Things to do and see in Kinsale Ireland

Kinsale has earned the title of Ireland’s most picturesque township for its colourful houses that fill the streets with joy. This small fishing village is located in the township of Cork, and historically it was home to one of the country’s most important ports and served as a battleground in the Nine Years’ War. Kinsale Ireland is definitely a wonderful place with a lot to offer as we tell you in this post.

What are the best places to see in Kinsale?

Kinsale is the perfect place for a weekend or romantic getaway. Did you know that this small seaside town is the foodie capital of the country, or that its streets are lined with art galleries? Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover or just want to get away from it all, you’re sure to enjoy visiting the top things to see in Kinsale Ireland.

1. Charles’s Fort

Charles Fort is the town’s main tourist attraction. It is a fortress built in the 17th century and has been impeccably preserved over the years. This fort is part of Irish history as it played a key role in the Williamite War and the Irish Civil War of 1922. From the castle you can see the old town of Kinsale and the coastline. The views are breathtaking.

To visit Charles Fort it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as there is a fair amount of walking and the surrounding area can be muddy. The site can be visited daily from May to September, and the rest of the year only at weekends. The opening hours are from 10:00h to 18:00h and the entrance fee is 3€.

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2. Kinsale Museum

The Kinsale Regional Museum is located in the central market square, in a building that was built in the 16th century. The main theme of the museum is the history of the town, the Battle of Kinsale, the sinking of the Lusitania and other historical events that took place in the harbour. Inside the museum you will find numerous objects of navigation or weaponry of the time that help us to reconstruct the events, as well as objects found on the Lusitania. There is also a part dedicated to the tallest man in the world, who lived in this village in the 18th century.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and from 2pm to 5pm on Sundays.

3. Historic Centre in Kinsale

The streets of the historic centre are a must-see in Kinsale Ireland. The residents painted the facades of the houses in bright and very striking colours; blues, oranges, reds… which definitely contrast with the greyish appearance of the rest of the Icelandic cities. Strolling through the streets of Kinsale is a real pleasure that will take you away from the world.

There are also many award-winning restaurants, craft shops and art galleries in the area. Any time is a good time to discover the historic centre of Kinsale, however, on Wednesday mornings there is a green market at Short Quay which brings even more life to the streets.

4. Ghost Tour, activity in Kinsale Ireland

In addition to the must-see buildings in Kinsale, the town offers several activities that will make your stay much more fun. We’re talking about the Kinsale Ghost Tour, for example, which runs from 21:00h to 22:15h. Despite the name, we can assure you that it is more funny than scary. The guides/actors tell the history and legends behind the walls of Kinsale with a lot of humour. The price of the activity is €12 adults and €6 children.

The river that runs alongside Kinsale is called the Bandon, and the waters are ideal for activities such as boating and kayaking. The trails along the river over the cliffs also offer spectacular views.

Another of the town’s major attractions is Black’s Brewery, where for €12 they’ll explain the brewing process, and you can sample some of their beer. Unfortunately, they’re only open in the summer.

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 to see around Kinsale

Kinsale is located in the south of Ireland, in an area of rugged relief and very close to the sea. It was once an exceptional location for trade and the construction of fortresses to guard the coast. This is why along the Bandon River there are more forts such as Charles Fort. The relief of the area also invites you to stroll and hike along the routes described below.

1. Desmond’s Castle

Desmond Castle dates from the 15th century, and for over 100 years was used as a prison for the Spanish, French and Dutch. Later, during the Battle of Kinsale, it served as an artillery shop. The castle has undergone some renovations over the years, and is now open to tourists. There is a small museum inside the castle.

The surrounding gardens were redecorated in honour of the firefighters who took part in the rescue of the twin towers in New York, and are a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the views of the castle. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and admission is €5.

