Northern Ireland: country of thrones

1. Take a Belfast city tour

With witty commentary and great views, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour is one of the best ways to get a feel for the Northern Irish capital. Not only will you see breathtaking architecture (even the City Hall is palatial, with its baroque revival façade and copper-coated domes) and the renowned Queen’s University, but also the giant H&W cranes, Titanic’s birthplace, Cathedral Quarter and Queen’s Quarter, the dark Crumlin Road Gaol and world-famous murals on the Falls and Shankill roads (visit-belfast.com).

2. Go on the Game of Thrones trail

Its rugged coastline, historic castles and incredible scenery made Northern Ireland the ideal setting for the hit fantasy epic Game of Thrones, which has been a massive hit in the UAE. Filming of seasons one to four of the series took place in the Titanic Studios in Belfast, but locations all over Northern Ireland include the Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow baby; Ballintoy Harbour, which doubles up as Pyke and the Iron Islands; Tollymore Forest Park in County Down, setting for the Haunted Forest; and Downhill Strand as Dragonstone, where the Seven Idols of Westeros were burned.

At Castle Ward, the setting for Winterfell, you can even dress up in costume and take part in an archery contest at the very place where Bran was taught by Jon Snow.

3. Visit the Titanic Belfast museum

Belfast is where the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic was actually built, and Titanic Belfast is arguably one of the best museums in the world, with an array of interactive displays, a dark ride taking visitors through the construction of the ship, replicas of the cabins, computer graphics giving an insider’s view of what it was like on board, as well as an incredibly moving minute-by-minute account of the final hours after it struck the iceberg on April 15, 1912.

There’s also an extraordinary exhibit showing high-definition footage from the shipwreck. Simply unmissable (titanicbelfast.com). In the Titanic Quarter you can also see the SS Nomadic, the last surviving White Star Line ship, built as a tender to RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic.

4. Explore a castle (or two)

If it’s myths and legends you’re interested in, Northern Ireland has more than its fair share; it also has beautifully preserved castles and stately homes. Particularly worth visiting are the irresistibly romantic Dunluce Castle, which dates back to the 14th or 15th century and has an outstanding location on a rocky outcrop with breathtaking sea views (visit at sunset, when it’s at its most jaw-droppingly beautiful); Carrickfergus Castle, built in the mid 1170s as a visible demonstration of the mighty power of the Normans; and Glenarm Castle, which was completed in 1756, and is in a tranquil village next to a river.

5. Discover the Antrim Coast

The Antrim Coast is considered one of the greatest tourist routes in the world, with highlights such as the Mourne Mountains and the Glens of Antrim. It’s a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and boasts unspoiled golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, steep coastal valleys, hills, picturesque harbours and villages.

For thrill-seekers, a walk along the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a 30m-high bridge suspended over a 20m-wide chasm should give enough of an adrenalin-rush; you’ll be rewarded with astonishing vistas and seabird-watching during nesting season. Other highlights include Glenariff Forest Park in Ballymena, known as ‘the Queen of the Glens’, which has a unique waterfall walkway; and the Hezlett House in Coleraine – this thatched cottage dates back to 1690, making it one of the oldest homes in Northern Ireland, and it’s an intriguing glimpse into the past. Golf fans will enjoy seeing the world-famous golf courses like Royal Portrush, Portstewart, and Lough Erne, designed by Nick Faldo.

6. See the Giant’s Causeway

Local legend has it that the Giant’s Causeway was carved by the giant Finn McCool – and if you look closely at various rocks you can even see his ‘boot’ and ‘wishing chair’; but science tells us that the Unesco World Heritage Site, with its polygonal columns of layered basalt, is actually the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, which makes it an absolute must-see for anyone interested in geology and of course children who may be learning about it at school.

Also well worth a visit is the state-of-the-art Visitor Centre. Designed by award-winning architects Heneghan-Peng, it has walls of glass, basalt columns and a grass roof that gives you a 360-degree of the Causeway coastline, as well as interactive spaces. If you’re feeling energetic you can take a walk along the cliffs, but negotiating the Causeway itself can be a bit of a challenge, so wear trainers or walking shoes.

The weather is always unpredictable in Northern Ireland – wear a waterproof so you can take full advantage of the staggering scenery, and try to visit either very early in the morning or at the end of the day, when your views (and selfies) won’t be spoiled by the crowds, and the light is at its glorious rose-tinted best.

7. Shop

Belfast offers some superb shopping. At Victoria Square you’ll find brands including Apple, LK Bennett, House of Fraser and Urban Outfitters, as well as a food court offering something to suit every taste, while in the Outlet Village, just 25 minutes south of the city, you’ll find designer brands including Jaeger, DKNY Jeans, Calvin Klein and Timberland, with discounts of between 30 per cent to 70 per cent.

Meanwhile Austins department store in Derry – older than Harrods or Macy’s – stocks Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana. Take an extra suitcase.

8. Visit St George’s Market

Built between 1890 and 1896, this is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions, a gorgeous Victorian building with stalls selling everything from fresh meat and fish to antiques and fresh fruit. It’s widely acknowledged as one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. On a Saturday and Sunday there are crafts and antiques on offer and speciality foods from around the world, as well as live music; relax with a coffee and enjoy the atmosphere and people-watching.

9. Listen to music

No visit to Northern Ireland, the place that gave the world legends including Van Morrison and flautist James Galway, would be complete without listening to some live music, and Belfast in particular is very lively at night. Try the Empire Music Hall or the John Hewitt on Donegal Street.

10. Eat

Traditional Northern Irish cuisine is absolutely delicious, and is heavily dominated by hearty comfort food, including champ, a mix of mashed potatoes and spring onions, and vegetable rolls – slices of peppery minced beef flavoured with fresh leek, carrot and onion. It would be almost rude to leave without at least attempting to devour an Ulster Fry – a full breakfast featuring the very popular and moreish griddle breads (soda bread and potato farls, fried or grilled until crisp and golden).

Another favourite is porridge, made with rolled oats, milk or water and a pinch of salt or sugar, and topped with cream and brown sugar if preferred. And of course Irish stew – with meat, potatoes, carrots and onions, and served with doorstep-sized slices of buttered bread – is always popular.

You’ll find fresh seafood everywhere, too, even oysters. But there are some excellent and very trendy restaurants to try, particularly in Belfast, all offering world-class quality at very reasonable prices. Among these is Shu (shu-restaurant.com) on the hip Lisburn Road, where specialties include slow-cooked shoulder of lamb with aubergine caviar; and Deanes, run by Michelin-starred chef Michael Deane. Popular dishes include Himalayan salt-aged Delmonico rib steak. Deanes also operates six other eateries in the city (michaeldeane.co.uk).