Cork Travelers Recommend

With three days in Cork, you have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, discover its most famous sights, delve into local culture, and head out into the countryside. Here are a few ways to experience the best of Ireland’s second city in 72 hours.

Day 1: Cork Sights

Start your visit by getting your bearings and checking off top sights such as the English Market and St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Pedal along riverside paths on a guided bicycle tour; follow your stomach on a foodie walking tour; or explore at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour. Alternatively, a hop-on hop-off bus tour covers more ground in less time while allowing you the freedom to create your own itinerary, and you can board and disembark where you wish.

Afterward, toast your first day in Cork with a glass of Irish whiskey and a tour of the distillery at the Jameson Experience.

Day 2: Blarney and Cobh

Two of the most important towns in County Cork, Cobh and Blarney are both within easy reach of the city. Guided tours from Cork let you skip the hassle of driving, and usually include admission to landmarks such as Blarney Castle—don’t forget to kiss the Blarney Stone. After a stop in Blarney, most tours continue on to the historic town of Cobh on Cork Harbour, from which millions of Irish people emigrated between 1840 and 1950. You’ll learn about how Cobh was the final stop of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, and you’ll likely visit sights such as St. Colman's Cathedral, with some free time to explore independently.

Day 3: Wild Landscapes

For your final day, arrange for a private, customizable tour to take you anywhere near Cork that interests you. Walk around small towns or big cities—or go hiking, cycling, or kayaking in the surrounding countryside.

Alternatively, join a guided tour heading far west to the Cliffs of Moher. Leave Cork early in the morning to allow plenty of time to admire the sea cliffs, the views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the wild, rocky landscape of the Burren. Some tours stop by Limerick and the medieval Bunratty Castle.

Back in the city, relax and enjoy the vibe of the Grand Parade, one of Cork’s most famous streets, where you’ll find plenty of dining and drinking options.

A lively university town, Cork is home to a busy port and a youthful, cosmopolitan vibe. And two days there give you time to see the top sights, taste some of the country’s best whiskey, get out into nature, and even board the Titanic. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Ireland’s second city.

Day 1

**Morning:**Get your bearings and do some sightseeing on either a self-guided audio walking tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Both options allow you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the bus tour stops at attractions outside the city, such as Blarney Castle and Cobh.

**Afternoon:**If you’ve taken the tour bus to Cobh, or can make your own way there (it’s around 30 minutes from Cork by car), check out the Titanic Experience. Housed in the original White Star Line ticket office, where passengers boarded the RMS Titanic, interactive exhibits let you experience a bit of what the ship’s fateful journey might have felt like.

**Night:**Head over to the Jameson Experience for a guided tour of the distillery. Learn about the distillation process, and visit the restored 19th-century warehouse, where Jameson’s best-selling Irish whiskey is aged in oak casks. Stick around for post-tour drinks at the bar or dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Day 2

**Morning:**Either set out on a full-day guided tour of the Cliffs of Moher (about a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest), or stay in the city. If you’ve opted for the latter, join a morning food-themed walking tour to visit Cork’s best cheesemongers, delicatessens, bakeries, and markets—with tastings included.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon in Kinsale, south of Cork. Take to the waters on a kayaking trip—or try your hand at traditional pottery making at a studio deep in the countryside. 

**Night:**Back in the city, conclude your visit by soaking up the atmosphere of the Grand Parade, one of Cork’s most famous streets. You’ll find plenty of restaurants for dinner and traditional pubs for drinks and live music.

Often overlooked in favor of the country’s more famous capital, Cork is a lively university town that’s home to a busy port, interesting architecture, and a youthful, cosmopolitan vibe. What’s more: it’s possible to see the best of it in a day. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Ireland’s second city.

Morning: Get a Taste of Local Food Culture

The south of Ireland is known for its cuisine, and Cork is a foodie town. The English Market, with its ornate Victorian-style vaulted ceilings and columns, is one of the city’s top landmarks and a good place to pass some time browsing the vendors selling local produce. Pick up some snacks or a take-out meal for a picnic in nearby Bishop Lucey Park.

For a closer look at Cork’s cheesemongers, delicatessens, bakeries, and markets, join a food-themed walking tour. An enjoyable way to discover lesser-known parts of the city, these tours typically include food and drink tastings.

Afternoon: See the Top Sights

Now that you’re fueled up with some authentic Irish fare, it’s time to check out the city’s main sights. If you want to learn more about Cork’s history, but prefer to go at your own pace, a self-guided audio walking tour is the perfect option. After booking, just download the audio file and map, then set out for a stroll.

Alternatively, a hop-on hop-off bus tour covers more ground in less time while still allowing you the freedom to explore at your own pace.The bus stops at attractions such as Blarney Castle and Cobh, and you can board and disembark where you wish.

Night: Sample Some Whiskey

Round out your day in Cork with a true taste of Irish culture and history at the Jameson Experience. Tours of the distillery are typically an hour long. Learn about the distillation process, and visit the restored 19th-century warehouse, where Jameson’s best-selling Irish whiskey is aged in oak casks. At the end, you’ll have an opportunity to sample some of the finished product. 

After the tour, continue drinking at the distillery’s on-site bar and restaurant. Or, head back into the city center for dinner at one of the restaurants or traditional pubs clustered around the Grand Parade.