13 Must-See Places in County Cork
Discover all the best things to see and do in County Cork. You'll find top attractions, must-see places, fun activities, scenic drives, hiking trails, and so much more!
County Cork brings stunning landscapes, rich history, and great food to mind.
The largest county in Ireland can be found in the southwest, in the province of Munster. It's named after the city of Cork, the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland.
There are plenty of things to see and do in County Cork for all visitors.
Firstly, the county has a rebellious history, and it's known as the Rebel County. If you love history, you will love Cork County. Vikings, rebellions, Irish War of Independence, it's all here.
Secondly, West Cork is one of the best tourist destinations in Ireland. The coastline boasts unparalleled beauty and is packed with amazing places. Despite it all, it's still relatively quiet, so it's easy to find quiet times here.
And lastly, it's the food that will win over even the most skeptical travelers. Especially the local seafood restaurants are something to write home about.
If you're wondering what to see and do in County Cork on your next visit, you've come to the right place. Let's dive into it.
Cork
The city of Cork is one of the best places to visit in Ireland. The city has a rich history, vibrant culture, great food, and a lively atmosphere.
What we liked most about Cork is that it still feels like a regular city, not a giant tourist attraction.
Thanks to its strategic location, it's also an ideal base for exploring the entire county. On top of that, Cork is pretty much a staple on every Ireland itinerary.
There are so many things to see and do in Cork that you can easily spend here a day or two.
Cork's most popular tourist attractions are The English Market, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Elizabeth Fort, University College, Butter Museum, Shandon Bells & Tower, and Cork City Gaol.
On top of that, there are also many incredible places outside the city, so it's hard to run out of day trip ideas.
By the way, one of the best ways to enjoy Cork even more thoroughly is by taking one of the numerous city tours.
The Cork Food Tours are especially popular in this city, but we have to say that the Cork Historical Walking Tour is a must-do as well.
After all, Cork is known as a Rebel County for a reason.
Cobh
Cobh is not as picturesque as Kinsale or Baltimore. But that doesn't mean that this small seaside town is not worth exploring. Quite the contrary.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Cobh. One of Cobh's main draws is the Titanic Experience. The town was formerly known as Queenstown.
And if you're familiar with the Titanic story, you probably know that this town was the last port of call on the ship's infamous journey to the United States.
If not, you should visit this informative museum that gives you information on the real stories of 123 passengers who boarded the ocean liner last.
Together with the Belfast Titanic Experience, this is one of the best museums on this subject.
Besides that, Cobh has a beautiful cathedral, a Titanic Trail, a good selection of pubs, and Deck of Cards, a picturesque row of colorful houses.
You can take a boat trip to Spike Island if you have more time. This island used to be home to a monastery, a fortress, and an infamous prison.
The most fascinating experience is the Cobh Heritage Center, though.
From the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, Cobh was a departure point for Irish emigrating to the USA.
It's hard to believe that more than 2.5 million people departed from Cobh during this period.
The museum has great audiovisual displays and can be explored on a self-guided tour.
Blarney Castle
Visiting the Blarney Castle is certainly one of the top things to do in County Cork.
This traditional Irish castle is famous for Blarney Stone, which grants the gift of eloquence. But there is so much more to see and do.
Firstly, the castle itself is pretty impressive. The medieval fortress can be explored on a self-guided tour.
Walking along damp and dark corridors feels like stepping back in time. The Blarney Stone is on the top of the tower, and the kissing act is optional.
And then there are the stunning gardens, one of Blarney's highlights.
A network of nicely maintained paths guides visitors through various gardens and parts of the castle grounds.
You can easily spend a few hours just walking around the gardens. This is a great experience, especially on a warm sunny day.
Just remember that Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's top attractions.
The grounds get busy during peak season and weekends, and there can be a long waiting time for the stone experience. Check our guide on the best time to visit Ireland.
Sheep's Head Peninsula
If a cable car ride to Dursey Island sounds too adventurous, consider visiting Sheep's Head Peninsula.
This scenic, somewhat remote peninsula is an excellent place to get away from crowds. If you start early, you will often have the place to yourself!
