Belfast is a really interesting place to visit. As a visitor from outside, I would say you are generally safe. For example everyone seems to feel the need to view the murals via a black cab tour, but walking around in the sectarian areas really isn't dangerous, as long as you have somewhat of a clue about what it's all about and don't put your foot in it (don't wear a Celtic top or a Union Jack)! The next generation seems to be making an effort to move on from the conflict, but a lot of the pubs we went into still seemed quite rough, macho, and a bit intimidating. There's probably somewhere in town with nice, funky bars that we just didn't find.
I'm English and my girlfriend lives in a Catholic area of North Belfast. I've never felt unsafe there once. It has its problems like any other city but as long as you're not brash and loud about religion and politics, it's fine. I like it that much, I'm moving there.
Belfast is an amazing city. I found it quite safe (same rules apply here as they do anywhere else in the world: don't walk around at 3am by yourself, etc etc) and the people of Belfast are among the friendliest I've ever met.
Not safe? Belfast's far friendlier than Dublin! In Belfast people actually smile at you. I've been all over the world and Belfast was one of the most welcoming cities I've ever been to.
I spent nine woderful months in Cushendall and I have very good memories of a very quiet but pleasant time over there.
We found Belfast disarming and charming, and I look forward to returning sometime. My experience has been that the media can give visitors a very distorted impression of any area that is only curable by an onsite visit so that we may form our own opinion. And our opinion of Belfast/Ireland is very, very favorable.
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