What to Know Before You Visit Northern Ireland

What tourists should know before they visit Northern Ireland. From the best parts of nature like the coastal highway and Giant's Causeway to Belfast and Derry/Londonderry and so much more. Food in Northern Ireland, tourist information and more to help you on a Northern Ireland vacation.
filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland
copyright Mark Wolters 2023

[wintersnowowen]

As a Northern Irish person, my advice is:

1. Don’t discuss politics or religion, even if people raise it.
2. Refer to Northern Ireland as such. But be cognisant of the fact that some will refer to it as “the north”, “Ulster”, “the province” etc.
3. Be aware that we spend pounds, not euros. We accept Bank of England and Scottish notes. Some places will accept euros but we do not use euros as our currency.
4. Think of NI as a halfway house between GB and Ireland culturally.
5. Don’t listen to the media’s depiction of NI. We are not a war zone, nor are we constantly at loggerheads. It’s a peaceful society, with people getting on with their lives. So do not anticipate a negative time.
6. In terms of places to visit of course Belfast but also the north coast and north west. When visiting Belfast do more than taxi tours most of us didn’t live that lifestyle.

[tariqkhader]

Little tip: if you’re heading to England, Wales or Scotland after being in Northern Ireland, it’s best to go cashless whilst you’re here (I live in Belfast). A lot of places across the water will not accept anything but Bank of England notes, even though Scottish and Northern Irish notes are legal tender.

[shazzer]

Lovely to see your review of Northern Ireland. As someone who grew up here during the Troubles, I am thrilled that tourists want to visit this part of the world. Other places of interest might include the Ards Peninsula - maybe not as dramatic as the North Coast but still worth a visit. The Saint Patrick’s trail is worth a look. Portaferry - get the ferry to Strangford & go for some seafood. So much to see.

[laura_and_shanman]

Just visited Belfast and Giants Causeway and Dunlace Castle and was amazed at how beautiful the Coastal area was!! Great video!

[chazrooks]

My 8 yr old is watching your videos while making lists of places she wants to visit. Thank you for your insight and valuable information.

[jackmcm]

Born and living in NI my whole life, this is a great video on how to visit our wee country and be respectful too ! Especially the smaller details like Great Victoria station being the best, to making sure to get an Ulster fry or a chippy, I really enjoyed the video and would urge people to give Northern Ireland a visit sometime soon : ) (P.S I’d also recommend glenariff’s mountain trail for the views, it’s just off the causeway coastal route! )

[_TG]

Mark, you always do a fantastic job of presenting our little country - appreciate it!

[mickylogic]

As a Belfast native, I watched your videos before going to Canada and USA last summer and it is great surprise to see you enjoying yourself over here! Anyone getting an ulster fry make sure it has potato bread and soda bread. If anyone needs tips, especially for the best pints let me know!

[sandiandgregh]

My home away from home. Heading back in the autumn on visit 25 or 26. Yes, that's right. We LOVE it there. Great video!

[bigyin]

Love your review, I lived here all my life and you'll not find warmer friendlier people in the world.
I would say a visit to the Fermanagh lakes and the caves is a must. Enniskillen is a great base to enjoy exploring the surrounding area. And a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh is worthwhile to really see the shared heritage.

[Hipit]

Loved visiting Belfast and finally meeting all my Irish relatives living there. Really enjoyed discovering my Irish roots.

[YourLocalNirvanaFan]

As someone who is Northern Irish, I have no clue why I'm here hahahaha. You're completely right about the Causeway Costal route, I spent a lot of my childhood in that area, and I've never found anyway that could compare to its beauty

[RacHiBi]

Belfast..wonderful city..i've been there twice! Loveley place and friendly people 🎩 Cheers from Morocco 🇲🇦

[SW-nqbx]

I love your travel advice and videos! But it's equally fun to watch your boys grow up! Love your family!

[zaphod]

1:07 it's not part of Great Britain, Great Britain is just the big island consisting of England, Scotland and Wales, but NI is part of the UK.

[justanotherstoutdrinker]

Great video Wolter! As a Derryman I do have some advice.

I’d note that while Northern Ireland’s official currency is the Pound Sterling, in the border regions there are a lot of businesses that will accept Euros (the Republic of Ireland’s currency)

While George Best airport is one of our airports, it is not Northern Ireland’s main airport. Our main airport is Belfast International Airport, aka Aldergrove Airport, which is located about 20 miles to the west of the city near Antrim town. Aldergrove does a lot more flights and destinations than George Best airport. So keep that in mind.

Northern Ireland overall is safe, affordable and very friendly to tourists! I’d personally recommend visiting the north coast (along the Antrim coast towards Coleraine) and Derry city as well. The north coast has some of the most beautiful coastline in Western Europe (though I suppose I am a bit biased!)

I’d also recommend trying an Ulster fry and some of our whiskey; some of the true beauties of our country!

[sammni]

As a Northern Irish resident you are totally spot on with what you're saying in this video.

Agree with you on all what you say.

George Best airport would be a regional airport while Aldergrove would be more the international airport. (George Best airport VERY close to the city centre)

[tobiojo]

Hey Mark, this video has helped me prepare for my first trip to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the late summer or early fall of this year.

[fleabiter]

been there twice. first time in the late 80s, I felt quite intimidated, every shop and street seemed to have a flag indicating which side they were on. so when my wife booked a long weekend there for us a few years ago I was a bit nervous about it. didn't need to be, what a fantastic city it is, just like you say in this video. and I know you are going to do a separate video about the food, but yes, we found several small independent restaurants that were all excellent. love Belfast and I would go again.

[mainstreet]

Really comprehensive. Just a thought to visit Enniskillen (Fermanagh) and Donegal (bogland) which are beautiful.