Belfast

Belfast is a compact, walkable city built around the River Lagan, with the imposing yellow cranes of the old Harland and Wolff shipyard visible from most of the waterfront. The Titanic Belfast museum, shaped like four ship bows, covers the construction and sinking of the RMS Titanic in nine galleries. It sits on the actual slipway where the ship was built. The cruise terminal is nearby, and taxis or the Glider bus get you to the city centre in ten minutes. The Cathedral Quarter has the best pubs and live music, and the political murals in the Falls and Shankill Roads are worth visiting with a local guide who can explain the context. St. George's Market, open Friday through Sunday, sells local produce, seafood, and crafts. The Crown Liquor Saloon, a Victorian pub owned by the National Trust, is a good first stop. Belfast is affordable compared to most UK cities, and the people are famously talkative.