2. Old Head of Kinsale Loop

This is a 6km walking route around the Old Head peninsula. The sea views are stunning and along the way you’ll come across Celtic ruins and other historic landmarks such as a 17th-century lighthouse. The terrain is rough and narrow, and often muddy. It is advisable to wear boots and windproof clothing. The walk takes about 1.5 hours and at the end you will come across an 18-hole golf course.

3. City of Cork

The city of Cork is half an hour from Kinsale, and is another highly recommended place to visit. Cork is Ireland’s second largest city and is home to St. Finbar’s Cathedral, Fitzgerald Park, St. Anne’s Church, the English Market and St. Patrick’s Street.

There are also many things to do around Cork, such as visiting Spike Island or hiking along the coast. From Kinsale it’s a half-hour drive by private car, bus 226 (€11) or taxi (€35).

What to see in Kinsale in 1 day

Kinsale is a relatively small town that can be visited leisurely in a single day. In fact, it’s a popular day trip for those staying in Cork or the surrounding area. Here is an itinerary to visit Kinsale Ireland at your leisure and enjoy the views.

The best way to start the day is to visit Charles Fort and the Kinsale Regional Museum. Afterwards, head to the old town to see the colourful facades by day, visit an art gallery and sample the local cuisine at one of its many award-winning restaurants.

After lunch, take a stroll along the Old Head on the waterfront and enjoy the views. And if you’re lucky enough to visit the town in summer, don’t miss Blacks’ Brewery.

Where to eat in Kinsale Ireland?

Kinsale is known as the foodie capital of Ireland, so be prepared to eat well. Fishermen arrive in the harbour every day with tonnes of fresh fish and seafood, which chefs turn into delicious dishes. Here are some of the best restaurants in Kinsale.

• Fishy Fishy: this is probably the best restaurant for seafood in Kinsale. It’s not one of the cheapest options, but it’s well worth the expense for the quality and presentation of the food.

• High Tide Kinsale: This place is known for its Irish food, but there are also international options. Prices are moderate.

• Cosy Cafe: is a cosy and pleasant place where you can eat very well for less than €15. They also have delicious desserts, ideal with a mid-afternoon coffee.

Where to stay in Kinsale

Hotel accommodation in Kinsale Ireland is relatively scarce and somewhat expensive, however, if we look hard enough, we can find some options that may be more within our budget as we show you in this section:

• Dempseys Hostel: This is a hostel, a five-minute walk from the centre and the seafront. It offers both shared and private rooms and has Wi-Fi and a garden. Shared rooms cost around €50 per night.
• Long Quay House: is a hotel in the heart of the old town with the best services. It includes parking, room service and a swimming pool. For around €160 a night, it’s the perfect place for a romantic getaway.
• Danabel Bed & Breakfast: This bed and breakfast for €110 a night includes all kinds of amenities and services to ensure a wonderful stay in Kinsale Ireland, such as breakfast, bike hire and access to the golf course among others.
• Airbnb: is a more affordable and comfortable option for accommodation. In Kinsale there are numerous options for renting entire flats from €100 per night.

How to get to Kinsale?

There is no airport in Kinsale, so the only way to get there is to fly to Dublin or Cork and then take another form of road transport. Ireland is not particularly well served by public transport; it’s best to hire a car at the airport, especially if you’re travelling around the country. But if you can’t, there are other options.

From Dublin, you can get to Cork by train or bus. The train takes two and a half hours from Heuston station. The bus takes 5 hours.

From Cork Airport you can catch the 226 bus to Kinsale for €10. And from Parnell Place station you can take the regional bus.

Travel tips for Kinsale

• The currency in Kinsale Ireland is the Euro.
• Brace yourself for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The best time to visit the town is in summer, when the weather is at its most pleasant.
• The tap water is safe to drink.
• Kinsale 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 in summer it rains.
• It can get cold in the evenings and mornings in summer, so bring something warm.
• Don’t miss anything to see in Kinsale; try to buy tickets online to avoid queues.

Organise your trip to Kinsale Ireland

Register 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 visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Kinsale Ireland.

If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.

Frequently asked questions before travelling to Kinsale