What to do in Cork: 35 of the Best Things to Do

Find out what to do in Cork City for the weekend. Why visit Cork City on a trip in Ireland? There are plenty of free things to do in Cork plus great places to eat and cultural activities.

What is there to do in Cork City? West Cork may be famous for its foodie culture and scenery but resist the urge to skip Cork City if you’re visiting Ireland or if you live in Dublin and just fancy a weekend break. 

Cork may be part of the Republic of Ireland but the so-called People’s Republic of Cork has a vibe all its own with great craic. Some Corkonians would argue that Cork City has even more to offer than Dublin. 

Read on for our favorite free things to do in Cork City plus recommendations on great places to eat and cultural opportunities. 

You'll find plenty to do to easily fill a weekend in Cork, one of the absolute best cities in Ireland.

Getting to Cork City

Cork is one of the best places in Ireland to visit by train from Dublin. Board an Irish Rail service at Dublin's Heuston Station and less than 3 hours later, you'll arrive in Cork Kent Station. 

Did you know that Cork City also has an airport? Cork Airport is a great option if you are visiting Ireland from elsewhere in Europe or connecting from the U.S. in a major European hub. 

You'll find direct flights to Cork City from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, and more. Avoid the busyness and hassle of flying to Dublin by booking a flight direct to Cork.

Where to Stay in Cork City

Hotel Isaacs on MacCurtain Street is a good option for a place to stay in Cork within walking distance of Cork Kent Station. 

If you want to explore the center of Cork and the university, I recommend the River Lee Hotel. 

If you'd like to go a little further afield and explore the Cork Docklands, The Maldron Hotel South Mall is an excellent option.

What to do in Cork at a Glance

Let's start with a summary of what to do in Cork to inspire your trip before diving into more detail.

Free Things to Do in Cork City

1. Stroll the English Market
2. Mardyke Walk
3. Stroll through the University College Cork (UCC) Campus
4. Take a Photowalk in Cork City
5. Go on a Cork Doors Scavenger Hunt
6. Explore the Gardens at Nano Nagle Place

Cork City's Unusual Museums

1. Lock Yourself Up at Cork City Gaol
2. Cork Butter Museum
3. Blackrock Castle Observatory

Imbibe Cork Culture

1. Crawford Art Gallery
2. Be Everyman and Catch a Show
3. Check out the Cork Film Festival

Where to Eat in Cork City

1. Brunch at Bookshelf
2. Lunch al Fresco at ORSO Cork
3. Marina Market Cork
4. Grab Brunch at Good Day Deli at Cork's Nano Nagle Place
5. Dine in Style at Cafe Paradiso, A Cork Institution
6. Spitjack for the Meatatarians
7. Join the Craft Brew Revolution at Cork's Franciscan Well Microbrewery
8. Eat an Early Dinner at Castle Cafe
9. Early Dinner at Market Lane

Where to Go for Coffee in Cork City?

1. Three Fools Coffee
2. Take an Afternoon Break at Cork Coffee
3. Pay Tribute to Depeche Mode at Cork City's Cafe Depeche
4. Guji Coffee Bar at Marina Market
5. Coffee at Boru
6. Shop Mahers

Explore Cork City's Fantastic Pubs

1. Get Treated to a Pint by a Local in Cork City
2. The Oliver Plunkett
3. The Castle Inn
4. Abbott's Ale House
5. Rising Sons Brewery

Day Trips from Cork City

1. Take a Titanic Adventure to Cobh
2. Get the Gift of Gab at Blarney Castle
3. Spend the Day at Charles Fort

Free Things to Do in Cork City

What is there to do in Cork? There are plenty of free things to do in Cork City to keep you busy for a weekend.

1. Stroll the English Market

Given the turbulent 800 year relationship between England and Ireland, it's somewhat surprising that one of the top free Cork attractions is called the English Market. History aside, this old Victorian era food hall has great atmosphere and fantastic eats.

2. Mardyke Walk

Take a quick hike on Mardyke Walk in Cork. The trail along the river is very serene. Join the path near Franciscan Well and pop out near University College Cork.

