatively easy and common sense to navigate.  Well connected with major roads and destinations clearly signposted, you can quickly be on your way to make the most of your visit.

For the city centre – and most other destinations – you’ll pick up the A2 Sydenham by-pass on exiting the airport. As far as UK cities go, Belfast is relatively compact. Traffic generally flows freely except at peak times - avoid travel during the weekday morning and afternoon rush hours for the quickest path through the city.

When you leave the city and set out to explore the country roads across Northern Ireland you’ll be treated to wide open roads and lush, rural landscapes. Roads weave through rolling fields and charming towns that make wonderful pitstops.

Just over 15km away from the airport is Bangor, a glorious seaside resort that offers many star attractions including Helen’s Tower, a beautiful structure that can be found in the Clandeboye Estate.

Alternatively, head north on the M2 to Portrush and visit another wonderful coastal town in Northern Ireland. Portrush is home to Dunluce Castle, an imposing castle set in dramatic surroundings that will feel a world away from the vibrant and bustling city of Belfast.

For more detail on the rules of driving around Northern Ireland, including Belfast, check out the Highway Code.