Not to miss

St Anne's Cathedral

Built in imposing Hiberno-Romanesque style, St Anne's Cathedral was started in 1899 but did not reach its final form until 1981. As you enter you'll see that the black and white marble floor is laid out in a maze pattern - the black route leads to a dead end, the white to the sanctuary and salvation.

The 10 pillars of the nave are topped by carvings symbolising aspects of Belfast life; look out for the Freemasons' pillar (the central one on the right, or south side). In the south aisle is the tomb of unionist hero Sir Edward Carson (1854-1935).

The stunning mosaic of The Creation in the baptistry contains 150,000 pieces of coloured glass; it and the mosaic above the west door are the result of seven years' work by sisters Gertrude and Margaret Martin.

Belfast Castle

Built in 1870 for the third Marquess of Donegall, in the Scottish Baronial style made fashionable by Queen Victoria's Balmoral, the multi-turreted pomp of Belfast Castle commands the eastern slopes of Cave Hill. It was presented to the City of Belfast in 1934.

Extensive renovation between 1978 and 1988 left the interior comfortably modern rather than intriguingly antique, and the castle is now a popular venue for wedding receptions. Upstairs is the Cave Hill Visitor Centre with displays on the folklore, history, archaeology and natural history of the park. Downstairs is the Cellar Restaurant and a small antiques shop.

Legend has it that the castle's residents will experience good fortune only as long as a white cat lives there, a tale commemorated in the formal gardens by nine portrayals of cats in mosaic, painting, sculpture and garden furniture.

Giant's Ring

This enormous prehistoric earthwork covers more than three hectares (seven acres). In the 19th century locals used part of the ring for race meetings, with the 4m (13ft) embankment serving as a grandstand. At the heart of the site is an ancient tomb called the Druid's Altar, dating from around 4000BC, where you could enact your own nature rites.