Belfast Holiday

Small but perfectly formed, Belfast is an alluring mix of lilting Northern Irish accents, nostalgia and good-time eateries and pubs.

Easy to get to, an hour and 40 minutes should take you from any UK airport to the city centre leaving you plenty of time for a long bath in a trendy city hotel and perhaps some oysters and champagne in a cool bar.

The general rule for a fabulous time in Northern Ireland's capital city is to stay as central as possible. There is a glut of recently-opened ultra-chic hotels which should encourage you not to stray to the outskirts of the city. It's a small place so you may as well be at the centre of the action!

Historically an industrial hub, there is plenty of opportunity to experience Belfast's days gone by. Like Glasgow, Belfast's shipbuilding industry boomed in the late nineteenth century and in 1862 the Harland and Wolff shipyard was founded. The city's River Lagan port also helped make Belfast an industrial centre as did the city's rope-making and linen industries which flourished during the same period.

Belfast is steeped in history so learning more about its past doesn't necessarily mean trawling round dozens of museums – although the option is there if you're a seasoned museum buff.

There are around 40 'landmark' buildings in the city which tell the story of Belfast's life. To kick off your architectural tour, pay a visit to the Crown Liquor Saloon just off Donegal Square. It is an amazing example of opulent Victoriana where you can cosy into a wooden snug for a lunch of oysters and champagne washed down by a pint of local stout.

Donegal Square, home to Belfast City Council, is a magnificent Edwardian creation built to mark Belfast's city status in 1888. The dome is 53 metres high and the gardens are spectacular.

Mercilessly bombed but not destroyed, the Grand Opera house on Belfast's 'Golden Mile' was created by Frank Matcham, one of the greatest architects of his time. Restored in 1980 after being left to decay for years, it has been bombed twice since but its resilience is a tribute to the country and its people.

Once you've hoofed around the city's winding streets, it's time to sample some of Belfast's gastronomic delights. Not previously well-renowned for its restaurants, a huge effort has been made in recent years to boost Belfast's culinary status.

Restaurant Michael Deane is Belfast's only Michelin-starred eaterie and fuses Irish and British cuisine to create a unique but comforting blend of excellent food. The restaurant is a prime example of the investment and passion that has gone into Belfast's eating places in recent years.

If you are only in Belfast for the weekend, missing out on its vibrant nightlife would be a grave mistake. Belfast's inhabitants are good time people and this is reflected in their vast array of traditional pubs, stylish bars and cool clubs. Irene and Nans on Brunswick Street is one of the city's newest bars. It fuses millennium chic with 1950s glamour and is a prime example of Belfast's ability to mix different styles, attitudes and eras.

As a city, Belfast may be small but it is bursting with good times, great people and enough pubs, eating places and bars to satisfy you throughout your stay. Who said you need to go to Europe for a plush city break?