It depends where you’re coming from, but Cork is a remarkably easy city to reach. Cork International Airport sits just outside the city centre, while Ringaskiddy Ferry Port, just 30 minutes from the city centre, provides ferry links to France. Shannon International Airport is also just under 2 hours away.

Cork city has bus services that link with towns and cities all over Ireland, including Killarney in County Kerry (1 hour 35 minutes away) and Galway city (3 hours 5 minutes away). Taking the train? From Kent Station, you can reach cities including Dublin (2 hours 30 minutes away), Waterford city (2 hours 10 minutes away) and many other destinations.

Cork has a city population of around 220,000. The city centre is very walkable and compact, and most sights, including the famous English Market and Cork City Gaol, are reachable within around 20 minutes of each other. This gives it a very urban, buzzy feel and makes it an easy and enjoyable place to visit.

The city is well-connected to other parts of Ireland by both bus and rail. Dublin is around 2 hours and 30 minutes away on the train, and Limerick can be reached in roughly 1 hour and 45 mins. Check out Irish Rail and Bus Éireann for more information.

Cork is a small city, and it’s one of Ireland’s most walkable, so you’re unlikely to need public transport while you’re here. To see more of the city, rent a bike or join a guided cycling tour with eBee, which offers a fun and engaging way to explore the streets, parks and hidden corners.

Should you need to take public transport, you’ll find that getting around is easy with a network of TFI bus routes. Day trips to destinations such as Cobh and Kinsale are also straightforward – Cobh is around 25 minutes away by train, while Kinsale is about 40 minutes away by bus.

You’ll find the city centre the best place to stay as it means that you can walk to all the major attractions, and have everything on your doorstep. You’ll also be spoiled for choice with hotels such as the Metropole and the Imperial Hotel.

Shandon is a popular area with a quieter, more historic feel – ideal if you prefer more of a neighbourhood vibe. The Maldron Hotel Shandon Cork City is a good option here.

If you prefer to be adjacent to the action rather than in the thick of it, try the Montenotte Hotel, which sits on a hill overlooking Cork and is about a 20-minute walk from the city centre.

Cork is a great city to visit all year round, so the “best time” really depends on what you’re looking for. Summer brings alfresco dining, arts festivals and boat trips around the harbour, but it’s also one of the busiest.

Autumn is a standout, when Cork gets into the swing of things with the Cork Jazz Festival; while nearby towns such as Kinsale draw visitors for an annual gourmet food festival in October.

In winter, Cork takes things indoors – making it a great time to enjoy traditional pubs, live music and the city’s acclaimed restaurants, while spring is all about blooming parks and gardens, mild weather and the acclaimed Cork International Choral Festival.

Cork Airport is approximately 8km from the city, meaning that it’s highly accessible and convenient. The airport is served by scheduled bus and coach services that link it to Parnell Place Bus Station in the city centre. The average journey time between the airport and the city centre is around 25 minutes.

It’s easy to get to Cobh from Cork city centre. At around 25km away, it takes roughly 30 minutes by car, but is also very accessible by bus or train. Trains depart hourly from Cork Kent Station and take a scenic route along Cork Harbour. It’s widely considered one of Ireland’s most beautiful rail journeys, and has a travel time of about 25 minutes.

There is also the Cobh Connect bus, which departs from St Patrick’s Quay in Cork city, and takes around 45 minutes. Once in Cobh, don’t miss the Titanic Experience Cobh, which tells all about the town’s connection to the famous liner. Or take a ferry out to Spike Island, “Ireland’s Alcatraz”.

Kinsale is roughly 25km from Cork city centre and takes just over 30 minutes to drive, depending on traffic. Bus Eireann route 226 serves Kinsale from Kent Station or you can take the Kinsale Connect Route with Kinsale Connect. Journey time is around 40 minutes.

Of course, Kinsale is a lovely day trip from the city, but it’s also worth staying a bit longer in this charming harbour town if you have the chance. Stay a few days and you can enjoy the great dining scene here, with buzzy restaurants such as St Francis Provisions, or enjoy a quiet drink in The Bulman pub. You can walk out to Charles Fort, a 17th-century bastion fort, or take a dip in Dock Beach, just beside James Fort. The Old Head of Kinsale looped walk offers great views of this spectacular peninsula.

It depends on your nationality. The Common Travel Area applies to British and Irish citizens, and these citizens do not legally need a passport to travel, though it’s important to check with your carrier as some airlines may insist on one, or another recognised form of photo ID.

All other citizens will need a passport, and may also require a visa, depending on nationality. There is no formal border check between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but you are still expected to carry your passport, as it may be requested if identity or visa status needs to be checked at any point.