3. Stroll through the University College Cork (UCC) Campus

University College Cork is one of the top universities in Ireland. Located just outside Cork City Centre along the River Lee, UCC also happens to have a gorgeous campus. 

Take a stroll around and explore the old observatory, the grey brick buildings of the quad, and see old runes on display that are hundreds of years old.

🔎 Do you like travel centered around a university? If so, in Ireland, you must visit NUI Galway. The historic quad lights up with bright red ivy in the Autumn.

4. Take a Photowalk in Cork City

If you are favored by sunny weather, definitely take time for a Cork City photowalk. Cork is immensely Instagrammable. 

Cork's architecture features gothic churches, historic pubs, and Georgian classic design and edgy street art. The interesting people you meet also add to the picturesque charm.

5. Go on a Cork Doors Scavenger Hunt

My regular readers know that I love photographing doors and that they are well represented in both my pictures of Cork and pictures of Ireland more broadly that will make you want to visit. You can even turn door hunting into a scavenger hunt. 

Cork has some pretty fabulous doors. I noticed that one amazing door was open when I walked by which was ruining the shot. I thought, "oh, I'll just close this door". I did and then a guy walked up with a bunch of equipment to bring inside. Oops! 

6. Explore the Gardens at Nano Nagle Place

Just a ten minute walk up a small hill from Cork City Centre lies Nano Nagle Place. This sanctuary in Cork City features religious history, a garden, and great views that you can explore for free. 

You'll also find a museum onsite that you can visit for a fee. The Nano Nagle Place museum was closed when I visited on a Sunday morning for brunch at the Good Day Deli (see below for details).

Who was Nano Nagle? Nano Nagle was a nun and founder of the Presentation Sisters. She was a pioneer for Catholic education during the time of the Penal Laws in Ireland. She set up a school for the poor in Cork despite the risk of imprisonment. 

The Gardens at Nano Nagle Place span three terraced levels. On the upper level, you'll find the Good Day Deli and amazing views over Cork City. 

On the lower levels you'll discover a small cemetery and memorials to the Presentation Sisters and the brothers who worked side by side with them.  

Cork City's Unusual Museums

Did you know that Cork City is full of unusual museums? These are all great options if you are trying to figure out what to do in Cork when it rains.

7. Lock Yourself Up at Cork City Gaol

We trekked up a hill above Cork City for a visit to Cork Gaol. Wax figures stood guard and videos cast upon the wall told stories of what life was like in the prison where hardened criminals met with debtors. 

Even some Irish revolutionaries spent time in Cork Gaol. It was fascinating to stroll around and take in a bit of history from around Cork. If these walls could talk...

8. The Cork Butter Museum

County Kerry may be famous for butter but Cork City was once situated at the crossroads of butter-related commerce with farmers from throughout the countryside descending on the local Butter Market to sell their product and see it shipped around the world. 

Today, the Butter Museum is located next to the historic butter market in the Shandon neighborhood of Cork City. It was fascinating to see historic waxy butter labels on display. 

I even got to help churn butter by hand as part of a daily hands-on show. I've never seen another museum like it in the world. Cork's Butter Museum is definitely worth a visit.

9. Blackrock Castle Observatory

Take a taxi from Cork City to Blackrock Castle Observatory at the mouth of the River Lee. The fare costs about 15 EUR. 

There is bus service too but only about once an hour on Sundays. Walk down the road in either direction to get some stunning pictures of this 16th century castle turned observatory.

We booked in for a guided tour of Blackrock Castle Observatory for 7 EUR per person. Our tour of scientific exhibits and the building itself was led by an Astrophysics graduate student. 

Blackrock Castle used to be critical to defending Cork, was a lighthouse for a time, and is now an observatory. If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten track to do in Cork City, Blackrock Castle Observatory is definitely an Irish hidden gem.

What to Do in Cork: Find A Bit of Culture

Cork is bursting with culture if you know where to look. 

10. Crawford Art Gallery

Discover a fascinating mix of historic and modern art (often side by side) at Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. The gallery is free to enter but there is a recommended 5 EUR donation. The Roman sculpture casts displayed against bright blue walls near the entrance were particularly striking.

