Plan your visit

Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall is Belfast City Council's civic building. It is in Donegall Square, in the heart of Belfast city centre. It first opened its doors on 1 August 1906.

The grounds at Belfast City Hall have memorials to the history, people and events associated with the city. The grounds comprise two lawns, the Titanic Memorial Garden, The Cenotaph and Garden of Remembrance.

Opening hours

• Opening times may change during public and bank holidays

Tours and exhibition

Guided tours

There are guided tours in City Hall daily. A guided tour lasts between 45 and 50 minutes and gives an extraordinary glimpse into areas not usually accessible to the public.

Find out more about our guided public tours

Visitor exhibition

The visitor exhibition offers a self-guided journey from Belfast’s past to present, showing the vibrancy and diversity of the city across six themed zones.

Find out more about our visitor exhibition

Location

Belfast City Hall
Donegall Square
Belfast
BT1 5GS 

Directions

By train

Translink provides regular train services to and from Belfast City Centre. For up-to-date information on timetables, visit www.translink.co.uk. Lanyon Place Station and Great Victoria Street Station are both within walking distance to City Hall.

By bus

Translink operates transport services to Belfast City Centre. For up-to-date information on timetables, visit www.translink.co.uk

By air

George Best Belfast City Airport is a 10 to 15-minute drive to City Hall, with regular bus links and taxi or car hire available at the airport. For full details visit www.belfastcityairport.com.

Belfast International Airport is a 20 to 30-minute drive to City Hall with regular bus links and taxi or car hire available at the airport. For full details, visit www.belfastairport.com.

Accessibility at City Hall

We want to make sure City Hall is accessible for all visitors and guests. We know that we must continue to make our space accessible. Where possible, we can make reasonable adjustments so that visitors feel comfortable and welcome when visiting City Hall for the day, attending a public or private event or enjoying the grounds. 

Visitor facilities

When you arrive at the front entrance, automatic doors will open. There are accessibility push-pad devices on all our doors. There are other facilities available at City Hall including:

• ground level, mobility access lift from the courtyard to the reception area
• two lifts to facilitate to the first and second floors
• full wheelchair access
• one mobility scooter and two wheelchairs for visitors
• consistent signage to help visitors navigate the venue
• self-guided and wheelchair-friendly visitor exhibition
• accessible toilets on the ground and first floors
• a Changing Places facility in reception
• a family room in the east wing female toilet area.

For more information on the venue's accessibility, go to AccessAble Guide to Belfast City Hall (link opens in new window).

Visitors with special requirements or needs

Before arriving, we recommend that visitors or groups with special requirements email [email protected] or call 028 9027 0456 to make sure all your needs are met.

Video remote interpreting (VRI)

VRI allows communication between people with hearing loss and staff who don't know Sign Language. Their conversation is interpreted by an interpreter onscreen. This is available on an i-pad at reception. On arrival, you should ask reception staff who can organise this for you.

Induction loops

Induction loops are available at reception, the visitor exhibition, The Bobbin Coffee Shop, gift shop and first floor function rooms. The visitor exhibition is fully accessible on the ground floor. All entrances and exits have accessibility ramps.

Sign Language videos 

We have Sign Language videos in three languages that give an overview of our exhibition rooms. You can download the videos on your device before you arrive or when you visit City Hall. To download the videos, go to Visitor exhibition. 

Autism awareness

We want to create a welcoming environment by demonstrating kindness, patience and respect for people with a learning disability or autism. We want them to feel empowered and understood. Our staff completed autism awareness training and are Autism Impact Champion-trained. This award will accredit our venue as an autism-accessible and welcoming environment for everyone.

For visitors who prefer quieter times to enjoy the facilities, our off-peak times are usually 9.30am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm daily. We have a quiet room available on request. To ask about using this space, you should email [email protected].

Dogs

Dogs (except registered assistance dogs) are not allowed inside Belfast City Hall or the grounds.

Breastfeeding

We welcome breastfeeding in Belfast City Hall. Read about the breastfeeding scheme (opens in new window).

Disabled parking

There are disabled parking bays in the central courtyard for people attending an event or meeting in City Hall. You need to book a space before you arrive for an event or meeting. You should contact the event organiser to ask about disabled parking.

Toilets and Changing Places facility

Belfast City Hall has public toilets on the ground floor in the east of the building. This includes a parent room and a fully accessible toilet. 

City Hall has a Changing Places facility available to the public. It is open:

• Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm
• Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm 

For access, you should ask at reception in City Hall.

Equipment in the Changing Places facility includes:

• height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench 
• hoist 
• centrally-placed toilet with space either side 
• accessible shower 
• non-slip floor 
• privacy screen

Find other Changing Places facilities in Belfast (link opens in new window)

Car parking spaces in Belfast

There is no public parking at City Hall. There are free and charged car parking spaces in Belfast.

To find car parking, go to Car parks in Belfast. To find free and charged disabled parking spaces, go to Accessible parking.

Water refill station

There is a free water refill station in City Hall. The water refill station is on the left of the entrance from Donegall Square East.