What To Do in Cork. A City of Breathless Hills & Views
Today, you're off to Cork City itself. It's only 30 minutes from Kinsale. I wouldn't be mad at your if you made Cork City your hub and stayed here for 3 nights too. I just prefer smaller villages myself. Personal preference.
While National Geographic just named Cork one of their 25 places to visit in 2025 (alongside LA and Abu Dhabi ). That's not news to the locals who know it's always been class. These lists come and go, but Cork's charm is constant.
Cork City
Cork is a fabulous & lively town. Just like the lyrical Cork accent, the city is up and down with so many hills, so don't forget your walking shoes!
Best Views
The good thing about hilly cities is the views. Medellin is far and away my favorite , but let's stay local.
- Bring a picnic to Bell's Field because your calves will be need the rest by the time you walk up the hill to it. Lovely city and church tops views from the field.
- Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea at the Panorama Restaurant in opulent The Montenotte. Nibble on tiered towers of sandwiches with fine tea, and, perhaps a sneaky bottle of Prosecco.
- Elizabeth Fort offers city views from its high walls, perfect for pretending to guard against instead of playing tourist
- Go up Shandon Bell Tower at St Anne's Church for outstanding views (if tight spaces don't bother you). Its clock earned the nickname 'Four Faced Liar' since each face shows different times.
While catching breath at the top of a hill, look around for the ethnic restaurants in Cork. Many of its immigrants have opened restaurants with food from their home country and they're so good. And a change from the food in the more rural towns.
Wander the City
The centre of Cork City is small, you won't get lost! Walk, explore, take it in.
The Shandron Bridge is a good crossing point to the historic Shandon quarter, the northern suburbs of the Medieval city. Stop and take in the paint on this bridge. The paint alone weighs two tonnes.
The English Market is on every tv show that has ever visited Cork, but please buy something though, don't just snap photos.
I love Nano Nagle Place, a newly restored 18th-century walled convent. The café in its garden is a tranquil place to get some respite in the city.
Take Me To The River
If you've read my other guides, you know that churches and museums don't interest me. I like the get out of the busy central area, so once you've finished walking around the centre, find the Lee and here's two walks to show you more of the Cork.
East Along the Lee
Marina Market
A short walk from town is Cork's largest indoor/outdoor market with 30 food vendors and shops. I love their special events like Pottery & Prosecco nights, Dogfest and even Ireland’s Largest Lego Convention. Imagine chatting with locals about the latest in Lego. Unmissable!
Páirc Uà Chaoimh
Don't bother trying to pronounce Páirc Uà Chaoimh when asking for directions, just follow the red and white flags. But do go to a game if there's one on.
Even if there's only a local club game, go to it. Ask someone about the rules and prepared to be confused and amazed by the speed this 3000 year old Irish game is played at. I never played it, I'm way too soft.
Altantic Pond
This is a pond. Near the Atlantic.
Blackrock Pier
You could keep walking along from the Marina Market to Blackrock Pier and then onto Blackrock Castle Observatory. You'll pass the GAA stadium en route. This castley looking castle is cool to duck around its low entry ways and take in views over the mouth of the River Lee.
West Along The Lee
Going the other direction, we have a nice loop that bring you through some parks, the university, the old gaol, the shaky bridge and a tower.
University College Cork
Where historic limestone buildings and a Harry Potteresque quad meet modern student life. The glasshouse café in the grounds is a good stressed student watching coffee spot.
Fitzgerald Park
Fitzgerald Park is pure Cork. A riverside escape with the best playground in the city. The Cork Public Museum inside tells the story of Cork without the usual museum stuffiness. Grab a coffee at the café and watch kids chase the pigeons while old lads feed them, creating an endless cycle of feathers and bread.
The Shaky Bridge
The Shaky Bridge (officially Daly's Bridge) is a local legend that still wobbles at exactly 2.3 cycles per second, even after its 2019 renovation. They took it apart in four pieces, shipped it to Tipperary for repairs, but kept its signature shake, because what's the fun in a steady bridge? It's just an excuse for nervous first date Tinder couples to grab each other tighter.
