Ah, County Cork!
Five days may not be enough to uncover every gem in Ireland’s largest county, but it’s plenty to taste its charm.
From the bustling heart of Cork City to the quiet beauty of West Cork’s coastal villages, this county has a way of sneaking into your heart and staying there.
Cork is the largest county in Ireland. And it’s one of the countries most diverse with farms, forests, bays, dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and castles.
With this five days in Cork itinerary, you’ll explore colorful seaside towns, ancient stone circles, dramatic cliffside views, and the kind of pubs where the craic flows as freely as the pints.
So pack your curiosity and a sturdy pair of walking shoes—Cork awaits, and she’s a beauty!
Snapshot Of 5 Days In Cork County
Here’s a quick glance at what you can see in 5 days:
- Day 1: Cork City & Blarney Castle
- Day 2: Cobh & Midleton
- Day 3: Kinsale, Charles Fort & Drombeg Stone Circle
- Day 4: Mizen Head and west Cork villages
- Day 5: Ring of Beara
To get to Cork, you can fly into Cork Airport. Hope in a taxi or pre-book a private transfer.
Or, you can fly into Dublin, rent a car, and drive about 3 hours to Cork.
Where to base in County Cork?
I recommend staying in Cork City or Kinsale. The latter is much smaller and oh so cute! Or, maybe get an Air Bnb or B&B in the countryside.
In Cork, you can check out:
- Hayfield Manor – A five star, family-owned manor hotel close to the heart of Cork City, offering luxurious rooms, a spa, and award-winning dining at Orchids Restaurant and Perrotts Garden Bistro.
- The River Lee Hotel – Known for its riverside location, contemporary design, and excellent amenities. The hotel features stylish rooms, a chic bar, and a top-notch wellness center.
- The Montenotte Hotel – Overlooking Cork City, this boutique luxury hotel offers panoramic views, a rooftop bar, a luxurious cinema, and the unique Sunken Victorian Garden.
In Kinsale, consider booking at:
- Actons Hotel – A landmark hotel in Kinsale, combining historical charm with modern comforts. Located along the waterfront, it’s within walking distance of the town’s shops, restaurants, and harbor.
- The Blue Haven Hotel – A boutique hotel known for its elegance, fine dining, and lively atmosphere. It’s a favorite for its cozy rooms and fantastic location.
- Perryville House – A luxury guesthouse with Georgian style and waterfront views, offering period decor in a charming, intimate setting.
Just east of Cork is a lovely countryside escape, Castlemartyr Resort. It’s five-star estate with a grand manor house, extensive gardens, a spa, and an 18-hole golf course, located 30 minutes east of Cork city.
If you decide to stay in or around Cork, here are the distances for some of your day trips:
- Kinsale (30-40 minutes)
- Blarney Castle (15-20 minutes)
- Cobh (25-30 minutes)
- Midleton for Jameson Distillery (25 minutes)
- West Cork towns like Skibbereen (about an hour)
- Beara Peninsula (1.5 hours)
5 Days In Cork County Itinerary
Day 1: Cork City & Blarney Castle
Begin your trip in Cork City with a visit to the English Market. The market is slap bang in the middle of the city.
Despite its name, there are no English connections. It’s almost all proudly artisan Irish.
The market has an attractive double-arched entrance on Grand Parade. Within, you’ll find colorful displays of the finest, freshest food Cork has to offer.
In the myriad stalls, you’ll find meat, fish, breads, jams, organic fruit and veg, spices, and cheese. The brave can sample the local Cork speciality, trip and drisheen, which is the edible lining of a cow’s stomach served with sliced black pudding.
After the market, take a gander at St. Fin Barre Cathedral and explore inside.
Take a stroll through the pedestrianized lanes of the French Quarter. Then, wander down the main drag, St. Patrick’s Street.
To see it all and get the historic backdrop, you may want to book a guided walking tour of the city.
After lunch, head to Blarney Castle, just a short drive away. You can explore the castle grounds, beautiful gardens, and of course, kiss the Blarney Stone.
Everyone knows that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are magically endowed with the gift of gab.
To find the stone, you have to climb up to the top of a narrow spiral staircase in the castle.
The stone is set into the upper battlements. You’ll have to arch back and wiggle your upper body outward and downward to kiss it.