Driving in Ireland can be challenging at times, with Sheep's Head Peninsula being a prime example. The roads are very narrow, so drive carefully here and look out for sheep who tend to hang out here.
Sheep's Head is the least visited of the three Cork's southwest peninsulas. Depending on your preferences, that can be a great thing.
There are only three very small villages, though you can find some accommodation here.
The Sheep's Head Lighthouse Loop Walk is our favorite thing to do here. The trail can be found at the peninsulas' westernmost tip and has lovely views, a lighthouse, and, well, sheep.
Kinsale
The picturesque town of Kinsale is one of the highlights of every visit to County Cork.
The town is renowned for its seaside location, colorful houses, laidback atmosphere, and great food.
In fact, Kinsale is one of Ireland's top foodie destinations, so make sure to try the local fresh seafood to have a memorable culinary experience.
Finding a great restaurant in Kinsale is very easy as the city center is compact and walkable.
Kinsale is also a starting point for the iconic Wild Atlantic Way, one of the best road trips we've ever done.
This scenic route is also the main argument why you should rent a car in Ireland, although that's a topic for another time.
If you have time, make sure to visit the well-preserved Charles Fort overlooking Kinsale Harbor.
Undoubtedly, Kinsale is one of the must-see places in Ireland.
Dursey Island
Taking a cable car from Beara's most western tip to Dursey Island is one of Ireland's most unique experiences.
In fact, this is the only cable car in Ireland. It was opened in 1969 and refurbished in 2023. It's now safer but still retains its old character.
The cable car that maintains a link with the mainland can bring up to six passengers in about seven minutes to Dursey Island.
Today, it's used mostly by tourists, as only a few farmers remain on the island. And why should you visit Dursey Island in the first place?
Dursey Island is known for its rugged landscape, great walking trail, and amazing views. If you're looking for solitude, this is the place to be.
The 14-kilometer trail can be easily explored on foot, though bringing a bike is also possible.
If you're tired of crowds at Cliffs of Moher or Killarney National Park, places such as Dursey Island provide a perfect escape.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Beara Peninsula
West Cork is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. The stunning peninsulas in the southwest corner of this county are one of the main things that draw visitors to this area.
It's not an exaggeration to say that Beara Peninsula is like Dingle or Ring of Kerry but without crowds.
Beara was made for a road trip. Driving along the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean is an incredible experience.
One of our most memorable experiences was crossing the mountains from Kilmakillogue to the other side of the peninsula via Healy Pass. This scenic drive is absolutely breathtaking.
Castletownbere is the main fishing port on the peninsula. Due to its strategic location, it's also the main tourist hub on the peninsula.
If you love hiking, make sure to visit Glengarriff Nature Reserve, located at the eastern edge of the peninsula.
There are several relatively easy walks, with Lady Bantry's Lookout being a slightly more challenging but most rewarding hike in the Glengarriff area. There is no admission.
Once you reach Ballaghboy, the westernmost point of Beara, you can take a cable car to Dursey Island. See down below.
On the way out, you can drive Priest's Leap, a scenic route connecting County Cork with County Kerry.
Clonakilty
Halfway between Baltimore and Kinsale lies the small seaside town of Clonakilty.
This vibrant little town is one of main West Cork's tourist hubs, so you can be sure there are many things to see and do in Clonakilty.
The town boasts several beautiful beaches, located within a very short driving distance from here.
The best beach in Clonakilty is Inchydoney. This Blue Flag Beach is especially popular with families with kids but also surfers.
The Long Strand, Red Strand, Owenahincha, and Duneen are other popular beaches near Clonakilty.
The Wareen is another lifeguarded beach in this area. If you love beaches, Clonakilty is the place to go.
The best part is that all these beaches are free to visit, which is great for all travelers visiting Ireland on a budget.
In case of poor weather, you can visit Clonakilty Blackpudding Visitor Center, where you can experience one of Ireland's favorite puddings.
Alternatively, you can visit the Clonakilty Whiskey Distillery or West Cork Model Railway Village.
Jameson Distillery Midleton
As Irish whiskey is seeing a resurgence, it's a great time to learn more about this popular drink. There are many great whiskey distilleries in Ireland.
