What to do and see in Belfast, Northern Ireland: The Best Free Things to do

April 9, 2022 Kandra Bartel

With a population of almost 300,000 in the city proper, Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan destination and become a popular weekend break spot. With feelings of optimism and life pulsing through the city, Belfast makes for an energizing getaway. It's never been easier to tour the city, thanks to a number of intriguing bus, taxi, boat and pedestrian options. Don't miss the Ulster Folk Museum or the Belfast Cathedral, and make sure to experience some of the award-winning restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and theaters.
Restaurants in Belfast

1. Falls Road

139 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6AF Northern Ireland +44 7808 912543 http://www.coiste.ie/tours
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 944 reviews

Falls Road

Reviewed By ILOVEDOOLIN - Cambridge, United Kingdom

Hop on hop off tour bus around Belfast took us into the falls road estate and other areas of significance which I found very moving. We all know of the troubles that Belfast has had but it was somewhere that you felt slightly uncomfortable to be, and prying into people’s lives just didn’t seem right but at the end of the day it gave me a greater understanding. I think Belfast as a whole is very underestimated as it is a very vibrant and friendly city.

2. City Hall

City Hall Donegall Square, Belfast BT1 5GS Northern Ireland +44 28 9027 0456 [email protected] http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,682 reviews

City Hall

At the centre of Donegall Square proudly stands City Hall; the civic headquarters of Belfast City Council. City Hall is open to the public 7 days a week. It is a multi-purpose venue hosting a large number of events in its large functions rooms or outdoors on the beautiful lawns. Daily tours of the building allow visitors to admire the superb art collection, formal rooms such as the Council Chamber and Great Hall while its opulent interiors are lit by a stunning collection of stained glass windows. Guests can relax and refresh in the Bobbin Coffee Shop or pick up souvenirs in the Gift Shop. A 16 room visitor exhibition explores the history of the city through themed and interactive displays. City Hall grounds are the primary green space in Belfast City Centre and host continental markets and open air concerts. The grounds feature a number of statues and memorials relating to Belfast’s leading figures and historic past, including the Titanic Memorial Garden.

Reviewed By Wurzel67 - Wells, United Kingdom

if you like your architecture, and history, then definitely visit the City Hall building, some gorgeous exhibits on show, the amazing stained glass windows to the right of the main hall is a must see, and some brilliant information within some of the rooms, a great venue to tour around, and the memorial to the titantic victims hits home how many were lost on that fateful night back in 1912.

3. Linen Hall Library

17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB Northern Ireland +44 28 9032 1707 [email protected] http://www.linenhall.com
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 264 reviews

Linen Hall Library

This library, founded in 1788, is the oldest library in Belfast and contains the largest collection of material on Irish studies in Northern Ireland.

4. Queen's University

University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN Northern Ireland +44 28 9024 5133 http://www.qub.ac.uk/
Excellent
52%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 632 reviews

Queen's University

Belfast's largest university is well known for its beautiful campus.

Reviewed By BlueBoy1919 - Preston, United Kingdom

We walked 20 minutes from city centre and were not disappointed. The Univeristy is well presented and garden manicured, extremely picturesque. Area is full of Victorian architecture that has been well preserved. Next door to university is the park and museum both worth spending time in.

5. Ulster Museum

Stranmillis Road Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB Northern Ireland +44 28 9044 0000 http://www.nmni.com/um
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,600 reviews

Ulster Museum

Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an ancient Egyptian mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum. As Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and present, the museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences with impressive galleries and interactive discovery zones. From Ireland to the South Pacific, ancient relics to modern masterpieces, the Ulster Museum offers something for everyone from the simply curious to the enthusiast.

Reviewed By jacquieknox2017 - Ramelton, Ireland

This spacious, airy building hosts a wide variety of interesting artefacts and exhibitions. There's art collections, Flemish masters, dinosaurs, natural history, Irish history, Egyptian mummies, Spanish Armada relics and gold bullion, science, interactive displays - you could lose yourself in there all day. It really is worth a visit.

6. Cathedral Quarter

Belfast Northern Ireland http://cathedralquarterbelfast.com
Excellent
57%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 881 reviews

Cathedral Quarter

Posh, upscale neighborhood lined with glass and chrome buildings, cafes and wine bars.

Reviewed By josT2776NL - Belfast, United Kingdom

Beautiful place must see cobbled streets plenty of bars and places to eat lovely atmosphere really lovely place

7. Visit Belfast

9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB Northern Ireland +44 28 9024 6609 [email protected] http://visitbelfast.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 718 reviews

Visit Belfast

Contact the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre for visitor information, tour and event tickets, maps and local souvenirs, and travel advice for your trip to Belfast and beyond. Services provided: Tourist information tickets for tours and events, gift shop, free Wi-Fi and Bureau de change. Reopening Friday 30 April 2021.

Reviewed By MaryJoM_12 - Belfast, United Kingdom

Brilliant range of gifts/goods and useful information from Translink staff. Hint - come here for translink info, they dont have it in Great Victoria Street....

8. Botanic Gardens

College Park, Belfast BT9 5AB Northern Ireland +44 7767 271683 [email protected] http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/parksdetails.asp?id=54
Excellent
50%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,894 reviews

Botanic Gardens

Reviewed By stephaniemY1160IO

I visited three times during my stay in Belfast each visit brought something new to see, great place to chill in the warm weather the palm house and tropical ravine house were full of interesting flowers and plants if a little humid

9. Cave Hill Country Park

Antrim Rd, Belfast Northern Ireland +44 7920 187643 http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisure/parks-openspaces/Park-6622.aspx
Excellent
69%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 480 reviews

Cave Hill Country Park

Reviewed By PB2269 - Aldergrove, United Kingdom

Climbed Cavehill on Christmas morning the weather was glorious and well worth the effort it took, fabulous view of our city and a beauty attraction on our doorstep

10. St. Malachy's Church

24 Alfred Street, Belfast BT2 8EN Northern Ireland +44 28 9032 1713 http://www.saintmalachysparish.com/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 333 reviews

St. Malachy's Church

Reviewed By postman1311 - Douglas, United Kingdom

This is a modern building but that does not detract from its old world charm as on entering it is all white marble and with a massive oil painting of Jesus caring the cross above the Altar we where there as a family to celebrate Easter Sunday mass as we were staying right besides here and so glad we were so if you are at city hall just around the corner is this lovely church take a look

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