And it’s not just the stone. In fact, the whole grounds are steeps in mystery and legend.
The Rock Close has druidical foundations. The Fairy Glade has a “sacrificial altar.” And the Wishing Steps will grant you your heart’s desire if you can negotiate them backward with your eyes closed.
>>> Click here to book a guided tour of the castle and gardens
Return to Cork City and enjoy dinner at Market Lane or Jacobs on the Mall. We also liked Elbow Lane, Ireland’s smallest brewery.
For a splurge, try Paradiso. It’s a highly acclaimed, award-winning vegetarian restaurant located on Lancaster Quay.
Day 2: Cobh & Midleton
Cobh (pronounced “Cove”) is a charming town just east of Cork, known for its unique attraction, the “Deck of Cards.”
This iconic row of brightly colored houses lines two streets, stacked up a steep hill like cards leaning against each other.
For the perfect shot, head to the higher street opposite St. Colman’s Cathedral. You’ll need to lean over the brick wall a bit, but the view is worth it.
And, honestly, some of them look like they could use a paint job, not unusual for a coastal city I guess.
Cobh also holds a special place in Titanic history as the last port the ship visited before its tragic voyage. You can explore this piece of history by following the Titanic Trail through town.
There are two must do ports of call.
The first is the Queenstown Story Exhibit in the Heritage Centre. It tells the tale of those who left Ireland, when they had no choice, over the course of two centuries.
If you’re of Irish descent, chances are some of your relatives left Ireland from Cobh.
After Queenstown, you can dive into the Titanic Experience. It’s located in the original White Star Line ticket office, which was the departing point for passengers.
It’s an interactive experience with audiovisuals and recreations of the third and first class cabins on the Titanic.
You’ll get the whole story, focusing on the 123 passengers who boarded in Cobh in 1912. Only 44 survived.
>>> Click here to book a guided history tour in Cobh
When you’re done in Cobh, head to Midleton.
The main draw is the Jameson Distillery. This historic distillery offers behind-the-scene tours where you can learn about whiskey production, see traditional copper stills, and even enjoy a tasting.
Midleton is also known for its vibrant farmers’ market, held every Saturday. It’s a great spot to sample local produce, artisanal foods, and meet local vendors.
Return to Cork or stay in Cobh for a relaxed seaside dinner. If you opt for Cobh, check out the Titanic Bar and Grill and Jacob’s Ladder.
Day 3: Kinsale & More
On day 3 of your 5 days in County Cork, head to Kinsale, just 15 miles south of Cork City.
This pint sized harbor town is famous for its colorful shops, narrow streets, galleries, and cafes.
Known as the gourmet capital of southwest Ireland (and maybe even the entire country), Kinsale is made for exploring.
Stroll along Main Street and through its winding lanes. For breakfast or lunch, try the Lemon Leaf Cafe—it’s cozy and delicious.
You could also book a culinary food tour.
Once you’ve wandered the town, take a coastal walk to the Old Head of Kinsale for dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views.
Next, visit Charles Fort for stunning coastal scenery. It’s just a 2 mile drive from Kinsale, or a 30 minute walk along a scenic coastal path.
Built in the 1670s, this eerie, star-shaped fort was designed to be impenetrable from the sea but ultimately fell to a land attack in 1690.
Inside the fort’s vast, roofless walls, you’ll find ruined barracks, magazines, officers’ quarters, and an armory—a fascinating step into Ireland’s past.
Next, make your way to the Drombeg Stone Circle near Glandore, about a 50 minute drive. It’s well signposted, so finding it is easy.
Here, you’ll get a fascinating glimpse into Bronze Age Ireland.
The circle consists of 17 closely spaced, man-sized stones that rise toward the “Druid’s Altar”—a long, recumbent stone aligned with the winter solstice sunset.
Afterward, if time permits, head to Skibbereen for a stroll through town and dinner. Known for its vibrant arts scene, historic pubs, and bustling markets, Skibbereen has plenty to explore.
Don’t miss the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, where you can learn about the devastating Great Famine of the 1840s that led to the loss of a third of Ireland’s population.
Day 4: Mizen Head & West Cork Villages
On day 4, head southwest to Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southwesterly point.
