Later, its annexation to Great Britain and its colonization by Protestant migrants, faced with the Catholic natives, caused decades of fighting. Now, thanks to the ceasefire of 1997 and its new political autonomy, the violence has virtually disappeared. Although, every July 7 the hostility between Catholics and Protestants considerably increases during the celebration of the Battle of Boyne (XVII century) by the British. This day the Protestants organize busy street parties that infuriate Catholics, so the police must take security measures to avoid confrontations.

Although, people of Belfast, Catholic or Protestant, tolerate foreign tourists. But there are two things you have not to forget: avoid talking about politics and religion.

Belfast has many attractions such as the city hall, with a dome 53 meters high in Edwardian style, or the Ulster Bank, built in 1860. The Queens University and the Linenhall Library are typical monuments in Victorian style. The Waterfront Hall is a superb building with modern lines and, more recently, Victoria Square, a new shopping center in downtown Belfast opened in 2008, the largest in the country.

But, of course, the authentic "atmosphere" of Belfast is in typical Irish pubs, drinking a Guinness, eating "fish and chips" and enjoying live music.