National Geographic Names Cork City as on of the 25 Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2025
Photo Courtesy of Pure CorkThe list is handpicked by National Geographic’s explorers, photographers, and editors.
There are a number of exotic destinations on the National Geographic list, such as Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, Cenobitic monasteries in Italy, the medieval city of Brasov in Romania, and Tunisia.
Writing about Cork City, National Geographic tells readers to“Immerse yourself in an emerging urban renaissance," then describes the city’s new development plan, part of a $128 billion Project Ireland initiative. Set to be completed in 2028, the plan “will redevelop the port and docklands, refurbish the Crawford Art Gallery, and enhance the Cork Event Centre so it can host new concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.
The Safe Harbour festival is part of a full palette of things to do in County Cork, one of Ireland’s distinctive visitor destinations, filled with stunning scenery, picturesque towns and fascinating heritage attractions.
Foodies should check out the English Market in Cork City, a delicious den of traditional and exotic food specialties. Nearby on the site of a former monastery is the Franciscan Well Brewery, with deep-routed traditions of brewing and distilling.
Another food lover’s destination is Kinsale, located 30 minutes south of Cork City. Often called the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, Kinsale has dozens of distinctive and original restaurants that cater to hearty traditional food as well as European and international cuisine.
Cobh, the port city from which thousands of 19th century Irish emigrated to America, is also the port where the famous and fatal Titanic set sail. The Cobh Heritage Center is a great place to get acclimated to all that the area has to offer in terms of history.
Writing about Cork City, National Geographic tells readers to“Immerse yourself in an emerging urban renaissance," then describes the city’s new development plan, part of a $128 billion Project Ireland initiative. Set to be completed in 2028, the plan “will redevelop the port and docklands, refurbish the Crawford Art Gallery, and enhance the Cork Event Centre so it can host new concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.
"In September 2025, Ireland’s second city shines during Sounds from a Safe Harbour, a biennial festival of music, dance, and conversation that was cofounded by Oscar-winning Oppenheimer actor and Cork native Cillian Murphy.”
Foodies should check out the English Market in Cork City, a delicious den of traditional and exotic food specialties. Nearby on the site of a former monastery is the Franciscan Well Brewery, with deep-routed traditions of brewing and distilling.
Another food lover’s destination is Kinsale, located 30 minutes south of Cork City. Often called the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, Kinsale has dozens of distinctive and original restaurants that cater to hearty traditional food as well as European and international cuisine.
Cobh, the port city from which thousands of 19th century Irish emigrated to America, is also the port where the famous and fatal Titanic set sail. The Cobh Heritage Center is a great place to get acclimated to all that the area has to offer in terms of history.
To learn more about Cork City and all it has to offer, visit purecork.ie/. For information about visiting Ireland, go to ireland.com.
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