How To Visit Belfast Castle
Belfast Castle is one of the most iconic attractions in North Belfast and is worth visiting during your travels to Northern Ireland’s up-and-coming capital city.
In this article, we outline everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle.
We highlight the history of the Castle, describe precisely how to visit the castle and provide you with handy information for visiting Belfast Castle.
So, let’s dive into: How to visit Belfast Castle
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What is Belfast Castle?
In its current guise, Belfast Castle was built in 1870 and underwent major renovation work in the 1970s and 1980s. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular and iconic attractions in North Belfast.
The Castle is a popular venue for weddings, retreats, events and meetings, but as a day visitor, it is possible to take a walk around the gardens, admire the architecture of the castle and even have a look inside.
Where is Belfast Castle?
Belfast Castle is found at the foot of Cave Hill in the Cave Hill Country Park in North Belfast. The Castle can be accessed via the public road connected to Antrim Road, one of the major thoroughfares in North Belfast.
Hiking in Cave Hill Country Park is one of many unique activities in Belfast and is a great way to see more of the city after you’ve explored the Belfast Castle grounds.
Belfast Castle lit up by the Sunshine
Common Questions about Belfast Castle
Can you stay overnight in Belfast Castle?
Unfortunately, you cannot stay overnight in Belfast Castle - you can rent many of the rooms for events and weddings but cannot book an overnight stay at the Castle at this time. There are, however, many great boutique hotels in Belfast for you to stay in instead.
Top tip: if you want to see the castle but there are no free rooms or you just want to find something more convenient or more budget-friendly, search, compare and book your vacation rental with cozycozy.
Is Belfast Castle worth visiting?
As we’ve mentioned, Belfast Castle is one of the most popular attractions in North Belfast, so it is worth figuring into your Belfast travel itinerary.
If you are only in Belfast for a weekend, then perhaps don’t go out of your way to squeeze a trip to Belfast Castle in, but if you are planning to be in Belfast for 3-4 Days, then it is undoubtedly worth combining a trip to Belfast Castle with a hike in Cave Hill Country Park.
How long do you need to spend at Belfast Castle?
If you are planning on simply seeing Belfast Castle, walking around the landscaped gardens, and perhaps grabbing a coffee, then 1-2 hours is plenty of time.
If you plan to combine a trip to Belfast Castle with a hike up Cave Hill (which we highly recommend), then it’s best to plan for 3-4 hours.
Is there a Belfast Castle Car Park?
Yes, there are several places to park your car at Belfast Castle. The grounds to the Castle operate a one-way system, so if you’re coming from the Atrim Road entrance, you can park near the children’s playground behind the school.
If you drive through the main gates into Cavehill Country Park, then you just follow the windy road to the left and there are a number of parking spaces as you make your way towards the castle itself.
Can you do a guided tour of Belfast Castle?
Unfortunately, at this time, you cannot get a guided tour of Belfast Castle. The Castle is open to the public, and you can walk around the inside independently. We recommend asking one of the staff members if you have any questions about the Castle itself.
Are you a history buff visiting Belfast? You are sure to love the Belfast Political Taxi Tour - you can learn all about the Troubles from people who lived through it, making it one of the best tours in Belfast!
How much does it cost to visit Belfast Castle, and do you need Belfast Castle Tickets?
Visiting Belfast Castle is completely free, making it one of the cheapest and best things to do in Belfast. It also means that there is no need to research buying tickets for the castle, you simply wander up to the front door and have a look around.
When does Belfast Castle open?
Belfast Castle is open daily from 09:00-18:00 but can vary by season, based on how much daylight there is. Click here for the most up-to-date opening times for Belfast Castle.
People abseiling down Belfast Castle
How to get to Belfast Castle?
There are a few different options for getting to Belfast Castle from the city centre of Belfast. Here is a quick rundown of the easiest suggestions:
Taxi - taxis are readily available from the centre of Belfast. Depending on traffic, a taxi ride from central Belfast to Belfast Castle will take around 15 minutes and cost somewhere between £10-15.
Bus - Bus Route 1 travels along the Antrim Road from Central Belfast and is the easiest bus route to visit Belfast Castle. You get off at the Strathmore Park stop and follow the signposts for Belfast Castle. The journey should cost around £2.10 one-way. Click here for Belfast bus routes and timetables.
Car - if you travel Northbound along Antrim Road, Belfast Castle is clearly signposted from the main road. There is free parking on site.
Best things to do at Belfast Castle
Grab a coffee and a cake at the Castle Tavern
The Castle Tavern, now operated by the Ability Cafe, can be found on the ground floor of Belfast Castle and offers an array of hot and cold food like salads, sandwiches, soups and wraps.
With a great selection of hot drinks, cakes and treats, the Castle Tavern is a lovely place to relax and unwind after exploring the Belfast Castle grounds.
Castle Tavern opening times: Thursday to Monday from 9 am to 4 pm
Take a wander around the inside of the Castle
No trip to Belfast Castle would be complete without wandering around the castle's interior. The main ballroom (The Chichester Room) features terrific views over the city of Belfast, while the Donegal Room is often used as the entrance for the Bridal party when Belfast Castle hosts weddings.
Hike around Cave Hill Country Park
Anytime we visit Belfast Castle, we combine it with a walk around the Cave Hill Country Park.
There are several trails at Cave Hill, ranging from the short 0.8 mile (1.4km) Castle Trail that loops around the grounds at Belfast Castle. All the way to the longer 4.5 miles (7.2km) Cavehill trail that gradually ascends to the top of Cavehill - providing panoramic views of Belfast city and docks.
Belfast Castle - as seen from the landscaped gardens
There we have it, folks, our complete round-up of everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle. The Castle is one of the highlights of any trip to Belfast and is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon when you find yourself in Northern Ireland’s wonderful capital city.
Need more suggestions for your trip to Northern Ireland? Check out our useful Belfast travel tips for more suggestions and the best things to do in Belfast!
