Kinsale in West Cork is one of my favorite places in all of Ireland! And I’m not just saying that because I spent every childhood summer here. Kinsale holds many great memories for me and I promise I’m not biased when I say what a special town it is. When you visit for yourself you’ll discover a rainbow-colored coastal town filled with winding, narrow streets, brightly painted buildings, and some of the best restaurants in Cork.
As the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way (one of the most famous driving routes in the country), Kinsale is a very popular tourist destination in Ireland. And rightly so! For one, it’s the gourmet capital of Ireland and secondly, it’s home to plenty of fun activities like going on a harbor cruise or checking out the historic Charles Fort.
As a local, I’ve done the research over the years so that you don’t have to. So read on to uncover how to have the best one day in Kinsale!
How much time do you need in Kinsale?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Kinsale is 3 nights and two full days. But, if you’re on a tight schedule you can see the best of Kinsale in just 24 hours.
My perfect day in Kinsale would begin with a wander through town to snap some colorful photos. With Market Street and the Stoney Steps being my must-sees. Then, I’d grab a takeaway coffee from The Flying Poet on Main Street and stroll over to the harbor to catch a harbor cruise. Where I’d get to see marine life (such as seals and otters) and Kinsale’s top sights like the Old Head and Charles Fort from the water.
In the afternoon, I’d learn about the history of Kinsale by visiting the Old Head of Kinsale Signal Tower and Charles Fort. And finally, in the evening, I’d grab dinner at the award-winning The Bulman on the harbor and catch the sunset there with my favorite drink in hand!
Related Read: If you have allowed 3 days in Cork, you can definitely squeeze in a half-day visit to Kinsale!
Morning: Explore the town & go on a boat cruise
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 this morning. 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: Another very colorful town in Cork is Cobh – an hour’s drive from Kinsale. I highly recommend visiting Cobh during your vacation to Ireland.
Kinsale Farmers Market
If you’re visiting on a Wednesday head over to Short Quay for the town’s weekly Farmer’s Market which runs from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. There are over 30 stalls here, mostly food stalls but you’ll also spot some clothing and jewelry stalls too.
On that note, if you’re a self-confessed foodie like me, then, you’ll love this 3-hour-long food tour through Kinsale. You’ll learn about the history of Irish food and taste some excellent food (including fresh seafood) in Ireland’s gourmet food capital. All your food and drinks are included in the price of $147 USD – which is good value for all that’s included.
Kinsale Harbor 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.
Have lunch at The Lemon Leaf
After your cruise and before your next activity, I recommend having lunch in town. One of my favorite lunch spots is The Lemon Leaf on Main Street and my go-to order is their loaded potato skins. But, I will warn you – this spot is super-popular so you may need to queue for a table.
They also have a restaurant at Charles Fort if that works better for your itinerary!
Afternoon: 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.
Also worth checking out while you’re here is the Old Head of Kinsale Signal Tower, which is 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.
If you don’t have a car you can catch the 253 Local Link bus to the Old Head Signal Tower. It departs regularly from the main car park in town.
Related Read: Visiting the Old Head is one of the best free things to do in Cork, you can check out the others here!
Late Afternoon: Charles Fort
A few minute’s drive from town is the historic Charles Fort, which was built in the 17th Century to reinforce the defenses of the harbor. The view from the fort is breathtaking, and it’s a very important site in Irish history as it’s associated with some of the most momentous events in the nation’s past.
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.
If you’re traveling with kids this is one of the best things to do in Cork! Mainly because the site has a bit of a spooky past, which my eldest daughter was fascinated by!
While here watch out for the ghost of the White Lady. According to local legend, a local soldier had to go on patrol of 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 Forts’ walls when she was informed of his death. She is said to still haunt Charles Fort to this day.
Evening: Dinner at The Bulman
It’s actually a short 5-minute downhill walk from Charles Fort to my suggested dinner spot tonight – The Bulman!
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. After dinner, take your drinks outside to enjoy the sun setting over Kinsale.
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.
Another top tip, especially if you’re a sunset lover is to head over to the Dock Beach outside of town for sunset. It’s a small beach that’s a local favorite and a bit of a hidden gem. And I always rate it as one of the best beaches in West Cork.
Getting to Kinsale
Cork International Airport is under a 30-minute drive from Kinsale. You can grab a taxi for around €45 or catch the 226 bus which costs around €7 for a one-way ticket. But my top suggestion is to rent a car for your time in Kinsale as that way you can easily explore the rest of glorious West Cork or if you have time drive some of the famed Wild Atlantic Way.
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.
If you’re staying in Cork City, Kinsale is a 35-minute drive away. 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 for each person) and it’s 8 hours long.
I will add that if you have a car in Kinsale and your accommodation doesn’t provide free parking then your best option is to park at the large public car park next to SuperValu supermarket on the outskirts of town.
Where to Stay in Kinsale
There are loads of fantastic hotels in Kinsale, but, I’ve stayed at all the below hotels so can highly recommend them.
- The luxurious Kinsale Hotel and Spa has great views over Kinsale and the harbor and is a few minute’s 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.
Thanks for Reading!
To me, one day in Kinsale is enough to see most of this colorful town. I just love it here and I know after visiting you will too!
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy my other articles like –
How to Spend One Day in Cork, Ireland
15 Best Free Things to do in Cork City
Visiting Blarney Castle + 7 Things You Need to Know
Visiting Killarney National Park + 8 Things To Know Before You Go!
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Last Updated on October 3, 2024 by snaphappytravel