Before you go

Your trip to Cobh.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Cobh – Cork Destination Cork and Kinsale about 24 km from Cork

How to get there

Aeroporto de Cork (Cork Airport) (ORK) Cork · 25 km
Estação de Cobh (Cobh Station) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Cork Airport is about 25 km away. Trains depart Kent station in Cork and reach Cobh station on the waterfront in about 25 minutes, with frequent services. By car it is 24 km via the N25 and the bridge to Great Island.

How many days

A full day for the cathedral, the Titanic Experience, the Cobh Heritage Centre and the boat to Spike Island. Without Spike Island, half a day is enough for a return trip from Cork.

When to go

From May to September boats to Spike Island run more frequently and the days are long. In summer cruise ships berth at the quay and the town fills up on call days. In winter some attractions reduce their opening hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The train from Cork stops on the waterfront, and the cathedral, museums and the boat quay are within walking distance. The hillside streets are very steep.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cobh

Morning
Spike Island
Take the boat from Kennedy Pier to Spike Island and visit the fortress and the cells of the former prison.
Afternoon
Titanic Experience
Back on the waterfront, visit the Titanic Experience in the former White Star Line office, and the Cobh Heritage Centre at the station.
Late afternoon
Cathedral and colourful houses
Climb up to St Colman’s Cathedral and to West View, the stepped street of colourful houses with the cathedral in the background.
Evening
Return to Cork
Have dinner on Cobh's waterfront or return by train to Cork.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Why was Cobh called Queenstown?

The town was renamed Queenstown in 1849 after a visit by Queen Victoria, and reverted to the name Cobh (Irish An Cóbh) in 1920.

Did the Titanic really stop at Cobh?

Yes. On 11 April 1912, the Titanic anchored at the entrance to the port and took on its last passengers, brought in small boats from the town pier. It was the final stop before the ship sank.

What is the West View?

The steep street of colourful terraced houses, with the Cathedral of St Colman behind, known as the "deck of cards". It is one of the most photographed scenes in the south of Ireland.

Does Cobh have a connection to Irish emigration?

Yes. Around 2.5 million Irish people departed from the port of Cobh between 1848 and 1950. The statue of Annie Moore, the first immigrant recorded at Ellis Island in 1892, stands on the waterfront.

Back to Cobh