Cork is a compact, walkable city, making it easy to explore its many attractions in just a few days. And while there’s plenty to keep you occupied in town, from art galleries and markets to cathedrals and quirky museums, the coast is less than a 30-minute scenic train ride away. From there, you can spend time in the pretty harbour town of Cobh and visit the notorious Spike Island, once a holding area for convicts.
When it’s time to eat, you’re in luck – Cork is considered the food capital of Ireland, with some of the country’s best restaurants serving up local cheese, meats, seafood and quirkier delicacies. Whatever you’re doing, and whoever you’re doing it with, there’s no need to go hungry.
Here are some of the best things to do on your next trip to Cork.
All our recommendations have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Cork. Find out more below or for more inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
Find things to do by type:
- Best for history and architecture
- Best for families
- Best free things to do
- Best for exploring nearby
- Best for foodies
- Best for music fans
Best for history and architecture
Shandon Tower
Admire the city views from this landmark
There are many reasons to visit St Anne’s Church, and Shandon Tower is open year-round for visitors to climb to the viewing platform (and after 132 steps, it had better be good). Visitors have also been able to ring the famous bells themselves, which have been pealing since 1752. However, they’re currently undergoing repair work.
Insider tip: Visit Shandon Sweets next door for a nostalgic, sugary walk down memory lane – they’ve been making treats on site since 1928.
Website: stanneshandon.ie
Price: £
Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Marvel at this French Neo-Gothic icon
Although the location has been a site of worship for more than 1,400 years, the building as it stands dates to 1865 and was consecrated in 1870. It’s an imposing sight, all gothic towers and gargoyles, with an interior that’s just as interesting, made up as it is of red Cork marble, Bath stone and elaborate stained-glass windows.
Insider tip: Tours are available throughout the year, but keep an eye on events such as art exhibitions and organ recitals as part of the arts programme.
Website: stfinbarres.ie
Price: £
Butter Museum
Learn all about “Irish gold”
Given that Irish butter has achieved cult status worldwide, it’s no surprise that the butter museum is now a firm favourite with visitors. The Butter Exchange in Cork was established in 1769, and here you’ll learn everything you need to know about the trade and see some great vintage wrappers. There are occasional butter-making demonstrations, too.
Insider tip: Head to Toonsbridge Dairy at the English Market to pick up some cultured butter made from the cream collected during cheese making.
Website: thebuttermuseum.com
Price: £
Nano Nagle Place
Discover the story of an Irish pioneer
Nano Nagle was a female powerhouse who set up schools for impoverished children when it was illegal to do so. The museum is dedicated to her story and has exhibitions on Irish design, history and social change. There are walled gardens, heritage buildings and a Cork-focused bookshop alongside a shop selling Irish-made cards and gifts.
Insider tip: Set within the gardens of Nano Nagle Place, Good Day Deli and Nádúr Deli are excellent cafés for a casual lunch or brunch (and a glass of natural wine, if the mood strikes).
Website: nanonagleplace.ie
Price: £
Best for families
Fitzgerald Park
Escape to an oasis in the city
Cork has a surprising amount of green space where you can potter around flower beds or enjoy a picnic made with produce from the English Market. Between the grounds of UCC (University College Cork) and the River Lee, Fitzgerald Park has interesting statues, a rose garden, a duck pond and a great children’s playground. The park also houses Diarmuid Gavin’s “floating” Sky Garden, a version of which won gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In the summer, the park has hosted donation-based adult yoga classes, a midsummer festival and a science carnival.
Insider tip: Be sure to head to Daly’s Bridge, just outside the park, which wobbles as you walk over it.
Website: discoverireland.ie
Price: Free
Blackrock Castle Observatory
Send a message to space from a castle
If you fancy combining a 16th-century castle with some stargazing, the Blackrock Castle Observatory is a must. The castle juts out on rocks lining the banks of the River Lee, and the permanent exhibition on Ireland’s role in space is fascinating. Kids can send a message to space at the Pan Galactic Station, and your ticket includes entrance to the top of the tower and fort.
Insider tip: It’s about an hour’s walk from the city centre, but the trail follows the Marina Greenway, which makes it a lovely waterside stroll. Pick up a coffee from the Cortado truck at the marina.
