Situated in the south of the county of the same name in southern Ireland, Cork is a fine town to spend a few days in, famed for the nearby Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone. Visitors also come for the laidback charm of the city centre itself, with its old winding streets and top museums, while outdoor activities are also popular.

Blarney is one of the main reasons that people base themselves in Cork, an unassuming village just to the northwest of the city which contains the fabled Blarney Stone within castle walls. Visitors who lie back and kiss the stone are said to be endowed with eloquence. The castle and grounds also make for fine sightseeing.

Other major highlights within the city of Cork are the Gothic St Finnbarrs Cathedral with its lofty towers and stunning stained-glass windows, the bustling and popular Old English Market, and a couple of excellent museums. The Crawford Art Gallery is the most important museum with its fantastic collection of Irish works, while the Cork Butter Museum is unique and tells all about butter and Cork.

Cork is also known for its outdoor activities and the fishing here is particularly good, with rivers, lakes and the sea all within reach. Walking and cycling around the flat town is also fun, as is golfing at the city’s high quality 18-hole, visitor-friendly courses.

After the sun goes down, Cork comes alive with a collection of traditional Irish watering holes and modern bars, where Jameson Whiskey and Guinness are consumed. There’s also a good selection of eateries in town and prices are not excessive. Seafood is particularly popular in Cork.

Hotels, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts provide the mainstay of accommodation in Cork, yet most hotels are rated in the upper end within the town centre. Mid-range guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts are better priced while a few budget hostels are also on offer. Western Road, Wellington Road, Lower Glanmire Road, and the train station area have the pick of the hotels. Booking Cork hotels online is recommended.

Cork has its own international airport, which is located just a few miles to the south of the city and receives flights direct from London and several other major European cities, as well as from all over Ireland. You can also get direct to Cork by ferry from Swansea in the UK, while trains and buses come in from Dublin throughout the day.

Cork sees a mild but unpredictable maritime climate owing to its location near the Atlantic Ocean. Despite this, it is actually one of the drier places in Ireland and is best visited between May and August, when the rainfall is light and the weather at its warmest. Summer temperatures average between 15 and 20°C, with maximums of around 30°C.

Late spring and early autumn are also good times to be in Cork with mild temperatures, lesser crowds and cheaper hotels. Autumn is generally wetter than spring, however, so pack a waterproof jacket. Winters aren’t freezing but are generally cold and wet nonetheless. It rains most in the winter, when sunshine hours are minimal and many guesthouses close down.