Things to do in Cork (Ireland)

The city of Cork is a beautiful, idyllic place in the south of Ireland. It is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland with around 210,000 inhabitants. 

Cork is known for its endless green rolling hills and charming streets, and its coloured houses make this city the perfect picturesque location.

Cork has a buzzing, cosmopolitan student scene – perfect for you to begin your student life. But rest assured, Cork still has the same traditional, cosy and welcoming aura associated with this picturesque haven along with endearing, warm Irish pubs that make you feel right at home.

Top 10 Things To Do In Cork City

There are plenty of things to do in Cork city that everyone can enjoy. Almost 2 million people visit Cork every year, so it’s a popular tourist destination. You can learn about the history of Cork and take in the impressive cultural landmarks or maybe enjoy the outside space on sunnier days in the city’s array of parks and gardens.ou won’t be short of places to explore in the city of Cork. Keep reading to find out the top 10 things to do in Cork!

1. Nano Nagle Place is a restored convent in the form of a museum, which celebrates Cork local Nano Nagle and her vision of empowerment through the teaching order she founded. This is a spectacular place to begin your exploration of what the city of Cork can offer. 
2. The English Market is an 18th-century market in the heart of the city,  just a 5-minute walk from Nano Nagle Place. The stunning market offers a mixture of traditional Cork delicacies, local produce and international cuisine from lovely family-run stalls. 
3. Cork City Gaol is another of Cork’s most popular and famous attractions. A former 19th-20th century prison turned museum, the Cork City Gaol is a truly fascinating landmark to visit and experience some of Cork’s rich historical heritage and make an audio tour to get the full experience. 
4. On sunnier days, why not appreciate the outdoors in lovely Fitzgerald Park, or take a trip to Blarney Castle & Gardens and partake in the tradition of kissing The Blarney Stone, said to give the gift of eloquence. There’s something for everyone in this magical city!
5. Hop on a Cork Sightseeing Tour to get around the city and see everything on offer easily and conveniently. 
6. Visit the Crawford Art Gallery, a regional art museum with a focus on historic as well as contemporary visual arts. Admission to the gallery and exhibitions is free so it’s a great way to take in some Irish culture on a budget! 
7. At Cyprus Avenue you’ll find live music from local artists, as well as tribute bands and various other fun events. Triskel Arts Centre offers live music concerts and festivals, is home to an independent and world cinema in the heart of Cork city.
8. Take a trip into Mahon Point shopping centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Ireland, for access to every shop or boutique you can think of. 
9. St Patrick Street is central Cork’s primary shopping street. There are big department stores and pubs, as well as fantastic scenery and a great atmosphere created by the street buskers in the summer. It’s the perfect place to browse as you stroll by the river.
10. The Everyman Palace Theatre is a cultural centre in Cork, producing performances that everyone from Irish to international audiences can enjoy.

To read more, why not browse through TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Best Things to do in Cork.

Getting Around Cork City

Cork offers convenient transport links across the city, so getting around is super easy . The city also has an extensive bus network which is operated by Bus Éireann. Buses run in and around the city centre and have connections to both University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology. 

There are also multiple bike hire services throughout Cork like The Bike Shed and Coca-Cola Zero Bikes, both of which have plenty of drop-off and pick-up centres around the city. 

Cork also provides taxi services for you to use when getting out and about in the city. 

Cork’s nearest train station is Cork Kent Railway Station and for international students Cork Airport offers flights all around Europe and beyond.

Cork is a super well-connected city so getting around, or escaping a bit further afield, is nice and easy.

Universities & Student Accommodation in Cork

Cork has a growing student scene and over 30,000 students choose to live in Cork each year. The city is constantly evolving to make student life the best it can be. There are seven universities and colleges in Cork and Curraheen Point is a brilliant student accommodation site conveniently located just a short distance from:

• University College Cork
• Munster Technological University (MTU)
• Cork College of Commerce
• Griffith College Cork
• St John’s Central College
• National Maritime College of Ireland
• Crawford College of Art and Design

With all of these universities in the city of Cork you are spoilt for choice, and rest assured that they are located in convenient hotspots for you to commute to easily and quickly – particularly handy when you’re running late for lectures! Discover Nido Cork for more accommodation choices!

Eating Out In The City of Cork

Whichever food you fancy, you’re bound to find it in Cork. 

No matter where you are in the city you’re only a stone’s throw from restaurants and cafés like Beantown Café, and The Rendezvous Gastro Pub. 

Liberty Grill Restaurant is also a very popular destination, offering all-day brunch, lunch and dinner in Cork, right near the English Market. 

For traditional Irish as well as European cuisine, The River Club, near the iconic St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, offers fantastic food and drink in a beautiful setting. If you’re a fan ofMexican cuisine, you could check out Zambrero in Dennehy’s Cross. Not only do they offer healthy Mexican food, they’re also a humanitarian enterprise  committed to helping stop world hunger through their Plate 4 Plate initiative.

Ways To Meet People In Cork

Moving to a new city can be daunting. It might be comforting and useful to meet and connect with new people, perhaps some like minded students in the same position and with the same interests as you.

A great way to do this is through volunteering, taking up a new hobby, or joining a club . Using websites like MeetUp gives you the opportunity to meet new friends in a relaxed environment. You can also download the Nido Resident Community App, which will connect you with your new neighbours. It’s a great tool to help you find people with similar interests, with whom you can experience all the things there are to do in the beautiful city of Cork.

Overview of Things to do in Cork City

We hope you found this blog post a handy guide of things to do in Cork city when you’re a student. 

At Nido Living, you can enjoy university life safe in the knowledge your wellbeing is of paramount importance to us. We’ve won awards for our thoughtfully designed, modern student accommodation, our incredible service and amazing brand experience.  If you’re interested in finding out more about Nido Curraheen Point and our upcoming buildings in Cork , you can contact us here.