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Guide to Londonderry, Ireland
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Londonderry
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LondonderryIreland's Londonderry County is one of its most popular for travelers looking to get away from the bustling city streets of Dublin or Belfast. Londonderry, situated near the tip of Northern Ireland, is home to a number of towns that offer similar experiences with the exceptions of a few nuances each independently carries, whether they be of cultural affiliation or of historic importance. If you're a seasoned traveler of Londonderry, you can easily make your way about without any sort of guidance, but if you're like the majority who come across the region, you're best off taking a tour, or even numerous tours, to give you the best, all-encompassing view of Londonderry and its highlights. An unofficial practice of the region is that the smaller the town, the friendly the folks, and in our experience, this happens to prove true. You can come off the plane feeling weary, but once you take a stroll down a rural street and the greetings fire away, resisting that good mood will be useless. The city of Derry is the hotel capital of the region as well as the home of the international airport serving a good portion of flights coming in and out of the northwestern sector of the country. Chances are that you'll be spending most of your time here, but before growing too attached to the abundant comforts of Derry, make a few visits to suburban destinations as well, where you will see the Irish landscape, and if you play your cards right, you'll experience it all via steam train. No matter what plans you make for your next trip, make your destination Londonderry.
When to go:
Londonderry stays within the cooler half of the mercury scale throughout much of the year, with July and August remaining as exceptions. If you're a lover of a white landscape you can visit during winter and experience some of the best snow conditions in Europe. The ices thaw much later in spring than those of central and southern Europe, but this means that high season will not bring the unbearably high temperatures associated with most of the continent. Portions of Londonderry are also fairly close to the Atlantic, and several towns sit on the banks of the River Tyne, making for something of a constant breeze - great for those mid-day jaunts at the height of summer.
Getting there and around:
Derry Airport provides many connections to most of Europe's nations, but most prevalent are those between cities inside the UK. No less than half a dozen flights to/from London-Stansted airport are available, and Dublin, of course, is the highest roller of them all. If you find yourself in the nearby capital of Belfast, you can opt for an Airporter bus ride to Derry instead of taking the spendthrift solution of another flight. While not existing next-door to the city, Derry Airport is home to bus and taxi services that will get you to your hotel in short time. If you're like us and wish to keep your travel funds for items other than transit fares, buses are the way to get around Londonderry. Sure, you have to consult with map and a schedule, but instead of cashing in on that taxi ride into the suburbs you can go for that extra night's stay or that pricey evening meal before setting off for home.
Attractions:
City walls may not sound very appealing to see, but those of Derry are the best way to view its historic side. If you walk along its structure, you'll notice that portions of the wall are badly damaged - testaments to the battles and sieges Derry has undergone since the 17th century. The views are also superb from several points upon the walls. If you're one for 16th century architecture, one site in Derry excels beyond comparison: St Columb's Cathedral. The Cathedral is home to a number of firsts for Ireland and Europe, including the earliest church bell to reside inside the country and marvelous stained-glass pieces.
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