Belfast Travel Guide - Attractions

Belfast Castle: sits on the slopes of Cave Hill, and was constructed in 1865 for the third Marquis of Donegall. The Baronial-style castle now functions as a restaurant, although it houses the Cave Hill Heritage Centre that tells the history of the castle and Cave Hill Country Park. The grounds surrounding the castle contain some beautiful ornamental gardens with many paths. Make sure you walk to McArt's Fort at the top of the promontory for some excellent views over the city.

Parliament Buildings, Storment: the imposing Parliament Buildings sit on a strategic hilltop location on Upper Newtownards road. The huge building is now home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and is not open to the public. The grounds are worth visiting and you can walk from the main gates to the statue of Lord Carson at the bottom of the mile-long avenue. Next to Parliament Buildings is Stormont Castle which serves as the Belfast Headquarters of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

City Hall: is a good example of Classical Renaissance style that was modelled on St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The main entrance brings you to a hall that has a series of arches, stained-glass windows, paintings and decorative plasterwork, with a wonderful view to the top of the 170-foot-high Great Dome. Now home to Belfast City Council, City Hall offers free tours that take you around the Edwardian masterpiece which includes the oak-furnished Council Chamber, the grand staircase and the John Luke mural.

Albert Memorial Clock: constructed in 1853, it was designed by WJ Barre as a memorial to Queen Victoria's late consort, Prince Albert. The tower is built from sandstone in a mixture of French and Italian gothic styles and features four clock faces and a two-tonne bell. A life-size statue of the prince stands on the west side of the tower. The memorial has a lean of over four feet off the vertical as it is built on soft marsh land, earning it the title of 'Belfast's Leaning Tower of Pisa'.

Queen’s University of Belfast: was established in 1845 by Queen Victoria as one of three colleges in Ireland. The main building was designed by Charles Lanyon in Tudor gothic style, and is one of Belfast's most iconic landmarks. The imposing facade conceals a quiet and restful quadrangle. The Great Hall was first opened in 1849 but it was only after restorations in 2001 that people could appreciate the magnificence of the original plans.

Famous graduates include Northern Ireland’s First Minister, David Trimble; Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney; and President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Inside is a visitors’ centre and gift shop, the Naughton Gallery, and the Canada Room where Senator George Mitchell laid the foundations for the Northern Ireland peace process.