Website: bco.ie
Price: £
Old Cork Waterworks
Learn about hydroelectricity
A tour of the city’s old waterworks is more interesting than it sounds, particularly for history buffs. Housed in Victorian buildings overlooking the River Lee, the waterworks has a lab area where children can engage with STEM experiments and a turbine house where re-purposed turbines are used to generate hydroelectricity. Check the website for seasonal events and workshops in the school holidays.
Insider tip: Visit in the summer for the family-friendly Cork Carnival of Science, which is held in Fitzgerald Park.
Website: corkcity.ie
Price: £
Take a harbour cruise
Set off on a boat tour and waterside dinner
A few boat tours take people out on the water from the city, but one of the best is Cork Harbour Cruises. There are regular sailings, excellent commentary and there’s also a bar on board. On the two-hour scenic cruise, you’ll see Blackrock Castle, Fota Island and the harbour town of Cobh, before the captain turns around and sails towards the city.
Insider tip: Dress warmly. No matter how sunny it is in the city, it’s always chillier on the water.
Website: corkharbourcruises.com
Price: ££
Best free things to do
The Glucksman
Discover a world of contemporary art
In a building vaguely reminiscent of a Guggenheim museum, The Glucksman is a modern art space in the green grounds of UCC, at the city’s heart. Exhibitions tend to rotate every three months or so, with a focus on predominantly Irish artists working across all media. There is a regular schedule of events, family workshops to longer art camps, and more.
Insider tip: The on-site restaurant, Léa’s, is a beautiful space surrounded by greenery, and it does a great weekend brunch.
Website: glucksman.org
Price: Free
Elizabeth Fort
Explore an ancient fortress within the city
This 17th-century star-shaped fortification has been used for many purposes over the years, including a military barracks, a depot for female prisoners and, most recently, a Garda (police) station. Now, you can take a guided tour and walk to the top of the walls for a great view over the city. The Irish Landmark Trust owns and lets two of the Garrison houses – stay the night inside the fort to experience it when the doors are locked.
Insider tip: A busy and interesting events line-up (many of them free) is posted on the website.
Website: corkcity.ie
Price: Free; guided tour £
Best for exploring nearby
Midleton Distillery Experience
Try a historic dram in this picturesque whiskey spot
Though the Jameson Distillery in Dublin gets its fair share of visitors, not many know (until they arrive) that they haven’t made a sniff of the stuff there since 1970. Since 1975, all of the Jameson whiskey (among others) has been distilled in Midleton, about a 25-minute train ride from Cork. There, you can take a tour of the operations, learn what makes it extra special and, more importantly, taste a few varieties.
Insider tip: Push the boat out with a premium whiskey tasting, which includes Midleton Very Rare, or book the Distiller’s Apprentice tour, where you can taste whiskey straight from the cask.
Website: jamesonwhiskey.com
Price: ££
Cobh
Potter around a picturesque seaside village
While it’s technically not a part of the city, the pretty village of Cobh is so close by train that it may as well be a suburb of Cork. The 25-minute journey takes you alongside Cork Harbour as it leads to the sea, so you get a scenic tour to boot. When you arrive, walk up the steep hill to West View to see the brightly coloured houses sloping down to the water, with the backdrop of St Colman’s Cathedral steeple.
Insider tip: The Titanic Experience, a small museum that tells the stories of the Titanic and Lusitania, is set in the former White Star Line Building, the last stop on the Titanic’s ill-fated journey.
Website: visitcobh.com
Price: £
Spike Island
Visit a former monastery, fortress and prison
Once home to a 7th-century monastery, Spike Island has seen a lot over the centuries. Oddly, considering the former jail is the main focus of a trip here, it’s almost the least interesting element of the experience. While the haunting cells are interesting, along with exhibits on riots and displays of prisoners’ artwork, the island itself is a beautiful spot. Two trails weave around the fortress and down to the shoreline, and a guided tour at the start of your trip takes you to the former prison officers’ houses.
Insider tip: Your return ferry ticket is for three-and-a-half hours after you arrive, but you can usually hop on an earlier sailing. Be sure to take a picnic with you.
