Big 7 Travel has named Northern Ireland’s capital one of the 10 best places in the world to visit over the next decade, while the Wild Atlantic Way ranked in the top 20.
The city of Belfast was recently named in a compilation of the 50 best places in the world to visit across the next decade by the travel website Big 7 Travel.
The Northern Irish city ranked just ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, which includes UNESCO World Heritage Site Skellig Michael, the largest karst landscape in the world.
We’re proud to see not one but two Emerald Isle destinations on this list—though we’re not all that surprised!
The list represents the opinions of 1.5 million contributors
Big 7’s editorial team, in combination with its 1.5 million contributors, aims to prove what the greatest places are in the world for travellers looking to explore in the 2020s.
“When it comes to the Roaring Twenties, we see it as the opportunity to broaden your travel horizons and visit places you’ve always dreamed of,” explained Big 7.
“Whether you want to chill out on remote islands, discover disappearing rainforests or visit emerging cities (or, indeed, eternally exciting ones), our 2020’s travel bucket list has the best places to visit across the world.”
Belfast came in at an impressive number 7 on the list of 50
Belfast was ranked at number 7 on the list, out of 50 worldwide destinations, beating out Paris, New York, Venice, and many other tourist hotspots to the top 10.
The capital city was ranked as one of the best places in the world to visit for its “historic sights, super-chatty locals, legendary pubs and a thriving restaurant scene”.
The city’s cultural importance was highlighted as a factor in its high ranking
Big 7 Travel spoke highly of Belfast’s cultural scene, particularly its Titanic Belfast museum, which was praised for its excellent interactive and experiential exhibits.
Belfast was also commended for being in such close proximity to gorgeous coastal landscapes such as the Giant’s Causeway, and for possessing many iconic filming locations for shows such as Game of Thrones and the Star Wars films.
“The city might be small but it is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting destinations. In fact, the next 10 years will see the city really come into its own.”
Belfast ranked just ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way also made the cut, coming in 20th place ahead of Machu Picchu and Beijing.
The coastal route allows visitors to take in the most beautiful of landscape views, from UNESCO World Heritage site Skellig Michael and The Burren to the traditional Irish towns of the west.
The scenic path twists around the Inishowen Peninsula in the north of Ireland and extends down to the spectacular town of Kinsale in County Cork.
The last 10 years have seen an enormous explosion in tourism for the Emerald Isle, and it seems now that the next 10 seem full of just as much promise.
