Belfast Zoo climbs the side of Cave Hill, so the whole visit is a walk uphill through the enclosures — and the higher you go, the bigger the reward. You start near the entrance with the big cats, the Barbary lions padding their terraces, then work your way up past the Asian elephants and the giraffes stretching over their fences, the zebras beside them and the whole hillside opening out around you.
Keep climbing and you meet the crowd-pleasers — the gorillas and the rest of the primate collection, the red pandas curled in the trees, and the penguins with their pool. There are more than 1,200 animals across over 100 species up here, from the rainforest houses to the sea lions, so there's always another path to follow and another animal at the top of it.
The real bonus is the view. Turn around anywhere on the upper paths and Belfast Lough spreads out below you, the city and the water laid out under the hill. It's a proper outdoor day with real air and real distance under your feet — bring good shoes for the climb and you'll get every bit of it. There are cafés dotted about for when the legs need a rest.
Plan your visit
Just turn up — and book online to save a little
No need to book — you can pay at the gate. But booking online is cheaper: £15 an adult and £7.50 a child (ages 4–16) online, versus £16 and £8 at the gate. Under-4s go free, students and over-60s pay the child rate, and a family ticket (2 adults, 3 children) is £44.50 online. In summer the zoo is open 10am to 6pm with last entry at 4:30pm; in winter it's 10am to 4pm with last entry 2:30pm. Give it a good half day. Prices and hours can change, so it's worth a quick check on the day.
Cafés on siteToilets & Changing PlacesFree parkingWheelchairs to hireAssistance dogs only
Good to know before you set off:
Some houses may be closed for works or new arrivals — recently the Reptile and Rainforest Houses and the chimp viewer have been shut while the zoo settles in new animals. It's a steep hillside site with a fair bit of uphill walking, so wear comfy shoes and take your time. Confirm anything that matters on the day.
Before you set off
What to bring
👟Comfy shoesThe paths run up the side of Cave Hill and there's a good bit of climbing — proper shoes make the whole day easier.
🧥A coat or layersYou're up on an exposed hillside with a breeze off the lough, so it's cooler than the town below. Wrap up and enjoy the fresh air.
💧Water and a few snacksThere are cafés, but a bottle and a snack in the bag keep everyone going between the enclosures.
📷A cameraThe views back over Belfast Lough from the upper paths are worth a photo or two.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Online: adult (17+) £15, child (4–16) £7.50, concession (students/over-60s) £7.50, family (2 adults, 3 children) £44.50. Gate prices are around £1 more each. Under-4s free. One carer goes free with a paying visitor who needs assistance (bring documentation).
Opening hours
Summer (late March to early October) 10am–6pm, animal houses close 5pm, last entry 4:30pm. Winter 10am–4pm, animal houses close 3pm, last entry 2:30pm. Open every day except 25 and 26 December.
Ages
All ages — toddlers to grandparents. Under-16s must be with an adult.
What you'll see
More than 1,200 animals across over 100 species — Barbary lions, Asian elephants, giraffes and zebras, gorillas and other primates, red pandas, penguins, sea lions, and the rainforest houses.
Food
Cafés on site for hot food, drinks and snacks. You're welcome to bring a picnic too, with plenty of spots to sit and take in the view.
Parking
Free on site — over 300 spaces in the upper car park and 80 in the lower, plus 17 accessible bays near the Visitor Centre.
Toilets
Toilets throughout, accessible unisex toilets at several points, and a Changing Places facility with a bench and hoist at the Visitor Centre.
Dogs
Only registered assistance dogs are allowed — let the zoo know in advance if you're bringing one.
Getting around
The zoo is on a steep hillside and some paths climb sharply, so it's harder going for umbrella strollers and manual wheelchairs — an all-terrain buggy copes better. Manual wheelchairs are free to hire (first come, first served), your own mobility scooter is welcome, and a pre-booked Zoomobile can run you to the top.
How long
Allow a good half day — three or four hours to do it properly with the walking and the stops.
Questions
Before you go
Is it a lot of walking?
Yes — the zoo sits on the side of Cave Hill, so the visit is a climb up through the enclosures and back down. It's a proper outdoor day. Wear comfy shoes, take your time, and enjoy the views that come with the height.
Do I need to book?
No — you can pay at the gate. But booking online is a little cheaper (£15 an adult and £7.50 a child, versus £16 and £8 at the gate), so it's worth doing ahead if you can.
How much does it cost?
Online it's £15 an adult, £7.50 a child (ages 4–16), and £44.50 for a family of two adults and three children. Under-4s are free, and students and over-60s pay the child rate. Confirm on the day, as prices can change.
Is it suitable for prams and wheelchairs?
It's manageable but steep in places — an all-terrain buggy handles the hills better than an umbrella stroller. Manual wheelchairs are free to hire, your own scooter is welcome, and you can pre-book the Zoomobile for a lift to the top.
Can I bring the dog?
Only registered assistance dogs are allowed in the zoo. Let them know in advance if you're bringing one.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Yes — there are cafés on site for hot food and drinks, and you're welcome to bring a picnic and find a spot with a view.
Getting there
Antrim Road, Belfast, BT36 7PN — up the hill in north Belfast, about six miles from the city centre, with free parking on site.
Belfast Zoo opened in 1934 and has been run by Belfast City Council ever since, spread across the north-eastern slope of Cave Hill overlooking the Antrim Road and Belfast Lough. The hillside setting is the whole character of the place — the paths climb, the animals are stepped up the slope, and the views open out as you go.
Today it's home to more than 1,200 animals across over 100 species, with a focus on conservation and breeding programmes for some of the world's more endangered animals — it made headlines in 2007 when the first Barbary lion cub in Ireland was born here. From the big cats near the gate to the gorillas, giraffes, red pandas and penguins higher up, it's grown into one of Northern Ireland's most-visited family days out.