We serendipitously timed our visit for music at midday and we got to listen to a string quartet playing in a Georgian setting. So elegant!

11. Be Everyman and Catch a Show

The Everyman Palace Theatre has a richly decorated interior and sumptuous red velvet chairs and curtains. If there is a show on, definitely catch it. You're in for a treat.

12. Check out the Cork Film Festival

Cork City boasts the Cork Film Festival every November. Many of the films have a local flavor. 

My friend Aoife actually screened her short film Oscar, a documentary short about a devoted dog and his sea-ferry captain companion at the Cork Film Festival so we had a chance to walk the red carpet ourselves.

Where to Eat in Cork City

Cork is one of the best places in Ireland for food. Check out these recommendations of where to eat in Cork City.

13. Brunch at Bookshelf

Start your day with an early brunch at Bookshelf Coffee with a hand-brewed V60 coffee from The Barn. Dani presented the bag of beans to us and explained the flavor profile before preparing our coffee. 

It felt like we were on a wine tasting. We paired our coffee with a slice of orange and almond cake. There were so many treats available, it was hard to choose. 

Coconut porridge with homemade peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, and fruit compote was delicious and filling. I opted for a side of wild mushrooms with thyme for a little something savory. We also tried the avocado toast with poached eggs. Every dish was outstanding!

In fact, Bookshelf Coffee was so good that we went there twice for breakfast. I loved the coconut porridge so much that I had it again. 

This time, I skipped the mushrooms and went for a raspberry white chocolate scone and a cappuccino complete with swan on top. We also ordered a decadent waffle with pears and cream.

14. Lunch al Fresco at ORSO Cork

If you are looking for al fresco dining featuring healthy dishes and great value for money, that's what you'll find at ORSO Cork. A chicken schwarma flatbread and a butternut squash salad with chicken cost less than 10 EUR each.

15. Marina Market Cork

We walked out to Marina Market which is located in an old warehouse in the Cork Docklands. We discovered such a great vibe along with lots of different food stalls and crafts. 

We also were surprised to discovered that there was not a drop off alcohol onsite (at least we didn't find it).

16. Grab Brunch at Good Day Deli at Cork's Nano Nagle Place

Based on a recommendation from a local who I met at University College Cork, I made the trek up a small hill from Cork City Centre to Nano Nagle Place. 

Situated in the upper terrace garden, you'll find Good Day Deli. Serving vegetarian dishes plus scrumptious coffee and sweets, Good Day Deli is a fantastic place to start the day. 

Go early though. Good Day Deli attracts a crowd of Cork City residents on the lookout for a great meal. I went right when they opened at 10 am on a Sunday and was seated immediately without any issue. 

The tables soon began to fill up around me. To get to Good Day Deli, walk into Nano Nagle Place through the gift shop and you'll see signs leading to the cafe. 

17. Dine in Style at Cafe Paradiso, A Cork Institution

Dublin can be a bit challenging for vegetarian foodies. Not so in Cork City. Cafe Paradiso, the top vegetarian restaurant in the country proves that vegetarian cuisine can be both imaginative and delicious. Even those that normally eat meat (like us) seek this place out. 

On our most recent visit, we tried the tapas style tasting menu at Paradiso which included nine vegetarian dishes served in three courses of three. We paid 80 EUR for two people. 

Paradiso also has an extensive list of wines by the glass so we tried a white and a red. The wine was organic, yeasty, and very unusual. The white wine reminded me of a cider. Dessert at Paradiso is serve a la carte.

18. Spitjack for the Meatatarians

If you are looking for something more meatatarian for dinner in Cork City, check out Spitjack.  Spitjack is an upscale barbecue joint so you'll definitely need a reservation. 

I was only able to get a table at 9:30 pm when I called for a booking on the same day that I wanted to dine. Enjoy succulent meats, spicy croquettes, and a bit of history. 

There are a number of old manual spitjacks (tools for roasting meat) on display in the restaurant.

19. Join the Craft Brew Revolution at Cork's Franciscan Well Microbrewery

Franciscan Well is one of the original breweries in Ireland that started what seems to be a craft beer revolution. Stop by the brewery in Cork City for a mighty fine pint and perhaps a pizza if you're feeling peckish.

