Planning to spend a weekend in West Cork? Great choice, this is where we live and without being biased, it’s one of our favorite parts of Ireland! And, as a local, I’ve done all of the activities, and eaten at most of the restaurants listed below. So, I’m writing from personal experience!
If you’re looking for something a little different, then exploring West Cork should be at the tippy-top of your Ireland bucket list. This gorgeous region offers a mix of stunning nature, vibrant culture, and super friendly folks. Tucked away in southwest Ireland, West Cork is famous for its breathtaking views, with rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and cute, colorful little villages.
This 3-day West Cork itinerary will have you wandering through colorful market towns, chilling out on secluded beaches, and exploring remote islands. Your 3 days in West Cork promise a one-of-a-kind adventure.
As Cork locals, in this blog, we’ll introduce you to experiences that are not on most West Cork itineraries. So let’s get started on how to have the perfect weekend in West Cork!
Day One: Kinsale
Morning – Explore Kinsale town
The first thing I do when I arrive in a new town is to spend a few hours exploring it on foot. That way I can get my bearings, snap some photos, and check out where I want to eat that day. And this is what I suggest you do to kickstart your one day in Kinsale.
Start on Main Street and take your time peeking into all the cute boutique stores along the way. A favorite of mine is Granny’s Bottom Drawer (a women’s clothing store with a vintage feel) and Croi Jewellery.
Be sure to stop in front of Stoney Steps on Main Street which is painted with an image of the world’s most famous woman pirate – Anne Bonny. Who was born in Kinsale in 1697?
I’m sure you’re in need of a caffeine hit by now (I always am at this stage in the morning) so, stop into either The Post House Coffee Shop or The Flying Poet – two of my favorite Cafes in Kinsale. They are located pretty much opposite one another on Main Street.
Then, it’s time to head for one of my favorite parts of Kinsale, the super-colorful Market Street, which is often overflowing with hanging baskets filled with flowers. Stone Mad Gallery is the standout building here, so snap some photos outside before venturing inside to check out their unique collection of jewelry and clothing.
Related Read: Kinsale also makes the cut for our 3 days in Cork itinerary!
Afternoon – Lunch at The Bulman and Charles Fort
You can’t miss The Bulman, painted bright orange and with an excellent location in Summercove overlooking Kinsale Harbour. Despite its playful exterior, The Bulman serves up some of the best food in Cork.
With numerous awards under its belt, it’s worth reserving a table in advance, especially during the busy summer months. Be sure to order a seafood dish, the seafood is so fresh and most is locally caught.
It’s actually a short 5-minute uphill walk to Charles Fort (my next recommended stop on your itinerary).
Charles Fort:
Charles Fort is a 17th-century star-shaped fort, associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history.
There is a small visitor’s center here, with audio and visual exhibits for a self-guided experience. Or you can arrange a guided tour which lasts about one hour. The entrance to Charles Fort costs €5 per person.
Are you interested in ghost stories? Then watch out for the ghost of the White Lady. According to local legend, a local soldier had to go on patrol at Charles Fort on his wedding night. He arrived at the fort drunk after his wedding celebrations and fell asleep on watch. He was shot for abandoning his post, and his grief-stricken bride threw herself from Charles Fort’s walls when she was informed of his death. She is said to still haunt Charles Fort to this day.
If you feel like it, you could walk back into town via the very scenic Scilly Walk, which is around 3.5 km long and boasts views of the town and Charles Fort.
Late Afternoon – Harbour Cruise
For me, the best way to see Kinsale is on the water with a Kinsale Harbor Cruises tour. On the tour, you’ll pass by the picturesque former fishing village of Scilly, where your captain will bring you close to the shore in order to see the seals, otters, etc. which are often found lazing on the rocks here. You’ll also pass by Charles Fort and the Old Head of Kinsale.
The cruise departs from the dock about 300 meters down from Acton’s Hotel on the hour between 12 and 4 pm during the summer season. Tickets cost €15 per adult.
Sunset – Old Head of Kinsale
The majestic Old Head of Kinsale is a series of eye-catching cliffs that tower over the choppy Atlantic Ocean – they are so photogenic and remind me a little of the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The Old Head, as locals call it, is around a 15-minute drive from Kinsale.
