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Sunset

Golden Hour at the Botanic Gardens

A short walk from the city center to catch the light in Belfast’s oldest public park.

Best time: 15 AprAbout 75 min

Timeline

  1. 19:41

    Scalini

    Grab a slice of pizza and a drink at Scalini. The trattoria is open until 22:00, so you have plenty of time to eat before heading out.

  2. 19:56

    The Big Fish

    Walk up to Donegall Quay to see The Big Fish. This ceramic mosaic sculpture is just a seven-minute stroll from the market area where Scalini is located, putting you on the right side of the river for the next leg.

  3. 20:26

    Botanic Gardens

    Arrive at Botanic Gardens for the sunset. The sun sets toward the WNW at 20:26, casting a golden glow over the extensive leafy space and the historic Palm House. This is the moment to find a quiet spot and watch the light fade.

  4. 21:11

    The Botanic Inn

    End the evening at The Botanic Inn. Located just six minutes from the gardens, this student-favorite pub is open until 24:00, offering a place to relax with food and drink as the night settles in.

Local tip

The walk from The Big Fish to Botanic Gardens takes about 25 minutes. If you prefer a quicker route, check the bus route from Donegall Quay to the Botanic area.

Check before you go

  • Scalini is open 16:00-22:00 on Fridays and weekends.
  • The Botanic Inn is open 12:00-24:00 on Fridays.

Worth knowing

  • Scalini is open at 19:41 only on Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Belfast (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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