Bangor Travel Guide

Tourist 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

Default Image

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 ฿2,428 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
฿2,428
฿2,914 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bangor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (383 reviews)
"The staff was nice, helpful and the view can't be beat. If you like a nice area for a walk with a view, this is it"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

The Nines, Bangor Marina
Clandeboye Lodge Hotel

Clandeboye Lodge Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Estate Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland
The price is ฿6,133 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
฿6,133
฿7,360 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
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 their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (363 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
Shelleven House

Shelleven House

4 out of 5
61 Princetown Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland
The price is ฿3,777 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿3,777
฿4,532 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly guesthouse in Bangor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (210 reviews)
Business Stop Over
"Business stop over . 9/10"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Shelleven House
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.
No 5 by Warren Collection

No 5 by Warren Collection

2 out of 5
5 Eglantine Pl, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Lord Kelvin Statue ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"Stayed here for two nights, beautiful property and spotlessly clean."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

No 5 by Warren Collection
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Windsor Park are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"Host is great. Very responsive and accommodating. 5 stars! Area isn’t the best appearance wise but to be fair no issues encountered."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Ulsterville Residences
The Edge

The Edge

2 out of 5
1 Frederick St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Metropolitan Arts Centre are located nearby.
schlechte Unterkunft
"Leider gibt es bis auf die Lage keine positiven Punkte. Es war schmutzig, klein, keine Fenster zum öffnen und wenig Komfort. Leider hat das Hotel 2x Behauptet das Zimmer nach unserer Beschwerde gereinigt zu haben, was aber nicht stimmte."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

The Edge
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

Cities near Bangor