Cork County is an excellent travel destination to spend at least three days. It has a wide array of activities and experiences to offer visitors. Make sure you pack some comfortable shoes when visiting, as some activities in the county require trekking.
Also known as Ireland’s real capital, Cork is likely the friendliest city in the country.
If you’re planning to visit, you’ll benefit from knowing all the fun things to do in the county. That way, you’ll know how to plan your stay and have lots of fun.
This post will discuss how long you need to stay in Cork to get the best experience possible in the county.
Read on for itinerary ideas to help you explore almost everything, no matter how long you’re staying.
How many days do you need in Cork?
You need to spend at least three days in County Cork to get the best experience. There are just so many things to do and explore that it seems impossible to fit in a one or two-day itinerary. But if you’re being pressed for time, you can still get the most out of your Cork visit in one or two days.
Cork is Ireland’s biggest county and home to the second-most populous city. You will find plenty of dining spots, pubs on almost every corner, and exciting things to do in the city.
It’s best to explore the county in your car, but walking is the way to go once you’re in the city.
The weather is cold about half of the year, with June, July, and August as the hottest months. Expect to spend around €81 per day during your vacation in Cork.
The number of days you will need to spend in Cork depends on the activities you’re interested in. Some activities only take place on certain days and at certain times.
Here are some of the top attractions in Cork:
- The English Market
- Cork City Gaol
- Nano Nagle Place
- Blarney Castle & Gardens
- University College Cork (UCC)
- St. Anne’s Church
- Blarney Stone, and more.
Driving in Cork is super easy, but there are some things you need to know before setting off.
With these tips, you won’t have any issues on the road during your Cork trip
1. Road signs in Ireland are very straightforward
Local roads have white signs, green for national roads and blue for major routes and motorway signs.
2. Always keep to the left side of the road as road users drive on the left in Ireland
Keeping to the left is particularly important when driving on narrow lanes. So, ensure to always remember this rule while driving.
3. Fill up your tank before embarking on a road trip to Cork
You will find that the distances between petrol stations are pretty long in remote parts of Ireland. So, take precautions to avoid running out of fuel while on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fill up every time you hit half a tank.
4. Look out for signposts of places of interest
Such signposts are usually brown with white letters. The signs are sometimes written in Gaelic, especially in the Gaeltacht region. Don’t worry about it, as you’ll likely see the same sign in English.
5. Don’t be in a rush
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the distance, but don’t drive too fast. There’s a limit to the distance you can cover on Ireland roads. So, don’t overestimate how far you can drive in an hour; enjoy the road trip.
Accommodation in County Cork
Unless you travelled in a Caravan, your best bet for accommodation is a local B&B or guesthouse. There are countless accommodation options to explore in Cork. And Relax Ireland has many self-catering houses for couples, families and corporate occasions.
Expect exceptional service from the moment you book the home to when you leave. Choosing a property listed on Relax Ireland makes for a homely and welcoming personal experience.
There’s something for everyone, from affordable houses for small families to large rentals for corporate events and parties.
You’ll find ideal large luxury rentals for get-togethers, family reunion accommodation, parties, corporate events and activity breaks.
Relax Ireland also has business accommodation for businesses and corporations looking to hold long-term or short-term events.
Let’s dive into our itineraries!
Cork itinerary for four days
Four days is more than enough time to explore and have fun in Cork. In four days, you can take a day trip to the famous Blarney Castle & Gardens without missing out on any other activity on your itinerary. You’ll see many different attractions and try as many local cuisines as possible.
But before embarking on your trip, you’d want to find suitable accommodation. You might like the Cashelfean House 1, a traditional whitewashed farmhouse located in Durrus, Co., Cork, costs about €400.00 to €700.00 per week.
If you need a large luxury accommodation, you should consider the Linden House, Luxury Self Catering Holiday Home in Glengarriff, Co., Cork. It has ten bedrooms and can accommodate twenty guests.
Day 1
Start your first day in Cork City with a visit to the English Market. It’s an excellent place to eat delicious local foods that you’ve never tried before. There are many fun sights to behold when wandering the city of Cork.
The River Lee is located near the English market, and you can take time to cross the multiple bridges over it while enjoying the beautiful view.
From the English Market, head to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Dedicated to the patron saint of Cork, St. Fin Barre, this Protestant cathedral stands as one of Cork’s historic sites.
Day 2
Your second day in County Cork is perfect for a trip to Cobh to explore the harbour, colourful shops, and St. Colman’s Cathedral. Cobh is a relaxing town, perfect for people who love fresh food. Cobh Farmer’s Market is home to various local favourites and international street foods.
Go back in time for the Titanic Experience, Cobh. The town is the final port of call that the Titanic visited. It is home to two history museums – the Cobh Heritage Centre and the Titanic Experience museum, where you can learn all the fascinating history of Cobh.
The town sits on steep hills and has a colourful line of houses. You can explore some of the steepest roads in Cobh and enjoy the view of the Deck of Cards – a row of colourful houses that look stacked.
Day 3
Visit the oldest area of Cork on your third day in Cork. Take a walk along the River Lee and head up the steep hill to the Shandon district. Visiting Shandon Historic Area in the morning is an excellent way to explore Cork.
You will find the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, as well as the Shandon Sweet Shop. When you’re done, use public transit to get to Blarney Castle. Your Cork visit is not complete without visiting what is considered Ireland’s most famous castle.
Enjoy the beautiful view of well-maintained rolling green lawns on the 60-acre grounds of Blarney Castle. The castle is home to many stunning gardens and is an excellent place to visit.
