NIR Northern Ireland
Castles near Belfast
8 castles, fortresses, palaces and ruins within 100 km of the city centre — every one on the interactive map, with photos, distances and directions.
The closest is Belfast Castle, 5 km north of the city centre; the most famous is Hillsborough Castle — #358 of 3,708 worldwide — 18 km south-west. The oldest dated site in the circle is Shane's Castle ruins, founded 1345.
The 100 km circle reaches into 3 countries — Northern Ireland (6), Ireland (1), Isle of Man (1).
Within 25 km of Belfast
- Hillsborough Castle
18 km south-west · Castle · #358 worldwide
Hillsborough Castle is an official government residence in Northern Ireland. It is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern…
- Belfast Castle
5 km north · Castle
Belfast Castle is a mansion located in Cave Hill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in a prominent position 400 feet above sea level.
- Carrickfergus Castle
15 km north-east · Castle
Carrickfergus Castle is a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast…
Day trips: 25–60 km
- Shane's Castle ruins
27 km north-west · Ruin
Shane's Castle is a ruined castle near Antrim in Northern Ireland, which was mostly destroyed in 1816 by fire.
Farther afield: 60–100 km
- Dunluce Castle
80 km north-west · Ruin
Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan MacQuillan.
- Peel Castle
90 km south-east · Castle
Peel Castle is a castle in Peel in the Isle of Man, originally constructed by Norwegians.
- Kinbane Castle
74 km north · Ruin
Kinbane Castle is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on a headland between Ballycastle and Ballintoy.
- King John's Castle
64 km south · Castle
King John's Castle, also known as Carlingford Castle, is an enclosure castle and National Monument located in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland.
Distances are straight-line from the city centre. City coordinates and population: Wikidata Q10686.
Frequently asked questions
How many castles are near Belfast?
The Castlemap atlas maps 8 landmarks (5 castles · 3 ruins) within 100 km of the centre of Belfast, measured straight-line — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks, not a count of every fortification ever built.
What is the closest castle to Belfast?
Belfast Castle, a castle 5 km north of the city centre.
What is the most famous castle near Belfast?
Hillsborough Castle, ranked #358 of 3,708 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking — 18 km south-west from Belfast.
What is the oldest castle near Belfast?
The oldest dated landmark in the circle is Shane's Castle ruins, founded 1345 — 27 km north-west. Earlier structures may have existed; this is the oldest with a documented founding year.
Nearby city guides: Dublin (140 km) · Glasgow (176 km) · Edinburgh (230 km) · Liverpool (233 km). See also medieval castles · all rankings · castles by country.