Cork travel guide

Photo of Cork, Ireland by conolan
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Introduction to Cork

Cork is a destination known for attractions like Blarney Castle & Gardens, Fitzgerald Park, and Blackrock Castle Observatory. Travelers who visit this city in Munster, Ireland are often fascinated by the rich history and interesting culture it offers. We recommend taking the time to explore this city in Ireland on foot and walk alongside the over 222.3 thousand locals who live in Cork. You’ll quickly discover you’re surrounded by endless numbers of things to see and do.

Easily accessible from Cork airport, Cork is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Ireland any time of the year.

You'll learn more fascinating facts about Cork as you explore this spectacular city.

Traveling to Cork is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Cork below!

Top services in Cork

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Cork, Ireland. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 366 airlines that fly to Ireland. Browse the 77 top-rated tours available to you in Cork. Compare the rates and services of the 5 types of places to stay in Cork and the 8 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Cork.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Cork, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Cork on your vacation in Ireland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Cork from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Cork!

Learn more about Ireland

There are many reasons to visit the city of Cork, but a trip to Ireland needs no explanation.

Exploring Ireland, which spans 70,273 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Ireland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Blarney Castle & Gardens, Fitzgerald Park, and the Blackrock Castle Observatory, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Ireland.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Ireland.

What to see in Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by conolan

Cork has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Cork.

Top attractions in Cork

Home to plenty of top attractions, Cork is more than just a wonderful city in Ireland. Cork is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Ireland.

One fascinating sight in Cork is the unforgettable Blarney Castle & Gardens. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Cork. This remarkable attraction is located at Monacnapa, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland and is open for visitors Monday - Sunday, between 09:00-16:30.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Ireland, check out our list of top attractions in Cork below. Discover the best places to visit in Cork, including the fascinating Blarney Castle & Gardens, Fitzgerald Park, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork City Gaol, and Cork Opera House.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Cork.

Things to do in Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by Richard Mcall

Enrich your travel experience in Cork by joining tours and activities. Cork offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Cork below.

Most popular experiences in Cork

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Cork.

Cork offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Walking Tours, and Guided Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Ireland.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Cork by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Cork

Travelers in Cork can choose from 16 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Trips & Excursions is the answer.

The most popular tour in Cork is the fantastic Ring of Kerry Private Tour from Cork. By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Cork one of the best travel destinations in Ireland.

Cork also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Highlights of Cork: A Self-Guided Walking Tour is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 6 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Cork. This Historical Tour is available in 1 language: English. Around 9 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 5 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Cork and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Cork below.

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Search for things to do in Cork

Discover the best things to do in Cork. Choose from 77 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Cork. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by Wolfgang Eckert

The best and easiest way to visit Cork is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Ireland.

Booking a vacation package to Cork means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Cork to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Cork is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Cork, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Cork.

Top vacation packages in Cork

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Ireland.

Get more Cork vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Ireland that match your needs and budget.

Find vacation packages in Cork

Discover and compare vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Cork.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Cork get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Ireland. Your customized holiday package to Cork is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Cork

To get to the city of Cork the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Ireland can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Cork by booking flights with any of the 24 airlines that offer direct flights to Cork airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Cork airport are Ryanair, United Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Cork.

To reach the city of Cork, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Cork airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Cork, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Cork airport and Cork below.

Find cheap flights to Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by Gerd Altmann

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Cork, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Ireland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Cork, Ireland, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Cork costs around 18 EUR and is offered by the airline Ryanair. The flight leaves on May 24 at 2 and departs from Bordeaux–Mérignac airport in Bordeaux, France.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Cork cost approximately 410 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on November 22 and the return flight is scheduled on November 20. The flight time is around 22 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Dublin.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Ireland and the city of Cork from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Cork

Travelers visiting Cork in Ireland can fly to Cork airport directly from 1944 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Cork airport and the city of Cork in Ireland depart from Cork airport in Cork, Ireland, Albany airport in Albany, Australia, and Greenville–Spartanburg International airport in Greenville, the United States.

Travelers can fly to Ireland by choosing from from 3 weekly flight(s) from Cork; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Albany; and from 3 weekly flight(s) from Greenville.

The airline that operates most flights to Ireland is Cambodia Angkor Air. Cambodia Angkor Air offers 2 scheduled flight routes to Ireland.

Discover the most popular flights to Cork below. Click to view flights to Cork, Ireland from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by Klaus Hausmann

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Cork is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Cork usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Cork offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Cork and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Cork planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Cork, you'll find 5 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Ireland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Cork. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Cork.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Cork in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Cork

A trip to the fascinating Cork, Ireland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 5 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 104 hotels, 21 vacation rental apartments, 4 guesthouses, 4 cottages and 1 hostel. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Cork provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Jurys Inn Cork is one of the top picks of travelers in Cork.

The hotel is located at Anderson's Quay and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Bar.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Cork. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Cork, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Sheilas Tourist Hostel. For approximately 41 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 5 different types of places to stay in Cork. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Cork

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Cork for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 134 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Cork provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Cork are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Cork.

Hayfield Manor Hotel offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Cork. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Jurys Inn Cork, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Cork, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Shandon Bells Guest House, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Cork. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Cork

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Cork on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Cork that match the information provided.

Car rental in Cork

Photo of Cork Ireland, by Richard Mcall-bronze

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Cork. Cork has 8 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Cork start from 26.87 EUR per day or 188.09 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Nissan Micra.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Cork, starting from 21.12 EUR per day or 147.84 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Fiat 500.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Cork, Ireland, below.

Popular types of car rental in Cork

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Cork to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Cork can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Ireland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Cork is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Cork is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Cork.

Check out all options available in Cork and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Ireland below.

Search for car rental in Cork

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Cork. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Cork, Ireland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by MarcOliver_Artworks

The city of Cork is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Ireland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Ireland has it all.

Ireland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Ireland that are as magical as the city of Cork. The most popular travel destinations in Ireland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Ireland

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Ireland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Cork

Photo of Cork, Ireland by fsHH

A taste of Ireland through a visit to Cork can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Cork to another remarkable destination in Ireland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Cork to other spectacular locations in Ireland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Popular domestic flights from Cork

Travelers in Ireland can catch flights to domestic airports in Dublin, Knock, County Mayo, County Kerry, and Shannon, County Clare. Domestic flights in Ireland are operated by 3 airlines: Ryanair, Ryanair UK, and Aer Lingus. There are around 6 scheduled flight routes operating to Cork on a weekly basis.

From Cork, travelers can book scheduled flights to 4 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Cork depart to many top-rated destinations in Ireland and are offered by Ryanair, Ryanair UK, and Aer Lingus.

Search domestic flights from Cork

Traveling to another city or region in Ireland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Cork to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Ireland on the selected dates.

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