The Lee Fields
This is where Cork goes to breathe. This riverside meadow hosts joggers, dog walkers, and picnickers. In summer, you might catch local teens "tombstoning" (jumping) into the Lee, though we don't recommend joining them.
Sundays Well
A quaint hillside suburb with a riverside walk is where locals dodge joggers while debating if that really is Graham Norton's house (it is).
Cork Gaol
Cork City Gaol looms over the neighborhood. A former prison turned museum. Not the ideal place to spend a Sunday if you have the Fear after a Saturday night out in Cork.
Shandon's Tower
A second mention in this guide for the tower with all the bells and views. Worth a stop if you haven't already seen the city from up high.
Douglas
You could spend a Saturday morning in one of the villages of Cork City. Douglas is a brisk two mile stroll south of Cork city centre, it'll get you out of the city and see what life is like living in Cork, albeit where Cork's aspirational professionals most want to live. The high vis vests of the Tidy Towns volunteers on a Saturday morning are a clue.
The name Douglas comes from Dubhglas (dark stream). These days, the dark streams are more likely to be coffee from Douglas farmers market, open Saturdays 10am-2pm,
Stick around to watch the local Nemo Rangers play hurling and Gaelic football at their home ground. Rugby is revered here too. If there's a game on, watch it in The Briar Rose, known locally as The Briar.
The South County comes recommended for a quiet drink. They specialise in whiskey, craft beer and trad sessions. Barry’s is at the heart of the village and has been serving pints to the neighbourhood for upwards of two hundred years.
Cork Slang
You deserve a pint by now, so stop in a pub like The Oval, Dennehys, Tom Barry’s, Coughlans, Impala and the Welcome Inn.
Ask someone perched on a high stool what any of these means for an easy conversation starter: gowl, langer, haunted, pure daycent, beour, a jag.
A brewery tour is always a good thing to do too, try the Rising Sons Brewery in town or to go very local, the Cotton Ball in Roy Keane's Mayfield.
Cork Festivals
Cork On A Fork
The tastefully named Cork on a Fork Festival is my favorite weekend in Cork. Their website says "Over five days, the city centre will turn into a gastronomic paradise, celebrating the vibrant and diverse food culture of the region." Yeah, whatever they said, I just get fat for five days. Come hungry in your favorite stretch pants.
Cork Jazz Festival
If you have a silly straw hat lying around somewhere, pack it for the Jazz Fest. It's world renowned, legitimately, not just marketing blurb. The city transforms into a maze of gigs from genuine jazz legends in the Opera House to enthusiastic amateurs honking away in every pub. You'll do well to get a hotel room when it's on, but if you want to see Cork at its liveliest, come around the end of October. Just book early because half of Ireland descends on the city for the weekend.
Cork Culture
The cities in Ireland have excellent culture, something visitors often overlook. Go see that play you've never heard of, the band who might be the next big thing and definitely go to any comedy, we are funny in Ireland!
Cork Opera House The city's main venue for big shows, comedy and concerts. Looks old outside, modern inside.
The Everyman A beautiful Victorian theater on MacCurtain St. Great spot for plays and intimate gigs.
Cypress Avenue Cork's proper music pub. Where you'll catch both big names and rising bands.
St. Peters A converted church on North Main St. Those high ceilings make everything sound amazing.
Triskel Indie films and classical concerts in an old church. Properly atmospheric.
The Kino A former cinema turned event space. Good for smaller gigs and cultural events.
Live at St. Lukes Another church turned venue. Stellar acoustics and always interesting acts.
Get Lost in Cork
We'll point you in the right direction, but the real adventure is when you wander off on your own. Because in Ireland, there's no such thing as a wrong turn. Just don't ask the locals for directions unless you've got time for a chat.
Explore 9 More Cork Day Trips
There's 5 day trips in our central Cork guide. And we have 5 more Cork day trips in our West Cork guide. You'll be speaking like a Cork native if you do all ten!
Have Questions?
Need help planning your trip? Got a burning Cork question? Leave a comment below or on Facebook.
