Cork, Ireland: travel guide
Ireland's food-proud harbour city, built around the English Market
Ireland's rebellious second city sits on a marshy island at the head of one of the world's great natural harbours — a place fiercely proud of its own identity, exceptional food culture, and devotion to the GAA.
About Cork
Cork is a compact city on islands in the River Lee, close to a deep natural harbour, and its people are proud of doing things their own way. That confidence shows most clearly in the food: the covered English Market, with its farmhouse cheeses, smoked fish and spiced beef, is the place to begin.
Things to do in Cork include wandering the lanes between the river channels, climbing to the bell tower of St Anne's Church at Shandon, and heading out to Blarney Castle or the harbour town of Cobh. The city also works well as a base for West Cork and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Cork suits food-minded travellers and anyone who prefers a lived-in city to a polished one. Late spring through summer brings the best weather, though showers can arrive at any time.
- Country
- Ireland
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Dublin
- Nearest airport
- ORK
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cork
Blarney Castle & Blarney Stone
castle and gardens · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Ireland's most iconic landmarks — a 15th-century tower house fortress 8 km northwest of Cork city, home to the legendary Blarney Stone. To kiss the stone and receive the legendary gift of eloquence, visitors lie on their back and…
St Fin Barre's Cathedral Cork
Gothic Revival cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Cork's most spectacular building and one of the finest French Gothic Revival structures in Ireland — designed by William Burges and built 1865–1879 on the site of the 7th-century monastery founded by St Finbarr, patron saint of Cork. The…
The English Market Cork
covered food market · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the oldest and finest covered food markets in Europe, trading continuously since 1788. Queen Elizabeth II's 2011 visit — the first by a reigning British monarch to Ireland since 1911 — famously spent more time here than at any other…
Kinsale Town & Charles Fort
harbour town and star fort · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Ireland's most photogenic harbour communities — compact, brightly painted houses, narrow winding streets, superb restaurants — 25 km south of Cork. The Battle of Kinsale (1601) was the decisive defeat of the Gaelic Irish chieftains,…
Cork Cobh Titanic Day
titanic-port · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Cork to Cobh — the last port of call of the Titanic, with the spectacular Titanic Experience museum, the historic St Colman's Cathedral, and the famous Deck of Cards row houses.
Cork St Patrick Street
shopping-street · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
St Patrick's Street — Cork's spectacular curved main shopping street, with the iconic mid-19th century Patrick Bridge, the Father Mathew Statue, and the bustling shops.
Cork Fitzgerald Park
river-park · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Fitzgerald's Park — Cork's spectacular city park along the River Lee, with the Cork Public Museum, the Sky Garden, and the iconic Daly's Bridge (Shaky Bridge).
Cork West Cork Day
wild-atlantic · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Cork to West Cork — the spectacular peninsula with the iconic Mizen Head, Bantry House, Glengarriff Woods, and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Cork City Gaol
historic gaol · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A remarkably well-preserved 19th-century Gothic Revival prison (1824–1923) with dark chapters as a site of political imprisonment during the Irish War of Independence. The atmospheric interior with recreated cells, wax figure prisoners and…
Cork Crawford Art Gallery
art-gallery · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · free entry
The Crawford Art Gallery — Cork's spectacular national art gallery in a historic 1724 Custom House, with Irish, British, and European works including James Barry.
Cork Saint Anne Shandon
shandon-bells · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Shandon Bells (St Anne's Church) — Cork's iconic 1722 church with the famous Four-Faced Liar clock (each face shows a different time) and the visitor-played bells.
Cork Kinsale Old Head
cliff-peninsula · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Cork to Old Head of Kinsale — the spectacular Atlantic cliff peninsula, the historic site of the Lusitania sinking (1915), and the iconic lighthouse.
Things to do
- Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience Cultural · 1.5 h · from EUR 22 per person
- Kinsale Food & History Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from EUR 33 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cork Triangle Day Tour: Blarney, Kinsale & Jameson 9 h · from EUR 66
Where to stay in Cork
- City Centre & English Market Area about EUR 110 per night
The compact walkable heart of Cork — the English Market, Patrick Street, St Fin Barre's Cathedral and the main pubs and restaurants within a 10-minute walk. The most convenient base for exploring the city on foot.
- Hayfield Manor & College Road Area about EUR 240 per night
The most upscale area to stay in Cork — quiet residential streets close to University College Cork, Fitzgerald Park and the River Lee. Very close to Hayfield Manor (Cork's finest hotel) and Greenes Restaurant.
Hotels
- Hayfield Manor Cork 5-star · EUR 260 to EUR 650 per night
- The River Lee Hotel Cork 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 280 per night
- Bru Bar & Hostel Cork 2-star · EUR 16 to EUR 80 per night
Where to eat
- Farmgate Café Cork Irish Traditional, Café · about EUR 22 per person
- Liberty Grill Cork American, Comfort Food · about EUR 28 per person
- Nash 19 Cork Modern Irish, Café · about EUR 24 per person
- Greenes Restaurant Cork Modern Irish, Fine Dining · about EUR 75 per person
Getting to Cork
Airport: Cork (ORK)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Ireland
Frequently asked questions about Cork
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cork?
- The highest-rated places in our Cork guide are Cork Cobh Titanic Day, Cork West Cork Day, Cork Kinsale Old Head, St Fin Barre's Cathedral Cork, The English Market Cork.
- Where should I stay in Cork?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cork: City Centre & English Market Area, Hayfield Manor & College Road Area.
- How do I get around Cork?
- Ways to get around Cork covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Cork?
- The nearest airport to Cork has the code ORK.