Website: spikeislandcork.ie
Price: ££
Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Explore a regency mansion and gardens
There are a few reasons to visit Fota Island, but the main house is definitely worth the quick trip out of the city. Servants’ quarters, a nursery with Victorian toys and furniture to look at and an extensive painting collection are among the things to see here. Within the expansive gardens and arboretum, there’s a Little Explorer’s Tree Trail, and seasonal activities like a Halloween trail. Next door, the Fota Island Wildlife Park is a huge hit with kids (currently closed due to an outbreak of avian influenza).
Insider tip: Fota Island has a train station, so it’s easy to reach by public transport. The journey takes 15 minutes.
Website: fotahouse.com
Price: ££
Best for foodies
English Market
Sample the best local bites in a historic setting
Corkonians are proud of their city market, and rightfully so – it’s the biggest and best in the Republic of Ireland (and a sore spot for Dubliners). Take a stroll around the stalls in this 18th-century building, selling meats, cheeses and other fresh produce, which is perfect if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen. If not, hit up the excellent bakery and sandwich shop.
Insider tip: Bear in mind it’s closed on Sundays and on Bank Holidays.
Contact: instagram.com/theenglishmarketcork
Price: Free
Fab Food Trails
Eat your way around the city
Cork is known for its food scene, but if you want a rapid-fire introduction, book an epicurean walking tour with Fab Food Trails. You’ll stop for bites to eat at Cork’s best markets, cafés, fishmongers and cheesemongers, with nibbles like homemade scones, smoked butter and sushi to keep you going. It’s an excellent introduction to the city, particularly if you’re feeling peckish.
Insider tip: The tours are held on Saturday mornings, but private tours are available at other times.
Website: fabfoodtrails.ie
Price: £££
Princes Street
Dine al fresco on a picture-perfect street
Thanks to unpredictable weather, the outdoor dining scene took a little longer to take off in Ireland; however, the pedestrianisation of Princes Street (a legacy of Covid) is still going strong. Look for the line of outdoor tables and large, brightly coloured canopies – it will be lively here no matter what the weather is doing. It’s also just a pleasant thoroughfare to stroll through, with old-fashioned shop fronts, hanging baskets filled with flowers and rainbow-hued buildings.
Insider tip: Head to Nosh 19 for Hong Kong-style roast duck or Oak Fire Pizza for award-winning pizza.
Website: purecork.ie
Price: Free
Best for music fans
Cork’s music festivals
Listen to jazz, opera, choral music and more
Ireland as a whole is a great country for festivals, but Cork puts on a flurry of events throughout the year. The biggest is October’s Cork Jazz Festival, held in venues all over town, from churches and boats to the Cork Opera House. The Cork International Choral Festival takes place at the end of May, and in June and July, Live at The Marquee welcomes big music acts.
Insider tip: While most of the big headlining acts at the music-based festivals are ticketed, there are always plenty of free sessions and intimate gigs held in smaller venues around town.
Website: purecork.ie
Price: ££
Plugd
Check out the coolest record shops in the city
There are a few decent record stores in Cork, but Plugd is one of the best. Not only does it have a great supply of vinyl in the shop, including Irish artists, but it serves excellent coffee during the day and pet nat wine later on. There are regular small gigs in store, with improvised music sessions and renowned local acts playing to a small crowd.
Insider tip: On MacCurtain Street, 33RPM offers an extensive vinyl collection.
Website: plugdrecords.com
Price: £
The traditional music scene
Go to a “session”
You can’t visit Cork without heading to a “trad” session at least once. These intimate and informal pub gigs are a great introduction to Irish music, and some pubs in the city are known for their sessions. A good place to start is The Oliver Plunkett, where you can sit surrounded by memorabilia celebrating Rory Gallagher, one of Ireland’s best-known musicians.
Insider tip: Be sure to follow trad session etiquette – which means keeping respectfully quiet in their vicinity. And no singing, unless others are doing so.
Website: theoliverplunkett.com
Price: Free
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Nicola Brady
Nicola Brady is Telegraph Travel’s Cork expert. She moved to Ireland 18 years ago, and zig-zags around the country with alarming regularity. When in Cork, you’ll likely find her pottering around the markets, walking by the river and seeking out the best new cocktail.