Timeline
15:44
Walk to the Botanic Gardens Playground. It is a short five-minute stroll from the main entrance. This spot offers a clear view toward the southwest, perfect for watching the sun dip below the horizon behind the city skyline.
16:29
Stay for sunset. The sky will turn orange and purple as the light fades. The gardens are free to enter and open until dusk, so you have plenty of time to linger.
17:14
Head to Darcy's for dinner. It is a thirteen-minute walk from the gardens. This is a great spot for hearty Belfast cuisine in a candlelit, old-fashioned setting. They have an excellent vegan and vegetarian menu if you prefer that.
18:29
Finish the night at The Botanic Inn. Walk six minutes from your dinner spot. The downstairs bar is popular with students and shows live sport, while the upstairs area becomes a nightclub later on. It is open until midnight on weekdays.
Local tip
The gardens close at dusk, so ensure you have your transport sorted if you plan to leave the grounds after dark. Darcy's closes at 21:00 on weekdays, so arrive early to secure a table.
Check before you go
- Botanic Gardens close at dusk.
- Darcy's closes at 21:00 Mo-Th and 21:00 Fr-Su.
- The Botanic Inn closes at 24:00 Mo-Th and 24:00 Fr-Su.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Belfast (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).