1. The Grand Opera House

Beautiful on the outside and inside, this building is right in the heart of the city centre and is a must-visit for everyone. It has you covered for architecture, theatre and history! Go inside to check out photos and read about the stars that have performed on its stage, or go along to one of their Saturday tours to hear about it from an insider’s point of view. For all my fellow fans of theatre, you can sign up to their free Under 26 Membership to get access to cheap last-minute tickets to shows.

^{Check out the latest shows at the Grand Opera House}

2. Bootleggers

A favourite among my American friends, this bar is a great place to grab some food. It’s right beside Victoria Square so call in when you’ve been shopping or before heading out. The lively atmosphere and good food always make Bootleggers a great place to go with a group of friends to catch up. I’ve never left without a smile on my face and I know you won’t either! P.S. the tacos come personally recommended.

^{Feast on tacos at Bootleggers!}

3. Inch Abbey

Okay, so technically this isn’t in Belfast, but I figure if you’ve travelled to a new country for university you won’t be opposed to a short time on a bus. Not only will these beautiful ruins look amazing on your Instagram feed, but you’ll also get to walk around and read the plaques detailing the history of the Abbey from before the invasion of the Vikings until the modern day. Did I mention Game of Thrones was filmed there too? Plus, you’re almost guaranteed to see people walking their dogs, which is an added bonus if you’re an animal lover like me.

^{Inch Abbey is a popular Game of Thrones filming location}

4. Keats & Chapman

This second-hand bookstore on North Street is like a cave of wonders if you’re a bookworm. While it may seem tiny from the outside I promise once you’re in there it seems like it’ll never end. I’m pretty sure you can find anything here if you search long enough. With prices starting at £1, you won’t be making too big a dent in your student loan when stocking up. You’ll also be supporting one of the last independent bookstores in the city if you do decide to call in.

5. Artisan Markets

These travel around a lot and will be in most of their usual spots at least once a month. The Saintfield spot isn’t too far by bus and when you get there you’ll be surrounded by food, gifts and art from local sellers. The fresh air and music make it a nice way to spend a Saturday and is especially good if you want to do something other than a typical night out or coffee with friends. Themed markets take place during the holidays, which is perfect if you’re missing your celebrations at home.

^{St George's Market is another popular spot at the weekend}

6. Lagan Meadows

If you’re a big fan of the outdoors, then this is for you. Northern Ireland is full of beautiful nature spots and this proves you don’t have to travel outside of the city to find them. Perfect for a walk to get you into the fresh air instead of spending all of your time in the McClay, you can get there by taking an 8A/B/C bus and when you do you’ll see why it’s on this list. The greenery and water make your stress melt away. My only word of warning is to check the time it closes before you head out, the further into winter the earlier it’ll close.

^{Picturesque walks along the Lagan}

If you visit all of these places or none of them, I hope you have a great time and I’m sure you’ll realise our small corner of the world has a lot to offer!

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Life In Belfast

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Niamh O'Neill History | Postgraduate Student | Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Hi, I’m Niamh, a 22 year old student from Downpatrick, a town a little south-east of Belfast.  I’m doing my Master’s in History and really enjoying it so far! I have a passion for stories of all kinds which is why I love my course and also why I’m so talkative if you meet me in person. I’m a member of a few different societies, but the main one you’ll find me at is QUB K-Pop Soc where I’ve been a member for 3 years now. I hope my blogs give people a new insight into Belfast and Queen’s because I know it has a lot to offer. Please come say hi if you see me about campus!