By Andy, founder
Winter in Belfast is dark and damp, but it has its own charm: frosty mornings in the parks, the city centre lit up after dark and a warm welcome by the fire. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to start.
Out in the weather
Take a frosty walk in the Botanic Gardens
A bright, cold morning in the gardens is one of the best things about a Belfast winter. Walking side by side takes the pressure off, and it's easy to extend if it's going well.
Blow away the cobwebs on Cave Hill
A walk on Cave Hill on a clear winter's day is bracing, with the city and the Lough below you. Follow it with a hot drink somewhere warm. Check the weather first, and wrap up well.
Wander along the Lagan
The river path is at its prettiest as the light fades. A short walk with a hot chocolate is a lovely way to spend an hour together.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
From the Cathedral Quarter to the villages around the city, there are plenty of old pubs with a fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a museum
The Ulster Museum is a good place to spend a cold afternoon. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker, and it's warm and dry inside. Check opening times before you go.
Share a proper afternoon tea
A tearoom on a cold afternoon is hard to beat. Add a scone, and you've got something to talk about straight away.
Festive and seasonal
Each winter the city centre lights up for Christmas. Check this year's listings for what's on before you plan around it. A stroll with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date, and it's busy enough to feel relaxed.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by four o'clock in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the roads. Icy weather can disrupt trains and buses, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Belfast work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- belfast
