Belfast Castle
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Trevor Caruth (Uploaded by Johnnykimble), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Alicia Fagerving, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Portwilliamborn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Belfast City Council
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Note
- Victorian baronial mansion on Cave Hill; free entry
Pinpoint
J3V5+33, Antrim Rd, Belfast BT15 5GR
Telephone 028 9077 6925
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Belfast Castle is a Victorian baronial mansion built on the slopes of Cave Hill, with free entry to the grounds and views over the whole city and harbour. It's more a garden and viewpoint than a castle tour - reviewers note the interior isn't generally open, and one flagged the café terrace as under-invested compared to the setting.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The view over Belfast from Cave Hill - reviewers call the harbour and city panorama the main draw, more than the building itself.
Before you go
The interior isn't usually open to the public, so this is a grounds-and-view visit rather than a room-by-room tour - the basement coffee shop is the way most people experience the inside.
What visitors say
Belfast Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 6,896 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy the free castle grounds and gardens along with the panoramic views over Belfast and the harbour, and most say around an hour is enough to see it.
Opinions diverge on the on-site cafe - one reviewer was strongly critical of the outdoor seating and lack of weather cover, while others enjoyed the food and coffee - and a couple of visitors note the castle interior is sometimes closed to the public for private events.
“Really pretty, nice cat garden. Unfortunately couldn’t go inside the castle because of a private event. Kinda wish I would have known before going there, but the grounds and the castle exterior are still worth seeing.…”- Alison Auclair, visitor review
Walks at Belfast Castle
Belfast Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“The grounds are well-maintained, with lovely gardens and walking paths that are perfect for exploring at a comfortable pace.”- Joseph Nicole Roxas, visitor review
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
Weddings at Belfast Castle
Belfast Castle is on our wedding roll because Belfast City Council mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See the full UK castle wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
1220s (medieval); 1867-1870 (current building)
Norman invaders built a medieval castle here in the 1220s, probably to guard the ford across the River Lagan. The structure passed through many hands including the Uí Néill dynasty and English forces. The current Victorian baronial mansion was constructed 1867-1870 on a different location atop Cave Hill.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “So much potential but such a lazy finish to the café.” - lucy bell
Common questions about Belfast Castle
Where is Belfast Castle?
Belfast Castle is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, at J3V5+33, Antrim Rd, Belfast BT15 5GR.
Do you need a ticket to visit Belfast Castle?
Yes - Belfast Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Belfast City Council. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Are there walks at Belfast Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “The grounds are well-maintained, with lovely gardens and walking paths that are perfect for exploring at a comfortable pace.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Belfast Castle?
The view over Belfast from Cave Hill - reviewers call the harbour and city panorama the main draw, more than the building itself.
Is Belfast Castle a ruin or still intact?
Belfast Castle is largely intact - Victorian baronial mansion on Cave Hill; free entry.
