How to Spend 3 Days in Cork, Ireland: A Complete Guide

You’re planning to spend 3 days in Cork. Lucky you, the second biggest city in Ireland is home to some seriously unique things to do, stunning beaches, and fantastic restaurants. Now, I might be biased seeing as I’m from Cork but I have to say that Cork is the best city in Ireland!

I’ve put together the perfect 3-day itinerary for Cork based on my favorite things to do here. It includes the city’s top highlights – like the English Market and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. But it also includes day trips to two of the best towns in Cork – Cobh and Kinsale.

Below, you’ll find the best 3-day Cork itinerary on the internet. Not to toot my own horn, but as a Corkonian, I know this city like the back of my hand!

Related Read: If you’re short on time, you might want to check out my guide on how to spend one day in Cork City!

Day 1 – Explore the City

You should spend day one in Cork familiarizing yourself with the city. It’s such a cool and underrated city. And if you stick to my itinerary for today I’m sure you’ll be enamored by its magic before the day is out!

For your first day, I’ve selected the most popular things to do in Ireland’s second city. Things like the English Market and the Shandon Bells. But, I’ve also included some hidden gems such as Bell’s Field and the Nano Nagle Centre. Day one is sure to set the standard for the rest of your 3-day Cork itinerary.

Morning – English Market

Opened in 1788 Cork’s English Market is without a doubt the most famous market in Ireland.

Come here on any given day for a true taste of Cork. From the moment you enter the English Market on the Grand Parade, it’s an assault on all your senses. Smell fresh-off-the-boat fish, coffee brewing, freshly baked bread, and listen to the unique Cork twang of the stall holders. 

Be sure to pop over to O’Connell’s fish stall – the late Queen Elizabeth visited this stall! 

My favorite stalls in the English Market include The Alternative Bread Company, and The Real Olive Company. For great coffee, you can’t go wrong with Cafe Marius or Coffee Central. 

But our recommendation for breakfast this morning is to head upstairs to the famous Farmgate Cafe for a full Irish breakfast. There’s a fantastic view of the market from up here too. 

Best tours of the English Market –

This guided culinary tour is a great option to see The English Market with a knowledgeable local guide and it also includes a pub lunch. The tour is 3 hours long and includes food samples from several of the stalls here. It costs from €120 per person.

Late morning – St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is just a couple of minutes walk from The English Market. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Cork. This three-spire cathedral is hard to miss on the city’s skyline. And it’s French Gothic in style. It was built back in the late 1700s and features a nave made of Bath stone and internal walls made from red marble found locally. 

The massive stained glass windows show scenes from the bible and are one of the main showpoints of the cathedral. As well as that there’s a cannonball from the Siege of Cork which dates to 1690 hanging from the roof inside!

There are 1,200 more sculptures adorning the walls and ceilings of the cathedral from gargoyles to huge marble spires. And there’s even a brass-winged dragon that sits underneath the pulpit. 

A small donation of €8 per adult is suggested for visiting this iconic cathedral.

Related Read: Check out the best free things to do in Cork City here!

Early Afternoon – Cork City Gaol

Cork City Gaol, a former 19th-century prison is your next recommended stop today. And its castle-like outwardly appearance couldn’t look more different to the cells inside. You will love wandering the spooky corridors, seeing the inside of the prison cells some of which have life-like wax prisoners. You can read all about the history of the prison via the many information boards dotted throughout the prison.

Fun fact – former prisoner Countess Markievicz called it “the most comfortable jail” she had ever been in!

There’s a guided tour at 2 pm every day, and this costs from €11 while the self-guided tours cost just €9. And you can book your tickets for Cork City Gaol here!

Lunch – Nano Nagle Centre

A hidden urban oasis that not many people know about (not even the locals). The Nano Nagle Centre is tucked away off of Douglas Street and boasts a museum, beautiful gardens, and a book store focused on Cork. Plus, the amazing Good Day Deli. Which is our recommended lunch spot for today!

The centre is named in honor of Nano Nagle, a nun who played an active role in helping the poor and disadvantaged of Cork City. In fact, the order she founded The Presentation Sisters continues to travel the world to this day to continue her work. 

Learn all about life in Cork in the 18th Century at the museum, relax in the beautiful gardens, and explore the historic buildings. Including the 18th-century convent that Nano Nagle built for her nuns.

You can access the convent on a guided tour, which happens every day at 3 pm. On the tour, you can see Nano’s personal objects and see inside her room known as ‘Miss Nagle’s Parlour’. 

Late afternoon – Shandon Bells

The Shandon Bells are an institution in Cork City. Yes, the third tallest building in the city offers you the opportunity to climb to the top for a fantastic 360-degree view of Cork. As well as the chance to try your hand at ringing the church bells on your way to the top.

There are 8 ropes for the 8 bells and you can choose to play the bells to the tune of a song. Don’t worry you will be given instructions. The bells can be heard across the city though so no pressure!

You must climb 135 steps to reach the viewing balcony, so, this Cork activity is not recommended for those with mobility or heart issues! 

