Shankill Road
Shankill Road
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
875 reviews
Excellent
427
Very good
302
Average
101
Poor
20
Terrible
25
Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK6,983 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We visited Belfast in July when the roads were closed for a day for parades on the 12th. Apparently, every year large parades are held by the Orange Order and Ulster loyalist marching bands, streets are plastered with union jacks and bunting, and large towering bonfires are lit in loyalist neighbourhoods. It seemed like everywhere we walked through central Belfast there was huge towering bonfires to be found - I don't know how they drag these wooden crates up a high tower that is several stories high!! but they do.
We first visited Shankill Road and Falls Road driving through as part of the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Bus Tour and then returned the next day and hopped off to see the murals and peace gardens in more detail. We found the tour bus to be interesting and very sad. Our tour guide explained that even now (25 years after the peace agreement) there's some things you can't say on the wrong side of the wall, such as "Sláinte" (Irish version of cheers) over drinks here in the Unionist area (Shankill Road). It is sad that there is still such hatred among neighbours.
We looked at doing one of the famous black taxi tours but found them to be very expensive, we feel we got a very good understanding of the troubles from sitting through the second half of the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Bus Tour, our bus guide was excellent.
Shankill Road is the Unionist area of Belfast and Falls Road is the Republican area. See the many murals on both sides depicting the struggle for power. The dividing wall and gate is still there separating the two communities. Once you cross over the gate you can clearly see a sharp and very quick change in the artwork. The murals change frequently and quickly, an artist can paint over someone's mural in a day.
Worth a visit and really gives an insight into the troubles. If visiting Falls Road, then you need to visit Shankill Road and vice versa. Worthwhile a visit with a guide to give an insight into the troubles.
We first visited Shankill Road and Falls Road driving through as part of the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Bus Tour and then returned the next day and hopped off to see the murals and peace gardens in more detail. We found the tour bus to be interesting and very sad. Our tour guide explained that even now (25 years after the peace agreement) there's some things you can't say on the wrong side of the wall, such as "Sláinte" (Irish version of cheers) over drinks here in the Unionist area (Shankill Road). It is sad that there is still such hatred among neighbours.
We looked at doing one of the famous black taxi tours but found them to be very expensive, we feel we got a very good understanding of the troubles from sitting through the second half of the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Bus Tour, our bus guide was excellent.
Shankill Road is the Unionist area of Belfast and Falls Road is the Republican area. See the many murals on both sides depicting the struggle for power. The dividing wall and gate is still there separating the two communities. Once you cross over the gate you can clearly see a sharp and very quick change in the artwork. The murals change frequently and quickly, an artist can paint over someone's mural in a day.
Worth a visit and really gives an insight into the troubles. If visiting Falls Road, then you need to visit Shankill Road and vice versa. Worthwhile a visit with a guide to give an insight into the troubles.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin G
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Don't be put off by the negative reviews of visiting the Shankill Road. We went today on the public bus and walked around the area. Found the locals to be very friendly and very helpful. And we did it for a fraction of the price of a black cab tour or tour bus. Ok you don't get the expertise of the guided tours, but I found the locals more than happy to tell you about the various murals and memorials. All in all a good day out.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward Bell
Manchester, UK4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Dear lord what can be said
Scary awful dilapidated sectarian area
Best thing here is the road out and a fast car
Scary awful dilapidated sectarian area
Best thing here is the road out and a fast car
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jorge c
Buenos Aires, Argentina15,734 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
As part of the black cab tour, we went by this area to learn about the differences between catholics and protestants and the events that lead to the actual peace.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,867 contributions
Jan 2023
Th Shankill Road is the Unionist area of Belfast. It was a hot-spot during the Troubles. Thank goodness, the Troubles are behind us. The Shankill Road still has some reminders of times past; the murals are evocative of this troubled time in Ulster's history. Shankill Road is still a unionist stronghold, but visitors are more likely to have a drink rather than a fight. These days, visitors are welcome.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamie
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
The shankill area is full of very friendly and welcoming people good prices for food and bars are also nice
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
froggy724
Hudson, WI167 contributions
Aug 2022
We visited Shankill road on our black taxi tour and it was so very moving that I found myself falling silent at every corner. Must visit to truly know of the troubles.
