- Cork Airport has direct flights from several UK airports and is about 20 minutes from the city
- Eat your way round the English Market and the city's restaurants
- Day trips to Blarney, Cobh and Kinsale are easy by bus, train or car
- Hire a car to explore West Cork's coast and villages
- Airports
- Cork (ORK)
- Best time to go
- May-September; October for the jazz festival
- Type
- City
Ireland's second city has a strong sense of its own identity. Locals call it "the real capital", and it's built on an island in the River Lee, with a busy centre of narrow lanes, hilly streets of terraced houses and a food scene that punches well above its size. It's also the gateway to the harbour town of Cobh, foodie Kinsale and the wild coast of West Cork.
For UK travellers Cork is simple: the same time zone, the same plugs, driving on the left and no passport needed for British citizens under the Common Travel Area, though airlines and ferries ask for photo ID. You'll pay in euros, and prices are a little lower than in Dublin. For the wider picture, see our Ireland guide.
Where to stay
- City centre (the island) – between the two channels of the Lee, around St Patrick's Street and Oliver Plunkett Street, close to the English Market, pubs and restaurants. The best first-time base.
- Shandon and the north side – historic and hilly, with views over the city and good-value guesthouses, though the climb back is steep.
- Western Road and the university – a leafy, quieter area with B&Bs and hotels within walking distance of the centre.
- Douglas and Blackrock – suburbs to the south-east, handy for drivers and families.
- Kinsale or Cobh – if you'd rather sleep by the sea, both are under an hour away.
Things to do
- The English Market – a covered food market dating back to 1788, with butchers, fishmongers, bakers and cafés.
- St Fin Barre's Cathedral – a striking Gothic Revival cathedral with ornate spires and stained glass.
- Shandon Bells – climb the tower of St Anne's Church and ring the bells yourself.
- Cork City Gaol – a 19th-century prison with an atmospheric self-guided tour.
- Blarney Castle – about 8km away; kiss the Blarney Stone and explore the large gardens.
- Cobh – the last port of call of the Titanic, with the Titanic Experience and boat trips to Spike Island, a former fort and prison. Trains take about 25 minutes.
- Kinsale – a pretty harbour town with restaurants, Charles Fort and the start (or end) of the Wild Atlantic Way.
- Jameson Distillery Midleton – tours and tastings about 25 minutes east of the city.
From Cork it's around 1h30 to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.
Best time to visit
May to September is the mildest and brightest time, with temperatures usually in the high teens °C. Late October brings the Cork Jazz Festival over the bank holiday weekend, when hotels fill up quickly. Spring and early autumn are quieter and good for walking along the coast. Winter is mild but damp.
Getting there from the UK
Cork Airport (ORK) has direct flights from several UK airports, including London, with flights from London taking about 1h20. The airport is about 8km south of the city, and buses reach the centre in around 20-30 minutes. If there's no direct flight from your local airport, fly to Dublin and take the train from Heuston, which reaches Cork Kent station in about 2h30.
By sea, ferries from Fishguard and Pembroke to Rosslare leave you about 2h30 drive from Cork, a good option if you want your own car.
Getting around
The centre is compact and flat by the river, though the north side is hilly. Buses serve the suburbs and Blarney, and suburban trains run to Cobh and Midleton. A car is the best way to explore West Cork, where public transport is sparse. Ireland drives on the left, with distances and speed limits in kilometres.
Visit the English Market in the morning, when it's quieter, and have lunch at one of its stalls or the café upstairs.
Top attractions in Cork
Cork on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Cork?
Two days covers the city and Blarney. Allow four or five to add Cobh, Kinsale and a taste of West Cork.
Can you fly direct from the UK to Cork?
Yes, Cork Airport has direct flights from several UK airports, including London. Routes and frequencies vary by season, so compare with Dublin if your local airport has no direct service.
Is the Blarney Stone worth it?
The castle and gardens are worth a visit in their own right. Queues to kiss the stone can be long in summer, so go early in the day.
Is Cork a good base for Kerry?
It works for a day trip to Killarney, but the Ring of Kerry and Dingle are better seen with a night or two in Kerry itself.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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