Derry Travel & Vacation Guide

On the Sunday of January 30th, 1972, unarmed civil-rights protesters were shot by soldiers of the British Army only meters away from the memorial. Visiting here is a sobering and educational experience. Information boards detail the tragic events of the massacre.

Brunswick Moviebowl is an entertainment center for the whole family that houses a cinema, a ten-pin bowling alley, an adventure park for children of all ages and a couple of eateries (casual diner & a slightly more upscale "Martha's Vineyard" restaurant).

Community led initiative offering authentic walking tours of the Bogside and Fountain areas delivered by local guides to small groups. Tours focus on the Troubles era and the events of Bloody Sunday, narrating the history of the area through those who helped shape it.

The Guildhall, located in Derry's main city square, is one of the town's iconic landmarks. Built in 1890, it's been beautifully restored since, and welcomes visitors to its elegant insides where members of the Derry City Council still regularly gather.

It is essential to take a walk around Derry’s beautifully preserved (and never breached) seventeenth century walls which surround the old city. This is a good way to get a feel for the city, and to look over onto estates on both sides of the divide. Guided tours available.

Millennium Forum is one of Ireland's largest built theatres located in Derry's scenic historic centre. Have a look at the programme to see what is on while you are visiting — the Forum frequently hosts theatrical performances by local and international artists.

The exhibits on display at this local museum are mostly donations made by local residents, who experienced the turbulent 1960’s and 70’s first-hand. The over 25,000 artifacts tell a subjective, but authentic story of Derry's residents during the civil rights and Free Derry historic eras.

Ness Country is a beautiful park to take a stroll through any time of year. Do some bird watching, sit down for a picnic by the riverside if the weather allows or simply indulge in the tranquility of the park's quiet paths and scenic waterfalls - all within reasonable reach of the city.

This comfortable Victorian-style venue is a popular local meeting spot and the ideal place to collapse into after a long day. The pub is family-friendly, and offers a varied menu of European, Chinese, Mexican, and Indian dishes. Try the steak and Guinness pie.

Perhaps surprisingly little-known, Bennigans Bar and Jazz Club is itself owned by a musician. Some shows (especially those on Saturday nights) are very popular and require pre-booking. Bennigans is also one of the select few places serving complimentary tapas along with drinks.

Popular with backpackers, Peadar O’Donnell’s provides good old fashioned “craic” and live music every night (although shows often start late, and sometimes give way to live broadcasts of football matches). It's a proper traditional Irish bar serving beer at affordable prices.

Dedicated politically and culturally to Latin American revolutionaries, Sandino’s is a cosmopolitan haven. An excellent venue for live music, Sandino's also holds themed nights (80s and 90s motifs are especially popular) and pub quizzes every once in a while.

The Bentley Bar, Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an all-in-one establishment with an area fit for watching live football broadcasts as well as a top-floor terrace for a quieter dining experience. Food is of high quality, with steaks, seafood and desserts on the menu.

This is one of the city’s liveliest and most atmospheric bars. With cheap drinks, great pub food and a DJ most nights (live music shows sometimes), it is definitely a good place for a pint or two. Come on Monday night and enjoy special deals on cocktails.

For those interested in retro/vintage items, a visit to Bedlam might be worth the time. Several retailers run stands inside a large space converted into an indoor market, and sell old household items, accessories, various antiques and even military memorabilia.

The Derry Craft Village is an area within the city walls where a number of small shops and boutiques selling all manner of unique items are concentrated. It might just be the best place to stock up on gifts, knick-knacks, artisan jewelry and much more, all produced by local designers.

The famous Foyleside Shopping Centre, one of the biggest in Northern Ireland, houses all the top high street stores, as well as many smaller shops and services. The centre is well-maintained, and contains a food court alongside a variety of shopping spots.

Along with Foyleside, Richmond is another large shopping center in Derry. Centrally located, it houses 40 different boutiques, among which are some major high street names. Apart from the store, there are a couple of beauty salons, eateries and an ice cream shop.

For traditional Irish items, stop by this family-run store in Shipquay Street and browse through beautiful, high-quality fabrics (linen, cashmere, silks, etc.), clothing, accessories, traditional Celtic jewelry (silver, gold & freshwater pearls), pottery, souvenirs and more.

Whatnot has a wonderfully intriguing selection of jewellery, antiques, collectables and curios items. The owner, who has been in the business for over 3 decades, has an eclectic taste which reflects in the array of items - also available to browse through in the online catalogue.

For travel to the UK (including Northern Ireland), citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland (except Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, those planning to work or study in the UK for more than six months will need to obtain the appropriate visa. Additionally, residents of nine other countries — including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States — can also visit the UK for up to six months without a visa, but they will still need an ETA. To ensure a smooth journey, it is advisable to consult the UK government website for any specific visa requirements or regulations.

The City of Derry Airport is located 12.5 kilometres from Derry City Centre. Taxis are the quickest and most reliable way to get to and from the airport and can be found outside the airport terminal. Connecting bus services are available to and from the airport at various times each day and leave passengers at the Ulsterbus Depot, Foyle Street, Derry City Centre. The journey to Derry City Centre takes about 30 minutes. The AIRporter service operates six times per day to and from the AIRporter’s City Centre base at the Quayside Shopping Centre. It is advisable to make a reservation. Reservations are free, guarantee a seat and you only pay on the day you travel. You can also buy your ticket directly from the driver on board the coach on most services.

Derry is a small city and can be covered on foot in a short space of time. The main bus station is located at Foyle Street in the city centre and Ulsterbus runs a bus service within the city. The train station is located at Duke Street in the Waterside area of the city and is served by the Belfast to Derry service.

Taxis in Derry are widely available and easy to find. Foyle Taxi is a local company with a strong presence in the city. The main app for booking a taxi is City Cabs Derry, and Uber also operates in the area.

The United Kingdom uses the Type G electric plug, which is one with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. And it operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Most pharmacies in Derry are located in the city centre. Medicare Pharmacy is a chain with several locations across the city.

Mail boxes can be found throughout the city and are red in color. The Head Office is located on Custom House Street.

Country code: +44 Area code: 28