Guide to Kinsale, Ireland: 14 Things to do + Itinerary

Kinsale may be famous for its vibrant streets, but there’s far more to this lively Cork town than its colourful facades.

From exploring the historic Desmond Castle to soaking up harbour views on the Scilly Walk, there’s no shortage of things to do in Kinsale by day.

And by night? A thriving food scene and some of the best pubs in Ireland await! I’ve spent many-a-weekend in Kinsale over the years—below, you’ll find places to visit that I’m confident you’ll love!

The best things to do in Kinsale

Below, you’ll find everything from the brilliant Charles Fort and the mighty Scilly Walk to what to do in Kinsale when it rains!

At the end of the guide, you’ll find a map that shows the various things to do in Kinsale along with nearby attractions.

1. Take your pick from one of Kinsale’s cracking cafes

Before you start exploring, it’s time to fuel-up. Now, Kinsale, like many small towns in Ireland, has plenty of cafes—but what makes it stand out is just how many serve an exceptional cup of coffee.

The Collector (specialty coffee bar, cocktail lab, and curated shop) has been my go-to since visiting shortly after it opened in 2023.

However, Cosy Café (quirky little spot that does a great brekkie!), The Flying Poet (great toasties and a wealth of Irish aviation history on show) and O’Herlihys (sensational baked bits and brunch) are worth a look, too!

2. Then head off on this self-guided walking tour

I’ve been giving visitors to Kinsale a version of the map above for many years now.

Although it’ll only take around 25 minutes to walk it, the trail includes the most colourful corners of Kinsale, along with some good viewpoints for the harbour.

Here’s an overview:

• Start point: The tourist office
• Stop 1: The harbour
• Stop 2: The quirky building beside Bruno’s restaurant
• Stop 3: The colourful Main St (aim for Fintan Lynch Hair)
• Stop 4: The famous Market Sq. (aim for Milk Market Cafe)
• Stop 5: The Quay (good view of the harbour and town)

3. Or take a walking tour with a local

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Kinsale on foot, head off on the Historic Stroll of Kinsale.

You’ll join Don Herlihy or Barry Moloney on an adventure around Kinsale, gaining an insight into the town’s past, from from when it was Medieval walled town.

Discover the story of the sinking of the Lusitania, The Battle of Kinsale in 1601 and listen to tales about the town that often go unheard.

Some other good walking tours are:

• The Kinsale Ghost Tour
• Kinsale Heritage Town Walks

4. Step back in time at Kinsale Museum

If you’re wondering what to do in Kinsale when it’s raining, this next place will keep you dry and amused for an hour.

You’ll find the Kinsale Museum inside the town’s courthouse, which was built around 1600. Inside you’ll discover a very interesting array of artefacts.

There’s everything from boots once owned by Patrick Cotter O’Brien (a chap known as the ‘Kinsale Giant’) to an anchor from one of the Spanish Armada ships on show.

5. Explore the often missed Desmond Castle

Kinsale’s Desmond Castle dates back to around 1500 and is located a 3-minute stroll from the town center.

A fine example of a tower house, it was built by the Earl of Desmond to act as a custom house. However, in later years, it was used as a prison.

Interestingly, the castle is now home to the International Museum of Wine, which tells the story of the ‘Winegeese’ – Irish emigrants who established vineyards around the world.

Unfortunately, the castle has been closed since 2018 for conservation work, so you can only admire it from the outside at the moment.

5. Tackle Kinsale’s spectacular Scilly Walk

I’d argue that the Scilly Walk is up there with the best walks in Cork. This is a roughly 6km round trip that starts in the town and that takes you out to Charles Fort.

It’s a relatively handy walk and should take you between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on 1, how many times you stop to soak up the views and 2, if you go out as far as Charles Fort.

You can then take the tour of Charles Fort and, on the return leg, nip into the Bulman Bar for a pint or a feed.

6. And extend the ramble to include Charles Fort

You’ll regularly see a visit to Charles Fort topping guides to the best things to do in Kinsale. It’s well worth a visit, even if history doesn’t tickle your fancy.

Myself and the aul lad visited Charles Fort last summer while doing the Scilly Walk and my main regret is that we picked the self-guided tour over the guided, as we ended up wandering aimlessly around!

Charles Fort is a late 17th-century star-shaped fort that was designed by the same fella (William Robinson) that designed the Royal Hospital in Dublin.

Interestingly enough, the fort here is linked to a number of significant events in Irish history, the most significant of which was the Williamite War 1689-91 and the Civil War 1922-23.

