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City Hall
We offer daily guided tours of City Hall. Tours are free. Our public tours are in English. Tour tickets are available on a first-come, first served basis.
Our guided public tours are available:
From Monday 2 October 2023 our public guided tours are available:
To reduce disruption to our public tours and guest enjoyment, we are unable to provide translations during the tour. To enquire about a translation tour, email visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk.
You can get free tour tickets at City Hall Reception desk on the day of the tour.
A group of 10 or more people must contact visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk to organise a private tour rather than joining a public tour which has limited places. Visitors must come to City Hall reception 15 minutes before the tour time.
Public tours are free but donations are welcomed and will be used for the development of our tour service. Donation boxes are located at City Reception areas.
A guided tour of City Hall lasts around one hour. The tour allows you an extraordinary glimpse into areas not usually accessible to the public within the beautiful Baroque Revival building. Ascending the Grand Staircase, an experienced guide will lead you through rooms beginning in the Italian and Greek marble clad Rotunda. They will highlight the John Luke mural and the ‘Whispering gallery’ high up in the central dome.
As your guide navigates you through the corridors of City Hall, they will draw your attention to the tradition of hanging a portrait of the former Lord Mayor each year in City Hall. Each painting which is entirely different to its predecessor will come alive as your guide reveals the secrets hidden in their imagery. You can also see one portrait which has become a poignant relic of City Hall’s damage during the Blitz of 1941 hanging unrestored as a quiet memorial to the many citizens who lost their lives.
In the ‘Robing Room’ your guide will explain the significance each item of civic regalia on display including the magnificent jewels of the Lady Mayoress of Belfast, worn since 1897 and which are encrusted with diamonds, rubies, opals, turquoise and emeralds.
For many the highlight of the guided tour of City Hall will be your opportunity to sit where the 60 elected members of Belfast’s City Council meet for their monthly council meeting. You can examine fascinating artefacts including the two royal thrones used by George V and Queen Mary during the state opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, held in the room in June 1921.
City Hall hosts over 500 events on an annual basis meaning the function rooms are rarely vacant. When possible, your guide will grant you a glimpse behind the scenes of this busy working public building and into these magnificent rooms. Admire their extraordinary plasterwork, hand carved woodwork and hand woven silk and wool carpets as you pass through these spaces in the footsteps of royalty, presidents and figures of Belfast’s illustrious past.
Private tours are available to commercial tour operators at a charge. Tours for commercial tour operators must be booked at least seven days in advance and outside public tour times. Private groups can provide a translator to assist in the delivery of a tour alongside one of our tour guides. To enquire about a translation tour, email visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk
For information about charges, availability and to book, email visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk
Private tours are available free to school and community groups. A group must have between 10 and 25 people. A private tour must be booked at least seven days in advance and outside public tour times.
To enquire about availability and to book, email visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk
Our guided tours are accessible to visitors with disabilities. If you have specific enquiry about the needs of a visitor or group of guests, contact us.
For more information and advice, get in touch.
visitcityhall@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast, BT1 5GS,
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