Why stay in Cork?
photo: Fijian Scion
Cork is the Republic of Ireland's second largest city and sits on the River Lee. The river and the area's marshy environment both are important to the city's history. When the city was founded it was built on several small islands, but don't expect it to feel anything like Venice.
Cork is a great cultural destination for music and art lovers of all nationalities, especially during the city's festivals. The Midsummer Festival (mid-June through mid-July) has music, art, poetry and theatre on display throughout the city. October's Film Festival and Jazz Festival are both worth visiting as well.
Any time of year, however, visitors can enjoy the historic city center of Cork. The Shandon Church allows guests to ring the church bells, and St. Finbarr's Cathedral (named for the city's founder) is a nice Gothic building. Elizabeth Fort offers a fine view overlooking the entire city, and there's a scale model of Cork inside the Cork Vision Centre, too. Just outside the city center is the Cork City Gaol, which is an interesting sight.
There are only a few hostels in Cork, and these are likely to fill up fast during the city's annual festivals. Book early to avoid paying a fortune on a fancier hotel. And keep in mind that "hostels" are not just for young backpackers (even if the property has the word "backpacker" in the name!) - they're just the thing for any budget traveler who's interested in being social and meeting other travelers. A few noteworthy Cork hostels are highlighted below.
Bru Bar & Hostel is a two minute walk from the bus and train stations, right in the city center. Aaran House Tourist Hostel is five minutes from the bus station and city center.
Sheilas Hostel is in the heart of the city and runs tours to Blarney and Kinsale every weekend. Kinlay House Cork is near the Shandon Church in the old city center.
If none of these hostels sounds like it's ideal for you, that's nothing to worry about. There are other Cork hostels listed here which you can choose from. Just read the descriptions until you find the one that matches your criteria.
What else do you need for your trip? No matter what it is, we can help you find it. You can look for the best deals on international airfare to Ireland and book your ticket now. You can also learn more about the area in our Cork Travel Guide.
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