How to Enjoy Your Spare Time at Queen's and in Belfast
Our students tell us how they make the most of their spare time in and around campus!
Coffee, scenic views and walks through Botanic
"My favourite thing to do around campus is choosing a coffee shop to go to and getting a coffee (there are lots of choices!). The best coffee on campus is easily Hope Café in the library, but there are some really great coffee shops not too far from campus like Blue Train and Kaffé-O on Botanic Avenue, or Terrace on the Malone Road!
The McClay Library is beautiful, and the CS Lewis Reading Room is definitely worth a visit! In my opinion the best seats in the library are the smaller balconies on L1, L2 and L3 which overlook the computer labs on the ground floor, but a close second is of course the larger balconies with views of Botanic Gardens – I just get far too distracted by the view when I sit there!
There has to obviously be an honourable mention for those gardens – the Botanic Gardens are one of the most unique things about Queen’s and they’re a really nice place to go for a walk between classes. The Palm House is also worth a visit! The. gardens are especially popular in the good weather, and students will sit in the grass and play football, hurling, and other sports while catching up with their friends!"
Grace Nelson, LLB Law with Spanish, Donegal, Ireland
Discoveries in Ulster Museum, gaming in Reboot and Belfast Giants games
"In my spare time on campus, I like to go for a short walk to refresh my mind. The best place to do this is Botanic Gardens park which is next to the main Queen's campus. In Botanic Gardens you will find a tropical ravine and a palm house. If it’s a rainy day you can visit the Ulster Museum which can also be found in Botanic Gardens. It’s a great museum for discovering history and every time I go I discover something new. The best thing is that it’s free admission.
If you’re looking for some fun while on campus head to the brand-new Queen's reboot gaming centre. You’ll find this on the Lisburn Road opposite the Queen’s MBC building. Here you can challenge your new friends to some board games and classic arcade games. You can also book to use one of their new gaming stations that includes a red bull F1 racing simulation. I also enjoy going to the SSE Arena in Belfast and supporting our Belfast Giants ice hockey team. Anyone can enjoy watching a game and you can get a discounted student ticket for most matches. The arena can be easily accessed by bus, train or a short drive from the city centre."
Charlene Spence, BSc Midwifery, NI
Silent study in the Thomas J Moran Graduate School; and grabbing some boba!
"Botanic Gardens: In between classes, Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to go for a walk and get my steps in! There is a Palm House with tropical plants, Tropical Ravine and a wide paved walking pathway. In the summertime it is the perfect picnic spot or just to lay and soak up the sun.
The Graduate School: For graduate students, the Graduate School silent study area is the ideal place to get work done. When I need a change of scenery, I find myself very productive at the Graduate School. The Graduate School is equipped with individual working spaces, study rooms ideal for meetings, and a kitchen area. The Graduate School is also strategically located beside the Lanyon building, and the Students' Union right opposite!
Bubble Tea (also known as ‘Boba’): If I am craving something sweet, I often go and get boba! Around our campus, we are spoilt for boba choices, there are so many different boba shops with so many different choices, for just around £5, I can get a quick cup on the go. Often the boba shops offer a loyalty card to collect stamps for a free drink!"
Priscilla Jeyaraj, PhD Medicine, Malaysia
Catchups in the McClay and group activities in the PEC
"As funny as it sounds, I love going to the McClay Library. The McClay Library is so beautifully designed and sometimes in between classes, I’d like to go to the second floor and sit by the glass overlooking the library. Makes me feel oddly comfortable. For the majority of the time, the library is also where my friends are, so sometimes to nice for a quick catchup.
Every Friday and Saturday, our friends and I organise sporting activities for everyone to hang out and release some stress and most importantly laugh. Every Friday and Saturday we play Badminton together in the PEC."
Keith See Choy Xing, Law, Malaysia
Participating in clubs/societies, visits to the QFT and wee walks
"Apart from the various clubs and societies I am a member of, I love watching movies at the Queen's Film Theatre. My other top things would be just to sit in the various parks we have in and around campus to appreciate the beauty of nature. Sometimes, I bring a friend along so we can talk our hearts out while being engulfed in nature. Lastly, it would be taking random little walks around campus, going from the SU to the library or from the library to the PEC. I adore these little walks."
Muhammad Abdul Rehman, LLB Law, Pakistan
Foodie finds, market visits and day trips around NI
"In my spare time, I love visiting new restaurants around Belfast. I am a sucker for delicious food and drink, so am always on the hunt for new places. Stranmillis, Botanic, and Lisburn Road have a great array of food and drink available; from chicken wings to Japanese pancakes, bubble tea to sushi, and every tipsy student’s favourite – the almighty kebab. The city centre also has so much available – I personally love Sawers for the best sandwiches about.
When not spending all my money on food, I also love to visit St George’s Market at the weekend. I’ve always been a sucker for anything handmade, so markets of any type are my kryptonite. If it says ‘handmade’ or ‘local artist,’ I’m usually sold! They have both food and craft markets available Friday-Sunday. If you want to explore a little further afield, the East Block Bazaar (held on the last Sunday every month) is worth a visit too.
If I don’t feel like spending too much money, I like to get in touch with nature. Helen’s Bay in Bangor is only a quick train journey from campus and is one of my favourite places to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you grab a yLink or 24+ railcard, you can easily get here for cheap and enjoy the coast, right on your doorstep!"
Callista Middleton, Medicine, NI
Taking study breaks for coffee and thrifting
"On campus, when I’m not in class, this year I am normally doing one of three things; 1) researching for my dissertation (super boring, very stressed—final year is very busy), 2) enjoying a coffee and a sweet treat in one of the many coffee spots in and around the student area or 3) thrifting on Botanic Avenue. As an English literature student, I can’t recommend the Oxfam bookstore enough – it’s a treasure trove, and the staff are absolutely lovely!"
Chloe McCann, BA English, NI
Exploring the campus and visiting Queen's Film Theatre
"There’s something undeniably atmospheric about walking through Queen’s. The Lanyon Building has the grandeur of a storybook setting, and with Botanic Gardens right next door, it’s ideal for an autumn walk or a quiet break between lectures. Queen’s also has plenty of great coffee spots. Mosaic is a favorite for its inviting atmosphere and quality coffee, while Junction (part of Queen’s itself) is a convenient stop for a quick caffeine boost or a catch-up with friends.
For film lovers, the Queen’s Film Theatre is a campus highlight, screening everything from major releases to independent and international films—perfect for unwinding or even finding inspiration for your studies. Whether you’re after a study break, a good coffee, or a film to get lost in, there’s something here for everyone."
Faye Colhoun, English and French, NI
Enjoying the beauty of Queen's campus
"Campus is absolutely beautiful, and it is truly a home away from home for me. In my spare time, I love spending time in the Students' Union Building, the Library, and the beautiful cafes right near the Lanyon Building. The energy is electric and exciting, filled with passion, creativity, and community. It's balanced by a distinct cosiness that makes me feel like I can just relax, curl up with a book, and just enjoy the simple pleasures of every single day."
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera, MA Creative Writing, New York, USA
Listening to live music, watching independent films and exercising
One of the things I love the most about Belfast is how everything’s within walking distance! As a film buff, I love going to Queen’s Film Theatre to catch an independent movie on the weekend, watching a live singer at a local pub such as The Parlour on Fridays or lifting weights and doing some cardio at Queen’s Sport in the morning before class.
It’s very varied when it comes to activities, which shows that there’s always something for everyone. Whether you prefer a more relaxed environment or something more upbeat, you’ll always find it here!
Miguel Ruiz Reyes, BSc Psychology, El Salvador
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