Built on the River Lee, Cork is a big city: Ireland’s second most populous and a major port for the country. With a bustling city centre, full of monuments and streets full of art, this ‘island’ is a unique enclave that you can’t miss. Read on to find out all things to do in Cork Ireland.
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What things to do in Cork Ireland
1. A walk down St. Patrick’s Street
We couldn’t start any other way than by recommending one of the city centre’s main thoroughfares: St. Patrick’s Street.
This street is the nerve centre of the city and where you can enjoy all the commercial activity of Cork, while you let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the many pubs that you can find along the street.
We recommend that you don’t just walk down the main street, but also wander down the surrounding alleyways, as you’re likely to find unique pieces of street art, as well as small, old-fashioned businesses that have retained their essence over time.
From here you’ll be able to get to most parts of the city. So it’s a good starting point on your route to see everything you need to see in Cork.
2. St Finbar’s Cathedral
Whether you’re devout or not, there’s one monument you can’t miss on your tour of Cork. And that’s St Finbar’s Cathedral
This iconic cathedral has become one of the city’s landmarks, and with good reason. It was built in the 19th century, in a neo-Gothic style emanating from the French influence of the period.
Its towers, its façade, its gargoyles… all these elements make it worth admiring from the outside, but inside it is no less impressive, and admission costs just over 5€
Despite being built in the 19th century, it was actually built on an enclave that had religious significance as far back as the 7th century and was a point of interest to the Vikings who stalked the Irish coastline at the time.
3. The English Market, a market to see in Cork
If you enjoy visiting the markets in the cities you’re staying in as much as we do, you’re going to love the English Market in Cork.
This centuries-old market is one of the oldest in the world, originally built in the 17th century, although it has been remodelled several times throughout its history.
We recommend that you take a stroll inside and enjoy the wonders of the fresh produce they have, as well as the various stalls of handmade goods you’ll find on the premises.
And as with many markets, you’ll be able to sample some of the local cuisine, which we highly recommend and is definitely one of the must-do things to do in Cork.
4. The Fitzgerald Park
If you feel like disconnecting from the centre of Cork Island and enjoying the charm of the local countryside, Fitzgerald Park is a beautiful place to see in Cork.
Located on the outskirts of Cork, this large park is a great place to unwind and let yourself be carried away by the green meadows, as well as getting close to the banks of the River Lee and looking at the water lilies.
There’s also a museum in the park, so if you decide to visit Fitzgerald Park and are interested in history and archaeology, it’s a place not to be missed.
5. The Church of Santa Ana
Another of Cork City’s iconic landmarks is the historic St. Anne’s Church, a beautiful religious building that was built in the 1700s.
In its interior there are also some interesting objects and constructions, but what gives it its distinctive character is its exterior, and we’ll explain why.
This church has eight bells (the Shandon Bells) which, if you manage to climb to the top of the bell tower, you’ll be able to ring. We highly recommend it because it’s a unique experience and these bells have been there for centuries, so making the effort to climb up is a different way to connect with Cork’s history.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What things to do around Cork Ireland
Cobh, a town to see near Cork
A few kilometres from Cork is another beautiful seaside town on Ireland’s coast: Cobh.
This town served as a port for Cork and is steeped in history, as well as being particularly pretty for its colourful houses and the giant cathedral that adorns the town’s skyline.
It also has a Titanic museum, as it was the last port from which the great ocean liner sailed before sinking.
It’s easy to get there from Cork, as it’s about 25 minutes from the city and you can catch a bus for around €5.
Blarney Castle
Although today it no longer retains the splendour it once had as it lies in ruins, Blarney Castle is one of the best things to see in and around Cork.
Located in the town of Blarney, this fortress was originally built in the 13th century, although today you can only see the keep and a few remaining rooms.
Its main attraction is the so-called ”stone of eloquence”, as well as the surrounding gardens and the various lakes. It’s a place for a film.
From Cork, it’s only about 25 minutes by bus and admission is about €16.
Things to do in Cork in 2 days
The truth is that with just what Cork and the surrounding area has to offer, you could spend a week enjoying this beautiful Irish city.
However, we’ve put together this short itinerary, so you can get the essentials in a two-day getaway.
First day in Cork
- St. Patrick’s Street
- St. Finbar’s Cathedral
- St. Anne’s Cathedral
Second day in Cork
- The English Market
- The Fitzlegard Park
Another option is to change the first day’s route a little and use your second day to visit one of the surrounding destinations, such as Cobh or Blarney Castle.
Where can I eat in Cork
In this short list, we’ve picked out some of the many options you have for enjoying the local cuisine.
- Quinlans Seafood Bar: Being a port city, the raw material you can taste in terms of fish is excellent. That’s why we recommend the Quinlans Seafood Bar, where you can try delicious dishes that include fish, seafood and more. The price will depend on what you eat, but you can eat for around €20.
- West Cork Burger Company: For burger lovers, this place is a must. You can try different and delicious burgers at a competitive price. The place is small, so try to go early. The price is around 15€.
- Orso: This small place offers cuisine from different countries and you can try everything from pastries to dishes such as couscous. We highly recommend it if you want to try something different: the price varies, but for €10-15 you can eat.
Where to stay in Cork
The number of accommodation options in Cork is actually quite extensive. We’ve put together a short list to introduce you to some of them and to make it easier for you to find accommodation:
- River View Apartment Suite: One of the options we couldn’t leave unmentioned are the flats and houses you’ll find in Cork. These are excellent options for their views and for the homely atmosphere that sleeping in them conveys. In this flat you will feel at home, and it is also very close to the main attractions of the city, as it is located next to the river (hence its name). The prices are about 130€ per night in high season.
- Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City: If you prefer to stay in one of the hotels in the city, the Maldron Hotel is a very good option. Its facilities are excellent, and it’s located in the Victorian Quarter, one of the most central areas with many places of interest.
- Shandon Bells Guest House: Just a few metres from the River Lee you’ll find this wonderful house. It’s a great option if you’re travelling alone or with someone else. Its decorative style will make you feel like a real Irishman, and it has a lovely porch overlooking the river, where you can relax after your tour of Cork.
How to get to Cork Ireland
The quickest way to get to Cork is by plane. From Spain, you can take a flight from the main cities in the country that will take you to Cork Airport in Ireland. Sometimes you may have to make a stopover in cities such as London or Dublin.
Once you’re there, you have a number of ways to get to your destination. If you don’t want to take a taxi, you can take a city bus that will get you to the city centre in no time.
Tips for your trip to Cork Ireland
- The currency in Cork is the Euro.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
- The best time to visit the city is in summer, when the weather is at its most pleasant.
- The tap water is safe to drink, although as always we recommend drinking bottled water.
- It can get cold in the evenings and mornings in summer, so take some warm clothes.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Wear rain gear and closed-toe shoes. Even though it’s summer, it rains.
How to organise what to see in Cork
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Galway Ireland.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about your travel to Cork
Personally we recommend travelling between June and September if you want to avoid the colder months. As for the rain, it can rain practically all year round, although the months when it is least likely to rain are February to June.
The easiest and most advisable thing to do is to take a flight. You may have to make a stopover in Dublin or Ireland, given the frequency of flights directly into the city.
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