The Dome at Victoria Square

The Dome at Victoria Square isn't what you'd expect from the name. It's actually the glass rotunda topping Belfast's Victoria Square shopping centre - a proper architectural landmark that's become the city's best vantage point for anyone after 360-degree views without breaking a sweat. You ride a lift straight up into this transparent bubble and suddenly the whole of Belfast spreads out below you: the shipyard cranes, the Lough, the hills rolling away in the distance. It's free, which is brilliant, and you can easily spend 20 minutes up there spotting landmarks and getting your bearings.

Walkers and photographers absolutely love this. On a clear day - and I mean actually clear, not that Irish drizzle - the views properly take your breath away. It's also dead useful if you're new to the city and need to orientate yourself before heading out to explore the Cathedral Quarter or the docks properly.

The main drawback? Weather. Belfast weather being what it is, you might rock up to find the whole thing shrouded in cloud. Timing matters. Go mid-morning on a blustery day when showers have just passed through - that's when you'll get the clearest light.

If you're basing yourself at Dundonald Touring Caravan Park or The Pods at Streamvale just outside the city, this makes an easy morning trip. It's free entry, takes about an hour including the lift wait, and works brilliantly as a starting point before diving into Belfast's actual attractions.