What to do in Cork

Activities, attractions and tours
Cork

Cork Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Cork has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Cork is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Cork to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Cork Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Cork.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Cork attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. University College Cork

Cork University College is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland and was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s colleges located in Belfast, Galway and Cork. The university won international acclaim when it was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2011.
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Situated by the banks of the River Lee, University College Cork is a gorgeous, ornate gothic structure with a rich reputation for academic excellence.

2. English Market

Visit Cork’s English Market to encounter the infectious sights, sounds and smells of a centuries-old food market. Discover everything from organic fruits and vegetables to artisanal ice cream, fresh seafood and locally produced cheeses. Try typical Cork fare while watching the bustling market activity from the comfort of a café or restaurant. The English Market dates back to 1788. Today its more than 50 traders form an integral part of Cork’s culinary scene.
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English Market which includes food, interior views and markets

3. Cork City Gaol

Visit Cork City Gaol, where prisoners were held in gruesome conditions for almost a century during the 1800s and 1900s. Learn about this historic prison’s famous inmates, their crimes, escapes and executions while walking between the well-preserved cells. Cork City Goal opened in 1824 and became an all-female prison in 1878. It held a mix of well-known prisoners and poor citizens, many convicted of petty crimes such as stealing clothes and food.
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Cork City Gaol showing interior views, heritage architecture and heritage elements

4. Blackrock Castle

Visit Blackrock Castle for an in-depth discovery of the universe in which we live and the chance to hear the stories of Cork’s ancient royal rulers. Officially the Blackrock Castle Observatory, The Space for Science, it has educational and historical exhibits suitable for all ages. Established as a stronghold in 1582, Blackrock Castle was later the seat of Cork’s maritime courts. It reopened as a science museum in 2007.
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Blackrock Castle showing château or palace, heritage elements and a river or creek

5. St. Patrick's Bridge

Visit St. Patrick’s Bridge, a centuries-old structure spanning the River Lee. It has played a key role in Cork’s trading heritage. First opened in 1789 but destroyed by flooding that year and again in 1853, the 167-foot-long (51-meter) bridge reopened in 1859. The idea behind St. Patrick’s Bridge was to provide the butter merchants with a convenient link from the north side of the river to the docks and warehouses of the city center.
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St. Patrick\'s Bridge which includes a bridge, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Discover the most popular places to visit in Cork

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University College Cork

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Situated by the banks of the River Lee, University College Cork is a gorgeous, ornate gothic structure with a rich reputation for academic excellence.

University College Cork
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English Market

4.5/5(31 reviews)

Shop for fresh produce from around the world and sample traditional Cork dishes at this historic food market inside a grand Victorian building.

English Market
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Cork Opera House

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Enjoy a show at Cork Opera House, a storied theater in Cork. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this walkable area, or seek out the local tours.

Cork Opera House
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Cork City Gaol

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Experience the harshness of Irish penal life in the 19th century as you wander amid the cells of this architecturally impressive former prison.

Cork City Gaol
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Blackrock Castle

5/5(6 reviews)

Have fun with hands-on science exhibits, visit an interactive theater and learn about Cork’s past while you explore this 400-year-old riverfront castle.

Blackrock Castle
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St. Patrick's Bridge

4/5(10 reviews)

Take in views of the River Lee from this 18th-century bridge and wander through Cork’s city center via one of the city’s most historic streets.

St. Patrick's Bridge
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Fitzgerald Park

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Enjoy picnics on landscaped lawns, visit a city history museum and attend free summer concerts at this attractive riverfront park.

Fitzgerald Park
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Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral

4.5/5(7 reviews)

With its richly decorated façade and opulent interior designs, this mid-19th century cathedral is one of Cork’s most instantly recognizable monuments.

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
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St. Anne's Shandon Church

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Ring a set of famous bells, admire beautiful stained-glass windows and enjoy panoramic views of Cork at this striking 18th-century church.

St. Anne's Shandon Church

Explore areas of Cork

English Market featuring interior views, food and markets

Cork City Centre

4/5(2 area reviews)

Cork City Centre is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cork Opera House and English Market while you're in town.

Cork City Centre
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Victorian Quarter

4/5(18 area reviews)

Victorian Quarter is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Everyman Palace Theatre and Leisureplex while you're in town.

Victorian Quarter
St. Anne\'s Shandon Church featuring a city

Shandon

4/5(9 area reviews)

Shandon is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Bells of Shandon and St. Anne's Shandon Church while in the area.

Shandon
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Wilton

When in Wilton, you can plan a visit to Musgrave Park and Turners Cross, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Wilton
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Fairhill

Though Fairhill might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like St. Anne's Shandon Church and Bells of Shandon.

Fairhill

Day trip destinations from Cork

Cobh showing a bay or harbour, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cobh

Fota Wildlife Park showing cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals

Fota