Music and Belfast have long been inextricably linked to each other, but it is less known that the Northern Irish capital also distinguishes itself in many other ways. With Belfast's recent entry into the top 20 most sustainable destinations in the world, Killeavy Castle Estate's hospitality and gastronomy award and UNESCO musical nomination, Belfast's versatility has come into the limelight. Moreover, it is the ideal base for a mix of countryside and city life. For example, visit the Giant's Causeway, the impressive rocky outcrops along the north coast above the Northern Irish capital, as well as enjoy the huge choice of sustainable hotels, acres of beautiful parks and an array of gastronomic delights and genuine hospitality in the city. It's easy to immerse yourself in Belfast, one of the most sustainable cities in the world, the new hotspot of 2022 as far as we're concerned.
Belfast is the first city on the island of Ireland to receive City of Music status, celebrating its rich musical heritage and recognizing its outstanding contribution to music. Several homegrown musicians were involved, including singer and guitarist Gary Lightbody of the band Snow Patrol and Emmy-nominated composer Hannah Peel. As a holder of the title and part of UNESCO's City of Music program and the wider Creative Cities Network, Belfast will host a series of major music events in the coming years.
A must to experience Belfast as a music city is the Belfast Traditional Music Trail, which starts in the bar The Dirty Onion in the bustling Cathedral Quarter. But don't forget to visit the diversity of live music venues.
The city of Belfast is in the official list of the Top 20 sustainable destinations in the world. This list is compiled annually by the Global Destination Sustainibility Index (GDS-Index) and with 70.7% Belfast has entered the top 20 this year. One of the largest, 'green' partnerships is a new collaboration with global sustainability expert Green Tourism, which assesses best-practice sustainability standards and issues them to the business community.
Experience Belfast sustainably for yourself:Explore the city at a leisurely pace on foot, from Titanic Belfast to a self-guided Game of Thrones walking tour, or visit the famous St George's Market, or one of the many museums or art galleries. In addition, there are also plenty of beautiful natural landscapes to discover in the vicinity – from the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the tranquil Lagan Towpath to a climb up Cave Hill, one of the easily accessible hills and mountains surrounding the city.
Killeavy Castle Estate is less than an hour's drive from Belfast. Opened in 2019, this rural retreat in Northern Ireland has won the Luxury Castle Hotel (Europe) Award 2021. The estate is set at the foot of Slieve Gullion mountain in County Armagh and the centerpiece is the impressively renovated Killeavy Castle – a listed 19th-century jewel restored to its former glory. This is a unique foodie experience with tasty tastings and farm-to-table dining experiences. And combines well with nature experiences due to the peaceful location – from forest baths to country estate walks and distillery tours to guided hikes to the top of the mystical mountains of Gullion.
From the outset, the 45-room, sustainability-centric boutique hotel has been built with eco credentials with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral. Several new green initiatives have already been launched, including the development of a walled estate garden and a farm shop.
Northern Ireland applies a system that divides countries into three categories (green, red and orange) and the measures taken depend on the country of origin or transit of visitors. More information can be found on the Government of Northern Ireland website. We recommend that you regularly check the Irish Government website for the latest information.
