Discover the Best of Belfast’s Neighbourhoods

Belfast Castle is located in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks to visit. Belfast Castle has its very own Tavern Coffee Shop and newly re-opened Cellar Restaurant. Now operated by Crumlin Road Gaol, it offers a lively, homely and family-friendly restaurant, serving the best that Belfast has to offer!

Belfast Zoological Gardens is home to more than 120 species of animal, many of which are in danger in their natural habitat. Popular attractions include the Grant’s zebra, Barbary lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, California sea lions, penguins, apes, red squirrels, giant anteater, Malayan sun bears, Visayan warty pigs, Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, red panda, Eastern bongo, ring-tailed lemurs and reptiles.

The Crumlin Road Gaol is a 19th century Grade A listed jail, open to the public for tours, concerts and events. On the grounds of the Crumlin Road Gaol is a working distillery. Situated in the A-Wing, McConnell’s Disitllery is a state-of-the-art visitor experience where every step echoes heritage and innovation.

Clifton House, formerly the Poor House, was built in 1774 by the Belfast Charitable Society and is one of Belfast’s most historic buildings. Clifton House offer immersive tours of the former Poor House, where you can hear the stories of those who lived in the house in the 18th and 19th century. Clifton House also offer tours of Clifton Street Cemetery, where the great and good of Belfast are buried side by side the poorest of the City.

Rediscover The Chronicles of Narnia with a walk through CS Lewis Square, a public space commemorating the Belfast-born author, CS Lewis. Featuring seven bronze sculptures from ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’, including Aslan, The White Witch, Mr Tumnus, The Beavers, The Robin and The Stone Table, it is a stunning display of public art. CS Lewis Square is located at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, beside the EastSide Visitor Centre.

Stormont Estate is a major tourist and visitor attraction on the outskirts of Belfast. There are beautiful gardens, a variety of walks, fitness and adventure trails, a playground, picnic and barbecue areas, historic buildings and monuments. The estate hosts many events throughout the year, including a weekly parkrun. Whilst attracting large numbers of visitors, the estate is also important to the local community and is popular for dog walkers, runners and families.

Experience a taste of what life was like for a young George by staying in the George Best House. Although some modernisation by the Best family took place over the years the house still retains many of the original features that would have been in the house when it was first built in 1949. Dotted around the house are family portraits, images from his football career and old school reports and letters kindly donated by the Best family.

Banana Block is a new living museum and events space set within a historic linen mill and inspired by the curious connections between Belfast and bananas. Host to an array of events Banana Block provides an ever changing schedule of things to do. Tour their exhibitor outlets and grab a bite to eat while you learn about the history of the space and plans for the future.

Botanic Gardens is an important part of Belfast’s Victorian heritage and a popular meeting place for residents, students and tourists. Beside Botanic Gardens is the Ulster Museum, home to Northern Ireland’s treasures of past and present. The collections of Ulster Museum tell the story of our shared experiences, connecting the dots around who we are, the past we share, and the future we are building together.

Queen’s University is one of the great architectural landmarks and must-see attractions in Belfast with over 160 years of heritage. The Queen’s Welcome Centre is the official tourist information centre for south Belfast. It hosts a regular programme of exhibitions and serves as an information point for visitors and tourists, as well as offering a varied selection of souvenirs and gifts.

Northern Ireland’s only full time producing theatre. The Lyric Theatre has two performance spaces (389 seat Danske Bank Stage and 120 seat studio space). With its continually full programme, there’s always a production worth seeing no matter when you visit. The theatre has breathtaking views of the River Lagan and its gourmet café makes the venue well worth a visit on its own merits.

One of the country’s premier live music bars, the Empire is one of Belfast’s best loved drinking establishments. Outdoor beer garden, pub-grub menu, big-screen sports, comedy and live music. With its classic fittings and firm place in the heart of Belfast’s nightlife you’d be forgiven for thinking the Empire has been around forever. Yet it’s a practically mature 35 years old, having first opened its doors back in 1987.

Áras Uí Chonghaile is an award-winning modern, inspirational, visitor centre based in the heart of Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter and located only yards from where James Connolly, a man of formidable ideas and remarkable vision, lived on the Falls Road.

Cultúrlann produces a vibrant arts programme that promotes Irish language and culture and provides a meeting place for visitors and locals alike. Based in a former Presbyterian church on the Falls Road, the building has had a number of incarnations during its often troubled history. As an arts centre, it is at the heart of a vibrant cultural community. Cultúrlann also houses a café and restaurant, book and gift shop and a tourist information point

Colin Glen is Ireland’s leading adventure park – a land of storytelling and a state-of-the-art sports park with world class attractions. Go Black Bull Runnin’ and ‘Flyover’ the Belfast Hills at Colin Glen. From Alpine coasteering to laser tag, golfing to the Gruffalo Trail, there is adventure for everyone.

A city as old as Belfast has many stories. Uncover these stories by booking one of Belfast’s political history tours run by professional tour guides. Discover how far Belfast has come ‘post-conflict’. Visit Belfast’s Peace Wall, learn about the different murals, hear people’s stories and be immersed in the history of Belfast.