A Student Guide to Belfast
Get your bearings with this local guide to key hotspots around campus, Belfast and beyond.
Queen’s couldn’t be in a better location for enjoying student life in Belfast. The main site is just a short 20-minute walk from the city centre, putting you slap bang in the heart of one of the friendliest and most vibrant cities in the UK!
Belfast features in the National Geographic’s top 30 most exciting destinations to visit in the world in 2024 (National Geographic Cool List 2024)
Queen's Campus
The leafy area spread around Queen’s University is home to a treasure trove of eclectic shops, boutiques, cafes, bars and art galleries.
- VIDEO: Must Visit Spots on Queen's Campus
- VIDEO: Our Favourite Coffee Shops Around Campus
- VIDEO: Come with me to the Naughton Gallery
- Top Ten Cafes Within Walking Distance of Queen’s
95% of current international students were satisfied with the campus environment (International Student Barometer 2024)
Elms BT9
Elms BT9 is a chilled-out student community located just a ten-minute walk from the main campus, just off the leafy Malone Road.
- Freshers' Accommodation: Essential Kit List
- Moving to Belfast: Setting Up Your Student Accommodation at Queen's
- How to Make the Most of Living in Accommodation as a First-Year Student
Queen’s was ranked 4th out of 30 UK universities for accommodation quality (International Student Barometer 2024)
Elms BT1 and BT2
Stay in the heart of Belfast city centre in either Elms BT1 or BT2, both a 15-minute walk from the main campus.
- Moving into Student Accommodation: What to Consider
- The Benefits of Elms BT1 for First-Year International Students
- 21 events and activities in Queen’s halls that’ll make you want to move in immediately
Botanic Avenue
Take a dander down Botanic in between classes and enjoy everything from local coffee shops, restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines, and charity bookshops.
Kawa Asian Fusion
- VIDEO: Come Shopping With Me Along Botanic Avenue
- My Favourite Vegan and Gluten-Free Cafes in Belfast
- VIDEO: Shopping Local In and Around Campus
Asian supermarkets
There are Asian supermarkets less than five minutes from campus, on Botanic Avenue and the lower Ormeau Road, where you can purchase authentic ingredients and enjoy fresh food at their cafes and delis.
- Top Indian Restaurants in Belfast
- A Taste of Home, Away from Home!
- Malaysian Students’ Food Shopping Guide
Queen's Sport
Our Physical Education Centre (PEC) is just a short walk from Queen’s main campus and can be accessed through Botanic Gardens.
Queen’s Film Theatre
The QFT is nestled behind the Georgian Façade of 20 University Square - catch the latest releases, plus golden oldies and seasonal faves for just £6 for a student ticket.
- The Best Places to Catch a Film in Belfast
- The Best Ways to Spend Your Evenings in Belfast, Alcohol Free!
The Cathedral Quarter
A 30-minute walk from campus (or around £5 in an Uber), the cobbled stoned streets of the Cathedral Quarter are packed with buzzing beer gardens and trendy warehouse restaurants.
- VIDEO: Belfast's Live Music Scene
- VIDEO: The Best Happy Hour Spots in Belfast
- VIDEO: My Favourite Rooftop Bars and Beer Gardens in Belfast
The Grand Opera House
Just 15-minutes from campus, The Grand Opera House is a beacon of the Linen Quarter, with plenty of chic bars and renowned restaurants now occupying the city’s former linen mills.
Victoria Square
This shopping haven right in the city centre is a 20-minute bus ride from campus and boasts a mix of designer and high-end stores, plus amazing places to eat.
St George's Market
Just a 20-minute walk from campus, this award-winning market is a great spot for picking up local artisan produce and cool arty finds.
Belfast is among the seven best UK cities for food and drink (Which?, 2023)
Titanic Belfast
A 15-minute drive away from campus is Titanic Belfast - a museum dedicated to the infamous ship that was built right here in Belfast. Take a walk around Titanic Quarter and enjoy picturesque views of the River Lagan - and why not visit the SSE Arena for a Belfast Giants ice hockey game?
- Come with Me to the Titanic Museum in Belfast
- 5 Things You Can Do in Belfast That You Can’t Do Anywhere Else!
Find out more
VIDEO: A Student’s Guide to Belfast
How to Make the Most of Your Social Life in Belfast and Beyond!
Where to Take Your Family When They Visit Queen's and Belfast