20. Eat an Early Dinner at Castle Cafe

Made a reservation for dinner at the Castle Cafe in the grounds of Blackrock Castle and Observatory. Enjoy mushroom soup with almonds and mussels to start followed by pork chop and beef fillet steak mains. 

The portions were very large. The desserts looked fantastic but we simply had no room in our bellies to try them.

21. Early Dinner at Market Lane

Market Lane offers a continuous food service with a menu that changes from lunch to dinner at 4 pm. We sat down at 4:30 for a quick dinner before I flew out of Cork Airprt to London for work.

We tried pork belly to start followed by monkfish and Toonsbridge halloumi salad mains. I couldn't resist the decadent chocolate pot for dessert (only 3 EUR). 

We washed down our meal at Market Lane with a glass of Chilean Carmeniere and Spanish Albariño wine. The food in Cork is always amazing!

Where to Go for Coffee in Cork City?

Cork is a great city for coffee and features a variety of local roasteries. Read on to discover the best places to get coffee in Cork.

22. Three Fools Coffee

Make time to grab a batch brew coffee from Three Fools along with some beans to take home. This place came highly recommended from a Corkonian friend.

23. Take an Afternoon Break at Cork Coffee

Enjoy a yummy flat white at Cork Coffee. I especially loved the brightly colored Georgian-style entrance door! It was raining, but there are a few seats outside under an awning to keep you reasonably dry.

24. Pay Tribute to Depeche Mode at Cork City's Cafe Depeche

Down near University College Cork is a small coffee house with a singular theme. It's all about Depeche Mode.  

Their music plays all day and their album covers grace the walls. I'm not sure if the barista was even alive when the band got together but no bother, We love Depeche Mode!

25. Guji Coffee Bar at Marina Market

Nab an Americano at Guji Coffee Bar Marina Market. Guji Coffee is located in an adorable powder pink container? 

I was super tempted by the chocolate covered marshmallow. The sweet treats looked top notch.

26. Coffee at Boru

Boru is a great place to stop for coffee when you first arrive in Cork. Walk from Cork Kent train station to Boru in less than 10 minutes. 

Order a batch brew and power ball to keep your energy levels up for exploring Cork City. One of our Boru power balls was cookie dough flavored, the other was coconut. I could feel the caffeine and sugar coursing through my veins!

27. Shop Mahers

Looking for some Cork coffee to take home? There are so many coffees to choose from at Mahers in Cork City. 

We love flavored coffees, but they can be hard to find in Ireland so we picked up some Irish Cream to take home at a cost of less than 7 EUR for 200 g of beans.

Explore Cork City's Fantastic Pubs

If you are looking for things to do in Cork City at night, keep an eye out for Cork's fantastic pubs.

28. Get Treated to a Pint by a Local in Cork City

"Ah, go on, so!"  I love the characters you find in the pubs in Ireland and this is particularly true in Cork. We wandered into Ziggy's Bar in Cork City Centre. 

I asked yer man (I soon learned that his name was Tom) if the seats next to him were free and he proceeded to talk my ear off for an hour and insisted on buying us a pint of beer. 

He slapped a 50 EUR note into my hand and wandered off to the loo. What a hoot.  Tom was a typical Cork man with the gift of gab.

🔎 Looking for other fun cities to visit in Ireland? Have you considered a weekend in Kilkenny?

29. The Oliver Plunkett

Check out The Frisky Whiskey Bar at the Oliver Plunkett. Grab a pint or a wee dram and enjoy an array of music in the upstairs bar.

30. The Castle Inn

For something with more of an old school vibe in Cork City, wander into The Castle Inn. Ask for a pint of Murphy's and then sit along the hard wooden benches along the wall in front of a roaring fire to enjoy your drink. 

31. Abbott's Ale House

We were walking by at random and were drawn into Abbott's Ale House in Cork. We were standing outside looking at our phones, trying to figure out where to find Cork craft beer. 

Yer man comes out of pub and asks if we need help. I said, "we're looking for craft beer." He said, "We are Number One! Come in!" 