One of the most famous ones can be found in County Cork. Jameson is the largest whiskey producer in Ireland and offers one of the best tours in the country.
The distillery was founded in 1780 by John Jameson on Bow Street and was moved in the 1970s to Cork's Midleton.
While you can do the Jameson Tour in Dublin, we believe it's better to wait until you reach County Cork.
The small town of Midleton is the home to the actual distillery where Jameson is produced, which adds to the overall experience.
The tours through the distillery are led by passionate guides. You can expect the experience to be informative and fun.
You will learn about the history, the distilling process, the aging process, and much more. By the end of the tour, you should know how Irish whiskey is made.
Each tour includes tasting to sample fine Irish whiskey and further test your recently acquired knowledge.
Mizen Head
Mizen Head is the last of three peninsulas you should consider visiting when road-tripping County Cork.
The peninsula boasts stunning beaches, scenic roads, treacherous cliffs, ruined castles, and a signal station.
Mizen Head is also known as the southernmost point of Ireland. As hinted above, there are plenty of things to see and do on Mizen Head.
Situated at the westernmost tip, Mizen Head Signal Station was one of our favorite places in County Cork. There's a really interesting signal station with a museum, a massive bridge, and several short cliff walks.
If you want to spend time on the beach, you must visit Barleycove.
This is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in County Cork. It's a perfect place to visit on a warm sunny day.
You can also explore the ruins of Dunlough Castle or take a picture of Dunmanus Castle.
There are also some megalithic structures, with an Altar Wedge Tomb being one of the most popular ones.
The villages on Mizen Head are small and picturesque, though they are often pretty quiet.
Ballycotton Cliff Walk
Ballycotton is another popular spot with visitors and locals looking for a great hike in County Cork.
Ballycotton Cliff Walk is a 7-kilometer roundtrip hike suitable for most ages and abilities.
Alternatively, you can do the full 10-kilometer loop via Ballyandreen, so you won't have to retrace your steps.
If you love stunning coastal views, the smell of fresh sea air, and birds flying and squawking all around you, you will love this walk.
Places such as Ballycotton are the essence of Ireland's road trip experience.
The trail hugs the coastline for most of the time, with some ups and downs. Therefore, Ballycotton is a relatively easy hike.
Just make sure to wear good and sturdy boots as the trail gets muddy. Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list.
There is free parking at the trailhead.
Old Head of Kinsale
Less than a 20-minute drive south of Kinsale, another County Cork's must-see place can be found.
The Old Head of Kinsale is home to the Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower, stunning cliffs, and a ruined castle.
Many sea birds nest in the cliffs, making it a great place for birdwatching.
As there is not much left of the 12th-century castle, the Old Head of Kinsale's main draws are the cliffs and the signal tower.
The Old Head Signal Tower was built during the Napoleonic wars, so it's more than 200 years old. It's open to the public and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.
There is also the Lusitania Museum you should visit while there.
The informative museum tells the story of the ocean liner that was torpedoed by Germans during WW1, killing 1,199 passengers and crew.
A pair of beautiful sandy beaches with clear water is only a short drive from the signal tower.
Both Garretstown Beach and Garylucas Beach are worth seeing any time of the year.
The southernmost tip of the peninsula is home to a stunning golf course, a lighthouse, and a hotel. Unfortunately, this is private property, and you need to be a guest to get in.
Baltimore
The fishing village of Baltimore is one of County Cork's hidden gems. Don't get us wrong.
The village gets lively during the summer as it's super popular among local vacationers. It's the international travelers who often choose Kinsale instead due to lack of time and easier access.
Baltimore is a typical Irish seaside village. There are pubs with live Irish music, colorful houses, and stunning views.
While all this sounds enticing, there is one more reason to visit Baltimore.
West Cork is one of Ireland's prime locations for whale watching. And Baltimore is arguably the best departure point.
Taking a Baltimore Whale-Watching Cruise to see marine wildlife in the waters around Baltimore and seeing these huge mammals in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.
Just remember that seeing wildlife in their natural habitat is never guaranteed.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