Here, you’ll explore rugged cliffs and take in stunning Atlantic views, surrounded by gorse-covered bogs, rocky outcrops, and hills blanketed in wildflowers or heather.
Beyond the visitor center, follow the path across a bridge that spans the rocky sea to reach the head. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins, whales, or seabirds along the way.
The views are spectacular. And best of all, you won’t find the crowds that flock to the more popular Cliffs of Moher.
On the way back, visit the sleepy villages of Schull or Ballydehob, where you can browse local art shops and cozy cafes.
In Barleycove, there’s a fantastic beach with grassy dunes.
In Schull, we liked the Bunratty Inn for dinner. It’s a cozy pub with classic Irish dishes and fresh seafood.
For fancier fare, you can check out Restaurant Chestnut in Ballydehob. It’s an award-winning Michelin-starred restaurant offering up locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
Day 5: Beara Peninsula + Priest’s Leap or Gougane Barra
Today you’ll drive the Ring of Beara.
But first, while you’re inland, you may be able to squeeze in either Priest’s Leap or Gougane Barra.
Priest’s Leap
Priest’s Leap is a dramatic mountain pass in southwest Ireland, connecting County Cork and County Kerry.
It’s one of Ireland’s highest and twistiest mountain roads, offering sweeping views of rugged landscapes, valleys, and distant coastal inlets.
The road is narrow and winding, making it an, er, rather adventurous drive to say the least. You’ll need a small car.
It’s not for the faint of heart. Plus, once you’re on it, it’s hard to turn back.
The name “Priest’s Leap” comes from a local legend about a pries. He supposedly escaped British soldiers by leaping on horseback across the mountains from Kerry to Cork.
The route is challenging but rewarding. It offers a glimpse of untouched scenery and panoramic views of both counties.
And hopefully, fingers crossed, you won’t encounter any other cars!
Gougane Barra
For something less stressful and more serene, pick Gougane Barra. It’s only 30 minutes away from the Ring of Beara.
Gougane Barra is a hug glacier gouged of a sun of County Cork during the last Ice Age, resulting in a magical tranquil area.
The park consists of a glacial lake (or “lough”) nestled in amid steep, forested hills. There is a small island in the lake linked to the land by a causeway.
The landscape was so remote and secluded that a 6th century monk, St. Finbarr built a monastery there. It’s unfortunately long gone.
But in the 19th century, another priest got to building, probably using up bits and pieces of Finbarr’s buildings.
The thing to do here is hike. The surrounding hills recover in beautiful woodland with a series of walking paths. Some are gentle and some ascend steep slopes.
Ring of Beara
Polish off you’re 5 days in County Cork with a drive around the scenic Ring of Beara, which starts in Glengarriff.
I would budget about 5-6 hours. This will allow you stop and gawk at the magnificent scenery and admire the cute towns.
If you’re ready for lunch, check out The Blue Loon Pub or O’Sullivan’s Bar in Glengarriff.
You might also want to hike to Lady Bantry’s Lookout in Glengarriff Nature Reserve. It’s a breathtaking spot with some of Ireland’s finest views!
The trail offers an easy hike perfect for all skill levels. To get there from Glengarriff, head north on the N71, following signs for the nature reserve.
Once inside, you’ll find trail markers guiding you to Lady Bantry’s Lookout.
If time allows, visit Garinish Island from Glengarriff for its famous Italian style gardens.
Then, finish the Ring, with stops at Healy Pass, Castletownbere, the vibrant village of Allihies, the colorful town of Eyeries, and Dursey Head.
I’d read that the Healy Pass was a “dangerous road.” But, when we visited, there were barely any other cars around.
So we had plenty of room to maneuver. But if you don’t want to drive on narrow roads, you can book a guided tour of the Ring from Kenmare.
Head back to Cork City or venture to another part of Ireland to polish off your Irish vacation. County Kerry is right next door, with even more breathtaking landscapes to see.
If hope you’ve enjoyed my 5 days in Cork County itinerary. You may find these other Ireland travel guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 1 day in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- 10 days in Ireland itinerary
- beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- what not to do in Ireland
- guide to the Guinness Storehouse
- guide to Kilmainham Gaol
- tips for driving in Ireland
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