Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a great place to visit for a short break, and offers plenty to see and do. If you’re visiting the city on a budget, read on to discover some of the best free things to do in Belfast.
1. Visit Belfast Castle
One of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks, Belfast Castle was built in 1870 in the Marquis of Donegal’s deer park. Boasting the Scottish baronial style that was popular at the time, the castle offers amazing views across both Belfast Lough and the city itself, making it a great place to take some fantastic photos. It’s free to visit the Belfast Castle estate, which is made up of a combination of woodland and parkland and offers fantastic walking opportunities. During your wander, you might be lucky enough to spot a range of wildlife, including owls, sparrowhawks, and Belfast’s oldest plant – the town hall clock.
The castle itself has hosted weddings, dances, and afternoon teas since 1945, although it closed for a decade in 1978 for a £2million refurbishment. Now, it is also a great space for business meetings and events, in addition to welcoming guests to the visitor centre which is located in the basement. Here, you can learn all about the history of the castle and its surroundings, before heading out to explore its ornamental gardens.
If you do have a bit of budget to spare, you might like to have a break at the Castle Tavern which serves drinks, scones, and traybakes. Belfast Castle also has a fine dining restaurant, the Cellar Restaurant, and, although it might be a pricey addition to a free activity, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind if you want to splash the cash in the future.
2. Explore Cave Hill Country Park
Belfast Castle sits in the Cave Hill County Park, so you can explore these two free attractions one after the other with ease. The park offers a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty to see and do during your visit. You can enjoy amazing views across Belfast from a number of points in the park, including Cave Hill, which is almost always visible from the city. Named due to the five caves (possibly early iron mines) that sit in its sides, Cave Hill is mostly famous for its rocky outcrop – ‘Napoleon’s Nose’ – and is believed to have been the inspiration behind Gulliver’s Travels.
In addition to fantastic panoramas, Cave Hill Country Park has a whole number of ecotrails, walking routes, and orienteering opportunities, which give you the chance to discover everything from archeological sites and livestock to woodland and greenland. With options available for both casual walkers and committed ramblers, you’re sure to find a route that suits you. You’ll also be able to see McArt’s fort which sits 1200 feet above sea level, and it’s thought that it was used to both store food in the winter and provide refuge.
Cave Hill Country Park has an adventure playground where children can let off steam, and you’re in easy reach of the aforementioned Castle Tavern should you need some refreshments after your walk.
3. Immerse yourself in the Botanic Gardens
You can enter Belfast’s impressive Botanic Gardens for free, and you’re sure to be impressed by the beauty that you’ll find here. The gardens offer great examples of Belfast’s Victorian heritage, particularly through the striking Palm House, a glasshouse created using curved iron and glass. The gardens were initially opened in line with the public’s interest in horticulture and botany, and are now a popular place for socialising and taking walks away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In the Palm House, you’ll find a variety of tropical plants, seasonal displays, birds of paradise, and hanging baskets. Displays are beautifully colourful all year round in the cool wing of the house, so it’s always a vibrant place to visit. You’ll also want to take a look at the Tropical Ravine. Here, you can find some of the oldest plant seeds still in existence, including banana, cinnamon, and orchids. This building was built in 1887 and retains many of its original Victorian features. It also boasts interactive and digital exhibits which you can use to learn more about the gardens and their history.
Outside of the houses, you can see the Botanic Gardens’ fabulous rose garden, herbaceous borders, and even ancient oak trees, plus there’s a children’s playground for the little ones, and a bowling green too. You’ll also find a number of events taking place in the gardens, covering everything from concerts to opera performances.
Now that you know where to find all of the best free things to do in Belfast, book your Cairnryan to Larne crossing and discover how to get from Larne Harbour to Belfast.
