The home of Belfast City Council, Belfast City Hall was designed by Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas and completed in 1906. The building represents one of the most important examples of the baroque revival anywhere in the British Isles. Picture courtesy NI Tourist Board.

Belfast is described by Lonely Planet as a ‘must-see visitor destination’. It has also recently been voted one of the world’s top 10 destinations by National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Visit Belfast, Belfast's official visitor website, provides a range of information on tourist attractions, events and accommodation in Belfast. Advice and information for visitors to Northern Ireland can also be found on the Discover Northern Ireland website (the official website of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board).

The Belfast Welcome Centre is located in the city centre, opposite Belfast City Hall, and is a great first stop for visitors to Belfast. Address: 9 Donegall Sq North, Belfast, BT1 5GJ. Email: info@visit-belfast.com. 

From its wonderful coast to its vibrant cities, Northern Ireland offers an enormous variety of landscapes and cultural and leisure opportunities, including the Giant’s Causeway UNESCO World Heritage Site and the new Titanic Belfast centre. A full list of Northern Ireland visitior attractions can be found here.

The Palm House, Botanic Gardens, Belfast. Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and built between 1840 and 1852, the building represents one of the earliest examples of curvilinear iron and glass. Picture courtesy NI Tourist Board.

The University Quarter

Botanic Gardens

Located next to Queen's University, the Botanic Gardens are an important part of Belfast's Victorian heritage and a popular meeting place for residents, students and tourists. It contains two important buildings, the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine, as well as a children's playground, a bowling green, walking routes, a rose garden and assorted tropical plants, mature trees and flower beds. Access to the gardens is free except during special events. For further information on opening times and events, click here.

Ulster Museum

Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an Egyptian Mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum which is located inside Botanic Gardens, in close proximity to Queen’s University. The museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences and is free to all visitors. For opening times and 'Whats On' information, click here.

Queen’s University Welcome Centre and the Naughton Gallery

The Welcome Centre is located in the Lanyon Building of Queen's University. Recently refurbished, it hosts a regular programme of exhibitions and serves as an information point for visitors and tourists, as well as offering a varied selection of souvenirs and gifts.

The Naughton Gallery is also located in the Lanyon Building. The gallery hosts a rolling programme of works from the University's own collection, touring exhibitions and shows by local and international artists. Information on opening times and current exhibitions can be found here. 

The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim. The only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, the Causeway formed from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago and is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Picture courtesy NI Tourist Board.

Belfast Visitor Attractions

Below is a selection of places of interest in Belfast: 

• Belfast City Hall
• Titanic Belfast
• Stormont Parliament Buildings
• St George's Market
• Belfast Castle Estate & Cave Hill Visitor Centre
• Belfast Zoological Gardens
• The Crumlin Road Gaol (a nineteenth-century Grade ‘A’ listed building)
• Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast city centre
• The Grand Opera House
• The Linenhall Library (the oldest library in Belfast)
• Samson and Goliath Cranes

Other Useful Information

Currency

Please note that Northern Ireland uses the £ sterling, the currency in circulation in England, Scotland and Wales. Unlike the Euro which is used in the Republic of Ireland, £ sterling is not linked to the Euro. Mastercard (Access) and Visa credit cards are in general use and cheques backed by a bank card are widely accepted.

Telephone Codes

To telphone Northern Ireland from abroad, dial 00 44 + area code (without 0) + local number. To telephone Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, dial 048 + area code (without 0) + local number. To telephone Northern Ireland from elsewhere in UK or to make an internal call, dial area code (with 0) + local number. To call the Republic from Northern Ireland, dial 00 353 + the area code (without 0) + local number.

Public Transport within Belfast

Delegates can avail of the Translink Metro bus service that operates from Belfast City Hall with services every 10-15 minutes to Queen’s University Belfast on Metro route 8. Click here for route and timetable information.

Private taxi hire

There are several private 24-hour hire taxi firms in Belfast. Examples include Value Cabs (+44 28 9080 9080) and Fonacab (+44 28 9023 3333).

Maps

Various maps to assist you can be found here.