Belfast Castle sits on the lower slopes of Cave Hill in north Belfast, with terraced gardens, a visitor information centre and a coffee shop. Entry is free, including the gardens and the visitor centre, and it is the simplest place to start a walk up Cave Hill.
Getting there and parking
The castle is on the Antrim Road at the Innisfayle Park entrance, postcode BT15 5GR. Parking is free, with the main car park in front of the building, overspill spaces, and designated disabled and parent and child bays. Spaces are first come, first served. Metro services 1A to 1H stop at the castle and zoo entrances on the Antrim Road.
What you do there
Walk the terraced gardens for views over Belfast and Belfast Lough, then follow the short Castle Trail, a 1.3km circular path through the grounds. Inside, the Cave Hill Visitor Information Centre is self-guided, and you can see a bedroom furnished in the style of the 1920s. The Cave Hill Adventurous Playground sits at the top of the estate, a short walk from the car park.
Allow about one hour for a self-guided walk and the visitor centre, or longer if you add the gardens and the playground.
Facilities
Toilets, including accessible toilets and baby-changing, plus a cafe. The Tavern Coffee Shop opens daily from 10am to 5pm. The Cellar Restaurant is temporarily closed. There is free Wi-Fi.
Access and suitability
Inside the castle is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the basement visitor centre, coffee shop and gardens and to the first floor. The Visitor Information Centre is self-guided and wheelchair-friendly. The gardens and walkways include slopes and steps, so ask at reception for the easiest route. There is no Changing Places facility.
Dogs are not allowed inside the castle, in the castle gardens, in the adventure playground, or in the coffee shop and restaurant. Dogs on leads are allowed in the outdoor seated area at the Tavern Coffee Shop, where water bowls are available.
When to go
The grounds open at 7.30am and close earlier as daylight shortens, so check the current closing time before an evening visit. The castle building opens 9am to 6pm on Sunday and Monday and 9am to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday, but it can close to the public for a private event such as a wedding.
If it rains
The visitor information centre and the Tavern Coffee Shop give you a covered stop, and the castle is the natural shelter for a wet day on Cave Hill. There is no separate indoor attraction on the hill itself.
Before you go
Check the castle opening hours and any private event closures on the Belfast Castle contact page. Check the park closing time on the Cave Hill Country Park page.