Guided tours of City Hall

Guided tour times

We offer daily guided tours of City Hall. Our public tours are in English. Tour tickets are available on a first-come, first served basis.

A guided tour lasts between 45 and 50 minutes. You should arrive a minimum of fifteen minutes before the tour start time. If you arrive late for a tour, we won’t be able to admit you or refund your ticket.

Our public tour times are shown in the table. 

Tour times may differ during public holidays.

To reduce disruption to our public tours and guest enjoyment, we are unable to provide translations during the public tours. 

Tickets

You can get tour tickets at City Hall Reception desk on the day of the tour. An adult ticket (18 years and over) costs £6. Children can enter for free, but they need a valid ticket.

Tour translation

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 [email protected].

Guided tour highlights

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 in the central dome.

Lord Mayors' portraits

As your guide navigates you through the City Hall corridors, they will draw your attention to the Lord Mayor portraits. Each year, a painting of the previous year’s Lord Mayor is unveiled. Your guide will talk you through the different artistic approaches and the secrets behind the imagery. You can also see one painting which has become a poignant relic of City Hall’s damage during the Blitz of 1941. It hangs unrestored, as a quiet memorial to the many citizens who lost their lives.

Robing Room

In the Robing Room, your guide will explain the significance of each item of civic regalia on display including the jewels of the Lady Mayoress of Belfast. Worn since 1897, these are encrusted with diamonds, rubies, opals, turquoise and emeralds.

Council Chamber

For many visitors to City Hall, the highlight of the guided tour is the 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 King George V and Queen Mary during the state opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, held in the room in June 1921.

City Hall rooms

City Hall hosts over 500 events on an annual basis meaning the function rooms are rarely vacant. When possible, your guide will give 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.

Guided tours for commercial tour operators

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. 

For information about charges, availability and to book, email [email protected].

Guided tours for community or school groups

Private tours are available to school and community groups. A group must have between 10 and 25 people. A private tour must be booked at least seven days before and outside public tour times.

To enquire about availability and to book, email [email protected].

Accessibility on our tours

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. 

• Plan your visit and read our City Hall accessibility information