Cork is the second biggest city in Ireland and yet it remains a bit off-the-beaten-path. With many tourists favoring Dublin or Galway over staying in “the rebel city”, to use it’s nickname. Which is a shame, as Cork is home to some of the prettiest and most colorful towns in the country (Cobh and Kinsale). And the beaches here are postcard-worthy – even on a cloudy day (you’ll get a lot of those in Ireland!)
You’re here because you’ve got two days to spend in Cork! And, I may be biased seeing as I live in Cork but this city is full of beautiful buildings, great restaurants and super-friendly people. Cork, is really under-rated if you ask me!
I’ve squeezed a lot into this two-day Cork itinerary because I want you to see the best of the region. But, try to take it easy and not rush around from place to place. This will be easier if you have a car (I highly recommend renting one if you can).
If you follow this two days in Cork itinerary you’ll get to tick off the city’s top sights such as The English Market and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. But, you’ll also get to go on day trips to Cobh, Kinsale and Blarney.
Day 1 – Explore Cork City & Cobh
You should spend the first half of 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 you’ll get to tick off the city’s must-see attractions such as The English Market, Shandon Bells & St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
Then, after lunch we recommend getting the train (or driving) to Cobh – one of the most popular tourist spots in Cork. This colorful town is home to the Titanic Experience & St Colman’s Cathedral.
If you can, I recommend allowing 3 days in Cork as then you won’t have to rush around so much. But, I understand time is not on everyone’s side.
Morning – English Market & St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
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.
Best tour 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 €145 per person.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral:
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is just a couple of minutes walk from The English Market. This three-spire French-Gothic cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Cork. 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 are the main selling point of this cathedral – they depict scenes from the bible. And 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 recommended upon entering.
Related Read: Check out the best free things to do in Cork City here!
Late morning – Shandon Bells
The Shandon Bells are a Cork icon. It’s the third tallest building in the city and you can climb the 135 steps to the top for a fantastic 360-degree view of Cork City. As well that, you can 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!
It costs €5 to enter for adults and children aged from 5-15 will be charged €2. I’d ay, this is one of the best things to do in Cork with kids!
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 is located here. Which is handy as that’s our recommended lunch spot for today!
If you have time, you can learn all about life in Cork in the 1900s at the museum, relax in the beautiful gardens, and explore the historic buildings. You can also visit the 18th-century convent that Nano Nagle built for her nuns. Nano Nagle is a bit of a Cork legend as she played an active role in helping the poor and disadvantaged of Cork City.
Afternoon – Visit Cobh
Cobh is just a 30-minute drive from Cork City or you can get the train here from Cork’s Kent Station which takes around 25 minutes. Cobh is a very popular tourist destination in Cork not just because it’s so colorful and picturesque but because it’s here that the cruise ships dock! So, as you can imagine it gets very busy here (especially during the summer months)
There’s loads to do in Cobh this afternoon from the Titanic Experience to St Colman’s Cathedral to the colorful Deck of Cards Houses. We also recommend having dinner here this evening – we really like the Titanic Bar & Grill at Casement Square as it has a picturesque and large outdoor terrace area overlooking Cork Harbor.
How I’d spend an afternoon in Cobh:
Your first stop this afternoon in Cobh should be 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 is in two parts, the first is an audio visual tour that tells the story of the passengers who boarded in Queenstown (now known as Cobh). And the second part details the sinking of the Titanic through audio-visual effects.
Next, make a beeline for 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!
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 under a 5-minute walk from the cathedral to these houses.
My tip is to stand in West View Park for the best photo opp. of these houses – from here you can see the cathedral in the background!
Day 2 – Blarney Castle & Kinsale
For your second and final day in Cork, we recommend exploring two of the most popular spots in Ireland – the Blarney Castle and Kinsale. These are also two of my favorite places to see in Cork – but I may be biased as I grew up in Blarney and spent each summer of my childhood in Kinsale.
The Blarney Castle is beautiful and to some, yes, it may be over-rated but that’s only because it can get quite crowded here. That’s why we recommend visiting as soon as it opens – at 9 am. But, for me – the castle grounds are the real star of the show and I’d even go so far as to say to skip kissing the stone and instead focus on the grounds and walking trails here.
Then, this afternoon is all about Kinsale – easily one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland. Most of the buildings here are painted bright colors and the town is built around a lovely harbor. I actually live not too far from Kinsale, now and try to spend one of my days off a week here.
Morning – Blarney Castle
Kissing the Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle and Gardens is without a doubt one of the most popular things to do in Ireland. The famed stone is said to offer those who kiss it ‘the gift of the gab’ which means that you will be able to speak confidently and eloquently. The Blarney Castle is just a 15 minute drive from Cork City. If you don’t have a car you can get the 215 bus from Cork Bus Station to Blarney Village.
To kiss the stone here, you will need to climb a set of steep and narrow stairs and once at the top – you will lie down on your back while a staff member holds your legs. You must then arch your head backwards to kiss the stone. It’s definitely an experience!
But, as I said, the best thing about Blarney Castle is not the castle but the grounds – so, I recommend you focus on these this morning instead. I particularly love the herbaceous border, the wishing steps and the poison garden. You can read about all of my favorite sights here below –
The best things to do at Blarney Castle:
- 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 named 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 €23 per adult, €18 for students and seniors, and €11 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
As I said, colorful Kinsale in West Cork is one of my favorite towns in Ireland. It’s around a 30 minute drive from the city (or around 35 minutes from Blarney) and it’s made up of a web of narrow streets with brightly-painted buildings. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants in Cork. Yep, if you’re a foodie Kinsale is the place for you – it’s referred to as the gourmet capital of Ireland.
To get to Kinsale from Blarney without a car – you will have to get the 215 bus back into the city and from there catch the 228 to Kinsale. This will take around 1.5 hours, including waiting times. Alternatively you can catch a cab from Blarney to Kinsale which will set you back around €65.
Our favorite 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 and 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.
- 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.
- Join 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.
My tour recommendation for Kinsale (and Blarney):
If you don’t feel confident driving yourself to Kinsale and Blarney, 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 €750 for a group of 4 (that will cost €187.50 each person) and it’s 8 hours long.
Have dinner in Kinsale:
For dinner this evening head to summercove on the outskirts of Kinsale. You can’t miss The Bulman here. 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.
Related Read: If you have time this afternoon (or top tip for sunset) head to one of the nearby beaches. My top pick is Garrettstown aka, one of the best beaches in West Cork but the Dock Beach is very close – just over the bridge from town.
Where to stay in Cork
We recommend staying in Cork City as it’s central and also has lots of restaurant and hotel options. Below, are the hotels in the city we recommend time and time again –
- 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!
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!
Thanks for reading my guide on how to spend two days in Cork. I hope it’s given you some inspiration for your upcoming Ireland vacation!
You may also enjoy these other Ireland blog posts –
14 Best Free Things to Do in Cork County
Finding a Place to Rent in Cork Ireland – By a Local (Updated for 2025)
Everything You Need to Know Before Staying at Center Parcs Ireland
Visiting Killarney National Park + 8 Things To Know Before You Go!
Last Updated on February 12, 2025 by snaphappytravel