Cork is a city in the province of Munster in the Republic of Ireland. The city has a lot of medieval history to enjoy when you visit Cork city. The city was first a monastic settlement. It was later expanded by Viking invaders after 915. You can learn more about this early history of the city at Cork tourist attractions like the city’s museum.
By the medieval ages Cork had developed into a proper walled city. It was granted a charter in 1185 by Prince John. Majority of the best places to visit in Cork hail from this period onward. You can still visit parts of the old city’s wall in certain places. Owing to its role in the famous War of Roses, the locals sometimes also call it the “Real Capital”. Owing to its storied history of wars and invasions, there are numerous castles and palaces among best things to see in Cork city.
You will also find some beautiful churches in this city. These churches exhibit Gothic, renaissance and baroque styles of architecture. Other historical places to go in Cork include ports, houses, marketplaces, fountains, and memorial monuments.
Art galleries and art museum are integral to Cork sightseeing. You can also find several cultural centers and handicraft centers in the city. You will also need to get busy exploring museums. Aside form just learning about history, they can among the most fun things to do in Cork, Ireland. The butter museum is one of the most interesting places you would visit. There are also museums dedicated to art, maritime history, medieval history, royal houses and more.
As for outdoor things to do in Cork, you can go for hiking, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding and so on. Being a port, you can find wonderful beach near Cork city. You should also get on a boat to visit nearby island. It is one of the best activities to do in Cork.
Top 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Cork in 2 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. St. Anne’s Church
Established in 1722, this is the oldest church among Cork city attractions. It is famous for Bells of Shandon and the church’s great tower. You will need about an hour or so for this church.
2. Butter Museum
This building used to be a market place. It was built in 1849 and now serves as a museum. The museum celebrates the history of butter and dairy industry in the city. It is one of the best places to visit in Cork city. It will take you at least an hour for this museum.
3. Crawford Art Gallery
This public art gallery is included among Ireland’s National Cultural Institutions. This gallery exhibits historic, modern and contemporary works of art. It is among the most popular Cork tourist attractions and will require about 2 hours time to explore.
4. St. Patrick Street
This street is best places to go in Cork city for shopping. It has been twice voted the best shopping street in entire Ireland. You would need 2 to 3 hours to explore this street.
5. The English Market
This market is known among Cork attractions for organic items and local produce. You will also get to try out some regional delights in this market. It will take you an hour or so for this market.
6. Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral
This cathedral is arguably one of the best things to see in Cork city. It’s gothic architecture and lush interiors have mesmerized several tourists who visit Cork city. You will need an hour to see this cathedral.
Day 2
1. Blarney Castle
This castle is one of the best things to do in Cork, Ireland. This majestic castle dates back to 13th century. It used to medieval stronghold and is built from limestone. You would need 2 to 3 hours to explore this castle during Cork travel.
2. Fitzgerald’s Park
Situated on the banks of River Lee, this park is popular for outdoor activities in Cork. Besides gardens, fountains and hike trails; this park also has a dedicated play area for children. You can easily spend a couple hours here.
3. Cork Public Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of the city. You will see wonderful artifacts concerning medieval history including silver and glassware items. It is definitely one of the most interesting places to see in Cork. You would need 2 hours for this museum.
4. Lewis Glucksman Gallery
This gallery is named after renowned philanthropist and is dedicated to visual arts. The building itself considered one of the finest works of modern architecture in the city. You will need about 2 hours for this art gallery.
If you are looking for more fun things to do in Cork city, check out the section below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities to do in Cork.
