Things to do in County Cork

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Charles Fort featuring boating, a coastal town and a bay or harbor
Ireland showing a bridge as well as a couple
Cork City Centre featuring street scenes, a city and flowers
Cork featuring a city, landscape views and a sunset
Bantry House and Garden featuring a park, a castle and heritage architecture

County Cork Attractions

It's no wonder so many vacationers head to County Cork each year. This delightful city is overflowing with things to do. Whether you're interested in visiting local attractions or attempting more adventurous experiences, it's tough to be bored here.

Find out what makes County Cork tick with the most popular tours & day trips. Check out our top {130 fun activities in County Cork fun activities in County Cork}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Most popular activities in County Cork

Tours & day trips

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Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail Tour

Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail Tour

Activity duration is 13 hours
8.2 out of 10 with 77 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $163 per adult
Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 64 activities
DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...

DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...

Activity duration is 2 hours and 14 minutes
Price is $15 per adult
DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...Opens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 9 activities
Cork: Jameson Irish Whiskey & Midleton Distillery Experience

Cork: Jameson Irish Whiskey & Midleton Distillery Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $36 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 8 activities
Leap into a West Cork eBike Adventure

Leap into a West Cork eBike Adventure

Activity duration is 4 hours and 15 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $111 per adult
Leap into a West Cork eBike AdventureOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 7 activities
Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket with GUIDEBOOK

Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket with GUIDEBOOK

Activity duration is 2 hours
6.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $15 per adult
Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket with GUIDEBOOKOpens in new tab

What to do in County Cork

Free Things to Do in County Cork

There's no need to give your credit card a workout in County Cork. The following won't even cost a penny.

Cork Public Museum - Take the whole family and enjoy an intriguing adventure through history together.

Trinity Bridge - This well-known landmark is a wonderful backdrop for that vacation profile pic.

St. Patrick's Bridge - Feel like you've taken a step back in time while discovering the secrets of this historic attraction.

English Market - Widely renowned among local residents, this place is worth exploring.

Saint Peter and Paul's Church - Whether you're spiritual or not, this site is sure to inspire a sense of reverence in you.

Fitzgerald Park - If you take pleasure in digging about the garden, this place will excite your green thumb.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in County Cork? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in County Cork

Blarney Castle featuring heritage elements, a castle and heritage architecture

Blarney Castle

4.5/5(167 reviews)

Walk in the footsteps of ancient kings, wander amid mystical gardens and kiss the venerated Blarney Stone at this centuries-old castle.

Blarney Castle
University College Cork showing a river or creek and a small town or village

University College Cork

4.5/5(44 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
English Market showing interior views, food and markets

English Market

4.5/5(120 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
Blarney Stone showing chateau or palace, heritage elements and building ruins

Blarney Stone

4.5/5(166 reviews)

While County Cork is not short on medieval history, you will only find one Blarney Stone. Located roughly five miles northwest of Cork, the stone is said to have mythical qualities. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone grants the gift of eloquence to anybody who kisses it.

Blarney Stone
Fota Wildlife Park featuring zoo animals and land animals as well as a small group of people

Fota Wildlife Park

4/5(9 reviews)

Watch cheetahs running at full speed for their lunch and feed penguins and lemurs in this large nature reserve on an island.

Fota Wildlife Park
City center of Cork, Republic of Ireland

Cork Opera House

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Enjoy a show at Cork Opera House, a storied theater in Cork. Discover the lively bars in this walkable area, or seek out the local tours.

Cork Opera House
Cork City Gaol which includes interior views, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Cork City Gaol

4.5/5(25 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
Unexpected beach in Ireland with white sand and clear blue waters

Inchydoney Island Beach

4.5/5(6 reviews)

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Inchydoney Island Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Inchydoney. Visit the spas in this relaxing area, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Inchydoney Island Beach
Bantry House and Garden featuring a park, a castle and heritage architecture

Bantry House

4.5/5(13 reviews)

This privately owned 18th-century estate looks out over Bantry Bay. Stay for the afternoon or splurge and spend the night.

Bantry House

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in County Cork

English Market featuring interior views, food and markets

Cork City Centre

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

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

Cork City Centre
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Victorian Quarter

4.5/5(60 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
Glucksman Gallery showing modern architecture

South Parish

While visiting South Parish, you might make a stop by sights like Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral and Cork City Hall.

South Parish
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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
Blackrock Castle featuring chateau or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Blackrock

You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in Blackrock. You might want to make time for a stop at Blackrock Castle or Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

Blackrock
St. Anne\'s Shandon Church featuring a city

Shandon

4/5(8 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

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from County Cork

Muckross House showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and flowers

Killarney

University College Cork showing a river or creek and a small town or village

Cork

Charles Fort featuring boating, a coastal town and a bay or harbor

Kinsale

Photo by Our Global Adventure

Rosscarbery

Photo by Henry McCrea

Ballingeary

Bantry House and Garden featuring a park, a castle and heritage architecture

Bantry

Photo by Steve Maricle

Skibbereen

Photo by alusoare.com

Goleen

Frequently asked questions

What to do in County Cork on a sunny day?
What is County Cork famous for?
Make it a priority to see Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone if you want to be impressed.
What should I not miss in County Cork?
Don't head home without ticking off the following inspiring sights:

  • University College Cork
  • Bantry House
  • Cork City Hall
  • Charles Fort

Are there cheap things to do in County Cork?
What can you do in County Cork for free?
You could put your credit card in the hotel safe for the day, because these top attractions can be seen for nothing:

  • Mizen Head
  • Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
  • Bells of Shandon
  • St. Anne's Shandon Church