The proprietor was so friendly! I couldn't read the taps menu without. my glasses so the bartender read me the choices.

32. Rising Sons Brewery

Toast a successful day exploring Cork with a pint of craft at Rising Sons Brewery in Cork City. We sampled a delicious raspberry sour and vanilla milk stout.

Day Trips from Cork City

There is plenty to do in Cork City to keep you busy for a weekend. If you are planning a longer trip to Ireland, there are definitely some Cork day trips that I can recommend.

33. Take a Titanic Adventure to Cobh

If the weather is fine, a day trip to Cobh from Cork City is just the thing. Take the train into town, climb the hill, and imagine waving farewell as the Titanic steamed out of port on her fateful maiden voyage. 

There is a museum in the train station devoted to Titanic and other ships that passed through these waters. Don't miss the Titanic Experience where you're given an identity of one of the Titanic passengers who boarded the ship in Cork. 

It's only at the end of the guided tour that you discover whether your passenger lived or died. Did you know that the Lusitania also met her end just offshore near Cobh?

🔎 Looking to explore County Cork beyond Cork City? Consider a road trip to Kinsale, one of the best scenic drives in Ireland and another foodie mecca in Cork. While you're at it, you'll find great spots for birdwatching in East Cork.

34. Get the Gift of Gab at Blarney Castle

If you have time to explore beyond Cork City, definitely make time for a day trip to Blarney Castle (one of the most-visited castles in Ireland). Set on expansive and picturesque grounds, Blarney Castle towers above its surroundings. 

We climbed to the top, stopping to appreciate the dark and damp interior along the way. We were rewarded for our efforts with sweeping views of the surrounding Irish countryside. 

Now is your chance to kiss the Blarney Stone. The gent working there instructs you on where to place your arms and then holds you as you contort yourself to be practically upside down as you kiss the Blarney Stone. It's a little dizzying to look back. 

Apparently, kissing the Blarney Stone is not as scary as it used to be since they've installed metal bars to prevent people from falling.  After smooching what was likely a cootie covered rock, I was excited to take my new Gift of Gab for a spin!

Want to know the difference between Blarney and baloney? Baloney is flattery laid on with a trowel.  Blarney is flattery laid on with the lips; that is why you have to kiss a stone to get it  - Monsignor Fulton Sheen 

Before departing Blarney Castle, we took a walk through the nearby Poison Garden. The warning before entering was rather concerning:  Do not touch, smell, or eat any plant!  

Children must be accompanied at all times. There were all manner of poisons:  from poison ivy to mandrake to nightshade.  

The more serious poisons were covered with a protective mesh to make sure people heeded the warning not to mess with the plants.  The poisons were interspersed with colorful tulips. 

We concluded our visit to Blarney Castle with a walk through the Rock Garden on the Blarney Castle grounds. Each rock formation or dolmen was adorned with a plaque describing history and mythology in the area. I thought the Witches' Stone was aptly named. 

The natural beauty of the place was striking. With one last stop to smell the flowers (these weren't of the poison variety) we concluded our visit to Cork and the surrounding area.

35. Spend the Day at Charles Fort

Fort Charles is a historic star-shaped fort located about 35 minutes from Cork City by car. Alternatively, you could visit Fort Charles on a road trip to Kinsale which is about 10 minutes away by car.

Charles Fort is a testament to Ireland's military history. Built in the late 17th century, it's one of the largest military installations in the country.

As you stroll through the entrance and explore the grounds, imagine the soldiers who once patrolled these walls. Feel the weight of history beneath your feet as you walk along the ramparts. You might even spot a friendly horse grazing nearby, adding an idyllic touch to the scene.

If the weather's nice, pack a picnic and soak up the sunshine. Charles Fort is the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon.

Is Cork City Ireland Worth Visiting?

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Cork City that make the trip worthwhile. Many people pass Cork City over in favor of a drive through the wild West Cork countryside but Ah, go on, so. Stay a while.

Map of Cork City Ireland Things to Do

Click on the image of the map below to open up an interactive version in Google Maps highlighting the best things to do in Cork City, Ireland.

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