Things to do in Cork
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Cork
- Blarney Castle
- Blarney Stone
- Crawford Art Gallery
- Cork City Gaol
- Blackrock Castle
- Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral
- Spike Island
- St. Anne’s Church
- Cobh Heritage Center
- The Glucksman Gallery
- Butter Museum
- St. Colman’s Cathedral
- Elizabeth Fort
- Nano Nagle Palace
- Cork Public Museum
- Cork Opera House
- Belvelly Castle
- Lavit Gallery
- Sirius Arts Center
- Cobh Museum
- Blarney Woollen Mills
- Collins Barracks Military Museum
- Lusitania Memorial
- Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills
- Red Abbey Tower
- Saint Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church
- Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne
- Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
- St. Peter’s Cork
- Cork National Monument
- Annie Moore Monument
- St. Oliver’s Cemetery
- Ballincollig Castle
- St. Finbarr’s South Roman Catholic Church
- St. Mary’s Dominican Church
- Father Mathew Statue
- Church of Christ the King
- Passage West Maritime Museum
- Rory Gallagher Memorial Sculpture
- Grace Christian Church
- Galweys Dundanion Castle
- Monkstown Castle
- Old Church Ruins & Cemetery
- Huguenot Cemetery
- St Francis Roman Catholic Church
- Cove Fort
- St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church
- Berwick Fountain
- Titanic Memorial
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Cork
- Fota Island
- Lee Fields Park
- Rock Close
- Bell’s Field
- Ballybrack Woods
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Cork
- Fota Wildlife Park
- Cobh Titanic Experience
- Fitzgerald’s Park
- Triskel Arts Center
- Old Cork Waterpark Experience
- Rumley’s Open Farm
- Cork Golf Club
- Airtastic Entertainment Center Cork
- Titanic Memorial Garden
- Tramore Valley Park
- Monkey Maze
- Leisurepark Cork
- The Mardyke Entertainment Complex
- Cobh Road Train
- Planet Entertainment Center Cork
- Drake’s Pool
Shopping in Cork
- The English Market
- Saint Patrick’s Street
- Mahon Point Shopping Center
- Princes Street
- Cornmarket Center
- North Main Street
- Douglas Village Shopping Center
- Oliver Plunkett Street
- Merchants Quay Shopping Center
Beaches & Island in Cork
- Fota Island
- Garnish Island
- Haulbowline Island
- Rocky Island
- Warren Beach
- Garretstown Beach
- Barley Cove
- Garryvoe Beach
- Inchydoney Beach
- Tragumna Beach
- Garrylucas Beach
Offbeat Places & Adventure Activities in Cork
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Boat Cruise
- Water Sports
- Ghost Tours
- Rebel Walking Tour
- Kayaking
Sightseeing in Cork
- Saint Patrick’s Street
- Regional Park Ballincollig
- Bishop Lucey Park
- Daly’s Bridge
- The Coal Quay
- Deck of Card Houses
- Donovan’s Bridge
- Michael Collins Bridge
- John F Kennedy Park
- New Marina Park
- Skehard Road Public Park
- Vernon Mount Park
- Nano Nagle Bridge
- Mary Elmes Bridge
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Cork
- Sine Pub
- Market Lane
- Costigan’s Pub
- Goldie
- The Spitjack
- Kinsale
- Strasbourg Goose
- Pradiso
- The Glass Curtain
- Pompeii Pizza
- Greenes
- Pigalle
- Quinlans Seafood Bar
- Miyazaki
- Liberty Grill
- Farmgate Cafe
- Ichigo Ichie
- The Chocolate Shop
How to Reach Cork?
By Air
The city’s eponymous airport receives direct flights from Alicante, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Cardiff, Krakow, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Nice, Newcastle, Warsaw, Paris, London, Rome, Liverpool and many more. Another airport to consider to visit Cork is the Shannon airport. This airport receives flights from Europe as well as America.
You can get buses and cabs from each of the airports to get to the city.
By Road
You can get direct trains for Cork travel from Dublin, Heuston, Tralee and many other cities on the island of Ireland. The bus network is far more widespread. You can get a bus direct or connecting from several towns and cities in the country. You can also get Cork sightseeing tours from nearby towns.
By Water
You can get ferries from Roscoff (France) and Cobh (Ireland).
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