Ireland’s only poison garden is located behind Blarney Castle. You will find many plants, including marijuana, tobacco, and poison ivy. If you love Harry Potter, you may recognise plants like Wolfsbane and Mandrake in this garden.
End your day three in Cork by visiting Blarney Village. Stop by at the massive Woolen Mills in the village to see an amazing selection of Irish souvenirs. There are also some great restaurants on the main street.
Day 4
Finally, add the Wild Atlantic Way to your four-day Cork itinerary. Go on a mini road trip to Mizen Head to see Ireland’s most southwesterly point. You can stop by at Gougane Barra and Bantry.
You can also use a tour to get to Mizen Head on certain days in February through November. There’s also a tour to the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula.
Three days in Cork
A three-day Cork itinerary provides you with more than enough time to explore everything the county has to offer. You will discover many famous sites in the city and delve into local culture.
If you’ve got only 72 hours to stay in Cork, here’s how to get the most out of your stay.
Day 1
On your first day in Cork, you’ll need to soak up the county’s atmosphere. You’ll find plenty of must-see sights, including the St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the English Market. If you don’t want to explore alone, you can join a guided bicycle tour along riverside paths.
There is also a foodie walking tour and a hop-on hop-off bus tour for people who want to cover more ground in less time. The English Market is home to foods from all over the world and traditional Cork delicacies.
Produce available in the English Market include organic fruit & vegetables, meat, fish, bread, spices, speciality cheeses, clothes, crubeens (pigs’ feet), eggs, olives, the Cork favourite Tripe & Drisheen, and more.
Feel free to try some delicious Cork dishes for the first time at the English Market. At the end of the day, you can visit the distillery at the Jameson experience and have a toast with a glass of Irish whiskey.
Day 2
On your second day, you should visit the two most important towns in Cork, Cobh and Blarney. These towns are very close to the city, and you can join guided tours from Cork to skip the hassle of driving. Don’t forget to visit landmarks like Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Explore the historic town of Cobh on Cork Harbour, where millions of people fled Ireland between 1840 and 1950. Visit sights like the St. Colman’s Cathedral and learn the history of Cobh. The town was the last stop of the Titanic.
Day 3
Your final day in Cork is perfect for exploring the wild landscapes in the county. You can organise a private car so that it takes you anywhere you want to go. See the small towns and big cities in the county and enjoy the activities they offer, including cycling, hiking or kayaking.
There are guided tours available to join, some of which stop by the medieval Bunratty Castle and Limerick. You can go far west to the famous Cliffs of Moher.
Make sure you leave early enough to allow time to enjoy beautiful views of the wild, rocky landscape of the Burren and the Atlantic Ocean.
Finally, get back to the city, dine, drink, and enjoy the Grand Parade, one of the most popular streets in Cork.
Two days Cork itinerary
A weekend in Cork is enough to enjoy this beautiful county located in the southern region of Ireland. In two days, you can take a trip to Blarney Castle & Gardens, try some local cuisines, and explore the historical and cultural sites of the city.
Here are some exciting ways to spend your two-day visit to Cork.
Day 1
On your first day in Cork, you want to acquaint yourself with the city so ensure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Go on the Cork Food and History Tour and learn the county’s history while enjoying delicious dishes. The tour usually ends around lunchtime.
Eat lunch at the English market, the most famous food market in the county. With the wide array of foods in this market, it is impossible not to find something you like.
Apart from the market, you can also explore the Farmgate Café. The cafe is home to many different Irish dishes that will fill you up and prepare you for your next activity. Visit Cork City Gaol, the radio station that used to be a jailhouse in 1824.
There are many places to visit in Cork, including the museum and Saint Anne’s Church. Built-in the 18th century, the church offers a great view of Cork from the Bell Tower.
Don’t forget to visit the University College Cork and learn its history in the Visitor Centre.
End your first day in Cork in Sin É and enjoy live traditional music. Sit back, relax, and eat delicious Irish meals while listening to great music.
Day 2
Spend most of your day two in Cork exploring Blarney Castle & Gardens. If you’re going there by yourself, use a map to plan where you would like to go. Otherwise, you can join Paddywagon Tours, as they provide transportation to different places, including Blarney Castle and Cobh.
The Blarney Castle & Gardens is one of the most-visited locations in Cork County. You can purchase your ticket online or at the booth at the entrance. The grounds are massive so ensure to grab a map before entering the castle.
Make sure you kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle & Gardens, as this is the most famous attraction at the castle. You would have to wait in line for it, but it’s worth it. You’ll also be enjoying the scenic view of the garden while waiting for your turn.
Once you’re done, you should go grab lunch at the Stable Yard Café. Visit the Poison Gardens and explore a wide variety of poisonous plants.
Also, visit and explore the Bog Garden and the Jungle. Always check your map for more interesting places you would like to see. End your tour with a nice Irish dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Relax for a while, and then head back to your self-catering home. It’s an excellent way to spend your two days in Cork!
Conclusion
Cork city is the largest urban area in the county. It serves as a home to many attractions, including the famous English market and Blarney Castle & Gardens. You need to consider all these things when designing your Cork itinerary.
You should spend at least three days in the county to explore everything. Make sure you pack some comfortable shoes when visiting, as some activities in the county require trekking.
Planning your Cork itinerary can be daunting with the numerous attractions in the county. That’s why we have made it a lot easier for you. Feel free to check out accommodation listings on Relax Ireland for where to stay during your vacation.
