Green Belfast Guide
With an emphasis on sustainable and low-carbon activities, check out the BIAF team’s Green Belfast multi-day planner.
- 2-night/ 3-day itinerary curated by the BIAF team.
- Be sure to check out our Festival programme and include our world-class contemporary arts events in your Green Belfast adventure.
- For even more ideas, why not check out Visit Belfast’s list of ‘Green Accredited’ attractions.
Day 1: Bikes and Botanicals
Morning
Explore the city without the emissions and take a Belfast Bike Tour or rent your own Belfast Bike and cycle through Ormeau Park or along the River Lagan.
The Lagan towpath is an ideal cycling route to take in some of the beautiful natural scenery Belfast has to offer!
Lunch
Save the planet and your wallet by picking up a delicious picnic to enjoy in the Botanic Gardens.
Helping to reduce food waste by using an app like Too Good To Go saves food from landfill which is still good to eat. There are lots of options to choose from with a great range of restaurants and cafes participating across the city.
BIAF Tip:
Make sure to leave no trace and recycle your packaging!
Afternoon
After lunch, you can visit the Tropical Houses located within the Botanic Gardens and learn about plant conservation through their interactive exhibits.
Then, why not stop off at the Ulster Museum and hear all about the natural world and our local cultural heritage? Make sure to check out one of the great, free visual art exhibitions from the BIAF programme, in the gallery spaces upstairs.
From the museum, it’s just a quick 3-minute walk to the Naughton Gallery at Queens University, housed in the historic Lanyon Building. Their annual exhibitions feature work from the University’s collection, touring exhibitions and shows by both local and international artists.
Dinner
Why not treat yourself and try some of the great plant-based options at Home? This leading Belfast city centre restaurant prioritises fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, offering innovative menus and a friendly atmosphere.
Or for more low-carbon food ideas check out Visit Belfast’s Best Plant Based Restaurants list.
Day 2: For the Sustainable Shopper
Morning
The best way to explore the city is by foot! During the Festival, we team up with the Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Association (NITGA) to offer a series of fascinating cultural walking tours. Learn about local history and culture from expert tour guides and see a whole different side to the city.
If your visit falls outside of Festival-time, you can check out NITGA’s year-round tours here: https://nitga.co.uk/tours/
Lunch
Eat local for lunch in the beautiful St George’s Market.
While you’re there, you can wander round the vibrant and diverse stalls and maybe pick up some local hand-made products or antiques.
Afternoon
Grab some sustainable fashion bargains in some of Belfast’s best second-hand and vintage shops around Botanic Avenue, Lombard Street or Smithfield Market.
Why not check out Craft NI or Wrapped Up (in Castle Court) for unique local, handmade products?
If that’s still not enough, Visit Belfast have even more recommendations for the best spots for Eco-friendly Shopping in Belfast.
Dinner & entertainment
After a long day of shopping, rest and recover with the delicious plant-based menu options at Coppi. They offer Italian cuisine using the best of local seasonal produce, located on St. Anne’s Square.
Check out other options at EAT.
Day 3: Go Eco in the East
Morning
Make use of Belfast’s public transport and take the Glider over to East Belfast.
There you can enjoy a scenic stroll around the green spaces on the grounds of the Stormont Estate.
Go on an adventure through one of their six woodland walking trails throughout the Estate grounds with 20-minute, one-mile routes or, if you’re up for the challenge, longer 60 minute routes. You can download the map to guide you along the trails which feature historic buildings and monuments along the way.
BIAF Tip:
If you’re visiting with little ones, you can stop off at the Mo Mowlam inclusive play park, which is designed with accessible equipment so all children can play.
Lunch
If you want to take advantage of the great picnic spots around the park, why not bring your own lunch from home?
Alternatively, in just a few short stops on the Glider you can pop into the EastSide Visitor Centre for a spot of lunch at JACK Coffee Bar in CS Lewis Square or, if you’re lucky, your visit might co-incide with the square’s monthly food market, on the third Saturday of each month.
Afternoon
While you’re there, enjoy the quirky public art sculptures dotted around the square, based on iconic characters from the Chronicles of Narnia.
You might even catch one of our thrilling outdoor Festival events. Check out our 2024 programme to see what’s on!
A short walk takes you to Banana Block, a ‘living museum’ and event space tucked into a historic former linen spinning mill.
Learn about Belfast’s little-known historic connection with bananas and take the opportunity to sample some of the best Belfast has to offer at the East Block Bazaar market on the last Sunday of the month from 1 – 5pm.
Dinner & Drinks
If you are a fan of craft beer, check out Boundary Brewery. Their Tap Room sessions usually take place on Fridays 4-11pm and Saturdays 2-11pm – check out in advance. This independent cooperative brewery specialises in modern American and traditional Belgian beers and is just across the way from Banana Block.
The nearby Cyprus Avenue is a great spot for dinner and offers modern European fusion cooking at its best, plus a great plant-based menu. Look out for fresh daily fish and seafood specials and check out the covered outdoor eating space.
Neill’s Hill is another popular choice, located in the heart of Ballyhackamore this neighbourhood brasserie serves up small plates, local cuts, fresh fish, daily vegetarian specials, as well as a great value mid-week set menu.