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Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. It is the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills and the population of the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area is 483,000. A visitor to Belfast will be rewarded by a glimpse of a unique city that has begun to celebrate its place as a cultural meeting-point of Britain and Ireland. Belfast is growing with new hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and shops opening at an incredible rate. It is a city that is proud of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage, and efforts to restore historic buildings are proving successful. Belfast remains a great place to explore, as it is still relatively undiscovered compared with its neighbor in Dublin, and is ideal for those who enjoy a city with character and energy. A visit to the capital of Northern Ireland will provide a stimulating trip as, once you scratch the surface, it is easy to see beyond the ethno-political conflict of past years. It is a city which has changed dramatically in a decade due to this peace and prosperity, and you will be greeted with warmth from locals who feel a new-found sense of pride in their city. Indeed, the old cliche that you will be welcomed like an old friend by the patrons of Belfast's many pubs and bars is actually true, as the locals love to find out what draws you to their little part of the world and, of course, they like the chance to share a little bit of their history with you!
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