If you’re driving, there are several small pull-in bays where you can park your car and venture over to the edge of the cliff to take some photos. There’s also a bigger car park next to the entrance to the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course.
It’s one of the best free things to do in Cork County!
Where to Stay In Kinsale:
We recommend staying in Kinsale for two nights so that you have one full day in Kinsale.
And there are loads of fantastic hotels in Kinsale, but I’ve stayed at all the hotels below, so I can highly recommend them.
- The luxurious Kinsale Hotel and Spa has great views over Kinsale and the harbor and is a few minutes’ drive from the town. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and many have been renovated very recently. There’s also a leisure center on-site featuring an indoor pool and spa and the on-site restaurant is excellent.
- In the center of town is the massive Acton’s Hotel which offers lovely, spacious rooms – some with a view of the harbor. This is the best spot to stay if you want a large hotel smack bang in the middle of the action. The hotel also has an indoor pool and bar and restaurant on-site.
- Perryville House is a 4-star hotel in the center of town. You can’t miss it, it’s painted pink and is very eye-catching. The rooms here are luxurious and there’s a lovely courtyard out back.
Our favorite tours of Kinsale:
Day Two – Clonakilty, Skibbereen & Mizen Head
Morning – Clonakilty
It’s best to set off early this morning from Kinsale, because you’ve got a big day ahead. The drive from Kinsale to Clonakilty is around 40 minutes.
Start your morning with a wander through the charming town center, where you’ll find colorful buildings, cute shops, and cozy cafes.
Next, pay a visit to the Michael Collins Centre to dive into the history of this iconic Irish revolutionary. If you’re into unique food, head over to the Clonakilty Blackpudding Visitor Centre to discover how the town’s famous black pudding is made – and, of course, try some!
If you’re traveling with kids or have a train-lover with you, you may want to check out West Cork Model Railway Village is one of the best things to do in Cork with kids. An outdoor, fully scaled, handmade model of the old West Cork Railway featuring model buildings of the town as it looked in the 1940s. Entrance to the Model Village costs from €12.50 per adult and €7.50 per child (under 12 years).
We highly recommend taking a trip on the Road Train from here I mean, what better way to see the town of Clonakilty than on a quick 30-minute train ride?
Before driving onwards to Skibereen, make a detour to Inchdoney Beach, which is a whopping seven miles in length. It’s one of the best beaches in West Cork for a nice long beach walk. The popularity of this beach is probably due to the stunning Inchydoney beach hotel, which overlooks the beach. And I highly recommend having lunch here.
Late Afternoon – Skibbereen
On the drive from Clonakilty to Skibbereen (which is around 30 minutes) you could stop halfway to stretch your legs at Long Strand. A gloriously wild beach between Rosscarbery and Clonakilty. There are sand dunes, a glistening ocean, and the Galley Head lighthouse in the distance.
Skibbereen is where we recommend spending tonight. It’s a lovely, colorful town with great restaurants and bars playing live music.
Kick off your visit here at the Skibbereen Heritage Centre to dive into the Great Famine and the area’s rich history. Nature and photography lovers will likely be keen to check out Lough Hyne, Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve. It’s the perfect spot for a short hike.
Drombeg Stone Circle (aka the Druid’s Altar), which dates back to the Bronze Age, is a short drive away, too.
And when it comes to food, you can’t miss the local farmers’ market, which is held every Saturday until 2 pm, or The Church Restaurant in the town center (which is where we recommend having dinner tonight)
Evening – Mizen Head
Mizen Head is the most Southwesterly point in Ireland, and it’s just a 15-minute drive from Skibbereen. While here, don’t miss the iconic arched bridge that connects the mainland to the Mizen Head Signal Station, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the cliffs below.
As you explore the walking trails, keep an eye out for wildlife, including seals and seabirds, and if you visit during the right season, you might even spot whales or dolphins in the distance, too!
Catching the signal station at sunset is sure to make for an exceptionally pretty photo!
Shelly Beach nearby is a secret spot that only really the locals know about (until now!) Adding to its charm is the trek to get there – hike through fields and down a narrow boreen. Pretty white shells dot the sand here, and the views are spectacular! For some reason, this beach reminds me of something from The Chronicles of Narnia.
