Bangor

Travel Guide

Bangor
Bangor
Photo by Michael Mulholland
Photo by Christopher Mitchell
The Victorian seaside town of Bangor could be called Belfast-by-the-sea: it’s just 13 miles fromthe centre of the city, to the south of the Belfast Lough, and verywell-connected by commuter roads. It makes an ideal base to explore the capitalfrom, while also enjoying the scenic sea views that Bangor itself can add into the mix.

The name Bangor comes from an Irish word (Beannchar) thatmeans a horned or peaked curve: when you cast your eyes out along the coast ofthis pretty seaside town you will notice that the bay does indeed resemble thehorns of a bull.

Along Bangor Baythere has been much sympathetic redevelopment, including the opening of a hugemarina and seafront improvements that have led to Bangor being widely regarded as the most desirable place to live inNorthern Ireland.

Family fun in Bangor

For families there is, of course, the beach to relax on, themarina to take boat trips from and Pickie Family Fun Park to let off steam inwhilst enjoying the amusements, rides and steam train.

To the east of Bangor,Ballyholme Bay has a long sandy beach flanked by wide green spaces that are perfectfor children to play in.

Historic Bangor

The town bears all the hallmarks of a Victorian seasideresort but it also displays evidence of a longer history for those curious toexplore.

The museum in the grounds of the old castle in Castle Park holds the oldest surviving Irish manuscript amongst other historicalcuriosities.

The fishing village of Groomsport,which nestles on the eastern edge of town, has a picturesque harbour that is overlookedby a row of cottages, one of which has been restored to resemble how a typicalfisherman would have lived in times gone by.

Sporting Bangor

Bangor has a highreputation for sailing and regularly hosts world events as we4ll as being hometo prestigious clubs such as the Royal UlsterYacht Club and Ballyholme Yacht Club.

Keep your eyes peeled for local practitioners of parkour(that’s urban acrobatics to you and me) as the sport has taken hold in Bangor and you can often see localshurling themselves over walls and somersaulting down steps.

Around Bangor

A 30-minute drive on the A2 past Belfast will take you tothe historic village of Hillsboroughwhere charming tearooms and antique shops greet you. Behind the old fort youwill find a deciduous forest curving around a lake stocked with brown andrainbow trout that offers pleasant hour-long strolls around its circuit.

Strangford Loughis a short drive away on the A21 and offers a nature lover’s delight. Thisbeautiful, calm inlet is fringed in colourful brown and yellow tangle weed, andplays host to a wide diversity of bird life during the warmer months and vastflocks of geese during the winter. Rocking gently in its waters are boats andyachts, and the whole scene can be taken in on foot or bycarefully appointed viewing points for cars.

Where to stay in Bangor

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Conlig

While there might not be top attractions in Conlig, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Clandeboye Golf Course and Eddie Irvine Sports.

Conlig
The Nines, Bangor Marina
The Nines, Bangor Marina
3.5 out of 5
10-12 SEACLIFF ROAD, Bangor, Northern Ireland
The price is S$131 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$131
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bangor. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (375 reviews)
Gorgeous apartment stay
"Fabulous newly-decorated apartment. Quiet and had everything we needed"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

The Nines, Bangor Marina
Shelleven House
Shelleven House
4 out of 5
61 Princetown Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland
The price is S$171 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
S$171
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly guesthouse in Bangor. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
"Great location and facilities, and very hospitable hosts"

Reviewed on 6 Jun, 2025

Shelleven House
Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
4 out of 5
10 Estate Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland
The price is S$295 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$295
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bangor. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (360 reviews)
"Incredible hospitality! We were staying for a friends wedding at the venue and the team could not do enough for you. We arrived early morning and asked if we could leave our cases whilst we headed into Bangor - within seconds the receptionist and housekeeping manager were scouting out which rooms ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Ulsterville Residences
The Ulsterville Residences
3 out of 5
56 Ulsterville Avenue Lisburn road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Windsor Park are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
"The property was beautiful, and had everything we needed for our family of 4. Communication was excellent. Would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

The Ulsterville Residences
Student Only Great Patrick Street
Student Only Great Patrick Street
2 out of 5
28-30 Great Patrick St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and MAC Theatre are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Clean and tidy. Staff are helpful"

Reviewed on 10 May, 2025

Student Only Great Patrick Street
Cordia Serviced Apartments
Cordia Serviced Apartments
4 out of 5
Lisburn Road,355-367, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (174 reviews)
"Great apartment, clean, spacious, right next door to Tescos, 1 minute walk to the bus stop for transpirt direct to the city. Highly recommended"

Reviewed on 13 Jun, 2025

Cordia Serviced Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bangor

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Panpann

Impressive city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fealty's Bar on the High Street serves an excellent pint of Guinness and is about five minutes' walk away.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice area and nice people

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

For the Hotel to have a variety of music over consecutive nights.

4/5 - Good

Stephen

It was a nice welcoming wee place quite easy to get to id definately come back although dont think id have breakfast next time unless they shange their supplier for some products