Belfast has plenty of accessibility friendly attractions to discover. See our guide below for information on accessible venues, public transport, mobility scooter and wheelchair hire, blue badge car parking and accessible toilets in Belfast.
AccessAble Belfast
The AccessAble website provides a great resource on accessible venues in Belfast including hotels, visitor attractions, shops, restaurants and bars. This includes access guides for popular visitor attractions such as Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Museum.
TALIA | Accessible & Inclusive Belfast Itinerary
Talia is a 24-year-old with cerebral palsy. She uses technology to help her speak and a powerchair to get about. Let Talia be your guide as she shows you around the city and some of her favourite — and most inclusive — things to do. Highlights include pubs, clubs, shopping and a street art tour.
Lorcan | Accessible & Inclusive Belfast Itinerary
Lorcan is a 12-year boy with Autism. Let Lorcan and his family be your guide to some of their favourite – and inclusive – places in Belfast. Highlights include the Connswater Community Greenway, Maritime Mile, W5 and Titanic Belfast.
Margaret | Accessible & Inclusive Belfast Itinerary
Margaret is an older blind women. Let Margaret be your guide as she shows you around the city and some of her favourite — and most inclusive — things to do. Highlights include a visit to the Ulster Museum and a show at the Grand Opera House.
Darren | Accessible & Inclusive Belfast Itinerary
Darren is in his 30s and has learning disabilities. Let Darren be your guide as he arrives at Belfast City Airport and spends an exciting — and inclusive — 48 hours in the city. Highlights include a gig at the Black Box, a film at an independent cinema, a walk up Divis and the Black Mountain — and lots of great food in between!
Bernice| Accessible & Inclusive Belfast Itinerary
Bernice is a BSL user and lipreader in her 40s. Let Bernice be your guide as she shows you around the city and some of her favourite — and most inclusive — things to do. Highlights include Belfast Zoo, the Crumlin Road Gaol and Lyric Theatre, topped off by a luxury stay in a boutique hotel.
Visit Belfast Welcome Centre
The Visit Belfast Welcome Centre is the official tourist information centre for Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is open daily, and staff can help you with tourist information, planning itineraries, rail and bus ticket sales, tickets for tours and events and accommodation bookings.
In the city centre, it can be reached by bus, taxi or on foot. The nearest train station is Grand Central Station.
For more information on access to the Welcome Centre, visit AccessAble.
Top Accessible Things To Do
Discover the best accessibility friendly attractions and things to do in Belfast.
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Accessible Culture and Heritage Experiences in Belfast Accessible Culture and Heritage Experiences in Belfast
Take a look at the top picks from local people for accessible culture and heritage experiences in Belfast!
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Accessible Family Friendly Experiences in Belfast Accessible Family Friendly Experiences in Belfast
Take a look at the top picks from local people for accessible family friendly experiences in Belfast.
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Accessible Outdoor Experiences Accessible Outdoor Experiences
Take a look at the top picks from local people for recommended accessible outdoor experiences in Belfast.
Accessible Ways to get Around Belfast
Find out all the information you need on accessible ways to get around Belfast.
Support Services
Sign Video
Sign Video is an online service that can connect you through your phone or tablet to a BSL or ISL interpreter. It is available in leisure centres, visitor attractions such as Belfast Zoo and City Hall, hospitals and anywhere that displays the Sign Video sign.
Mae Murray Foundation
The Mae Murray Foundation has a library of free inclusive equipment and resources including all-terrain wheelchairs and buggies, trikes, travel seats, portable bath and toilet seats, safety beds, weighted blankets, play packs and soft play mats and retractable driveway guards.
It is quick and straightforward to sign up as a member of the Mae Murray Foundation. You should then complete an application form to borrow equipment at least seven days in advance. Equipment must be collected from and returned to their office in Larne, which is 20 miles (30km) north of Belfast.
Shopmobility
Shopmobility Belfast provides free daily rental of mobility scooters and wheelchairs to members. Members must sign-up using an online form and be assessed in person at locations in Belfast. They can then use scooters at a variety of venues, including Titanic Belfast, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, shopping centres and parks.
Non-members can also pay a small fee to rent Shopmobility scooters, wheelchairs and leg extensions.
Other equipment hire
Mobility Direct NI offers scooters for holiday hire.
Red Cross wheelchairs are available in a wide range of sizes, fitted with footrests as standard and free accessories such as leg elevators, cushions and stump supports.
AMS Mobility Services has a large range of wheelchairs including children’s wheelchairs and bariatric capable chairs with adaptions such as reclining backrests, elevating footrests and pressure relief cushions.
John Preston Medical and Mobility rent a range of equipment including wheelchairs, hoists and electric profiling beds with a choice of mattress.
Accessible Shopping
Many shops in Belfast City Centre are open from 9am to 6pm with late night shopping on Thursdays until 9pm. Sunday opening hours are generally 1pm to 6pm.
Shops are generally welcoming of disabled visitors. Shops that display the JAM card are trained in providing quality service to people with communication and hidden disabilities. Larger shops may have toilets available for customers.
There are two large shopping centres in the city centre. Victoria Square has a play area, quiet spaces, accessible toilets and a Changing Places. Visitors can borrow a free sensory pack including fidget toys, ear defenders and a RADAR key from customer services on the ground floor.
Castle Court has accessible toilets and a Changing Places and scooters and wheelchairs are available to rent from its Shopmobility store.
Assistance dogs are widely welcome, and water bowls are generally available on request. Dogs entering the country must comply with the Pet Travel Scheme. Check with your ferry or airline for any additional requirements.
Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling (£), the currency in circulation in England, Scotland and Wales. Card and contactless payments, including Mastercard (Access), Visa, Google Pay and Apple Pay, are in general use.
You can find wheelchair accessible and “talking” audio assistance ATMs using this map.
Accessible Toilets
You can find public toilets managed by Belfast City Council on its website. These include 24-hour access automatic toilets. There is a 20p charge to use automatic toilets, payable in coins or by card.
All public toilets include accessible facilities which can be accessed with a RADAR key.
Changing Places
There are nearly 100 registered Changing Places in Northern Ireland. These include City Hall, Titanic Belfast, Belfast Zoo, SSE Arena, Crescent Arts Centre, Northern Ireland Assembly Buildings, Grand Central Station, Divis and the Black Mountain and the Ulster Folk Museum.
You can find registered facilities on the Changing Places map.
WiFi
Belfast has a free public WiFi network, Belfast WiFi. It is available is available at 109 hotspots, including visitor attractions, community and leisure centres and other public buildings.
WiFi is also widely available in shops, coffee shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, libraries and more.
Safety
Belfast is one of the safest cities in Europe, and Northern Ireland has the second lowest crime rate in Europe. However, it is always wise to be sensible and follow good advice when exploring a new destination. As with all travel, follow general safety tips such as leave money and valuables in a safe place and lock valuables out of sight.
Emergencies
The number for emergency services is 999. This will connect you to the fire brigade, police, ambulance, lifeboat and mountain rescue services.
For non-urgent crimes, contact the police by calling 101.
Download the Accessibility Guides
Download Visit Belfast’s Accessibility Guides.
Visit Belfast's Accessibility Statement
Find out more information on Visit Belfast’s guarantee for the accessibility of its content and services for individuals with disabilities who require additional access support.
Open Arts
This access guide was created in collaboration with Open Arts, a local organisation that supports the creative and artistic development of disabled people.