Also worth checking out is Galley Cove a lovely beach on the eastern side of the Mizen Head Peninsula, approx. a mile (1.5km) from the little village of Crookhaven. It’s a gorgeous golden sand beach and is backed by a rolling hill – very Irish! The beach is sheltered as it’s east-facing.
When you get back to Skib (as the locals call it) and you want to experience Skibbereen’s nightlife, make a beeline for The Tanyard bar.
Where to Stay in Skibbereen:
The West Cork Hotel is a popular place to stay here; it overlooks the Ilen River and is a short drive (or a 15-minute walk) from the town center. The rooms are spacious and stylish, and there’s a bar and restaurant on-site.
Or for something a little different, consider Liss Ard Estate – a magnificent country house that’s just over 2 km from the town center. This 163-acre estate boasts beautiful gardens, a 40-acre lake, and the famed Sky Garden crater.
Day Three – Baltimore & Sherkin Island
Morning – Baltimore
This morning, on your way to Baltimore from Skibbereen, make sure to stop off at The Baltimore Beacon, a famous landmark that provides panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. And is the perfect spot for an easy morning walk. For those interested in history, the village has a rich maritime heritage, and you can learn more about it at the local heritage center.
You could also do this whale watching tour from Baltimore (where the ferry leaves from). It’s 3 hours long and along the boat ride you’ll highly likely get to see dolphins, basking sharks, humpback whales and maybe even a killer whale if you’re lucky. Tickets cost from €40 euro per person. And keep in mind that whale watching season here runs from April to December.
Afternoon – Sherkin Island
A short 10-minute ferry journey from Baltimore is the wild and rugged Sherkin Island. The ferry over costs €12. At just 3 miles long and with a population of approximately 100, Sherkin Island is also known as West Cork’s island of the arts. Many residents of Sherkin Island make a living from their art, including painting and writing. And so we recommend walking the Artist Trail, a walk that passes a few artist studios on the island.
With beautiful sandy beaches (we adore Silver Strand), four different walking paths catering to all abilities, and even two restaurants – Sherkin House & Jolly Rogers. There is plenty to fill your afternoon on Sherkin Island.
Plus, if you fancy staying the night, you can choose from Sherkin House (with its 21 ensuite bedrooms) or one of the locally-run B&Bs.
Evening – Dinner in Baltimore
We recommend having dinner tonight at Dede at The Custom House in Baltimore, it’s one of the best restaurants in Ireland and has two Michelin stars! Run by Chef Ahmet Dede, his dishes marry his Irish surroundings and his Turkish heritage perfectly. They offer a fine dining tasting menu and are open from Thursday to Sunday (they do open on Wednesdays in peak season)
If you have more time: From Baltimore you can also book on this excellent boat tour to Cape Clear Island and Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. This tour costs €73 per person and is 6 hours long. Along the way, tell the kids to keep their eyes peeled for basking sharks and dolphins which are known to swim in the waters here during the summer months.
Where to stay in Baltimore:
Baltimore is teeny-tiny, so there aren’t many accommodation options here, but luckily, there are two great hotels in the town center – The Waterfront Hotel and Casey’s of Baltimore. Both are small, but the rooms are comfortable and clean.
Why we recommend renting a car in Ireland
If you love road trips, then it’s a no-brainer to rent a car in Ireland. After all, Ireland is known as one of the most stunningly beautiful countries in the world. And the best way to get to its hidden gem spots is by hiring a car. Public transport in Ireland is limited and typically just travels between the major towns, villages, and cities in the country!
The cost of renting a car in Ireland can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
You should always try to rent your vehicle from major cities such as Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick. As you would expect, hiring a car in the low tourist season months of November to February will be cheaper than if you book one in the height of summer, between June and September.
Thanks for Reading!
I hope that my blog covering how to spend a weekend in West Cork has helped you decide what you’re going to do in the “Rebel County”! I may be biased being a local, but West Cork is an amazing place, and I hope you will fall in love with it like I have!
If you liked this blog, you may enjoy my other blog posts, including –
Two Days in Cork, Ireland (An Epic Cork Itinerary)
How to Spend One Day in Cork (Perfect for First Time Visitors)
BEST Things to Do in Cobh, Ireland + What To Know Before You Visit!
Visiting Blarney Castle + 8 Things You Need to Know
Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by snaphappytravel