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Belfastians who reside in the Cathedral Quarter are officially the coolest kids on the block. That’s because Time Out has just revealed which neighbourhoods around the world rank among the coolest, and the Northern Irish capital’s district made the cut.
Each year, our network of on-the-ground experts and editors vet neighbourhoods in cities spanning all four corners against criteria including food and drink, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community. The result? Time Out’s list of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
The global prize in 2026 went to Jongno 3-ga, a maze of narrow alleys in Seoul containing thematic cafés, international restaurants and after-dark food stalls. Top spot in the UK went to Govanhill in Glasgow with its library for zines, trendy bars and indie pubs. But the wee Scottish area wasn’t the only UK spot to scoop a place on the list, with Newington Green taking home the glory in the Big Smoke.
The cobbled lanes, upcycled warehouses and enduring cultural institutions of Belfast’s eclectic Cathedral Quarter scored the neighbourhood 24th place on this year’s ranking.
Anna Cafolla, Time Out’s Belfast expert, said: ‘This city famously has more “quarters” than arithmetic allows, but Cathedral Quarter is Belfast compressed: irreverent and fiercely local, yet always evolving. Look beyond Commercial Court’s Instagram-famous neon umbrellas for backrooms, side streets and well-timed lock-ins where the neighbourhood’s real character unfolds.’
Whether it’s contemporary art, second-hand books or a sweaty hot yoga sesh you’re after, you’ll find it in this former industrial hub which was once home to Victorian merchants and traders.
This year was the first time Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, was hosted in Belfast. If you missed it, don’t worry, because it’ll be making its return from August 1 to August 8, 2027, giving you plenty of time to plan a staycation in the city’s trendiest locale.
Did you see that this is where every major UK city ranked in the 2026 Global Cities Index.
Plus: Belfast is officially the best place in the UK for street art.
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