City: Northern Ireland
Top Things to do in Northern Ireland
Countries
What to do and see in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: The Best Government Buildings
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the United Kingdom (green)
Restaurants in Northern Ireland
1. City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,682 reviews
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.
2. Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
3. Parliament Buildings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,172 reviews
Reviewed By LesleyM66 - Manchester, United Kingdom
We took the G1 Glider bus out of Belfast city centre to the entrance of the Stormont Estate and then walked the mile up the entrance drive to the Parliament Building which gives good photo opportunities as you approach. Free tours of the building are offered twice a day. As you approach the building, aim for the right hand side where you will pass through the security check. Once inside, you are given a visitor's pass to wear during the tour. The tour is fascinating, the building very grand and the tour guide informative. After the tour, we were lucky that we were there on a day when the Assembly Members were in session & we were able to watch from the Public Gallery. To sit in the Public Gallery, you have to exchange the visitor's pass for another pass with your name & photograph on (which is taken & printed instantly for you). Lockers are provided to store your possessions whilst you are in the Public Gallery. There is also a lovely little cafe, gift shop & toilets. Lack of time & bad weather prevented us from exploring the grounds further but there are plenty of walks & a children's playground.
4. Bangor Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By steenjohna - Newtownards, United Kingdom
Decided on the spur of the moment to visit the Cafe at Bangor Castle as we had not been for some time. CAlled at 1:00pm and found the cafe to be quiet and not too crowded. Order quiche and salad, rhubarb pie + ice cream and Americano coffees each. Very nice indeed - especially the rhubard pie. The seating area was clean and the tables were well spaced. The tables along one side of the cafe were marked reserved but there was room to spare. This is a good place to visit to see around the Castle, the museum, art gallery and local artisan pottery on show.
5. The Courthouse
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