Written 18 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njcavalier
Chatham, NJ390 contributions
Aug 2022
On our recent stay in Belfast, we visited the Shankill area of the city. We toured through Shankill Road and Falls Road with a guide, learning the history of the area, including the events that occurred there during The Troubles. The Peace Wall and the many murals along the way (and the stories they tell) are definitely worth a visit for anyone going to Belfast.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenna
Province of Leinster, Ireland126 contributions
Jul 2022
The Shankill Road is the Unionist area of Belfast. All the murals depict the political history from this point of view. This area is part of the Black Taxi tour but can also be visited by taking a bus/glider from the city centre. If visiting the Falls Road, then you need to visit Shankill Road and vice versa.
I visited by taking the G1 Glider from the city centre and strolled around. I feel that by going this way you can stroll around and view the murals/artwork at your leisure. Obviously if visiting on a Black Taxi tour you will hear of the history of the murals and leave more informed. Personally I felt safer strolling around Falls Road than Shankill Road. There were areas that I felt a little on edge but maybe this was due to preparation for July 12th celebrations and the building of bonfires.
The dividing wall and gate is still there separating the two communities. Once you cross over the gate you can clearly see a sharp and very quick change in the artwork. Worth a visit and really gives an insight into the troubles.
I visited by taking the G1 Glider from the city centre and strolled around. I feel that by going this way you can stroll around and view the murals/artwork at your leisure. Obviously if visiting on a Black Taxi tour you will hear of the history of the murals and leave more informed. Personally I felt safer strolling around Falls Road than Shankill Road. There were areas that I felt a little on edge but maybe this was due to preparation for July 12th celebrations and the building of bonfires.
The dividing wall and gate is still there separating the two communities. Once you cross over the gate you can clearly see a sharp and very quick change in the artwork. Worth a visit and really gives an insight into the troubles.
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PUMBRIDGE
London, UK2,000 contributions
May 2022
Those interested in the recent history of Northern Ireland and its Troubles should visit both the Falls Road and the Shankill. The Shankill Road is festooned with wall murals, monuments, shrines etc; everywhere you turn.
Still, better that the two sides paint than fight.
Still, better that the two sides paint than fight.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele B
Bangor, UK52 contributions
Why would you feel scared, did you feel anyway scared anywhere else in Northern Ireland, the people are the same with the same problems, the Shankill is as safe as anywhere else in the Province, did you speak to anyone and get to know them, they really don't bite, I am from the Shankill, I promise, we really are really nice people
zooblue
Ipswich, UK51 contributions
I never felt scared during my visit to Falls Road and Shankill road but certainly started it with a little trepidation as I can remember all the news reports when i was younger. I walked round the area with a friend and we did talk to a few people along the way but noticed that most visitors were either using the black cabs or bus tours. If i return I would walk the route again as it has obviously changed a lot but still retains those imposing wall murals which help to make it such a unique and distinctive part of Northern Ireland
bonniebluebelle
Scotland, UK
hi how far is it by foot roughly from the vagabonds hostel to the shankil road area or are we too far away?? thanx ..
Mandinka_11
Burnham-On-Sea, UK274 contributions
Hi, from Vagabond it would probably take approx 30-40 minute walk. Hope this helps.
Millicent57
Belfast, UK
Hi can anyone give me the phone number of Andrea's beside the rangers club please
Annwyn L
Ystalyfera, UK238 contributions
Tried to look it up on google but although it gives a postcode it doesn't give any phone number that I could see. Sorry. Try looking it up on Google and you might find a website or email address.
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Claim your listingSHANKILL ROAD: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Shankill Road
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Shankill Road:
- Official World Famous Belfast Taxi Tour ™ (From ₱4,899.79)
- City Sightseeing Belfast Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From ₱1,420.09)
- Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant's Causeway from Dublin (From ₱5,357.80)
- Belfast tours 2 hours mural and political taxi tour (From ₱7,030.48)
- Belfast Political Murals Street Art and Peace Wall Small Group Walking Tour (From ₱1,420.09)
- Hotels near Shankill Road:
- (0.07 km) Crimea Street Townhouse Belfast
- (1.07 km) Wilton House Luxury Suites and Residences
- (1.32 km) room2 Belfast Hometel
- (1.01 km) Ibis Belfast City Centre
- (1.26 km) The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
- Restaurants near Shankill Road:
- (0.03 km) Tudor Cafe
- (0.13 km) Beatties Fish and Chip Shop
- (0.11 km) Pizza Cabin
- (0.11 km) Ground Up C.B.D Coffee Shop
- (0.17 km) The Royal Bar