Belfast Castle — a Victorian Scottish Baronial mansion perched 400 feet above the city on the southern slopes of Cave Hill, commanding panoramic views over Belfast and Belfast Lough. Built between 1867 and 1870 for the 3rd Marquess of Donegall, it was designed by the renowned Belfast architectural firm Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Its pink Scrabo sandstone walls and sweeping serpentine staircase create one of the most romantic silhouettes on the skyline. This is no medieval fortress but a "princely residence" — gifted to the City of Belfast by the Shaftesbury family in 1934, extensively restored in 1988 and opened to the public. Hidden throughout the gardens are nine cat statues — in sculpture, mosaic, topiary, wrought iron and inscribed verse — inspired by the old legend that as long as a white cat lives in the castle, good fortune will bless all who visit. From behind the castle, venture through Cave Hill's limestone caves and heather moorland to the cliff-edge "Napoleon's Nose" — said to have inspired Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
From the romantic stone carvings of the Victorian castle to the sweeping panoramas atop Cave Hill, from the playful treasure hunt in the Cat Garden to authentic Northern Irish cuisine in the Cellar Restaurant — step into a Belfast landmark where 800 years of history meet nature
Begin your morning at the castle's main entrance, ascending the winding Serpentine Staircase — added in 1894 by the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury, this semi-spiral staircase is the castle's most photogenic architectural feature. Enter the ground-floor public areas to admire the Victorian banqueting hall, grand hall and sweeping main staircase, soaking in the romantic Scottish Baronial splendour. Then step into the Cat Garden for a playful treasure hunt — nine cats are hidden among flowerbeds and flagstones in the form of bronze sculptures, colourful mosaics, topiary shapes, wrought-iron bench details and even T.S. Eliot verse inscriptions; finding all nine is said to bring a year of good luck. In the afternoon, change into hiking boots and set off from behind the castle along the Castle Trail (0.8 miles/1.3 km) to warm up, then join the Cave Hill Trail (4.5 miles/7.2 km) climbing to the summit through mixed woodland, limestone quarries and heather moorland, passing five man-made caves before reaching the cliff-edge "Napoleon's Nose" — a lifelike basalt promontory — and the Iron Age McArt's Fort ring fort ruins. From the 368-metre summit, gaze down over the entire city of Belfast, Belfast Lough and the Antrim coastline; on clear days you can even see the coast of Scotland. Descend to the Cellar Restaurant for authentic Northern Irish Sunday roast or Irish stew, bringing the day's castle legend to a perfect close.
A refined restaurant set in the castle's vaulted basement, operated by the Crumlin Road Gaol team, serving seasonal menus using local Northern Irish ingredients. Signature slow-braised beef cheek in red wine jus (£18), pan-seared salmon with lemon butter sauce (£16), traditional Irish stew, and Sunday roast lunch (2 courses from £19.99). Stone arches and candlelight create a romantic medieval cellar atmosphere. Per person £20-35. Open Tuesday to Saturday until 20:00-21:00; weekend bookings essential.
A cosy coffee shop inside the castle, open daily 10:00-17:00, serving freshly brewed coffee, handmade scones, muffins and sweet treats. The perfect refuel stop before or after your Cave Hill hike, or simply grab a coffee and take it to the garden benches overlooking the city panorama. Per person £5-12, no reservation needed, first come first served.
Enjoy traditional English afternoon tea in the Victorian banqueting hall, with a three-tier bone china stand of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicate French patisserie. Served with a pot of Earl Grey tea or a glass of Prosecco, overlooking the terraced gardens and Belfast Lough beyond. Per person £18-25; window-side table booking recommended.
An outdoor-friendly tavern area outside the castle, featuring green-roofed bike racks and pet water bowls, welcoming hikers and dogs alike. Serves Guinness, local craft ales and classic pub snacks — fish and chips, Irish cheese platter. The perfect reward after your descent from the hill. Per person £10-18.