Queen's Arcade, Belfast

Nestled in the heart of Belfast city centre, Queen鈥檚 Arcade is a stunning example of High鈥慥ictorian architecture that dates back to 1880. Designed by James McKinnon for developer George Fisher, the arcade stretches from Donegall Place to Fountain Street, crowned by a beautiful pitched glazed roof with ornate iron trusses and lavish floral cornices. Above, a pastel鈥憄ainted four鈥憇torey fa莽ade features copper-topped spires, a quaint clock, and a third鈥慺loor monogram 鈥淎.R鈥濃€攁 nod to the Austin Reed store that once occupied the space.

As Belfast鈥檚 last remaining Victorian shopping arcade, Queen鈥檚 underwent significant transformations in the 20th century鈥攏ew shopfronts were installed in the 1930s, canopies added in the 1980s, and the entire building earned Grade B1 listed status in 1993. After several decades, a major restoration was unveiled in 2019, reviving its 19th-century grandeur and positioning the arcade as a refined yet vibrant destination.

Today, Queen鈥檚 Arcade offers a luxurious shopping experience in an intimate setting, blending exclusive boutiques with Belfast鈥檚 boutique charm. Home to Ireland鈥檚 only Rolex, OMEGA, TAG Heuer, and Montblanc stores, it also boasts fine jewellery, bespoke shoemakers, and elegant caf茅s鈥攁bout 25 unique retailers in total. Visitors are welcomed with attentive service and can often enjoy a glass of champagne while discovering special editions and personalized pieces through engraving or strap customization.

More than just a shopping arcade, Queen鈥檚 is a living historical landmark and cultural gem. Whether you鈥檙e a design enthusiast admiring Victorian craftsmanship, a luxury shopper, or a history buff, a visit here is both atmospheric and enriching.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Belfast. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Queen's Arcade
Sight Location: Belfast, Ireland (See walking tours in Belfast)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Belfast Victorian Architecture Jewels

Walking Tours in Belfast, Ireland

Create Your Own Walk in Belfast

Creating your own self-guided walk in Belfast is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Belfast Victorian Architecture Jewels

Described as 鈥渕odestly scaled, undemonstrative, somewhat solid in aspect, and usually restrained (sometimes even austere) in its use of external decoration鈥�, the urban landscape of Belfast has been influenced by the demands of shipbuilding and linen industry, much as transitioning between culture, arts, commerce, and education. Still, the architectural spectrum of the city is quite broad and... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

The Troubles and Peace Process Landmarks

Decades past the official end of The Troubles in Belfast, the price of peace in Northern Ireland remains high. One of the means with which to secure it, back in 1969, was erecting a wall to physically separate the capital's warring Protestant and Catholic communities. Known since as the Peace Wall, the structure has become a popular tourist attraction for the multiple murals painted thereon... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Belfast Introduction Walking Tour

For over a century, the political situation of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has been the source of strife, first between the Crown-loyal Protestants and Irish Catholics, and more recently between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Sitting on the banks of the River Lagan where it meets the Irish Sea, the city owes its name to this coastal condition, with "Belfast"... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles

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