Best areas to stay in Cork, Ireland: learn more about Cork featuring also a cost of travel analysis and when to visit this unique Irish city

Cork, Ireland. Photo by Jadh Gonzalez

The second largest city in Ireland is located in the South West of the country. Cork is an important Irish seaport. It was from county Cork, exactly from a small port town called Cobh, that departed in 1912 the famous Titanic.

Tourism in Cork: Overview

Just like Dublin, Cork has become a popular destination for those who want to learn English. What consequently has brought a greater number of young people to the city.

Elected the European Capital of Culture in 2005, Cork has a busy cultural life with many art and music events. Just like most major Irish cities, there are also a wide range of pubs for those who want to enjoy not only the music but also the Irish beers.

The main sights to visit in the city are: The Roman Catholic Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, St Finbarr’s Cathedral, Fitzgerald Park in the west of the city as well as the University gardens.

Ireland is the ideal place for history lovers, as it has huge amount of castles and ruins. There are approximately 30,000 castles and castle ruins in the country. One of the most famous is the Blarney Castle. This castle is a great option if you are visiting Cork as its location is approximately 10km away from the city centre.

The MacCarthys of Muskerry built the castle in 1446. At the top of its tower is the Blarney Stone, also known as the eloquence stone. The legend says that whoever kisses the stone gains the gift of eloquence. The castle receives a daily influx of tourists from all over the world, including politicians, writers, teachers, who climb to the top to kiss the stone.

Best Areas to Stay in Cork

The English Market is probably the best point of reference for your visit in . The architecture of the city has nothing to be desired when compared to Dublin or Belfast. Many of the city’s buildings are Georgian in style. So, in order to enjoy more what the city has to offer, it is better to stay close to the English Market.

In this location, you are able to access everything walking. You are going to be close to restaurants and pubs.

Walking along the St. Patrick’s Street from he English Market, you will find a wide selection of hotels and B&Bs available in this area. Below there are some excellent accommodation options for your stay in Cork:

Reasonably Priced Accommodation in Cork – €€

Creedons Traditional Irish Welcome Inn B&B – This cosy Bed and Breakfast has an excellent location, close to the English Market and the Cork shopping area. A wonderful accommodation option with a traditional Irish breakfast.

Jurys Inn Cork – This is one of the most popular accommodations to stay in Cork, overlooking the Lee River and just a short walk to the English Market.

Luxurious Hotels in Cork- €€€

Hayfield Manor – This magnificent accommodation is one of the most luxurious in Cork and in the Southern part of Ireland. It is located a 1.5 km from the English Market.

The River Lee Hotel – A great option if you want a pleasant stay in Cork, focused on wellness and comfort. Just a 5 minute walk to the city center.

Cost of Travel in Cork

Ireland is a relatively expensive country, but you can enjoy the city on a relatively low budget. The cheapest option to reach Cork from Dublin is by bus. For example, the round trip from Dublin airport to Cork, on the Air Coach buses, the ticket costs around € 30. Another option, departing from the centre of Dublin, is the Buseireann bus, which the round trip ticket is around € 26.

It is also possible to go by train; However, the value is a bit higher. Departing from the centre of Dublin, the round-trip costs around € 65. Tickets can be purchased direct at Heuston Station.

However, if you have a bigger budget, there is also the option to rent a car at the airport and drive to Cork. The daily rate for an economic car is around € 40. The advantage of renting a car is the flexibility to get to know other cities along the way to Cork. But remember, in Ireland people drive on the left hand as well as in England.

The Cork airport has a good offer of flights to other European countries. Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, and Ryanair, the biggest low cost company in Europe are the biggest operators in the Cork Airport.

Regarding the cost of the trip, the prices are similar as in other European cities. A pint (500ml) of beer costs around € 6, and the main course at a restaurant around € 14.

Best Months to Visit Ireland

As well as other cities of the country, the weather on the Emerald Island is unforeseeable. Due to the location of the island, rainy days are common mainly in the autumn and winter months, when the average temperature is around 6°. In the spring and mainly summer, the temperature rises a little, and the average is 17°.

Other Resources to Travel in Ireland

If you are visiting Ireland beyond Cork, you might want to check some of our other guides to the region. Check the best places to stay in Dublin and where to stay in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. You can also check how to travel from Dublin to Belfast.