7. Sample some of the great pubs and restaurants in Kinsale

There are some mighty pubs in Kinsale. The best, in my opinion, is the Grey Hound – this is the oldest pub in Kinsale and wandering in here makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Another great spot is the Tap Tavern (great Guinness here!). When you ramble through its doors you’ll feel like you’ve just walked into someones living room!

The town also excels when it comes to food. While there are many great Kinsale restaurants, my go-tos in the town are Fishy Fishy, Man Friday and the Black Pig.

Fancy a food tour? You can take a guided food tour of the town with these lads

8. Take to the sea with Kinsale Harbour Cruises

Another handy one if you’re wondering what to do in Kinsale when it’s raining is the Harbour Cruises (there’s sheltered seating).

You’ll climb aboard the ‘Spirit of Kinsale’ and set off on an adventure from the town’s harbour. Over the course of the trip, you’ll see:

• Charles Fort
• The Old Head of Kinsale
• Block House
• Ringrone Castle

9. See James Fort

If you’re not familiar with James Fort, it’s an early 17th-century pentagonal bastion fort that you’ll find finely plonked on the Castlepark peninsula in the beautiful harbour of Kinsale.

James Fort was constructed in 1607 with the primary objective of defending Kinsale harbour.

Those that visit can soak up a heap of history while also grabbing some mighty views of the town, the harbour and nearby Charles Fort.

The fort here isn’t anywhere near as well preserved as Charles Fort, but it’s worth visiting. You can also get a decent view of Charles Fort from here as it’s located directly across the harbour.

10. Tee-off in the scenic Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links

The Old Head of Kinsale is home to one of Ireland’s most scenic golf courses – the Old Head Golf Links.

This is an impressive 220-acre course located on a promontory that extends into the Atlantic Ocean, offering glorious cliff views.

The par 72 course boasts a warm-up range, practice areas and a high-end clubhouse welcoming both members and guests.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best hotels in Kinsale and our guide to the best B&Bs in Kinsale

11. Visit the Church of St. Multose

A towering piece of Kinsale’s past, this centuries-old church has seen everything from royal proclamations to battles that shaped history.

Built around 1190, it has been altered, expanded, and repaired over the years, but its striking bell tower still stands as a nod to its Norman origins.

Step inside, and you’ll find a treasure trove of history—elaborate woodwork, colourful stained glass, and relics from major conflicts, including flags from Waterloo.

12. Take a tour of the Kinsale Mead Co.

Next up is one of the more unique things to do in Kinsale – a tour of the Kinsale Mead Co. Now, if you’re wondering, ‘What in the …. is Mead’, you’re probably not alone.

Mead is the world’s oldest alcoholic drink and you’ll also often hear it called ‘honey wine’ or ‘honeymoon wine’. Those that opt to do the tour of the Kinsale Mead Co. can expect:

• Insights into Kinsale Meads
• The story and evolution of Mead through the centuries
• How Ireland’s Bee Laws protected the bees
• How mead is made
• You’ll also get to sample award-winning meads along with a seasonal cocktail

13. Saunter along Kinsale Beach

Often referred to as ‘Dock Beach’ and ‘Castlepark Beach’, Kinsale Beach is a handy 3km spin from the centre of Kinsale.

Although it’s one of the lesser-known beaches in Cork, it’s small and sheltered, and the sand here is grand for a ramble.

There are a heap of beaches near Kinsale that are well worth a visit, too, like:

• Sandycove Beach (8-minute drive)
• Garretstown Beach (15-minute drive)
• Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach (16-minute drive)
• Coolmain Beach (20-minute drive)

14. Pick a good base to explore from

Now that you’ve a good sense of what to do in Kinsale in Ireland, it’s time to find a base for your visit.

The map above will give you a good sense of where to stay in Kinsale. In my opinion, Lemon Leaf Townhouse and the Trident Hotel are hard to beat.

A map showing what to do in Kinsale

If you’ve never visited the area, the map above will give you the lay-of-the-land very quickly.

As you can see, many of the top things to do in Cork are a short spin away!

Things to do near Kinsale, Ireland

So, you’ve ticked off the many things to do in Kinsale and you’re in search of things to do near Kinsale. Well, you’re in luck – there’s loads of places to visit nearby.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the town:

1. Cork City (30-minute drive): Home to Cork Gaol, Blackrock Castle and the English Market
2. Clonakilty (45-minute drive): Home to Inchydoney Beach
3. Cobh (1 hour drive):Visit Spike Island and the Titanic Experience

Still struggling to decide what to do in Kinsale? Or need inspiration for places to visit near Kinsale? Shout in the comments below!