Best Areas to Stay in Derry, Northern Ireland 2024 - Best Districts (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth staying in Derry? ›

This town we love so well is home to luxurious hotels and boasts some of the best food and drink experiences. Not to mention the world's biggest Hallowe'en carnival. Step beyond the 400 year old city walls and County Londonderry is home to some of Northern Ireland's other giants including a Nobel Laureate.

Ideally, you would love a couple of days to really explore the city and get to know it in your own time. However, if you only have 1 day to do so don't be alarmed! We have put together a packed itinerary ensuring you get to experience as much as possible during your 24-hours in Derry.

The name Derry is preferred by nationalists and it is broadly used throughout Northern Ireland's Catholic community, as well as that of the Republic of Ireland, whereas many unionists prefer Londonderry; however, in everyday conversation Derry is used by most Protestant residents of the city.

The old walled city of Londonderry lies on the west bank of the River Foyle with the location of old Derry on the east bank, the present city now covers both banks (Cityside to the west and Waterside to the east) and the river is spanned by two bridges.

Is it safe to visit Northern Ireland? Yes. Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe. Even during the years of civil unrest tourists were rarely directly affected.

Derry is a compact walkable city with cathedrals, churches iconic murals, architecture and heritage. Ireland's most historic city is also the hub from which to explore the wider North West.

Derry~Londonderry has a lively, vibrant culture of local pubs, taverns and eateries. Going out for dinner is pleasantly affordable, with an inexpensive meal costing about £13 per person, and a three-course meal for two costing an average of £56. This is about 30% less than in neighbouring Belfast.

Derry has become known worldwide on account of the Troubles. Less well-known is its reputation voted by the Civic Trust in London as one of the ten best cities of its kind to live in, in the United Kingdom.

Is Derry Catholic or Protestant? ›

Although Derry was originally an almost exclusively Protestant city, it has become increasingly Catholic over recent centuries.

But, for sentimental and economic reasons, the Protestant North kept all of this predominantly Catholic Nationalist city. Subsequently, the two sides have fought over its status. Even its name has been a source of dispute. It's "Derry" to the Catholics and "Londonderry" to the Protestants.

(ˈdɛrɪ ) nounWord forms: plural -ries. slang. a derelict house, esp one used by tramps, drug addicts, etc.

The name Derry comes from the Irish word doire, meaning “oak grove.” “London” was appended as a prefix to the name in 1613 when King James I granted the city a royal charter.

In 1921, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the partition of Ireland, Derry-Londonderry became a border city. It is a city in the northwest part of the province of Northern Ireland, covering the west bank (Cityside; majority Catholic) and east bank (Waterside; majority Protestant) of the River Foyle.

Derry is the perfect base to explore Northern Ireland

One thing is for sure, you will not run out of places to go in Northern Ireland from Derry. Derry is also the ideal point to start a Northern Ireland road trip that includes the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route, and other Game of Thrones filming locations.

The overall crime rate in Londonderry in 2023 was 36 crimes per 1,000 people, and the most common crimes were violence and sexual offences, which happened to roughly every 18 out of 1,000 daytime population.