City of Bangor

Bangor by the sea - a seaside city resort based in County Down, Northern Ireland, and right on Belfast’s doorstep, pronounced 'Bang-ger'. It has previously been named the most desirable place to live in Northern Ireland and is easily accessed by train and car. In 2022, Bangor was awarded city status by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

It is brimming with places to explore; Bangor Castle (Bangor City Hall), Bangor Abbey, North Down Museum, Pickie Funpark and a picturesque marina, to name a few. As well as activities, such as karting, sailing and golfing, for those who like the great outdoors.

Getting to the City of Bangor

Easy to get to 

Travel to us by land, sea or air with major airports and seaports close by. Sail into our ports via Liverpool and Cairnryan, Scotland. From George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast Docks, you can reach Bangor in under 15 minutes, and Belfast International Airport is just 35km away from gateway to Ards and North Down, Holywood.

Short travel times direct from major cities 

We are located only 2 hours from Dublin by road and 90 minutes from London and Amsterdam by air. With great public transport links, getting here is straight forward. Or, hire a car for the freedom to explore the stunning landscapes, coastal walks and even more of our towns and villages nearby to Bangor.

Find out more

Iconic Bangor Sights

Bangor Castle is an impressive building that was built for the Hon Robert Edward Ward and his family in 1852. The building is situated in the grounds of Castle Park alongside North Down Museum and is just a short walk from Bangor Castle Walled Garden, orignally designed by the Ward Family the in the 1840s which was renovated and opened as a visitor attraction in April 2009. Ards and North Down Borough Council presently use the building as their headquarters. Tours of the building are by arrangement only.

History enthusiasts will love the North Down Museum where you can learn the story of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day through a series of rooms. It also hosts free art exhibitions throughout the year.

Bangor Abbey was founded by St Comgall in 558AD. The Abbey’s celebrated literary work, Bangor Antiphonary - a collection of hymns, prayers and poems - are now kept in the Ambrosian Library in Milan. The churchyard has many old and interesting gravestones including a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic, John Edward Simpson.

Beside Bangor Abbey you will see a giant replica of the Bangor Bell, a 9th Century hand bell which marks the period when Bangor's monastery was one of the most important in Christendom.

As you make your way into Bangor City Centre from Belfast direction, heading down Main Street you will be welcomed by the picturesque scene of Bangor Bay and Belfast Lough. Drawing nearer you will discover Bangor Marina nestled into the shore front, one of Ireland’s largest and has achieved Blue Flag Award status. In the vacinity, you will find McKee Clock and the Sunken Gardens and Bregenz House, headquarters of the local Coast Guard, which overlooks the Marina. The building is named after Bangor’s twin-town in Austria where a monastery was founded by St Columbanus c.611 AD. Just a short walk to the right of the marina is Eisenhower Pier where you will find mosaics that depict the Boroughs role in WWII, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s historic send off to the hundreds of Allied ships gathered in Bangor Bay before the D Day landings. It was renamed in 2005 by General Eisenhower’s granddaughter. It is within seafront area that the annual maritime-inspired Sea Bangor Festival takes place, in June.

To the left of Bregenz House, a short walk along the promenade will take you to the popular family attraction of Pickie Funpark which provides good wholesome fun, all year round! Visitors can enjoy the Pickie Puffer steam train, giant Pickie pedal swans and an 18-hole nautical themed mini golf course.

This seafront area forms part of the 16 mile long stretch of coastal referred to as the North Down Coastal Path, beginning in Holywood through to Portavo, near Donaghadee.

With a history centuries deep, Bangor is rich in culture and heritage, it is a place cherished for family fun, for all generations of the family.

Ulster-Scots in Bangor

Find out about the influence of the Ulster-Scots in Bangor, which is actually an ancient Christian and monastic site, and how Bangor developed under Sir James Hamilton. With milestones including when, in 1613, Bangor received a charter of incorporation from the King, and, when in the late 1600s the Ward family of Castle Ward married into the Hamiltons. Today, street names like Hamilton Road, The Vennel and even Pickie carry on the Ulster-Scots connections. Explore Ulster-Scots in Bangor further.

Eat and Drink in Bangor

The city has a wonderful selection of eateries and pubs - from restaurants serving fresh local ingredients, farm to fork, as well as coffee shops from which to watch the world go by.

Find out more about Food and Drink in the Borough

Make more of your stay

Discover ways to enrich your stay in our place, immersing yourself in the warmth of our people amongst the landscapes where the countryside meets the seashore with events, experiences and things to do.

Start planning your trip to Northern Ireland's newest city.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre

Ou Visitor Information Centre knowledgeable team members who would be delighted to help offer tips and suggestions for how to make the most of your time in the city and the wider borough.

Whilst there, pick up a momento of your trip from the gift shop which sells a range of souvenirs as well as locally crafted jewellery, ornaments, beauty goods and so much more. Contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre.

Highlights of Bangor

• Bangor Castle Walled Garden is a true gem in the city's crown - and well loved by all those who visit [Free admission]
• Just a few minutes walk through Castle Park will take you to the North Down Museum beside Bangor Castle [Free admission]. This is a great spot for all the family with an onsite cafe to fuel sustanance.
• Pickie Funpark on the seafront is a renowned attraction synonmous with Bangor for good wholesome traditional family fun. It's location also the perfect vantage point to sit and enjoy the superb views over Bangor Marina and Belfast Lough.
• The city is also home to Northern Ireland’s only 50 metre swimming pool at Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex, one of Bangor’s most popular attractions, situated a few minutes walk from the Walled Garden.
• Eddie Irvine Sports located on the outskirts of Bangor offers up lively fun for all ages whether it's a race around an indoor karting track designed by Formula One superstar Eddie Irvine himself, taking to the floors of the roller disco or playing a match of football or pickleball, to name just a few activities in the centre.
• For lovers of music and the arts, The Court House, located in the centre of the City, owned and operated by local music and arts charity Open House, has a year-round programme of quality and cutting edge live music, comedy, film, theatre, spoken word, food a drink events, featuring international artists alongside local creatives, and celebrating Bangor’s rich musical heritage.
• The Open House Festival in August pulls audiences from afar with a programme that celebrates culture, music and the arts, with live music performances, crafting, book clubs, dining events and all sorts every year.
• The Aspects Festival takes place in September, annually, organised by our colleagues in AND Culture, for those who enjoy Irish Literature.

Homegrown Bangor Talent

There are numerous notable people from Bangor, including...

Gary Lightbody from the band Snow Patrol;

Musician and singer-songwriter Foy Vance,

As well as members from the band, Two Door Cinema Club;

Colin Bateman, novelist, screenwriter and former journalist;

Zoe Salmon, a former Blue Peter presenter;

Actress/Singer Niamh Perry, who most recently featured as Delphi in Happy Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London (2024);

And, Kelly Gallagher, the first athlete from Northern Ireland to compete in the Winter Paralympics

...to name just a few famous faces.