Belfast City Hall is the building every visitor walks past, and it rewards stepping inside. Its doors first opened on 1 August 1906, when the town had just become a city and its shipyards and linen mills were among the biggest in the world, and the grand Portland stone exterior, crowned by a copper dome, still anchors Donegall Square. The interior is a showpiece of Edwardian confidence, with a marble entrance hall, a sweeping staircase, stained glass and the oak-panelled council chamber. Guided tours of forty-five to fifty minutes run daily and explain the building, the people who shaped it and the way the city is governed. The visitor exhibition, spread over six themed zones, is a self-guided journey from Belfast’s past to its present, ideal on a rainy hour. In the grounds you will find the Titanic Memorial Garden, the Cenotaph and the Garden of Remembrance. This page links to the official visitor information from Belfast City Council.
How to visit: City Hall is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and at weekends from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4:45pm. Guided tours run on weekdays at 11am, 2pm and 3pm, and at weekends at noon, 2pm and 3pm. The exhibition opens the same hours, with last admission at 4pm. The Bobbin Coffee Shop serves drinks and light meals from 9:30am on weekdays and 10am at weekends. Note two dates this month: the building and grounds close on Sunday 8 November 2026 until 1pm for Remembrance Sunday, and drone filming takes place above City Hall from 10 to 14 November.
What to expect: entry is free, and the building is fully accessible, with step-free access, lifts, accessible toilets, a Changing Places facility, induction loops and a quiet room on request. Quieter times are 9:30am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm, which suit anyone who prefers calm.
Making the most of it: join an early tour on your first morning, then use the square as your compass, since the coaches for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour and the Causeway tour leave from its edges. Come back after dark to see the building lit up, and look for the Titanic Memorial, which lists the names of those who died.
What to expect
The experience
A free guided tour of forty-five to fifty minutes through the marble halls and council chamber, plus a self-guided exhibition in six themed zones.
Best time
An 11am weekday tour or a noon weekend tour early in your stay, avoiding the morning of Sunday 8 November 2026.
How long
About an hour with the tour, or up to two hours with the exhibition and a coffee.
Tips
Check the tour times on the day, use the quieter hours if you prefer calm, and return after dark to see the dome lit up.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want a free, central introduction to the city and its history.
- Families
- The exhibition zones are interactive and free, and the lawns are good for a run-around in dry weather.
- Couples
- An easy, elegant start to a day, with coffee in the Bobbin before exploring the shops and the Cathedral Quarter.
- Pair with
- St George’s Market on a Friday to Sunday, or the black taxi tour, which picks up two minutes away.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Are Belfast City Hall tours free?+
Yes, the guided tours and the visitor exhibition are free to visit. Tours last forty-five to fifty minutes and run daily.
What time are the Belfast City Hall tours?+
On weekdays tours run at 11am, 2pm and 3pm, and at weekends at noon, 2pm and 3pm. Check on the day in case of changes for events.
What are the City Hall opening hours?+
It opens Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and at weekends from 10am to 5pm. Last admission to the building is 4:45pm and to the exhibition 4pm.
Is City Hall closed on Remembrance Sunday 2026?+
Yes, City Hall and its grounds close on Sunday 8 November 2026 and reopen at 1pm. Plan your visit for another day or the afternoon.
Is Belfast City Hall accessible?+
Yes, it has step-free access, lifts, accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. Induction loops and a quiet room are also available.