There’s a €5 euro entrance fee for adults and children aged from 5-15 will be charged €2. Which is very good value for money! In fact, this is one of the best things to do in Cork with kids!

If you wish you can join, this hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Cork City that visits the Shandon Bells as well as Cork City Gaol, The English Market and more! It costs just €22 per person.

Evening – Bell’s Field

End day one in Cork City on a high by watching the sunset at Bell’s Field – known to local’s as having the best view of the city!

Bell’s Field is a large grassy area at the top of Patrick’s hill overlooking Cork City that is known as having the best view in all of the city!

It’s quite a climb to reach it because you will be walking up the steepest hill in the city; Patrick’s Hill has a 25% gradient. The view from the top is worth the climb, though, and you will see all of the Northside of the city, the Shandon Bells, and even St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the distance.

For dinner tonight, I highly recommend Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett Street. It’s one of the most popular restaurants in the city and their dishes are so fresh and flavorful.

Day 2 – Blarney Castle & Kinsale

For your second day in Cork, I recommend ticking off two of my favorite places in the county – Blarney and Kinsale. Now, I may be a little biased seeing as I grew up in Blarney and spent my childhood summers in Kinsale. But, honestly, both destinations are two of the most popular tourist spots in all of Ireland for good reason!

Morning – Blarney Castle

Kissing the Blarney Stone is without a doubt one of THE most popular things to do in Cork. The famed stone which offers those who kiss it ‘the gift of the gab’ is part of the gorgeous Blarney Castle and Gardens, which is just 15 minutes from Cork City.

And I know – it sounds a little weird – lying down on your back and leaning backward to kiss a magical stone that millions have kissed before you! But I’m sure it’s something that you’ll remember forever. No need to worry about your safety as there is an iron railing for you to hold onto as you lean back and a staff member on-hand to hold your legs, if needed.

If kissing the stone is a little out of your comfort zone, then, thankfully, there are plenty of other cool attractions at Blarney Castle to fill your time.

The best things to do at Blarney Castle (other than kissing it)

• The Dungeon – You’ll find this below the lookout tower on the way to kiss the stone
• Fern Garden – A visitor-favorite, the tall ferns were brought over from New Zealand!
• Poison Garden – Is to educate visitors on the poisonous plants found in Ireland, safe to say, don’t touch anything here
• Herbaceous Border – At 100 meters long, this colorful herbaceous border is one of the most popular spots at the castle for a selfie
• The Wishing Steps – A firm-favorite with children, you must walk up and down these steps with your eyes closed and make a wish. Legend says that your wish will come true within a year
• Blarney Castle House – This mansion dates back to 1864, and the owner of Blarney Castle – Charles St John Colthurst, resides here for most of the year.
• The Witches Kitchen – It is believed that this is the spot where the first cave dwellers in Ireland lived. If you get to this spot first thing in the morning you may find a fire that was lit by a witch the night before!

Entrance to the castle is €22 per adult, €17 for students and seniors, and €10 for children aged between 5 – 15. Children aged 5 and under are free. Alternatively, you can buy a family pass (two adults and two children) for €55.

Afternoon & Evening – Kinsale

Ah, colorful and quirky Kinsale in West Cork is one of my favorite towns in Ireland. It’s around a 30 minute drive from the city and is filled with winding, narrow streets, brightly colored buildings, and some of the best restaurants in Cork. Yep, if you’re a foodie Kinsale is the place for you – it’s nicknamed the gourmet capital of Ireland.

It’s also built next to the water so if you’re keen to see some of the prettiest coastal scenery in the county then you should hop on board a scenic boat cruise (more on that below!) Or on a warm day (and if you have time) you could head out to see some of the best beaches in West Cork which are nearby. We love the surf haven of Garrettstown and the teeny-tiny Dock Beach, a local favorite!

The best things to do in Kinsale

One of my favorite things to do in Kinsale is to simply explore the colorful town on foot with a coffee (I recommend the Lemon Leaf Cafe) stopping into the stores and art galleries along the way. However, some of my other favorite things to do in Kinsale include –

• Explore Charles Fort – Just outside the town lies the historic Charles Fort. A 17th-century star-shaped fort, associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. There is a small visitor’s centre here, with audio and visual exhibits for a self-guided experience. Or you can arrange a guided tour which lasts about one hour.

• Go on a harbor cruise – I reckon the best way to see Kinsale is from the water with Kinsale Harbor Cruises. The cruise departs on the hour between 12 and 4 pm during the summer season and tickets cost €15 per adult.

• Visit the Old Head of Kinsale – 13 km from town you’ll find the Old Head of Kinsale Signal Tower. It’s not only a stunning viewpoint but also a fascinating museum. It’s over 200 years old and the museum tells the story of the RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat in World War I resulting in the loss of around 1,200 lives.

• Have dinner at The Bulman – You can’t miss The Bulman while you’re exploring Kinsale. It’s painted bright orange! 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. After dinner, take your drinks outside to enjoy the sun setting over Kinsale.

Tour recommendation for Kinsale:

If you don’t feel confident driving yourself to Kinsale from the city, you can book this luxury guided tour from Cork City that includes stops at both Blarney Castle and Kinsale. It’s a private tour, meaning you don’t have to share the experience or your local guide with anyone else. It costs €690 for a group of 4 (just over €170 each person) and it’s 8 hours long.

Day 3 – Cobh

Cobh is one of the most popular towns to visit in all of Ireland and for good reason – this colorful waterside town just a 30-minute drive from Cork City is so picturesque! Many tourists have Cobh at the ‘tippy-top’ of their Cork itinerary so as you can guess it’s a very popular destination. It’s also where the cruise ships dock!

There’s also heaps to do in Cobh from the Titanic Experience to St Colman’s Cathedral, which is why I recommend allowing one full day in Cobh.

If you’re a history buff – Cobh is a must-visit as Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic. And if you’re a foodie, well, let me tell you the restaurants here are some of the best in Cork. We particularly loved the Titanic Bar & Grill at Casement Square as it has a picturesque and large outdoor terrace area overlooking Cork Harbor. And of course great food.

Best things to do in Cobh

1. The Titanic Experience

if you’re fascinated by history then be sure to visit the Titanic Experience in Cobh which sits at the site of the White Star Line Ticket Office – this is where the last 123 Titanic passengers boarded the ship!

The experience comprises of two parts, the first is an audio visual tour that tells the story of the passengers who boarded in Queenstown (aka Cobh). And the second part details the sinking of the Titanic through audio-visual effects

2. Cobh Heritage Centre

At the Cobh Heritage Centre you can check out the super-popular Queenstown Story exhibition. As I said, Cobh was previously known as Queenstown and this fascinating exhibition tells the story of emigration in the area, dating back to the 1600s. Would you believe that millions of Irish started their emigration journey right here in Cobh?!

You will hear tales of convicts who made the lengthy sea passage from Cobh to Australia and locals who escaped Ireland during the Great Famine in search of a better life for themselves.

3. St Colman’s Cathedral

The Cathedral of St Colman, also known as Cobh Cathedral, is one of the most iconic buildings in Cork! It’s also known as the tallest church in Ireland thanks to its huge steeple, which stands at a whopping 91.4 meters tall!

It’s such a photogenic structure and is a great example of neo-Gothic architecture, having been constructed in the early 1900s. Take some time to admire the colorful stained glass windows, intricate roof detail, and gorgeous wood carvings inside!

It’s free to enter and as such it’s one of the best free things to do in Cork!

4. Deck of Cards

After exploring St Colman’s, be sure to pop over to the “deck of cards,” a row of brightly painted houses lined up along a steep hill. It’s a short (4-minute) walk from the Cathedral via Sandymount and Cannon O’Leary Place.

Stand in the public West View Park facing the houses for an epic photo of these houses with the cathedral in the background!

5. Spike Island

A short boat ride from Cobh is the notorious Spike Island aka Ireland’s Alcatraz. It’s a former monastery, military fortress, and prison. The stories of the convicts who once called this island home are so interesting and you’ll learn so much on the guided tour. For example, did you know that during the Victorian era, Spike Island was the biggest convict depot in the world!

Your ticket to Spike Island includes a 40-minute guided tour of the fort area, after which you are free to roam the island. Some of our favorite sites on the island included the punishment block, the tunnel, the convict cemetery, and the artillery gun block.

Where to Stay in Cork

If you’re planning to spend 3 days in Cork you may be thinking about where you should base yourself for your stay. We recommend staying in Cork City as it’s central and also has lots of restaurant and hotel options. But Kinsale and Cobh are popular places to stay too.

In Cork City –

• Hayfield Manor – this super-luxurious hotel is one of the best in Cork City and is definitely one for the bucket-list. It is located a few minute’s drive from the CBD.

• Montenotte Hotel – this super-cool and quirky hotel has been recently renovated. It has lovely gardens and a cinema!

• River Lee Hotel – offering prime views over the River Lee, large bedrooms, and a fantastic on-site restaurant. This is one of the most popular hotels in Cork!

For Kinsale –

• The luxurious Kinsale Hotel and Spa has great views over Kinsale and the harbour and is a few minutes from the town

• In the center of town is the massive Acton’s Hotel which offers lovely, spacious rooms – some with a view of the harbor.

In Cobh –

• WatersEdge Hotel – Exactly as it says is a 3-star waterfront hotel that boasts lovely views of Cork Harbor. The rooms here are on the small side but stylish and some have water views. The Jacob’s Ladder restaurant is located within the hotel. A room here averages €150 per night.

• Bellavista Hotel – A 3-star hotel set within a Victorian Hotel, the Bellavista Hotel is well-rated and offers hotel rooms as well as self-catering options. This property also enjoys some great water views and the rooms are surprisingly spacious and on the luxurious side. Expect to pay around €130 per night here.

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 you enjoyed reading my guide to 3 days in Cork! 3 days is just enough time to scratch the surface of this incredible area – there really is SO much to do here!

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Last Updated on October 3, 2024 by snaphappytravel